Steam Deck lets you always carry your PC video games with you. But how does this portable gaming PC work?

A dream of many, that of bringing the gaming experience of a gaming PC always with you, is destined to become reality thanks to Steam Deck.

Announced in July 2021 and presented on the market almost a year later. This new game console produced by Valve tries to bring the winning idea of ​​the Nintendo Switch to PC gaming too.

It does this in an interesting way, "miniaturizing" a PC and transforming it into a portable console ready to be used at any time and in any context.

But what exactly does Steamdeck consist of? How does it work? Let's find out in every detail.

The Steam Deck concept

A portable console that is very reminiscent of the Nintendo Switch, but which actually has more complex and interesting features that make it similar to a portable PC .

An easily transportable solution that puts all the video games from the Steam library in your pocket, but not only that.

This and much more is Steam Deck, a console available in three different versions, which in just a few days since its presentation on the market has already become almost unobtainable.

Steam Deck, the appearance

As already written, it is a portable console, designed by Valve specifically to carry PC games with you at all times.

“Physically” the Steam Deck console vaguely resembles the Nintendo Switch. Compared to the latter, the console is a little heavier and does not have detachable controllers.

By turning on Steam Deck we will discover that the proprietary operating system Steam OS runs inside, whose main function is to run Steam video games.

Main function but not the only one, given that everything is open and freely customizable. For example, it is also possible to remove the native operating system and install Windows in its place.

What games can you play with Steam Deck?

Obviously all the games that we find installed on Steam, but not only.

Steam Deck is comparable from a technical point of view to a PC . This therefore allows you to remove the pre-installed operating system and install Windows in its place.

Even without such a high "mod", there are still many things we can do with Steamdeck.

In addition to running Steam games, we can for example install all games from the Epic Games Store. But not only that, given that we can also bring a possible Xbox Game Pass subscription to the console.

The message from Valve, moreover, was very clear right from the start, as evidenced by the words of one of its designers:

«We don't think people should be locked into a certain set of installed software. When you buy Steam Deck, it's a PC . You can install what you want and connect the peripherals you want to it."

Lawrence Yang.

Steam Deck Versions

There are three versions of Steam Deck on the market, models that differ, first and foremost, but not only, in terms of memory size.

Here they are:

• Entry model. 64 GB memory. €419

• Intermediate model. 256 GB memory. €549

• Top model. 512 GB memory. €679

Differences which are not only related to memory but also cover other aspects. Let's see them:

Base Steam Deck Model

As already indicated, this model has a 64 Gb eMMC memory slot. The basic console is sold with the case included, for an excellent entry model.

Medium Steam Deck Model

256GB SSD NVMe internal memory. Also in this case the case is included. In addition to the case, the Steam Community exclusive profile bundle is included in the delivery.

Steam Deck top model

256Gb SSD NVMe internal memory and case included. This version is the only one equipped with anti-reflective etched glass, which in our opinion is really useful for bringing the playability of Steam Deck everywhere, even on the beach.

Added to this is an interesting exclusive theme for the Steam Deck virtual keyboard.

A differentiation that immediately explains the different uses for which the console was designed.

In fact, the basic version has not a huge memory nor a particularly high-performance one, so in our opinion it has been designed for occasional players or for those who do not want or do not like large production games, which are very heavy to load and to be performed.

The other two versions instead have an excellent amount of fast memory but given the minimal price difference and the presence of the anti-reflective etched glass, we believe that the TOP model will be the best-selling or at least the most desired.

Steam Deck technical features

We are faced with a mini computer with very respectable features. Let's see the main ones:

Processor: AMD, Zen 2 4/C 2.4-3.5 Ghz processor. GPU 8 RDNA 2 CU at 1.0 1.6 GHz.

RAM: 16 GB LPDDR5 (5500 MT/s)

Memory: as already indicated, three different memory sizes are available based on the versions.

Display: LDC 7″ 1280 x 800x (16:10) 400 nits, 60 Hz, touchscreen

Connections: Bluetooth 5.0, Dual Band Wi-Fi, IEEE 802.11

External Connectivity: Supports USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4

Dimensions: 298 mm x 117 mm x 49 mm, 670 grams

Accessories

A fundamental accessory is the dock for Steam Deck, which will allow you to add several ports and possibilities to your Steam Deck console.

The docking station for this console has a weight of 120 grams and dimensions of 120x30x50 mm.

In this minimum size we find the following doors:

• USB 3.0 port

• 2 USB 2.0 ports

• DisplayPort 1.4

• HDMI 2.0

Powered via USB 2.0

Playability and structure of the console

The display is obviously a central and fundamental part of the console.

Around it, Valve has intelligently positioned all the possible controls. In fact, we find two analogue sticks, a cross-shaped directional keypad with the four canonical ABXY keys, a double square trackpad for touch (and to control the mouse), two pairs of right-left triggers and four further configurable keys on the back of the console. Four menu keys are then available to control the interface options.

Steam OS 3.0

This open source operating system actually works very well. Fluid and easy to interpret and understand from a graphic point of view, it is very reminiscent of what is already present on Steam.

Screen

Steam Deck's screen resolution is relatively low. This is desired and compensated by the viewing distance, which makes the integrated 1280x800 monitor similar to that of a 1080p PS4 console.

The only flaw of this screen is in some color gamuts. In particular, it lacks deep blacks and saturated colors.

From this point of view, having an OLED screen would have been an advantage and the difference compared to the Switch is evident.

Orders and delivery.

Better to order it on the dedicated Steam Deck channel also to avoid possible scams and unpleasant scalping actions.

The sore point is the delivery, which is currently set at 4/6 months from the order.

Long times, but they can really be worth the wait.