• Joanie Parker
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    866 months ago

    Best $400 I’ve spent on a console by far. Including my PS4 and 5. Haven’t touched my switch, PS5 or any other console since my deck came.

    • @instamat@lemmy.world
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      156 months ago

      The zelda sequel lured me away for a little while and spider man 2 for a lesser extent, but I spend more time on my deck than anything else. Hey that reminds me, I should dust my consoles.

        • @Blackmist@feddit.uk
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          26 months ago

          That TotK runs at all on the Switch is nothing short of a miracle. That’s Xbox 360 era GPU power, running a massive game at 30fps for the most part. Super stable as well, especially after a playthrough of the very crashy, other GOTY contender, BG3.

          • @Anomalous_Llama@lemmy.world
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            16 months ago

            Really?

            ToTK ram so poorly on my (launch) switch that I stopped after a few hours. Constant usually massive dips in frame rate put me off of it.

            Returned my switch to a MarioKart/Smash machine for when my friends are over.

    • @sheogorath@lemmy.world
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      66 months ago

      Sadly this is not applicable in my country. If you want to get a Steam Deck unfortunately you’ll need to shell out more money compared to buying a PS5 or an Xbox Series X.

  • Corroded
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    516 months ago

    It’s pretty much as powerful as the gaming PC I made several years ago and is a decent price. I’d be happy to recommend it to someone even not taking into account how versatile it is

  • Derin
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    486 months ago

    My laptop’s SSD died a while back, so I sent it away for repairs (yay, MSI’s warranty).

    In that brief period without a PC, my Steam Deck was a god send - used it as my main machine for 4 days. Was even able to work on it.

    That’s such a crazy addition to the value proposition, for me - totally makes it worth it.

    Also, being able to play PS5 games in bed via Chiaki is delicious.

    • Scio
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      96 months ago

      I’ve been using it as my main (and only) machine for the whole year. Work included (dev, illustration, graphic design, cgi)

    • @Blisterexe@lemmy.zip
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      36 months ago

      I mean, that makes sense, because its just running (a slightly restricted) version Linux of under the hood, which I is what I run on my gaming and work pc

      • @msage@programming.dev
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        46 months ago

        It’s an immutable version of stripped Arch, dunno if that counts as ‘slightly restricted’. You can disable the read-only mode if you want to and know what you’re doing.

          • @msage@programming.dev
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            36 months ago

            I mean for average console user, you can do a whole lot. Even for your average Windows user.

            And if you drive Linux… I’m not sure why you couldn’t handle SteamOS?

            • @Blisterexe@lemmy.zip
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              6 months ago

              I can, what I am saying is the way the steamos is built, its a bit harder for new users to do more advanced stuff, not that its that limited. I so admit I could’ve phrased IT better though

      • R0cket_M00se
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        26 months ago

        Yeah but it’s still a hand held, that kind of power isn’t expected.

    • prole
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      26 months ago

      Chiaki doesn’t get enough credit.

    • aubertlone
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      16 months ago

      How is your latency on Chiaki?

      I have pretty decent home wifi and honestly…

      It’s just not a great experience.

      Although tbf I installed it once on a macbook and the experience was not great. Didn’t do hardly any finagling to improve latency

      • Derin
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        16 months ago

        The latency is so low I don’t notice it at all. Weird that you’re having problems.

        My ps5 is hooked up to the router via an ethernet cable, and I use a 5 Ghz network to play on. Never had any issues and never required any tweaking (played most of Jedi: Survivor with this setup).

  • @ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de
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    476 months ago

    Why hasn’t anyone else made one to compete that’s cheap? Because, Mr.Author…No one else can make their money back by selling software.

    • @Telorand@reddthat.com
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      216 months ago

      The Switch certainly predates the Deck, and they definitely make their money back on software, but being forced solely into the Nintendo ecosystem is off-putting. Only Microsoft is a likely candidate to make a handheld that uses their Game Pass, and I would bet they aren’t really needing to push subscriptions at the moment.

        • @Telorand@reddthat.com
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          36 months ago

          I just looked it up, and it looks like Nintendo likely makes $40-$80 per Switch (estimated based on part costs). A decent profit, considering software (a big money maker) is just gravy at that point.

        • @Telorand@reddthat.com
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          106 months ago

          I can’t believe I have to rehash this again. A Switch is a computer. My point wasn’t that it’s somehow better, but Nintendo already did exactly what you said: made a handheld portable computer with built-in screen that can play games locally and is sold at a loss only to recoup those losses with software sales.

          The Deck can do more than the Switch, but that doesn’t make the Switch less of a computer.

      • @dangblingus@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        You say it’s off putting as if the Switch doesn’t have dozens on dozens on dozens of quality 1st and 2nd party titles. Also, no one is being forced into the Nintendo ecosystem. It’s a Nintendo product, and you buy a Nintendo console to play Nintendo games. It’s not anti-gamer. That being said, apples and oranges to compare the switch to the deck.

        • @Telorand@reddthat.com
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          116 months ago

          Right, but the original statement was whether other companies have made a competing and profitable “Deck,” and the Switch is already such a device. Portable, plays games locally, has a thriving software ecosystem…

          Whether those games within that ecosystem are “quality” or not is irrelevant. Both platforms have examples of good and bad games. My point was that if you buy a Switch, you are forced into their ecosystem. On the Deck, you do not have such a limitation (with a bit of effort, you can access anything a regular Linux machine can). Nobody is coerced in, sure, but that wasn’t the point I was making.

          So where you see apples and oranges, I see a small, dry apple vs. a big, juicy apple. A better analogy might be Apple vs Windows.

          • conciselyverbose
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            -46 months ago

            No, the Switch is not such a device.

            The article is very obviously about PCs. The Switch is not a PC.

            • @SquirtleHermit@lemmy.world
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              66 months ago

              Just because the switch runs a proprietary OS does not mean it isn’t a personal computing device. It can run Linux, it has a CPU and memory, it runs software, its a personal computer for sure.

              • conciselyverbose
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                -26 months ago

                Yes, it does. It cannot possibly be described as a PC if the end user can’t install arbitrary software without restriction.

                Calling a Switch a PC isn’t slightly incorrect. It’s complete and utter horseshit.

                • @SquirtleHermit@lemmy.world
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                  6 months ago

                  The ability install “arbitrary software without restriction” is what defines a PC? Now that is complete and utter horseshit. A Chromebook isn’t a PC? A laptop with account restrictions to prevent the end user from installing software isn’t a PC? A desktop running an immutable linux distro isn’t a PC? Quit your bullshit. A PC is a computing device with a CPU and Memory, meant to be used by several people or less at a time, everything else is superfluous.

                • @Telorand@reddthat.com
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                  46 months ago

                  If you jailbreak the Switch, you can do all of those things. But by your definition, because I can’t arbitrarily install Windows software on an Apple computer, it is not a PC.

                  Just because it’s not easy doesn’t mean the Switch isn’t a personal computer. It is a device you can personally own that takes bits and bytes and performs computations with them that results in things like saving a game (data storage), internet communication (network computing), and video rendering (video stream computation).

        • @SquirtleHermit@lemmy.world
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          56 months ago

          You have a weird definition of platform “ecosystem”. How is buying a computing device (gaming or otherwise) that locks you down to only running software purchased from the manufacturer’s store not forcing you into their ecosystem?

          I guess if you mean no one is forcing you to buy a switch sure. But if you own a switch, you have to procure software through Nintendo. That’s being locked into an ecosystem by definition.

    • kryllic
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      6 months ago

      Bingo,I think people forget Valve went out of their way to make their profit margin razor thin, or at a slight loss because they know the benefit of having a device that basically assures a new paying user will be added in their Steam ecosystem. It’s based on Nintendo’s walled garden philosophy after all, just refined really well on PC.

      • SeriousBug
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        166 months ago

        It’s not a walled garden though, Valve made no attempts to lock anything down. You can install something like Heroic Game Launcher on the Steam Deck and play Epic Game Store or GOG games too.

        • @baduhai
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          36 months ago

          Yeah, it’s based on the philosophy, but it doesn’t strictly follow the philosophy.

        • @ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de
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          26 months ago

          While this is true and works out that way, it’s either put in a bit of work to get a game to run (I have epic games borderlands 2 handsome Jack collection and it crashes a lot on me) or use the store that has all the games and controller settings set up specifically to the deck. Having the option is great, but using steam is still easiest and makes any deck owners default purchase store choice for a game as steam. To the point where if I had to pay $25 for a game on steam vs $20 on epic or any other, I’d just go ahead and get the steam version if I intended to play it on my deck.

        • @helenslunch@feddit.nl
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          6 months ago

          No, but they did make it very easy to buy Steam games and installing HGL or any other launcher is going to be both inconvenient and require a level of investigation that most people don’t care to bother with when they can just hit “buy” on the store.

            • @helenslunch@feddit.nl
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              06 months ago

              I mean it’s a whole thing of even knowing how to install it, much less configuring Proton, adding it to Steam Launcher, etc.

              • @DaTingGoBrrr@lemmy.ml
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                26 months ago

                It’s really not that hard and there are plenty of guides available. If you are unable to visit the “store” (discovery), download a program and finally run it, then maybe you should just keep using Steam and not complicate things.

                I feel like if you are smart enough to know that Heroic Launcher exists then you could figure out how to do a google search on how to install it. It’s not like Windows “just works” every time

      • @DaTingGoBrrr@lemmy.ml
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        86 months ago

        Valve also made a really thought out and well designed product, which I think is pretty rare these days. The instant hibernation feature is just one example of why the Steam Deck is so much better than the competition

      • @deo@beehaw.org
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        76 months ago

        It’s funny. I thought I would just play through my SO’s gargantuan library for a long while, but I’m pretty sure I’ve spent more on new games than I did on the Steam Deck itself at this point. So, yeah. They made the right call.

    • FubarberryOPM
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      126 months ago

      Yeah I was confused by the wording of the title.

      • @smeg@feddit.uk
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        26 months ago

        “I rate it” is a pretty common phrase used to mean “I rate this thing positively”, isn’t it?

        • FubarberryOPM
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          I’m assuming it is from how it was used, I just don’t think I’ve ever heard the phrase before. It must not be popular where I live or in my usual internet communities.

          Maybe it’s a British thing, or maybe I’m just old and out of touch.

          • @smeg@feddit.uk
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            16 months ago

            Author of the article is from Wales so it could well just be a British thing. I’ve heard it used plenty so it’s not youth-speak!

    • Overzeetop
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      With or without rice?

    • FubarberryOPM
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      116 months ago

      I think so, but the wording is confusing to me.

      • rurutheguru
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        I read it as “The budget price tag is why I still care enough to rate it”

    • @limeaide@lemmy.ml
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      26 months ago

      Unrelated, but LowSpecGamer on YouTube has some great videos about the Gameboy’s story and they are great. I recommend them to everyone

      • @NabeGewell@lemmy.world
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        Great channel, I’ve seen his doc vids

        Very glad he rediscovered his passion with those vids

        And yeah if you don’t know what I’m talking about go check out his gameboy vid if interested, tldr the cheaper and more energy efficient tech in the gameboy is why it sold this good even though there are way more impressive products in the market

  • Overzeetop
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    116 months ago

    My only real gripe is that the SSDs aren’t being refreshed as component prices drop. There’s no reason for the entry level not to be 256 now, with 512 mid range and 1TB top end. Retail - and I presume wholesale - prices on the parts have dropped by half or more since the deck was launched. There may be contractual issues involved, but - for Valve - it would make sense to make these machines as self-contained as possible. Yes, you can by a SD card, but at this point you probably shouldn’t have to. And, lets face it, 64GB on a gaming device is pretty limiting. Just start slotting in larger drives as the inventory breaks the previous price floor and inventory is cleared.

      • Overzeetop
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        56 months ago

        Well I’ll be damned. TBH, I didn’t even know about the refresh - I enjoy mine enough that I’m not really in the market. Also, I snagged a TB ssd for $50 last month and installed it so, aside from the OLED I’m happy where I am. Besides, I’m such a casual I just can’t get bent about that last 5% of black.

    • @Pacmanlives@lemmy.world
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      96 months ago

      Linux also runs better on lower spec machines due to its better resource management. Reason a lot of people started using Linux back in the day so they didn’t need to spend 10-15k on a Sun Spac box and could use a 1-3k desktop

      • SunRed
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        116 months ago

        The game runs and is supported with its anti cheat for a while now but I assume the performance isn’t great.

        • @woelkchen@lemmy.world
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          206 months ago

          Performance optimization is also on the developer to do. Proton isn’t magic. Developers need to treat Steam Deck like any other dedicated platform.

    • @Goodvibes@lemmy.cafe
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      46 months ago

      Good news! It does! My desktop was out of commission for a while due to a hardware issue, and I used my Steam Deck exclusively as my PC during that time. Hunt ran fine, with anti-cheat working, and I even racked up some kills and wins (with mouse and keyboard and a monitor ofc and at 720p). The handheld experience would be rough but obviously playing Hunt against PC players with a controller would be nearly impossible in 3 star and up.

  • @cordlesslamp@lemmy.today
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    16 months ago

    Guys, would it be wise to buy a Deck now (almost end of 2023)? Since rumors about Deck 2 has surfaced. I’m afraid the Deck 1 will reach end-of-life soon.

    • FubarberryOPM
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      106 months ago

      I don’t know if you saw it, but they just announced an OLED Steam Deck earlier today.

      Should have the same motherboard/specs based on leaks, just a much better screen.

      I’d probably wait and see how much it will sell for, and I’d they discount the non-oled decks.

      • @cordlesslamp@lemmy.today
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        36 months ago

        LOL, I literally wrote that comment and went to sleep. Just to woke up the next morning to see the internet exploding with news about the refreshed Deck :)))

        Definitely gonna get a 512GB OLED now. If I hold off till Christmas, I may even be able to get the 1TB. The SSD upgrade is overpriced but the anti-glare should be nice.

    • @ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca
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      66 months ago

      Being that it’s Linux, it shouldn’t have an end of life even if they stop selling it

      Your disadvantage would be hardware

    • ekZepp
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      36 months ago

      This aged well 😄👌…

      Just kidding. Steam just blow my mind with the new model announcement.

      • It does what I “expected it to do” I think it comes down to the fact that I thought I would use it more but I find it uncomfortable to use.

        In general I don’t get on so well with handhelds, I just hoped that this one would be the change in that, I loved the vita and used that all the time but every other handheld I’ve ever owned I never really used bar the aforementioned vita and the neo geo pocket colour way back when.

        • @grooving@lemmy.studio
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          56 months ago

          Mine is mostly hooked up to my lounge tv via a dock and using my steam controller. Gets me out of my work room.

        • T (they/she)
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          36 months ago

          If you have a cool living room setup (nice tv/sofa/soundbar) the dock is a must have!

          • I never saw the point in wasting my money on a dock when it takes me 15 seconds to just plug my laptop in with a HDMI cable and have more power and compatibility. G

            • prole
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              16 months ago

              Well, in my case, my Steam Deck is way more capable of running games than my laptop, so the point of a dock would be to play games on a bigger screen. I mean it seems kind of self-explanatory, no?

      • T (they/she)
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        66 months ago

        Id say they’re probably someone that never had a handheld, because lately I’ve been using it more than my desktop lol

        • @Templa @Hawk

          Yes, zen2 + 16-ddr5 + nvme With my 16 inch
          drawing tablet makes it
          Viable on any Linux for
          a very long time.

          I’m not talking bout
          Cost effect either I will
          Rock this setup until

          I see something better
          And that is going to take
          6 to 8 years, I think.

          Anyony calling it a paper weight /brick is a troll
          And I doubt ownes one.

          • prole
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            36 months ago

            What the fuck is with the formatting? I kept trying to read it as a poem or song.

          • T (they/she)
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            36 months ago

            I think its all about the games you choose! For example, survivor games like Vampire Survivors, Halls of Torment, Soulstone Survivors are super fun to play on the deck.

            My spouse is also using it as emulator device so he’s been playing many ps1/ps2 games on it.

            • @flora_explora@beehaw.org
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              16 months ago

              I’m so addicted to halls of torment right now!!

              My desktop PC sits like 3 m away but I haven’t played on it since I got my steam deck. Playing in bed, on the sofa or even on the toilet on the steam deck is so much more fun! In the summer I would just lie in my hammock outside and play for hours. Such a great time :)

              • T (they/she)
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                16 months ago

                I know right? I was addicted on trying to get all achievements hahah

            • Halls of Torment is actually one of the games I have played on there, I also did the same and set it up with a load of emulators but I think I enjoyed setting it up more than playing any of the games as I haven’t really put any time into any of them.

              The other thing I did play on there was Skate 2 but emulating that caused it to get really hot and absolutely chore through the battery in no time!

              The reason I have been hanging on to it is in the hope I find a jrpg or something as that is what I used my vita for the most but nothing has really come up that I want to play as of yet. I had been considering putting Disgaea 6 on there recently but haven’t ever gotten around to it.

              • T (they/she)
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                26 months ago

                I recommend trying the first two Personas to start if you haven’t played those yet

                • I played and absolutely loved P4G on the vita but I couldn’t get into the gameplay loop in P3P. The story was super interesting but the gameplay itself was repetitive and boring as it didn’t offer as much to do as you got in P4.

                  Do you think the first 2 are worth playing having had 4 as my first persona game?

        • @Squirrel@thelemmy.club
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          36 months ago

          You called it an expensive paper weight. Insulting something that people like will often prompt them to defend it. It’s perfectly fine to not like something. It’s fine to point out objective flaws in it. However, don’t call something bad (which is essentially what you did) just because you don’t like it. That starts arguments.

          To be clear, I don’t want to argue here. I just want to point out an observation that has impacted how and when I state my opinion.

          • T (they/she)
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            36 months ago

            It is good to give people the benefit of the doubt (I know it is hard, but trust me it works wonders). I could easily say that my Switch was a paper weight for a long time before I actually got use out of it, so they didn’t elaborate and maybe wanted to show frustration that their investment wasn’t good enough for their use. When in doubt just ask people to elaborate, no need to escalate.