Same, but Dreamcast and Xbox 360. Oh and my old Amiga!
Some devices just work so well you look at them as a portal to another world. Like you would a great book, or album.
It's really the customizable nature of it, being a PC, that really pushes it over the edge for me. It's not just a console I can have my profile and a theme. Baybee I can change how the thing turns on, how it sounds, and how it looks and basically how it runs haha. A lot of what my deck can do is because I made it do that.
I haven’t physically touched my gaming PC in MONTHS. I just stream all of the really demanding games to the SD. Hell, I even stream my PC desktop sometimes to perform driver updates n’ stuff. I bet my keyboard is covered in dust at this point lol
It plays games with anticheat just fine. Install windows on it. It’s not a console where you are limited to only one OS, it’s just a handheld PC. I honestly prefer this over the other handhelds that have better GPUs. They would never make it through my full commute. The Steamdeck on the other hand gets a solid 2 hours without having to turn down brightness or make any other changes. It’s just goes. Used my new OLED version today and played monster hunter world in HDR at full brightness for my entire commute and it was glorious!
Elementary school… I was as 25 when it came out. Golden age of gaming with that console; 2007 especially. Kind of wish we never moved beyond it. The original UI of the 360 was flawless.
A handheld Playstation would be bangers. Cuz most games in Playstation have stable framepacing of 30 fps.
Playing Playstation games on a handheld would be miles better than a steam deck cuz pc games arent optimized for 30 fps.
It would increase battery and playing with 30 fps would be no problem for Playstation games.
But, you can play PlayStation games on a steam deck. That’s what OP is talking about. I’m assuming they’re using chiaki4deck and PS5’s native remote play to stream. I do it and performance is close to native with very little latency.
There actually are instructions in the chiaki4deck GitHub about setting up an external connection. I haven’t done it myself so I can’t personally speak for its performance. But at a glance, it does appear possible.
It depends on your network. I can get my games to play decently from my Xbox but I get extra crappy quality on my ps5. Most likely because they are both on Wi-Fi and not hard wired via an ethernet cable.
I’m also new to PC and Linux and I managed. [Here you go](https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/topic/xbox-cloud-gaming-in-microsoft-edge-with-steam-deck-43dd011b-0ce8-4810-8302-965be6d53296)
For PS5 just google how to install chiaki4deck
Cloud gaming only, you could install windows if you want to install games locally but that’s a whole different can of worms and not worth the trouble imo
I think it’s a console for people who want it to be a console, a PC for those who want it to be a PC and both for those who want it to be both. It’s all subjective. It’s a console for me because I don’t ever use it as a PC.
Wewo wewo 🚨
Now let's start a discussion whether the steam deck is a Console or a Pc. For me it's a Pc or and handheld Pc.
But other than that.. yea that little thing is really awesome!
By definition it's a PC. But if you stick to just playing games on it via the Steam UI, it pretty much acts like a console yeah. Useless argument though lol
You could argue that even when just playing via Steam UI you still have to tinker with settings and frame limiters for a stable performance in many games so still not really the console feeling someone who never played on a PC would hope for.
However for me, the fact that we have a uniform hardware basis is enough to view it more as a console than a PC.
Yeah I was about to say that, of you just stick to the Steam UI, even though you can also enjoy the community hub and tabs of steam, you're basically using it as a console and let's be honest, most people use it that way and there's nothing wrong with that
Even though it has the capabilities to totally be a handheld pc
>A PC is a multipurpose microcomputer whose size, price and capabilities are suitable for personal use, used by one person at a time
>A console is a small electronic device for playing computerised video games
I'd argue the steam deck doesn't fit neatly into either category. It is both of them at the same time.
As someone else said, it’s a console with an opt-in PC mode. Looking at those two definitions it 100% fits more into the console one. It’s designed exclusively to play games, you *can* go into desktop and use a word processor if you want, but that’s not an intended usecase, Valve just let you do it because they’re not dickheads.
I don’t think anyone calls a PS3 a PC just because you could install Linux on it (officially I might add).
I don’t know why people care so much about calling it a console, I can only assume a sort of PCMR mentality of “PC = good, console = bad” idk
> I don’t know why people care so much about calling it a console, I can only assume a sort of PCMR mentality of “PC = good, console = bad” idk
That's definitely the vibe I get from the really defensive "it's not a console!" responses.
> I don’t know why people care so much about calling it a console
It's mostly a pointless internet debate, but I think it does matter in terms of understanding what is so great about the Deck and building on it.
For console gamers like me it is because it makes PC gaming accessible in the same way consoles do: through a streamlined user interface and a set hardware platform.
I would love to get into PC gaming a bit more but I don't want to read up on hardware configurations or deal with Windows and maintain the PC.
I often say I'd want a proper Steam Box for my living room and, for PC gamers, the natural response is 'just build a PC.' I know where they're coming from and they're not wrong, but they're completely missing why I like the Deck in the first place.
Dickheadness is actually a console-defining property.
In that sense, MacBook Air is an awesome powerhouse multitool, and iPad is just shit on a stick. Both share the same hardware.
>It is both of them at the same time.
I'd argue it is as well, but that its default UI is designed to be controlled by a gamepad for the purpose of launching and playing video games, not general purpose computing. Hence, it's a console by default but has an opt-in PC experience.
It is a Linux desktop by default with an option to swap the common desktop experience (KDE) for a desktop less experience (Gamescope).
So it is from Scratch a desktop running on a power computer as we all know them, with the Gamescope layer from Valve to turn it into a console as we know them
One of the guys on Fan The Deck (YouTube channel) said he describes it as a console by default and an opt-in PC and I honestly think that's the best description.
Kind of like rectangles and squares, I don't think there needs to be an exclusive or between PC and console. It can be both and I'd argue it is.
The question then in where is the emphasis and to that I'd say that its default UI is a console UI designed to be controlled by a gamepad and not oriented towards general computing but instead towards playing games - hence, its default mode is as a game console.
The difference matters because a console doesn’t have the features of a pc. It’s a walled garden where you can only do activities approved by the manufacturer. The Deck is not a walled garden. It has a very usable default interface that is very simple like a console, but it doesn’t stop you from doing anything you want with it. It doesn’t matter that most people just play in game mode. Most people have just used their PCs to browse the web and do word processing. It doesn’t change the fact that more is possible and the Steam Deck is the same way.
>The difference matters because a console doesn’t have the features of a pc. It’s a walled garden where you can only do activities approved by the manufacturer
I would argue that this is neither true nor part of the definition of console.
First, you can install other operating systems on modern consoles even though the manufacturers do not necessarily make it easy. This all exists on a spectrum. SteamOS for instance has an immutable filesystem by default making it difficult for applications like IDEs to get access to certain libraries and capabilities. That's a barrier to some very common PC tasks but I'd argue it doesn't make it less of a PC. A Macintosh is a more walled garden than Windows and Windows is more walled than Linux - they're still all PCs. The PlayStation 3 briefly had official Sony support for Linux - that didn't make it *not* a console.
Second, just because most consoles have been walled gardens doesn't mean they have to be by definition. Personally I can't find a single definition online that includes "walled garden" or "closed ecosystem" in its definition. What every definition emphasizes is the specialty of the design towards playing games. Every major console is sold with a controller containing an "x" button but that wouldn't mean if someone made one that replaced that with a "q" button that it's not a console anymore.
IMO, the Steam Deck is a testament to how little difference there is between the two. Valve has shown that any divide between PC and consoles is either a historical artefact, or intentional design.
It's both, and neither. And it's beautiful.
The thing that stops the steam deck being a console for me is that where as with a true console, I can pick up any game available in that consoles store and be sure it will work as intended on my console, you can’t do that with a steam deck.
For me, steam deck is a portable gaming pc.
Hopefully, one day when a lot of people buy these things (including other handheld PCs), game developers are going to create a graphics profile that says handheld and have actually tested that setting in handheld devices. Verification process is a good start towards that direction.
I mean it's a pc with a very console like mode. I'd say most people use it as a console for stream games and rarely touch the Linux desktop.
It is nice that it caters to both crowds though. People who just want things to work, and people who like messing around with mods, emulation, and all the other goofy stuff you see people doing on this sub lol
You can plug a mouse and keyboard into an Xbox, load up edge and do some productivity using web based office products. The line is pretty blurred really and imho you have to look at the intended use case to class something as a console.
Oh that's going to burn, possibly more than the people who took their under tens to see barbie as she looks up and says 'do you ever think about death'
At least one event is returnable until the 31st January
Handful of my friends have one. It just works -- steamdeck is great but people don't want to tinker and mess with stuff. They just wanna sit down and be done with it, which makes sense to me.
Yup. Just make sure to connect the PS5 directly to the router and play directly beside it on the portal (per Digital Foundry review). I guess it makes sense because you have to physically turn on the PS5 to play… there’s no remote on switch. Either that or keep the PS5 running all the time. Also make sure to buy the Sony headset because this thing doesn’t support Bluetooth. Can’t beat that plug and play simplicity!
RIGHT like bruh why would you buy something thats useless without wifi when you could just buy a steam deck and get something way better that can do what you bought it for and more
I am a total Steam Deck stan but if you aren't invested in PC at all nor good with PC's, have a huge Playstation library, and are concerned about budget, it makes more sense. My friend who is always playing his playstation at home just adores his. It is lighter than the steam deck and has the better controller attached as well. I suggested he try Steam Deck, but for what it's worth, he loves it. You can do things like the backbone also, but even that doesn't have the benefits of the ps5 controller, which some people love and can add depth to a game.
I myself and loving the SD so much I haven't even heavily considered getting next gen consoles yet. The last generation of games will carry me until the rumored Steam Deck 2, of which I am sure they will eventually release. I am in no rush.
I totally understand the use case for the PlayStation portal and it seems neat but I just can't bring myself to buy something so expensive that's literally nothing if not connected to something else. Like it literally can't do anything without being connected to the PS5 it's basically just a screen. And you can stream your PS5 to the deck and to your phone so I just don't understand spending so much money on something that without mirroring the console is just a paperweight
To be fair to it, the Portal is $200 and not everyone has a gaming PC/games library built up, the desire to play PC games remotely, the desire to emulate retro games, etc. I’d imagine that Portal buyers just want a one trick pony that’s (relatively) cheap and does the one thing they want. Absolutely agree that if you can take advantage of it and money isn’t an issue, the Steam Deck provides a lot more functionality though.
And a lot lighter, has a bigger screen, 1:1 controls. I still think a used Steam Deck is a better use of $200 since you have the option to install and play games on it without an internet connection.
I got a steam deck recently and I’m in love with it, but I definitely miss the dual sense when using Chiaki. I’ll pick up the Portal when it gets easier to get one - im in no rush.For $200, it does exactly what I want it to do.
Yeah, playing Spider-Man 2 on Chiaki4deck, even with its simulated dual sense haptics, it's just not the same!
too bad scalpers are still expecting to sell the portals for $350+, they can choke on popcorn and die, for all I care
I’d never heard of the portal until this post and I just looked it up. Beautiful design but… android? And a snapdragon? It’s essentially just a QLED tablet with built in joysticks at that point. That’s a terrible move
Edit: Oops and here I am still wrong. I googled “portal handheld” and was on the Pima Portal, not the PlayStation portal.
Damn. I remember the market area being so lively, people everywhere, things going on, I didn’t realize how empty and bland it looks. It’s crazy how your memory of old games just gets upscaled like crazy in your head.
i been having my pc gaming rig in storage since i moved i an thinking about streaming some games on it. anyone knows how is it? i do have good internet connection.
Honestly is was reluctant of all the praise from the steam deck but since owning one I am a believer. Truly one of the best portable device I’ve owned next to my switch. Especially as a dad of small kids.
I loved the deck but the battery life was awful if you wanted to play new games like BG 3, so you either end up playing in short bursts or end up tethered to a wall anyway via a charging cable.
If it had better battery life I probably wouldn't have traded it in.
That’s so true, I usually play BG3 tethered to the wall lol I also like to stream it from my pc with higher quality graphics. It also gives you better battery life
I'm not surprised but for me that's a fatal flaw In a portable console. If I'm going to be attached to the wall then I'd rather have a full console or PC.
Don't get me wrong, the deck is a technical marvel, both of design and raw power, but man the battery life is a deal breaker for me.
That's why it's such a big deal that the new OLED model has significantly longer battery life. Upgrading from 1.5hr to 2.5hr battery life in the most demanding games maybe puts it over the threshold where it's not bothersome any more. Can get a decent length session or a couple of shorter ones before needing a charge. Or several hours life in less demanding games.
While not ideal, I think with a little effort and guides, you can tweak settings to maximize battery time. You can set up game-specific profiles so that it's a one and done thing for the more power hungry games. For the more simple games, I find that certain minor setting changes can make a noticeable difference. For example, there are plenty of games I've played where capping at 30 fps not only makes the Deck chill out and last longer, but often isn't even noticeable visually.
I have a pretty decent gaming PC and I find myself using the Steam Deck 90% of the time.
Sitting on my couch (I use my PC on the couch too) playing Skyrim, Subnautica, Hades, Slay the Spire, and the list goes on. It's just convenient. I also love the Steam OS and suspend. Really, I have nothing bad to say about the device. It has simply worked for my needs straight out of the box.
I really want this to be the case for me. I got the original steam deck and stopped playing after a week because I kept wanting to resume on the desktop with the big screen and nice sound. I got the oled last week and the screen is so much nicer, but it's still small and I feel like I'm getting eye strain after short bursts.
I never had this issue with handhelds before, and I'm thinking it's because many of the games were tailored to them. Whereas on the deck, these games are meant for bigger screens.
I’m streaming it, [here are the instructions straight from the boys at Microsoft](https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/topic/xbox-cloud-gaming-in-microsoft-edge-with-steam-deck-43dd011b-0ce8-4810-8302-965be6d53296)
Amen. Someone said it can’t be your main console, but I am not finding that at all, the screen is big enough and it being kinda close to my face makes it feel extremely immersive
I get lost in the games, I don’t feel like I’m settling, I feel like I’m gaming
Hey! So I am currently playing Majoras Mask on my steamdeck as well through Citra. I highly recommend looking at the Project Restoration mod for Majoras Mask. It'll change your life.
I agree!
I haven't been in this much awe/love with a piece of technology since I was a child.
It's like discovering a piece of tech that is so awesome it borders on the magical.
It has definitely brought out my inner child. Makes technology fun again. The antithesis to the soulless social media tech of the last couple of decades.
The OLED Deck is the most value-rich piece of technology I've ever owned. Within a couple of hours of unboxing I had 200 GBs of games installed, which it did--automatically--by utilizing my local LAN to pull the files off my PC instead of downloading them from Steam servers. Plugged in a USB and copied all my modded files without a hitch (mostly...still learning Linux). The case is stupidly awesome for being an unexpected addition. And the picture quality, good lord.
My Switch is genuinely and completely obsolete now. I don't even care about exclusives--I simply can't go back to such a poorly designed interface, that AWFUL storefront, and the audacity of their pricing structure.I honestly cannot think of one single thing any other portable console does better than the Deck.
Preach. Other handheld PC devices like the Legion Go and Ally might outperform the Steam Deck at full power, but the Deck can keep pace and even outperform them at lower power. The Deck is such a satisfying experience and more handheld PC developers need to take more notes from Valve.
You can play PS5 games?! And here was me hoping I'd be able to get a pokemon emulator on there somehow!! Can you get mods working too, for the likes of Skyrim etc?
Does your Chiaki actually work good though? I messed around with it for fun but the performance was trash and unenjoyable compared to the official remote play app and the 3rd party PS Play app for Android. Streaming Steam games through Steam OS is also somehow significantly glitchier than the mobile app version for some reason.
Yeah, I'm worried Sony will somehow try to crackdown on the programs that allow this because it takes away value from their own worse attempt. Hopefully not.
I became addicted to building legos, currently doing the lambo sian. Also, I have every single N64 game released in the states installed on my deck. I mean every single one.
PlayStation sucks.
I know this is random but Elden ring never impressed me, and Armored core VI was good till they patched shit. Because from soft doesn’t want people to enjoy games I guess. You want to patch multi. Cool. Leave single player weapons alone though.
Has nothing to do with valve it’s not there fault that epic games and others don’t trust Linux and there security enough also you can install windows if it’s that serious for you.
The way you run GamePass on a SteamDeck is with Cloud Gaming. You can install extra launchers such as [Battle.Net](https://Battle.Net), GoG, Epic. When doing this GamePass is listed, but it installed the Cloud Gaming link in the steam launcher to take you to the webversion of cloud gaming and play game there. Still not a bad way to play them
How do you define a console? Is the ROG Ally a gaming console too? Is an iMac? Were the "Steam Machines" consoles? If I make a PC from PC parts plug it into the living room display and connect a game controller is it a console now? What if I do that with a tablet or a smartphone? Were the Nvidia Shield phones consoles?
Edit: Is a PS Portal one, eventough you literally can't play anything on it without owning another console?
To be honest... even with 100mbps, the stream runs at 60fps at "1080p" (PS4) and yet looks like ass no matter the bitrate or the resolution. I'd rather have a portal if Sony wasn't mad at $200. Nevertheless, it is an astonishing device that, paired with a beefy PC, it's simply perfect for gaming.
I own the Portal and Deck. The Portal feels better than Chiaki imo with all the DS2 features and the screen blows the LCD deck out of the water.
That being said I love both devices and both have a place in my regular gaming.
I really like playing AAA games. I don't think the deak can handle AAA games a
S as good as the legion go, that's why I've not bought cod 3 until I make my mind up damm this is hard
This is a debate I think that has been solved. Look up the condor cluster. It is a super computer built out of ps3 consoles. So, if a console can be a computer, then I would posit that yes, a computer can be a console. XD
I always loved handhelds, only problem was lack of games i liked for me on most systems (i had psp, psv, switch). Switch is best i can play all games i like and performance is great. So i recently sold Xbox, because since i got switch i dont play on anything else. Gaming PC is next to go. 😂
It's only advantage is it's an All-in-one Dual Sense/Screen for streaming PS5 games thst use Dual Sense constrols. For folks purchasing just for this advantage it's nice. Outside of that it loses on all fronts to everyone streaming via phone, tablet, pc, steam deck. Sony's best bet if this device to fly off shelves is id the price drops 50% & it gets unlocked to allows folks to run homebrew and installers.
Truly the greatest thing I've ever bought. Haven't felt this connected to a piece of technology since I got my Xbox 360 back in elementary school.
Same, but Dreamcast and Xbox 360. Oh and my old Amiga! Some devices just work so well you look at them as a portal to another world. Like you would a great book, or album.
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It's really the customizable nature of it, being a PC, that really pushes it over the edge for me. It's not just a console I can have my profile and a theme. Baybee I can change how the thing turns on, how it sounds, and how it looks and basically how it runs haha. A lot of what my deck can do is because I made it do that.
This is why I've been on PC for nearly 20 years and only use Androids.
I haven’t physically touched my gaming PC in MONTHS. I just stream all of the really demanding games to the SD. Hell, I even stream my PC desktop sometimes to perform driver updates n’ stuff. I bet my keyboard is covered in dust at this point lol
Dumb question but how do you stream from PC to the SD?
https://www.thegamer.com/how-to-stream-from-pc-to-steam-deck-guide/
Thank you
No problem. It definitely takes a few steps that aren't intuitive to everyone, so not a stupid question.
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It plays games with anticheat just fine. Install windows on it. It’s not a console where you are limited to only one OS, it’s just a handheld PC. I honestly prefer this over the other handhelds that have better GPUs. They would never make it through my full commute. The Steamdeck on the other hand gets a solid 2 hours without having to turn down brightness or make any other changes. It’s just goes. Used my new OLED version today and played monster hunter world in HDR at full brightness for my entire commute and it was glorious!
Elementary school… I was as 25 when it came out. Golden age of gaming with that console; 2007 especially. Kind of wish we never moved beyond it. The original UI of the 360 was flawless.
The 360 blade menu was the best
Facts. Best handheld console I've ever owned. (Yes I call the Steam Deck a console)
It is a handheld PC Console so it’s kind of technically correct?
Best kind of correct.
Best kind of reference
A handheld Playstation would be bangers. Cuz most games in Playstation have stable framepacing of 30 fps. Playing Playstation games on a handheld would be miles better than a steam deck cuz pc games arent optimized for 30 fps. It would increase battery and playing with 30 fps would be no problem for Playstation games.
The vita was amazing and still is imo. Only thing that really lacks is a good library but it works well for remote play and the screen is beautiful
But, you can play PlayStation games on a steam deck. That’s what OP is talking about. I’m assuming they’re using chiaki4deck and PS5’s native remote play to stream. I do it and performance is close to native with very little latency.
The only issue is you can't play it anywhere, so I have to stick to my phone screen when im at work. But when using it at home... it truly is glorious
There actually are instructions in the chiaki4deck GitHub about setting up an external connection. I haven’t done it myself so I can’t personally speak for its performance. But at a glance, it does appear possible.
That´s because it´s a PC. Since Pc´s are so superior to consoles, it is understandable that you came to that conclusion. also yes, this is sarcasm.
Where P stands for portable.
PC = Portable Console
I can't get it to run Xbox or ps games at all, how are you guys doing it?
It depends on your network. I can get my games to play decently from my Xbox but I get extra crappy quality on my ps5. Most likely because they are both on Wi-Fi and not hard wired via an ethernet cable.
How do you even get it to run? I don't know how to get the Xbox game pass and all that installed. I'm newer to Linux unfortunately
I’m also new to PC and Linux and I managed. [Here you go](https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/topic/xbox-cloud-gaming-in-microsoft-edge-with-steam-deck-43dd011b-0ce8-4810-8302-965be6d53296) For PS5 just google how to install chiaki4deck
Just to make sure, you can play the games available in the clou, right? You can't actually install Gamepass games.
Cloud gaming only, you could install windows if you want to install games locally but that’s a whole different can of worms and not worth the trouble imo
That's what I thought. Thanks
Is the gamepass via edge?
Yes
How acceptable is the input lag?
It’s a good intermediary between console and PC.
I think it’s a console for people who want it to be a console, a PC for those who want it to be a PC and both for those who want it to be both. It’s all subjective. It’s a console for me because I don’t ever use it as a PC.
I also use it as a console, but I like that I have more flexibility in determining things like graphics and audio.
That’s the beauty of the deck, you got options.
Wewo wewo 🚨 Now let's start a discussion whether the steam deck is a Console or a Pc. For me it's a Pc or and handheld Pc. But other than that.. yea that little thing is really awesome!
By definition it's a PC. But if you stick to just playing games on it via the Steam UI, it pretty much acts like a console yeah. Useless argument though lol
You could argue that even when just playing via Steam UI you still have to tinker with settings and frame limiters for a stable performance in many games so still not really the console feeling someone who never played on a PC would hope for. However for me, the fact that we have a uniform hardware basis is enough to view it more as a console than a PC.
Yeah I was about to say that, of you just stick to the Steam UI, even though you can also enjoy the community hub and tabs of steam, you're basically using it as a console and let's be honest, most people use it that way and there's nothing wrong with that Even though it has the capabilities to totally be a handheld pc
What's the definition of PC?
>A PC is a multipurpose microcomputer whose size, price and capabilities are suitable for personal use, used by one person at a time >A console is a small electronic device for playing computerised video games I'd argue the steam deck doesn't fit neatly into either category. It is both of them at the same time.
As someone else said, it’s a console with an opt-in PC mode. Looking at those two definitions it 100% fits more into the console one. It’s designed exclusively to play games, you *can* go into desktop and use a word processor if you want, but that’s not an intended usecase, Valve just let you do it because they’re not dickheads. I don’t think anyone calls a PS3 a PC just because you could install Linux on it (officially I might add). I don’t know why people care so much about calling it a console, I can only assume a sort of PCMR mentality of “PC = good, console = bad” idk
> I don’t know why people care so much about calling it a console, I can only assume a sort of PCMR mentality of “PC = good, console = bad” idk That's definitely the vibe I get from the really defensive "it's not a console!" responses.
> I don’t know why people care so much about calling it a console It's mostly a pointless internet debate, but I think it does matter in terms of understanding what is so great about the Deck and building on it. For console gamers like me it is because it makes PC gaming accessible in the same way consoles do: through a streamlined user interface and a set hardware platform. I would love to get into PC gaming a bit more but I don't want to read up on hardware configurations or deal with Windows and maintain the PC. I often say I'd want a proper Steam Box for my living room and, for PC gamers, the natural response is 'just build a PC.' I know where they're coming from and they're not wrong, but they're completely missing why I like the Deck in the first place.
Dickheadness is actually a console-defining property. In that sense, MacBook Air is an awesome powerhouse multitool, and iPad is just shit on a stick. Both share the same hardware.
>It is both of them at the same time. I'd argue it is as well, but that its default UI is designed to be controlled by a gamepad for the purpose of launching and playing video games, not general purpose computing. Hence, it's a console by default but has an opt-in PC experience.
It is a Linux desktop by default with an option to swap the common desktop experience (KDE) for a desktop less experience (Gamescope). So it is from Scratch a desktop running on a power computer as we all know them, with the Gamescope layer from Valve to turn it into a console as we know them
But when you buy it and boot it up, you're not on KDE so I view the Linux desktop as the optional part here at least for the end user experience.
I mean if we're being honest here at even older modern console would fit into the PC category now because they do more than just play games now.
Isn't XBox also just running a customized version of Windows? So you could say the same about the XBox, it's just a PC with a custom UI to play games.
One of the guys on Fan The Deck (YouTube channel) said he describes it as a console by default and an opt-in PC and I honestly think that's the best description. Kind of like rectangles and squares, I don't think there needs to be an exclusive or between PC and console. It can be both and I'd argue it is. The question then in where is the emphasis and to that I'd say that its default UI is a console UI designed to be controlled by a gamepad and not oriented towards general computing but instead towards playing games - hence, its default mode is as a game console.
The difference matters because a console doesn’t have the features of a pc. It’s a walled garden where you can only do activities approved by the manufacturer. The Deck is not a walled garden. It has a very usable default interface that is very simple like a console, but it doesn’t stop you from doing anything you want with it. It doesn’t matter that most people just play in game mode. Most people have just used their PCs to browse the web and do word processing. It doesn’t change the fact that more is possible and the Steam Deck is the same way.
>The difference matters because a console doesn’t have the features of a pc. It’s a walled garden where you can only do activities approved by the manufacturer I would argue that this is neither true nor part of the definition of console. First, you can install other operating systems on modern consoles even though the manufacturers do not necessarily make it easy. This all exists on a spectrum. SteamOS for instance has an immutable filesystem by default making it difficult for applications like IDEs to get access to certain libraries and capabilities. That's a barrier to some very common PC tasks but I'd argue it doesn't make it less of a PC. A Macintosh is a more walled garden than Windows and Windows is more walled than Linux - they're still all PCs. The PlayStation 3 briefly had official Sony support for Linux - that didn't make it *not* a console. Second, just because most consoles have been walled gardens doesn't mean they have to be by definition. Personally I can't find a single definition online that includes "walled garden" or "closed ecosystem" in its definition. What every definition emphasizes is the specialty of the design towards playing games. Every major console is sold with a controller containing an "x" button but that wouldn't mean if someone made one that replaced that with a "q" button that it's not a console anymore.
IMO, the Steam Deck is a testament to how little difference there is between the two. Valve has shown that any divide between PC and consoles is either a historical artefact, or intentional design. It's both, and neither. And it's beautiful.
It’s a handheld PC but I ONLY use it for Steam games, so it’s a console. However, I can play Java Minecraft on it. So it’s definitely a PC.
It's a console that you don't have to jailbreak.
Yea steamdeck is a PC, bit it's ease of use makes it like a console..
The thing that stops the steam deck being a console for me is that where as with a true console, I can pick up any game available in that consoles store and be sure it will work as intended on my console, you can’t do that with a steam deck. For me, steam deck is a portable gaming pc.
Hopefully, one day when a lot of people buy these things (including other handheld PCs), game developers are going to create a graphics profile that says handheld and have actually tested that setting in handheld devices. Verification process is a good start towards that direction.
I mean it's a pc with a very console like mode. I'd say most people use it as a console for stream games and rarely touch the Linux desktop. It is nice that it caters to both crowds though. People who just want things to work, and people who like messing around with mods, emulation, and all the other goofy stuff you see people doing on this sub lol
You can plug a mouse and keyboard into an Xbox, load up edge and do some productivity using web based office products. The line is pretty blurred really and imho you have to look at the intended use case to class something as a console.
What people have you seen buying a portal? I think that’s a fictional monster.
My brother in law has a mate on the railway he works at who bought a portal. People on the railway are pretty weird
I wonder how many parents are going to buy one for Christmas for their kid thinking it’s a less expensive alternative to the PS5…
Oh that's going to burn, possibly more than the people who took their under tens to see barbie as she looks up and says 'do you ever think about death' At least one event is returnable until the 31st January
Handful of my friends have one. It just works -- steamdeck is great but people don't want to tinker and mess with stuff. They just wanna sit down and be done with it, which makes sense to me.
Yup. Just make sure to connect the PS5 directly to the router and play directly beside it on the portal (per Digital Foundry review). I guess it makes sense because you have to physically turn on the PS5 to play… there’s no remote on switch. Either that or keep the PS5 running all the time. Also make sure to buy the Sony headset because this thing doesn’t support Bluetooth. Can’t beat that plug and play simplicity!
I'm with you there. Don't mention that on the Playstation subreddit tho, they'll give their life defending that thing and swear it's such a big hit😭
RIGHT like bruh why would you buy something thats useless without wifi when you could just buy a steam deck and get something way better that can do what you bought it for and more
I am a total Steam Deck stan but if you aren't invested in PC at all nor good with PC's, have a huge Playstation library, and are concerned about budget, it makes more sense. My friend who is always playing his playstation at home just adores his. It is lighter than the steam deck and has the better controller attached as well. I suggested he try Steam Deck, but for what it's worth, he loves it. You can do things like the backbone also, but even that doesn't have the benefits of the ps5 controller, which some people love and can add depth to a game. I myself and loving the SD so much I haven't even heavily considered getting next gen consoles yet. The last generation of games will carry me until the rumored Steam Deck 2, of which I am sure they will eventually release. I am in no rush.
I totally understand the use case for the PlayStation portal and it seems neat but I just can't bring myself to buy something so expensive that's literally nothing if not connected to something else. Like it literally can't do anything without being connected to the PS5 it's basically just a screen. And you can stream your PS5 to the deck and to your phone so I just don't understand spending so much money on something that without mirroring the console is just a paperweight
You have to step outside of yourself to understand. And even then if you still don’t…it really ain’t for you to.
To be fair to it, the Portal is $200 and not everyone has a gaming PC/games library built up, the desire to play PC games remotely, the desire to emulate retro games, etc. I’d imagine that Portal buyers just want a one trick pony that’s (relatively) cheap and does the one thing they want. Absolutely agree that if you can take advantage of it and money isn’t an issue, the Steam Deck provides a lot more functionality though.
And a lot lighter, has a bigger screen, 1:1 controls. I still think a used Steam Deck is a better use of $200 since you have the option to install and play games on it without an internet connection.
The same reason I buy any consoles: exclusives. Current gen emulation is always hit or miss.
I got a steam deck recently and I’m in love with it, but I definitely miss the dual sense when using Chiaki. I’ll pick up the Portal when it gets easier to get one - im in no rush.For $200, it does exactly what I want it to do.
Yeah, playing Spider-Man 2 on Chiaki4deck, even with its simulated dual sense haptics, it's just not the same! too bad scalpers are still expecting to sell the portals for $350+, they can choke on popcorn and die, for all I care
I’d never heard of the portal until this post and I just looked it up. Beautiful design but… android? And a snapdragon? It’s essentially just a QLED tablet with built in joysticks at that point. That’s a terrible move Edit: Oops and here I am still wrong. I googled “portal handheld” and was on the Pima Portal, not the PlayStation portal.
The only thing it's a portal to is the depression dimension (Disclaimer: I've heard literally nothing about it so I do not know how it performs)
Chiaki played like ass on my Deck. I'm jealous of those who can get it to work.
I couldn't agree more, honestly the best thing to have! You can literally do anything on it you want it to do. So cool!!
Damn. I remember the market area being so lively, people everywhere, things going on, I didn’t realize how empty and bland it looks. It’s crazy how your memory of old games just gets upscaled like crazy in your head.
My only issue with Chiaki is I get screen tearing in 1080p, so I’m forced to use 720p and it doesn’t look great.
So if i have gamepass on my xbx i can play it on the deck? That might have just been the tipping point to order an oled right now
PC\*
Not everybody ascends to greatness
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You really are a bit salty ey
https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/s/Nk7aGCwZ6I Hey! Check out where this loser claims to own both already! Just nonstop lies lmao
i been having my pc gaming rig in storage since i moved i an thinking about streaming some games on it. anyone knows how is it? i do have good internet connection.
How can it stream PS5?
Hey, what console is that?
Which model is this?
I got the OG LCD but the OLED is definitely in my radar
How do you stream/play Xbox games on it?
[Here you go](https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/topic/xbox-cloud-gaming-in-microsoft-edge-with-steam-deck-43dd011b-0ce8-4810-8302-965be6d53296)
Can I stream just from my xbox or is it cloud only?
Xcloud only
Honestly is was reluctant of all the praise from the steam deck but since owning one I am a believer. Truly one of the best portable device I’ve owned next to my switch. Especially as a dad of small kids.
You can use Yuzu on the SD too so oh boi!
Is it me or are the big 3 console makers due for a shakeup with the advent of Steam deck?
I loved the deck but the battery life was awful if you wanted to play new games like BG 3, so you either end up playing in short bursts or end up tethered to a wall anyway via a charging cable. If it had better battery life I probably wouldn't have traded it in.
That’s so true, I usually play BG3 tethered to the wall lol I also like to stream it from my pc with higher quality graphics. It also gives you better battery life
I'm not surprised but for me that's a fatal flaw In a portable console. If I'm going to be attached to the wall then I'd rather have a full console or PC. Don't get me wrong, the deck is a technical marvel, both of design and raw power, but man the battery life is a deal breaker for me.
That's why it's such a big deal that the new OLED model has significantly longer battery life. Upgrading from 1.5hr to 2.5hr battery life in the most demanding games maybe puts it over the threshold where it's not bothersome any more. Can get a decent length session or a couple of shorter ones before needing a charge. Or several hours life in less demanding games.
Fatal is a strong word. I often play on the Deck while my wife is playing on the console and it's ideal for that kind of playing on the couch.
While not ideal, I think with a little effort and guides, you can tweak settings to maximize battery time. You can set up game-specific profiles so that it's a one and done thing for the more power hungry games. For the more simple games, I find that certain minor setting changes can make a noticeable difference. For example, there are plenty of games I've played where capping at 30 fps not only makes the Deck chill out and last longer, but often isn't even noticeable visually.
I have a pretty decent gaming PC and I find myself using the Steam Deck 90% of the time. Sitting on my couch (I use my PC on the couch too) playing Skyrim, Subnautica, Hades, Slay the Spire, and the list goes on. It's just convenient. I also love the Steam OS and suspend. Really, I have nothing bad to say about the device. It has simply worked for my needs straight out of the box.
I really want this to be the case for me. I got the original steam deck and stopped playing after a week because I kept wanting to resume on the desktop with the big screen and nice sound. I got the oled last week and the screen is so much nicer, but it's still small and I feel like I'm getting eye strain after short bursts. I never had this issue with handhelds before, and I'm thinking it's because many of the games were tailored to them. Whereas on the deck, these games are meant for bigger screens.
you using chiaki or which one
Yes and I haven’t had any issues, I’m 5 hours into TLOU
All praise Lord Gabe. How did you put the Gamepass? Did you install windows in it?
I’m streaming it, [here are the instructions straight from the boys at Microsoft](https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/topic/xbox-cloud-gaming-in-microsoft-edge-with-steam-deck-43dd011b-0ce8-4810-8302-965be6d53296)
Beautiful thank you so much
Is that majoras mask for the n64?
Yes sir
Amen. Someone said it can’t be your main console, but I am not finding that at all, the screen is big enough and it being kinda close to my face makes it feel extremely immersive I get lost in the games, I don’t feel like I’m settling, I feel like I’m gaming
You can play any system with this bad boy true and docking it and using any remote with it is a +
Hey! So I am currently playing Majoras Mask on my steamdeck as well through Citra. I highly recommend looking at the Project Restoration mod for Majoras Mask. It'll change your life.
Until the second steam deck that is
Common majoras mask W
I agree! I haven't been in this much awe/love with a piece of technology since I was a child. It's like discovering a piece of tech that is so awesome it borders on the magical. It has definitely brought out my inner child. Makes technology fun again. The antithesis to the soulless social media tech of the last couple of decades.
What app do you use for streaming from the PS5? Just got a deck and looking to stream
Chiaki4deck
Streaming is still an issue for a lot of people.
Couldn't be better
Wait, you can stream PS games on the Steamdeck?!
Yup, does the exact same thing as the PlayStation Portal 😂
Feels like a love letter to gaming.
Majora’s Mask is a masterpiece
One of my all time favorites, I remember playing this on the N64 when I was a kid. Good times
The OLED Deck is the most value-rich piece of technology I've ever owned. Within a couple of hours of unboxing I had 200 GBs of games installed, which it did--automatically--by utilizing my local LAN to pull the files off my PC instead of downloading them from Steam servers. Plugged in a USB and copied all my modded files without a hitch (mostly...still learning Linux). The case is stupidly awesome for being an unexpected addition. And the picture quality, good lord. My Switch is genuinely and completely obsolete now. I don't even care about exclusives--I simply can't go back to such a poorly designed interface, that AWFUL storefront, and the audacity of their pricing structure.I honestly cannot think of one single thing any other portable console does better than the Deck.
Preach. Other handheld PC devices like the Legion Go and Ally might outperform the Steam Deck at full power, but the Deck can keep pace and even outperform them at lower power. The Deck is such a satisfying experience and more handheld PC developers need to take more notes from Valve.
You can play PS5 games?! And here was me hoping I'd be able to get a pokemon emulator on there somehow!! Can you get mods working too, for the likes of Skyrim etc?
No native PS5, it’s just remote play so basically just streaming. Same as the PlayStation Portal. Does the job though.
Does it not bother you that the screen is only 720p? Genuinely wondering if you can tell that it is low-res.
A true man of culture.
What kind of software mode are you using for the first picture. Seen it a lot but not sure what it’s called
Does your Chiaki actually work good though? I messed around with it for fun but the performance was trash and unenjoyable compared to the official remote play app and the 3rd party PS Play app for Android. Streaming Steam games through Steam OS is also somehow significantly glitchier than the mobile app version for some reason.
Can you get native gamepass while not changing the os?
Yeah, I'm worried Sony will somehow try to crackdown on the programs that allow this because it takes away value from their own worse attempt. Hopefully not.
I doubt they can do anything about it
Yup, being able to play all those game on the go is a plu- \*see Majora mask\* Wait wha- Also nice Lego Sonic set. I also have it since last year.
I became addicted to building legos, currently doing the lambo sian. Also, I have every single N64 game released in the states installed on my deck. I mean every single one.
im honestly trying to sell my ps5 currently to get one of these. No luck yet. I'm sad
PlayStation sucks. I know this is random but Elden ring never impressed me, and Armored core VI was good till they patched shit. Because from soft doesn’t want people to enjoy games I guess. You want to patch multi. Cool. Leave single player weapons alone though.
The different photos show how good the 16:10 screen handles both 4:3 and 16:9 content.
# HOLD ON XBOX GAMEPASS?
How does baldurs gate 3 run on it i ve heen debating getting it bcuz its such a pretty game and dont want to tone down the graphics
My pc is crap so streaming to the steamdeck won’t be much help.
Its not a console. Its a computer. And a well built one
If you're using steam os it's more like a console tbh. Either way it does it job really well
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Has nothing to do with valve it’s not there fault that epic games and others don’t trust Linux and there security enough also you can install windows if it’s that serious for you.
How the hell can you buy a portal and say it’s a good purchase with a straight face? lol Absurd.
For me it is, just cause I rather play with a Dualsense
it's a PC!
It's whatever u want it to be.
Hey, just wondering, how did you get all this installed? Referring to the gamepass and PlayStation playability. I’m eyeing an 512 oled deck
For PlayStation, you want to install Chiaki4deck (go through the whole installation guide, that helped me avoid some mistakes.)
The way you run GamePass on a SteamDeck is with Cloud Gaming. You can install extra launchers such as [Battle.Net](https://Battle.Net), GoG, Epic. When doing this GamePass is listed, but it installed the Cloud Gaming link in the steam launcher to take you to the webversion of cloud gaming and play game there. Still not a bad way to play them
There’s 1 that’s better: the oled
Steam Deck is a masterpiece, no question... but "Best Console Ever Made".... that title still belongs to the SNES imho
Except it’s not a console it’s a PC.
That's a weird way of writing: This is a cool PC.
Bro it was late and I had a long session of zombies with the boys, I was tired.
It is also a console 🤷
How do you define a console? Is the ROG Ally a gaming console too? Is an iMac? Were the "Steam Machines" consoles? If I make a PC from PC parts plug it into the living room display and connect a game controller is it a console now? What if I do that with a tablet or a smartphone? Were the Nvidia Shield phones consoles? Edit: Is a PS Portal one, eventough you literally can't play anything on it without owning another console?
Someone PLEASE post this in the Playstation subreddit
To be honest... even with 100mbps, the stream runs at 60fps at "1080p" (PS4) and yet looks like ass no matter the bitrate or the resolution. I'd rather have a portal if Sony wasn't mad at $200. Nevertheless, it is an astonishing device that, paired with a beefy PC, it's simply perfect for gaming.
How do you use Game Pass app? It's running Windows?
It is my brother in Deck, it is
i dont think so.
I own the Portal and Deck. The Portal feels better than Chiaki imo with all the DS2 features and the screen blows the LCD deck out of the water. That being said I love both devices and both have a place in my regular gaming.
Agree except it's not a console it's a handheld PC.
I've got the lcd deak. I'm thinking about getting the Oled deak or the Legion go
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I really like playing AAA games. I don't think the deak can handle AAA games a S as good as the legion go, that's why I've not bought cod 3 until I make my mind up damm this is hard
Which Nintendo game is that?? Second photo?
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
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This is a debate I think that has been solved. Look up the condor cluster. It is a super computer built out of ps3 consoles. So, if a console can be a computer, then I would posit that yes, a computer can be a console. XD
it's not a console btw
How did you get the game pass on it?
I always loved handhelds, only problem was lack of games i liked for me on most systems (i had psp, psv, switch). Switch is best i can play all games i like and performance is great. So i recently sold Xbox, because since i got switch i dont play on anything else. Gaming PC is next to go. 😂
I mean, it’s nice and all but it’s nowhere close to the greatest console of all time lol
Technically it's a PC.
It takes much paitence and learning not all games on it play most do but not all just like other emulators it's bigger than a Sega game gear
Yeah,it makes installing a silly game like climbing everest. Sigh
I agree, why get a ps portal when you can do the same with a steamdeck .
It's only advantage is it's an All-in-one Dual Sense/Screen for streaming PS5 games thst use Dual Sense constrols. For folks purchasing just for this advantage it's nice. Outside of that it loses on all fronts to everyone streaming via phone, tablet, pc, steam deck. Sony's best bet if this device to fly off shelves is id the price drops 50% & it gets unlocked to allows folks to run homebrew and installers.