What is Steam Deck and how does Valve’s portable console work?

With only Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft as the big names for years, the video game console market has gained a strong and promising competitor: Valve, responsible for the Steam Deck. The hardware has differences from more traditional options, such as PlayStation or Xbox, mixing functionality of a PC and hybrid devices, such as Switch, working in portable mode or connected to a TV. Curious to know more about the device? OR he explains it to you below.

What is Steam Deck?

Steam Deck is a video game console that can be considered a kind of portable computer. One of the most interesting features of the device is access to the Steam library – the largest platform for selling computer games. For example: if you already have a Steam account, you can run titles previously purchased through the service, which has been around since 2003, on your device.

Steam is a creation of Valve Corporation, an American company originally known for developing classics like half life???????? team fortress And counterattack???????? In addition to marketing its own productions, the service now has games from the world’s leading game developers, including independent developers, in its catalog. But it’s worth mentioning that not all titles available in the platform’s library are compatible with the console.

Similar to the popular Switch, Steam Deck works like a handheld console, but with significantly more robust hardware. And for those who don’t just want to play on the 7” LCD screen, it is possible to connect the device to the TV and also connect other joysticks via Bluetooth.

What are the technical specifications of the Steam Deck?

The video game runs its own operating system, based on Linux. It features an AMD Zen 2 architecture-based processor (4 cores and 8 threads, frequency of 2.4 to 3.5 GHz), 8-unit graphics processor, and 16 GB of RAM. This means you can play next-gen titles like Elden Ring with peace of mind.

Currently, the device is sold with three storage options: 64GB eMMC, 256GB SSD and 512GB SSD. All have a high-speed microSD card slot.

The model follows the traditional layout of controls, with four main buttons, analog sticks, triggers and upper buttons (L and R). In addition, the presence of two touchpadsone on each side.

How to buy the console?

For now, the console has been released in a few territories and there are no official distribution forecasts in Brazil or other Latin American territories. In any case, the official site of the console has a version in Brazilian Portuguese, but it is not possible to make reservations. The product is marketed in the United States, Canada, the European Union and the United Kingdom. The next countries to officially receive are South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong.

Pricing, in dollars, is $399, $529, and $649, respectively, for the 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB models. By way of comparison, the PlayStation 5 currently costs from US$400 (discless version) to US$500 in the international market.

In Brazil, the product can be found on websites and in some physical stores, with values ​​between R$ 4,900 and R$ 9,000. That is, maybe it’s worth waiting a little longer for an official release. Or, who knows, take advantage of a possible international trip to make the purchase.

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Source: Olhar Digital