This is a very shortened version of the longer and more detailed article which can be found here.
What is it?
A handheld gaming PC that allows you to play your entire Steam Library of computer games on the go with touch trackpads, joysticks, and analog triggers or use mouse & keyboard.
Release Date: December 2021 into 2022
Prices: $399, $529, $649 (USD) (Pre-order via Steam)
Three Options to choose from:
Specs:
CPU: Zen 2 (4c/8t)
GPU: 8 RDNA 2CUs (1.6 TFlops)
APU Power: 4-15W (40Whr, "2-8 hr" via Valve)
RAM: 16 GB LPDDR5 (5500 MT/s)
Storage: 64GB, 256GB, 512GB (eMMC or NVMe)
Display: 7" IPS LCD Touch Screen: 800p @60Hz (docked: 4K @120Hz or 8K @60Hz video output)
Features: Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, 3.5 aux jack, dual mic, Haptic feedback, 6-axis Gyro, microSD slot, USB Type-C, 4 reprogrammable buttons on the back
OS: Linux based but other OS compatible (ex. Windows)
Other Details You Should Know
Your battery life will vary greatly depending on what you're running on the device, your settings, screen brightness, and other factors.
Each version comes with a carrying case which is always nice to have.
There is a dock (sold separately) that allows you to play at much higher resolutions and frame rates on an external monitor but the details surrounding it (i.e. price and availability) are currently unknown.
Pre-ordering is done through Steam and requires a Steam account (free) with a $5 deposit. Unfortunately, It's unlikely that you'll receive your device this year if you haven't pre-ordered already.
Conclusion
All in all, Valve's Steam Deck appears to be a very capable device. Whether you play on your phone, a console, or a PC, most gamers can agree that it's at least always good to have options. It's great to see Valve extend the reach of the PC gaming experience to places outside of stationary gaming setups and hopefully, the Steam Deck will help to create a future where PC gamers can rage and grief other players on the go.
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