projects / web-hugo.git / blame
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|---|---|---|
| 7ba37647 JM |
1 | --- |
| 2 | title: "Steam Deck - a love letter to Linux & handheld gamers" | |
| 3 | date: 2021-07-16T15:35:00+03:00 | |
| 4 | tags: ['steam','steamdeck','hardware','handheld','linux'] | |
| 5 | description: "Valve recently announced Steam Deck and it is looking like a really good option for Linux gamers and anyone tired of Switch hardware. Learn more in-depth of Cernodile's opinions in this blog post." | |
| 6 | type: blog | |
| 7 | aliases: ["/steam-deck-a-linux-loveletter.html"] | |
| 8 | draft: false | |
| 9 | --- | |
| 10 | ||
| 11 | Alternative title: Steam Deck, a Linux PC console. | |
| 12 | ||
| 13 | Valve recently announced [Steam Deck](https://steamdeck.com) and I | |
| 14 | must say that I like it. The people that made this hardware are clearly | |
| 15 | as passionate computer nerds as we are here. The controls do look a bit | |
| 16 | uncomfortable to my taste, but I'll judge it when I see it. The operating | |
| 17 | system used for Valve's handheld is Free Software built on [Arch Linux](https://archlinux.org). | |
| 18 | This may be one of the first (?) appearances of Arch Linux on a consumer | |
| 19 | product in actual production en masses. Not only are their software choices | |
| 20 | solid, they also allow you to decide that by not locking you out of your | |
| 21 | system and granting you access to desktop & install other OSes. You are | |
| 22 | also not limited to just Steam, you can easily install emulators on it and | |
| 23 | insert an SD card with your favourite ROMs. When docked, it will be a staple | |
| 24 | of your living room, a powerhouse capable of emulating likely up to PS3 even. | |
| 25 | Speaking of docks - while it is sold separately, I like what I see. You can | |
| 26 | turn your Steam Deck into a full on desktop experience with external monitor, | |
| 27 | Ethernet connectivity and fully working USB ports. | |
| 28 | ||
| 29 | How does this compare to Nintendo's Switch handheld console? To start off, | |
| 30 | Switch uses closed source software and actively stops you from escaping its | |
| 31 | walled garden, often ending up banning your online profile on signs of device | |
| 32 | modification. The device is as powerful as a ~$200 Android phone these days, | |
| 33 | yet they get away with selling a new display as of recent for a premium. | |
| 34 | Steam Deck is some fresh air into the handheld market as it allows complete | |
| 35 | freedom over your device while not forcing you into an ecosystem of walled | |
| 36 | gardens. The hardware is also much more powerful than what a Switch has. | |
| 37 | Steam Deck is a consumer-friendly and an open option for anyone that cares about | |
| 38 | their device being open without getting banned from ever accessing console's | |
| 39 | online services. I will personally be buying a Steam Deck and be writing a review | |
| 40 | piece when it arrives. | |
| 41 | ||
| 42 | **AFTERTHOUGHTS:** If you're already in the Steam ecosystem, you get to keep all your | |
| 43 | games, cloud saves & even mod your games. You do not have to buy a second copy of | |
| 44 | the game if you already own it on PC or Deck. You can also take advantage on this | |
| 45 | with any other storefront. Maybe this will also be enough to push GOG to make a Linux | |
| 46 | client for their GOG Galaxy? You can also take advantage of the famous Steam | |
| 47 | sales, something unheard of for consoles. This is an ultimate win for the gamer | |
| 48 | who wants a handheld gaming device, but doesn't want to pay the insane prices on | |
| 49 | other consoles, looking at you, Nintendo. | |
| 50 | ||
| 51 | Thanks for reading, | |
| 52 | - Cernodile |