Discussion
Wadeski said:
First review are in battery life is 90 minutes 
Come back, Game Gear, all is forgiven!
Very software dependant though, GN found 90minutes on Devil May Cry High settings and unlocked fps. I'm eagerly awaiting the embargo on software lifting next week as lots of hints from developers that OS updates are being pushed out rapidly. I'd expect stuff like FSR to give battery (or fps) a boost hopefully without reducing quality too much.Come back, Game Gear, all is forgiven!
https://youtu.be/NeQH__XVa64?t=1238
Tear down videos have slated the battery replacement ease though, maybe enough of a stink to get Valve to reduce the amount of glue retaining it.
True. I hear a lot of people saying "yeah it only has a short battery life for games with high features and FPS unlock, optimized settings its better". And that's true.
But what about games in a couple of years that are more demanding?
The problem with a portable PC other than, say, a Switch is the games will never be designed for the hardware.
But what about games in a couple of years that are more demanding?
The problem with a portable PC other than, say, a Switch is the games will never be designed for the hardware.
Wadeski said:
True. I hear a lot of people saying "yeah it only has a short battery life for games with high features and FPS unlock, optimized settings its better". And that's true.
But what about games in a couple of years that are more demanding?
The problem with a portable PC other than, say, a Switch is the games will never be designed for the hardware.
It's going to be really interesting how it all shakes out. Just how much more shiney is AAA gaming going to add in the next few years, will anyone care at the Deck's 7" 800p screen anyway?But what about games in a couple of years that are more demanding?
The problem with a portable PC other than, say, a Switch is the games will never be designed for the hardware.
If it gets a big enough market share will developers start optimising for a "Deck Spec".
Who knows, I'll probably just put another few hundred hours of Terraria, Elite Dangerous and Witcher on it. I have bought a few more games for lounge trials though; Undertale, Forza 4, Noita and Subnautica.
Wayoftheflower said:
Wadeski said:
True. I hear a lot of people saying "yeah it only has a short battery life for games with high features and FPS unlock, optimized settings its better". And that's true.
But what about games in a couple of years that are more demanding?
The problem with a portable PC other than, say, a Switch is the games will never be designed for the hardware.
It's going to be really interesting how it all shakes out. Just how much more shiney is AAA gaming going to add in the next few years, will anyone care at the Deck's 7" 800p screen anyway?But what about games in a couple of years that are more demanding?
The problem with a portable PC other than, say, a Switch is the games will never be designed for the hardware.
If it gets a big enough market share will developers start optimising for a "Deck Spec".
Wadeski said:
First review are in battery life is 90 minutes
Come back, Game Gear, all is forgiven!
That is abysmal. I was hoping to get one for the long flights I do for work. Any mention on if it will charge on a lower voltage USBs that you get on planes? I am aware how niche a question that is.Come back, Game Gear, all is forgiven!
Well the release date is almost upon us, but this just made me even more depressed at the chances of ever getting my hands on a steam deck!
https://www.pcgamer.com/its-a-shame-steam-decks-la...
https://www.pcgamer.com/its-a-shame-steam-decks-la...
witten said:
Wadeski said:
First review are in battery life is 90 minutes
Come back, Game Gear, all is forgiven!
That is abysmal. I was hoping to get one for the long flights I do for work. Any mention on if it will charge on a lower voltage USBs that you get on planes? I am aware how niche a question that is.Come back, Game Gear, all is forgiven!
As I said all along, I think once people get these in their hands the novelty will wear off very quickly, especially with the battery life and poor screen resolution.
Joey Deacon said:
witten said:
Wadeski said:
First review are in battery life is 90 minutes
Come back, Game Gear, all is forgiven!
That is abysmal. I was hoping to get one for the long flights I do for work. Any mention on if it will charge on a lower voltage USBs that you get on planes? I am aware how niche a question that is.Come back, Game Gear, all is forgiven!
As I said all along, I think once people get these in their hands the novelty will wear off very quickly, especially with the battery life and poor screen resolution.
If second hand decks appear for less than RRP before 2024 I'd be surprised. The alternatives available now and on the horizon are all double the price for similar performance.
But if people go hurling their discounted decks on the ground I'll snap them up for local co-op with sub AAA games.
I've owned the Switch since day one and its design encourages casual gaming in a way a gaming laptop simply wouldn't for me. So much easier to just play on the commute, sat next to family on the sofa, etc. I've always found laptops to feel clumsy and uncomfortable in comparison.
I've also found I've used the Switch indoors, near a socket, 90pct of the time. Whether at home, during quiet moments when visiting family, or on holiday. It has greatly increased my opportunities to have a casual hours gaming here or there.
So the Steam deck still sounds great to me - battery life isn't a concern.
I've also found I've used the Switch indoors, near a socket, 90pct of the time. Whether at home, during quiet moments when visiting family, or on holiday. It has greatly increased my opportunities to have a casual hours gaming here or there.
So the Steam deck still sounds great to me - battery life isn't a concern.
Joey Deacon said:
Exactly, if it basically has to be plugged in all the time you might as well just get a gaming laptop instead.
That's a bit like saying that if a hatchback only has a 300-litre boot you might as well buy a LWB Transit instead.There are good reasons to buy a gaming laptop but there are good reasons to buy one of these - either or both might suit depending on what you want to do.
You've made me think about what I would do with this?
I don't commute anymore, any long distance in country is usually with me driving. I rarely use a train, long haul is rare at the moment and even if I was long hauling that would likely be with the kids and Child1 would want to use it.
The Switch has barely been touched in the last year.
I have a high end gaming PC in the house plus a PS5, Laptop and ipad.
I'll wait and see.
I don't commute anymore, any long distance in country is usually with me driving. I rarely use a train, long haul is rare at the moment and even if I was long hauling that would likely be with the kids and Child1 would want to use it.
The Switch has barely been touched in the last year.
I have a high end gaming PC in the house plus a PS5, Laptop and ipad.
I'll wait and see.
I'm hoping for it to enable my gaming time to be more sociable. PC has always been in the study and although I occasionally stream it too the lounge TV via a steam link and controllers that's the exception.
Getting away from the desk PC at the end of the working day and having a device that's couch friendly seems like a nice thing.
Getting away from the desk PC at the end of the working day and having a device that's couch friendly seems like a nice thing.
Nothing so far 
Unless they're sending the day 1 emails in batches through the day, I guess it's wait until next week now.
In the meantime:
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/steam-deck-review/
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-...
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-deck-review
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/02/steam-deck-...
https://www.theverge.com/22950371/valve-steam-deck...
Unless they're sending the day 1 emails in batches through the day, I guess it's wait until next week now.
In the meantime:
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/steam-deck-review/
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-...
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-deck-review
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/02/steam-deck-...
https://www.theverge.com/22950371/valve-steam-deck...
Edited by judas on Friday 25th February 19:23
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