Challenges in Portable Gaming

The current landscape of portable gaming has proven difficult for many enthusiasts. While gaming laptops are a logical option, they often come with the downsides of being bulky and cumbersome for on-the-go use. Many gamers, including myself, have turned to the Nintendo Switch for its portability; however, its library is limited.

Fortunately, Valve, the company behind Steam, introduced the Steam Deck in July 2021.

What is the Steam Deck?

The Steam Deck is a handheld console that can run the majority of games available on Steam. It is roughly the same size as a Nintendo Switch but is slightly thicker and heavier, housing powerful hardware.

Designed similarly to a PlayStation or Xbox controller, it incorporates two joysticks, four primary buttons, a d-pad, two bumpers, and two triggers. Additionally, it features four customizable buttons on the back, dual trackpads, and a touchscreen interface.

Technical Specifications of the Steam Deck

Here are the key specifications:

• The console is powered by an AMD APU.
• Its CPU operates at a clock speed ranging from 2.4 to 3.5GHz.
• The GPU boasts 8 RDNA 2 Compute Units running at 1.0 to 1.6GHz.
• Users can choose from models with 64GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage, all equipped with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM.
• The display resolution is 1280 x 800 on a 7-inch screen.
• Connectivity includes a USB-C charging port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, stereo speakers, and a dual microphone setup.
• There is also an SD card slot for additional storage.
• The Steam Deck comes pre-installed with SteamOS 3.0.

This hardware allows gamers to access a broad range of Steam titles.

But what about non-Steam games? The Steam Deck functions as a portable PC, which means it can run various operating systems beyond SteamOS. Early testers were able to install Windows or Linux, enabling access to numerous PC games from platforms like Microsoft Store, Epic Games Store, UPlay, Battle.net, and Origin. You can even download console emulators for systems like NES, Nintendo 64, GameBoy, PlayStation 2, and PSP.

Clearly, the Steam Deck is a versatile handheld gaming device, supporting a wide array of platforms. Personally, I’m eager to play titles like Forza or GTA while traveling.

How to Acquire a Steam Deck

Currently, the Steam Deck isn’t available for direct purchase. However, you can reserve one for future release. Simply head to the Steam Deck website to secure your reservation. Valve has announced that all previous reservations will be fulfilled in Q3 of this year, while new reservations will be fulfilled in Q4 or early Q1 next year. Unfortunately, reservations are limited to specific regions, which means my friends and I couldn’t secure any.

If you’re interested, check the link above to see if it’s available in your area.

Final Thoughts

The Steam Deck is poised to become one of the best portable gaming systems for gamers. It allows access to both Steam games and many others typically available on PC. With the necessary hardware to run most, if not all, games, I can’t wait to own one and enjoy gaming on the go.

Thank you for taking the time to read my insights. I wish you all the best!

About My Content and Editorial Role on Medium

I write articles about gaming and social media topics. Additionally, I manage two publications on Medium—one focused on YouTubers and another dedicated to gamers. Since some YouTubers are also gamers, they are welcome to contribute to both publications. If these topics resonate with you, I look forward to showcasing your stories.

You might want to check out the invitations detailing how to join the publications:

• Invitation: Join ILLUMINATION Gaming Publication as a Writer
• Invitation to Write for ILLUMINATION on YouTube Publication

Writer applications can be submitted via this link.

Sample Gaming Stories in My Collection

• Let’s Talk About Gaming Simulators Today.
• Finally, I Read and Heard Interesting Rumors About Grand Theft Auto 6.
• Playstation 5: There’s Demand But No Supply.
• The Rise, Fall, and Rise of Fall Guys.
• Turbo Golf Racing Is on Its Way!
• Multiversus’ Announcement Excited Me Beyond Words.
• Splitgate: An Interesting Take on the FPS Gaming Genre.
• Let’s Talk About eSports Today.
• How Pay-To-Win Games Ruin Player Experience.
• My Top Five Most Nostalgic Games.
• How Mobile Gaming Has Evolved.
• Here’s How Minecraft Evolved Over the Years.
• Beginners Guide to Gaming Gear and Peripherals.
• Let’s Talk About Game Launchers and Storefronts.
• High on Life: The Upcoming Game Set in the Rick & Morty Universe.
• Five Exciting New Games Releasing This Year.
• Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games.
• The All-New PlayStation Plus Is Finally Here.
• Overwatch 2 Is Almost Here.
• What Computer Games Mean to Me and Why I Play Them.
• Do You Want to Learn How Slot Machines Work?
• Let’s Talk About Idiosyncrasies of Teabagging in Gaming.
• Tribute to Technoblade (aka Alex) RIP.

Recent Stories on Other Topics

• Why Elon Musk Sold His Bitcoin Shares Out of the Blue.
• Covid Virus Finally Infected Me Despite Intense Cautions.
• Why Everyone Unfollowed Me Today.
• The Follower Bug Manifests in Different Shapes and Forms.

If you have had similar experiences, I’d love to hear about them. I enjoy collaborating with writers and introducing them on YouTube. Here’s a link to my collection: Meet Top Writers on YouTube. It features introductions to prominent writers from Illumination Integrated Publications in YouTube videos.

Connection with Writers and Readers on Medium

I create informative and inspiring content in areas such as gaming, filmmaking, media, and design. You can subscribe to my account for notifications on my Medium posts. I also support Illumination Integrated Publications as a volunteer editor and engage in collaborative efforts within our Slack Workspace.