this post was submitted on 25 Aug 2025
425 points (98.2% liked)

Steam Deck

18802 readers
721 users here now

A place to discuss and support all things Steam Deck.

Replacement for r/steamdeck_linux.

As Lemmy doesn't have flairs yet, you can use these prefixes to indicate what type of post you have made, eg:
[Flair] My post title

The following is a list of suggested flairs:
[Discussion] - General discussion.
[Help] - A request for help or support.
[News] - News about the deck.
[PSA] - Sharing important information.
[Game] - News / info about a game on the deck.
[Update] - An update to a previous post.
[Meta] - Discussion about this community.

Some more Steam Deck specific flairs:
[Boot Screen] - Custom boot screens/videos.
[Selling] - If you are selling your deck.

These are not enforced, but they are encouraged.

Rules:

Link to our Matrix Space

founded 4 years ago
MODERATORS
top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] commander@lemmy.world 18 points 9 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago)

Valves the only one with a major digital store. Everyone else is making money off hardware margin and frequent hardware releases. I want a smaller one though. Pretty much a Switch 2 sized handheld. Maybe even smaller. Different levels of portability. Like I don't need to be on a device that can run at 15-30w like current Steam Deck competitors when I'm just trying to play Persona 5 on an airplane. You can play that set at lowest TDP on a Steam Deck and hit 30fps

[–] purplerabbit@piefed.blahaj.zone 11 points 10 hours ago

I mean everything's price is out of control. But, other than that, yeah, I'm not surprised. It's not surprising that massive companies just wouldn't understand what made the Steam Deck great in the first place.

I still recommend it to most people. I still think it's the best on the market. Because I still think that the more open nature of the device, its trackpads and that SteamOS are killer features.

[–] wry@piefed.zip 54 points 21 hours ago (6 children)

Newer handhelds might have more power, but I still think the Deck is the best value for what it offers.

[–] Korhaka@sopuli.xyz 4 points 14 hours ago (7 children)

I would love to see a lower powered and low budget focused one. Powerful enough for locally running a web browser, normal Linux stuff like SSH and some low spec games like CDDA. Otherwise most games would be played by streaming it from your desktop.

[–] mrgoosmoos@lemmy.ca 2 points 5 hours ago

I just want something that runs Minecraft so I don't have to keep up to date with workarounds on the Switch that Nintendo keeps trying to block

also fuck bedrock edition

my switch exists primarily for Minecraft. I don't use it much because the experience is terrible. if there was something that did the same thing but for Java, I'd buy it

[–] chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world 9 points 12 hours ago (3 children)

There are loads and loads of really cheap Android-based emulator handhelds. The YouTuber TechDweeb does lots of reviews of these devices. These things have effectively spawned their own retro gaming ecosystem around them.

An alternative is to pick up a used New Nintendo 3DS (New being part of the name, distinguishing it from the original 3DS which is way less powerful). This device can be hacked to run many different emulators and play thousands of games. While the screens are not as good as the best Android handhelds, the form factor is ideally suited for running DS and 3DS games (which obviously run natively on the device) while still being great for older single-screen systems (the unused touch screen is excellent for emulator controls such as pause/resume and save/load state).

[–] jacksilver@lemmy.world 1 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

Yeah, but I hate android and want to run steam natively so I can play indie games.

Where is my small Linux handheld for steam. Something not targeting the AAA games?

[–] chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world 2 points 6 hours ago

I believe a lot of the folks into these retro handhelds ditch the default Android system and install a community made distro specifically for running these retro emulators! TechDweeb talks about them.

[–] Xatolos@reddthat.com 3 points 12 hours ago (9 children)

A used PS Vita would be better I feel. Similar size, and just as hackable (Emu4Vita). Except a Vita has:

  • better screen
  • Bluetooth audio (more and more headphones are Bluetooth)
  • A functional sleep mode (the 3ds doesn't go into sleep mode unless it's a 3DS/DS game. So any emulator game just turns off the screen but still runs and drains the battery)
  • A possibly standard connector (the 2000 series uses micro-USB)

The only advantage a 3DS has is that it has 3DS and DS games, but the Vita has PS Vita games, PSP games, and PSX games to its advantage.

load more comments (9 replies)
[–] WhiteOakBayou@lemmy.world 1 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

In that form factor/size are the android handhelds better screens worth the trade-off of what I assume is better build quality from Nintendo (I've never used a ds so I assume the build quality is better)

[–] chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world 2 points 6 hours ago

I’m not sure actually. I’m into the hobby but I have only a New 3DS. I plan to get one of those handhelds at some point but I’m not there yet!

[–] SonOfAntenora@lemmy.world 4 points 13 hours ago* (last edited 13 hours ago)

You want a linux psp, a media device that had a web browser too. The psp was som far ahead of its time.

[–] princessnorah@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 13 hours ago

So essentially a Steam Link/Moonlight thin client? Yeah, I like the idea of that.

load more comments (3 replies)
load more comments (5 replies)
[–] oxysis@lemmy.blahaj.zone 158 points 1 day ago (10 children)

Once again Valve proves they actually understand what people want; a relatively cheap and effective system that lets people play the games they want to play

[–] RampantParanoia2365@lemmy.world 2 points 10 hours ago

Dude it's my favorite PC in a very very long time. I will definitely be installing Linux on my laptop at some point soon.

[–] sp3ctr4l@lemmy.dbzer0.com 72 points 23 hours ago (6 children)

Two things massively help Valve:

Steam is a goddamned money printing machine, they are the most profitable software company per capita, per employee... possibly bar none.

Also... they're not publically traded.

They do not have investors constantly forcing maximization of short term profits at the cost of literally everything else.

... So they can afford to ... not price gauge everyone.

[–] Bongles@lemmy.zip 22 points 20 hours ago

Also... they're not publically traded.

They do not have investors constantly forcing maximization of short term profits at the cost of literally everything else.

I fantasize about the idea of starting private companies for things currently dominated by public companies, with the sole idea of not being greedy and shitty.

[–] potoo22@programming.dev 30 points 22 hours ago* (last edited 22 hours ago) (3 children)

Probably the biggest advantage they have is that they can sell devices at cost or even at a loss and still profit from increased Steam game sales, like how other console makers operate.

3rd parties can't compete with that. Not even close. If there's no profit from the device itself, there's no motivation to make it. And apart from the hardware cost, they also need to pay for the R&D and corporate maintenance. They can't compete with the Steam Deck. If they made an exact Steam Deck clone, they'd have to make it, idk ~$40 more to make a profit, but no one would buy it because the Steam Deck is the same for less. They have to give it slightly higher specs to give it a niche. That might take hardware cost up to $500 and then charge $150 more to make up for the distributor fees and then $100 to make it actually profitable. But at that point, they've already lost most budget and casual gamers, they might as well aim at whales and enthusiasts and make profits $300. If a $950 device sells half as well as a $750 device, it's still more profitable.

Edit: more realistic numbers

[–] AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space 2 points 7 hours ago

They could sell them at a loss assuming the average Steam outlay per device exceeded the loss. This figure would be dragged down by people buying them as generic portable PCs, using them solely with emulators, using them as drone controllers (apparently the Ukrainian military do that), and such.

[–] kadup@lemmy.world 15 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

The Steam Deck is not sold at a loss. The initial pricing for the 64 GB unit was barely profitable, but this quickly changed with production ramping up.

This was confirmed by Valve themselves in an interview that happened months after Gabe's famous comments about the pricing.

So yes, Valve profits from the games too, but that's not used to subsidize the Steam Deck's price.

[–] Korhaka@sopuli.xyz 3 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Could there be an argument about the R&D costs not being factored in there? So for companies that can't compete, its literally a skill issue.

[–] Jakeroxs@sh.itjust.works 3 points 5 hours ago

Not like the companies releasing these things have been making PCs and peripherals for decades or anything lol

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (4 replies)
[–] TragicNotCute@lemmy.world 92 points 1 day ago (6 children)

I think the big difference is that they seem to be optimizing for customer satisfaction where others are not.

My favorite example I use often is how the Steam Deck comes with a case. It’s free and there’s not even an option to not get it. They know you need one, they include it. The Switch doesn’t come with a case. They know you need one but they don’t care. You’ll buy one if you want it bad enough and that’s more revenue.

It’s just a different type of optimization.

load more comments (6 replies)
[–] iturnedintoanewt@lemmy.world 8 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

Well people also want HL3, and here we are...

[–] mudstickmcgee@sh.itjust.works 7 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

The hype train for hl3 is so off the rails that valve can't release it. It would never live up to the hype, so it's a pretty sound decision not to make it.

[–] Undearius@lemmy.ca 1 points 8 hours ago

They should make the game where, after the opening credits, it just says "There, we did it. Fuck off" and then rolls end credits.

load more comments (6 replies)
[–] Hallokas@pawb.social 5 points 14 hours ago (1 children)
[–] MudMan@fedia.io 61 points 1 day ago (6 children)

This is just... not true?

The Deck ranges from 420 to 680. The Legion Go S is 520, right in the middle of that. The Z1 Extreme ROG Ally is 670, right in line with the top of the line Deck (and noticeably more powerful). The Switch 2 is 470, on the cheaper side and also a fair bit beefier.

This article is arguing that having next-gen chips in boutique devices for 1K is a) a new development, and b) a bad thing. It is neither.

Before the Deck went mass market with PC handhelds they would routinely be a lot more expensive. The original Ayaneo was between 800 and 900 in 2021. The Pro model went up to 1200.

I want those things to exist. I want GPD to cram a Strix Halo into a handheld with a removable battery. I want Ayaneo to build a dual screen clamshell. I want Odin to slap a Xbox controller around an iPad. I want them to make a dumb console that spits out its buttons so you can flip them around. I want vertical handhelds. All that kooky weirdness is experimenting with new form factors and parts in ways that will move the segment forward. Without Ayaneo, Odin or GPD being dumb enough to cram a laptop into a handheld there'd be no Steam Deck in the first place.

Let the people who like weird hardware dump a grand or two into those weird things and that's how you eventually get a comfortably priced for-the-rest-of-us device from Valve or Asus that takes the ideas from those that work.

[–] fmstrat@lemmy.nowsci.com 2 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

And Steam sales subsidize the deck, too.

[–] MudMan@fedia.io 1 points 10 hours ago

Sure. Maybe? The Deck isn't that expensive, and despite being relatively limited runs it definitely has some benefits from scale. For one it's a custom APU, so you have to assume there's a specific deal with AMD.

Valve is certainly a first party that benefits from software sales primarily, so it makes sense for them to go to some lengths to invest in bringing people over, but I'm not sure that they are actively subsidizing the Deck, the price seems pretty reasonable. I'm sure they don't make a ton of money from it, though, so they definitely get to thin those margins up a LOT compared with the pure hardware manufacturers, let alone with the tiny companies making handhelds one at a time.

[–] rmuk@feddit.uk 2 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

I completely agree. I passed over the Steam Deck and went for the MSI Claw 8 instead. I was willing to pay the extra for a waaaay better CPU/GPU combo and - the killer feature IMHO - not one, but two Thunderbolt ports. Long term, this means I can expect a longer life out of my MSI than the Steam Deck is likely to get, but also means when the GPU does start to chug I can connect an eGPU to it's dock.

To be clear, that doesn't mean I don't rate the Steam Deck - I really, really do - and it's level of capability and price-point will act as a stabalising point for the wider industry, but I paid more for a better device and got my money's worth.

[–] MudMan@fedia.io 3 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

You went for an Intel handheld? I salute you, sir, that's a deep cut.

As one of the five people on the planet who own an Intel GPU I firmly believe we are in a very exclusive club that will one day do wonders for hardware archaeology.

[–] rmuk@feddit.uk 2 points 9 hours ago

We had a bunch of laptops at work with ARC GPUs in them. The vendor supplied one of them as test units saying they were ideal as portable 8K video editing machines, to which I replied - in exactly these words - "oh, fuck off". But then we tested them and they're honestly excellent and run a lot cooIer and longer than the AMD/Intel+Nvidia equivalents. I had to apologise. I got to test the Claw side-by-side with the Steam Deck playing RDR2 and Forza Horizon 5 and that sealed the deal. And when the ARC GPU does start groaning then, like I said, it's eGPU time. The ARC is probably never going to bother the top-tier GPUs from AMD and Nvidia, but for portable and, I dare say, midrange desktop gaming it's ideal.

load more comments (4 replies)
load more comments
view more: next ›