Finally, a GabeCube.
I wonder if this is going to be classified as a PC under tariff schemes on electronics in the US. If yes then it could possibly undercut competition a fair bit.
They classify the Steam Deck as a “games console” to evade being held accountable to the Right To Repair legislation that has been passed on the US West Coast
Doesn’t iFixit have all the components for the Steam Deck for sale on their site and have extensive tutorials available?
iFixit doesn’t sell the touchpads.
Even if one were to source a replacement touchpad from a used device, they are calibrated with a proprietary tool that Valve will not provide.
My Partner’s Steam Deck LCD’s right touchpad pressure is so sensitive that it’s unusable as a mouse. Navigating the desktop environment with it will result in unintentional drag and drop.
Might want to disable
Tap-and-DragunderSystem Settings -> Mouse & Touchpad -> Tappingand see if that helps.It affects more than just that, my workaround has been a custom mapping to move all mouse functions to the other touchpad but that only works when Steam is running and responsive.
Imagine that your left mouse button registers a click / a click and home every time you brush your finger against it and you’ll have an idea of how disruptive it is.
Valve has been very flexible with device repairs/replacements. I’d try contacting them even if the unit is out of warranty, worst they can do is say no.
I did, that’s how I know that they would not allow me to purchase the part, software tool, or supporting documentation that I requested, as well as their position that the Steam Deck is excluded from right to repair laws under the pretext that it is a videogame console.
Their only offer was for me to ship it to them for a $150+ repair. That’s more than half what I paid for it (64GB refurb).
On this particular subject, I’d say they’re very inflexible. I’m an independent repair tech by trade, I’ve had customers come to me for similar problems. Used, it’s a $30 part with ~20 minutes of labor to install.
I have yet to need a schematic diagram for the circuit board but I’m expecting the same level of resistance when the time comes.
The right to repair legislation excluded consoles?
wtf
Videogame consoles, medical tech, and fire safety systems.
It was necessary in order to limit the number of lobbyists showing up in opposition to the bills and give them a chance.
One of those things is not like the others :)
If not a games console, what is the Steam Deck? Calling it just any ol’ personal computer would be ignoring the two halves of a gaming controller fused to either side of it.
It’s a handheld gaming PC. It can perform literally any task than any other personal computer can without needing to connect an external accessory.
Playstation, Xbox, and Nintendo don’t browse the web, you cannot readily use them to write a document or code, there is no filesystem accessible to the user, and you cannot readily install any other operating system on those devices.
I’ve done all of that on my Nintendo 3DS… I’m being obtuse with that, but what you listed is not the Steam Deck’s primary intended purposes either, gaming is its primary use and Valve’s not being nefarious omitting secondary uses.
As a converse example: the fact you could play games on a Tesla vehicle, doesn’t mean Elon Musk has to call it a games console car.
From their own website:
https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck/
Powerful, portable PC gaming, designed for comfort and a console-like user experience.
Console-like =/= Console
PC = **P**ersonal **C**omputer
With the SteamDeck as the dominate PC gaming handheld and XBOX in a dire state right now, these will almost certainly do much better than the last attempt.
It’ll do well for it’s own market segment but I think it’ll be similar to Steam Deck, meaning very niche overall. As long as it doesn’t run things like EA Sports games, CoD or Valorant it won’t change anytime soon so I wonder if Valve has something in the cards but it doesn’t look like it. It’s too limited in VRAM for enthusiasts so it’s in a bit of an awkward spot too.
People keep on saying stuff like this like these games are all people care about. Meanwhile Silksong sales crippled stores. Indy games and older games are hugely popular. I don’t know a single person who plays these games that don’t work. My kids friend group is playing on cobbled together hand me downs and half broken laptops and can’t play AAA titles.
They will sell millions of these things. People who demand a 5090 and Windows 11 to play games are the true niche. Everyone else is having too much fun to care.
deleted by creator
If you have that reaction merely because people are excited about it, chance is you won’t buy it anyway.
