Steam Deck
News, coverage and analysis tracking Steam Deck across the outlets.
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Valve's long-awaited standalone VR headset Steam Frame starts at £889 and sign-ups open today - but you'll need to be quick
Valve's new standalone VR headset, Steam Frame, will start shipping soon with a confirmed price of £889 for the 512GB model and £1,089 for the 1TB model. Sign-ups for reservations open today, September 14th, and will close on September 17th, after which Valve will randomly assign reservation and waitlist orders.
Whenever you're ready, Valve - nine minutes of Steam Frame user guide videos appearing as Steam Store assets surely point to this headset launching soon, right?
Nine minutes of user guide videos for Valve's upcoming VR headset, codenamed Steam Frame or Deckard, have leaked online as Steam store assets. The videos cover setup, unboxing, and accessories, suggesting a launch is imminent despite previous delays. Valve has not commented on the leaks, which have appeared on Reddit and YouTube.
INIU P63 Review: A Compact 25,000mAh, 100W Power Bank That Fully Charges a Steam Deck
The INIU Power Bank P63 is a compact 25,000mAh portable charger capable of fully recharging a Steam Deck in approximately 2 hours and 12 minutes, nearly matching the speed of its original wall charger. It also efficiently charges smartphones and other devices, offering a versatile power solution for travel and extended use. Despite its weight, the power bank provides a good balance of capacity, performance, and portability.
The handheld gaming PC scene might be in tatters, but there's no scenario where I'd pay $750 for one of the…
The author argues that the current pricing for handheld gaming PCs, particularly the MSI Claw, is excessive, with Best Buy selling a poorly received model for $749.99. While acknowledging component shortages, they suggest retailers should lower prices on older models like the MSI Claw and that the ASUS ROG Ally and Steam Deck remain more reasonable options.
Valve confirms Steam hardware buyers' data exposed in CEVA Logistics cyberattack
Valve has informed European customers that their personal data may have been exposed due to a cyberattack on its shipping partner, CEVA Logistics, between July 29 and August 1. The compromised information includes names, addresses, and order details for Steam hardware like the Steam Deck, but not payment information or passwords. Customers are advised to be wary of potential phishing attempts.
SteamOS beta update brings support to more gaming handhelds
Valve has released a beta update for SteamOS that expands gamepad support to a variety of third-party gaming handhelds, including unspecified MSI and OneXPlayer models, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, Konkr FIT, and AYANEO Pocket S2. This update aims to improve the user experience for those installing SteamOS on devices beyond the official Steam Deck, offering potential benefits like better battery life and faster UI navigation, though some multiplayer games may not be compatible due to anti-cheat software limitations.
Moving away from Windows is getting a little easier, as Linux will soon support more SteelSeries gaming headsets
Open-source developers are improving Linux driver support for SteelSeries gaming headsets, with a new patch set to be included in the upcoming Linux 7.3 kernel merge window. This update will enhance compatibility for 14 SteelSeries models, addressing issues like battery reporting and wireless functionality that have previously been problematic on Linux-powered systems.
The three biggest RAM makers have already sold all their 2027 output, report says, potentially stretching price woes into 2028
The three largest RAM manufacturers, Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix, have reportedly sold their entire expected output through 2027, potentially extending current high prices for PC components like RAM, storage, and graphics cards into 2028. This situation is exacerbated by demand from the AI industry and follows previous admissions from Samsung and Valve regarding ongoing shortages and price hikes.
Handheld prices are still soaring, but at least the Lenovo Legion Go S is now cheaper than Steam Deck
Gaming handheld prices have significantly increased in 2026, with the Steam Deck OLED now priced at $789. However, the Lenovo Legion Go S has seen a substantial discount, dropping to $635.54, making it a more affordable option compared to the Steam Deck OLED and the Xbox ROG Ally.
With $1,000 Consoles On The Horizon, Amazon Games Boss Offers A Solution That Absolutely No One Asked For
Amazon Games boss Jeff Gattis proposes cloud gaming as a solution to the rising cost of consoles, suggesting it can expand the market to players who cannot afford dedicated hardware. He acknowledges that while consoles are important, the increasing price of hardware, potentially exceeding $1,000, will make cloud gaming a more attractive option for a larger audience. Gattis believes this approach aims to reach underserved players rather than replace existing platforms like consoles and PCs.
Valve suggests memory crisis is "still getting worse," admitting, "we're limited by memory capacity, for sure"
Valve engineers have stated that memory and storage supply issues for the Steam Machine are worsening, with retail availability lagging bulk supply by three to six months due to high demand from the AI industry. Despite these challenges, Valve insists the Steam Machine's roadmap will not be impacted. Separately, Midgar Studio has been ordered to liquidate after failing to secure a buyer, with founder Jérémy Zeler-Maury expressing deep regret over the closure.
Broken laptops can morph into Steam Machine alternatives, and the base parts cost less than 32GB RAM
A DIY guide demonstrates how to repurpose old laptop components, including motherboards and GPUs, to build custom gaming PCs or Steam Machine alternatives for significantly less than the cost of new parts. One project successfully transformed a laptop into an all-in-one PC for under $400, showcasing a cost-effective approach to PC building by utilizing salvaged hardware.
Lenovo's Legion C700 cloud handheld feels like the wrong response to a worsening handheld price situation
Lenovo's new Legion C700 cloud handheld, designed for Tencent's START streaming service, is criticized as the wrong response to current handheld market conditions. The article argues that cloud streaming devices, like the Logitech G Cloud and PlayStation Portal, are not the solution to rising handheld prices, especially when compared to more versatile devices like the Ayn Odin 2 or Steam Deck. The author expresses concern that this trend could normalize streaming-only devices, which is undesirable for handheld enthusiasts.
Valve has released Windows drivers for the Steam machine, y'know for the three people who managed to buy one and…
Valve has released official Windows drivers for the Steam Machine, allowing users to switch from SteamOS to Microsoft's operating system. This move aims to increase game compatibility, particularly for online shooters, though dual-booting is not yet supported. Users will need an Ethernet connection for initial Windows product key entry as Wi-Fi drivers are installed later.
The RAM Crisis Is One Big Price-Fixing Monopoly, New Lawsuit Claims
A new class-action lawsuit has accused Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix of colluding to fix prices for consumer RAM and storage, creating a monopoly. The lawsuit claims the manufacturers simultaneously shifted production away from consumer-grade DDR3 and DDR4 to focus on High-Bandwidth Memory for AI data centers, orchestrating a supply constraint. This alleged price-fixing has impacted the cost of PC and gaming hardware, leading to price increases across various platforms.
Valve says Steam Machine won't have 'as long of a timeframe' as Steam Deck, and new models are 'just…
Valve engineers discussed the product strategy for the Steam Machine, indicating it will not have as long of a product lifecycle as the Steam Deck. Unlike the Steam Deck, which requires a fixed performance target for developers, the Steam Machine is more akin to a gaming PC with a variable performance gradient. Valve is observing the evolving PC hardware market and new game demands before committing to a new Steam Machine iteration.
PC price rises to slow this year, says Asus, though not in time for the Steam Machine launch
Asus anticipates only single-digit price increases for its PC products in the coming months due to falling component costs, a significant decrease from recent price hikes. While these adjustments are expected in the third quarter, the company acknowledges that consumer acceptance will limit the extent of any increases. This trend is likely to be reflected globally, despite the report's focus on the Taiwanese market.
$1,049 Steam Machine is still a "good value," Valve engineer says, even though it was supposed to be $789 like…
Valve engineers discuss the $1,049 price of the Steam Machine, acknowledging it's higher than their original $789 target due to component shortages. They believe the price is still competitive for its specifications and form factor, especially compared to self-built PCs, and hope consumers will understand the market conditions.
The Steam Machine Has Already Lost Is Biggest Advantage Before Launch
The upcoming Steam Machine is set to launch without the significant advantage of its exclusive SteamOS, unlike the original Steam Deck. While the Steam Deck's success was largely due to its seamless, controller-friendly operating system in an uncontested market, the Steam Machine will face competition from more powerful handhelds and the ability for users to install SteamOS on any PC. This diminishes the Steam Machine's unique selling proposition, making its premium price point questionable despite Valve's broader goal of expanding Steam's reach.
Valve’s wild Steam Machine price tag has gaming consumers balking
Valve's upcoming Steam Machine is facing consumer backlash due to its high price point, with the lowest-tier 512 GB model costing $1,049 and the top-tier 2TB model reaching $1,428. Valve attributes the pricing to rising RAM and storage costs, stating their original price goal is no longer viable.