Steam Deck
News, coverage and analysis tracking Steam Deck across the outlets.
Review: Genki Covert Dock 3 And ShadowCast 3 - A Surprisingly Compact Mobile Capture Duo For Your Switch 2The Genki Covert Dock 3 and ShadowCast 3 Pro offer a compact and versatile solution for mobile gaming and content creation. The Covert Dock 3 provides up to 64W charging and video output for devices like the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and ROG Ally, while the ShadowCast 3 Pro is a portable capture card capable of 1080p/120, 1440p/120, and 4K/60 video capture with HDMI passthrough.- Evening MobilizationThe upcoming Steam Deck 2 is reportedly moving away from a semi-custom APU in favor of off-the-shelf AMD silicon, with a potential launch around 2028. This change suggests a focus on readily available components for the next iteration of Valve's handheld gaming PC.
Linux has gotten a 3% usage bump in a month, latest Steam hardware survey suggests - though, it's still miles off WindowsThe latest Steam hardware survey indicates a slight increase in Linux usage among gamers, reaching 5.33% in March, a jump from 2.23% in February. Despite this growth, Linux usage remains significantly lower than Windows, which holds 92.33% of the market share. Arch Linux, Linux Mint, and Ubuntu Core are the leading Linux variants mentioned.
Steam Deck 2 Allegedly Targetting 2028 Release WindowValve is reportedly targeting a 2028 release for the Steam Deck 2, though ongoing memory shortages could cause delays. The company is also working on the Steam Machine, which will require games to meet Steam Deck Verified standards for compatibility. Valve has acknowledged that RAM and storage shortages are complicating plans for the Steam Machine's launch.
Linux smashes past 5% on the Steam Survey for the first timeLinux has surpassed 5% of users on the Steam Hardware & Software Survey for March 2026, marking a new all-time high. This growth is attributed to Valve's efforts with Proton, SteamOS, and the Steam Deck. The survey also detailed the top Linux distributions, with SteamOS Holo and an unnamed distribution showing significant usage.
This SSD enclosure is one of my most-used PC gadgets, and you can get it for 30% offA Ugreen M.2 SSD enclosure, which allows users to convert spare M.2 drives into fast external SSDs, is currently available for 30% off. The toolless enclosure supports various M.2 drive sizes and offers USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds up to 10Gbps, making it suitable for external game storage or media libraries. The device features an aluminum build with thermal pads for heat dissipation and is compatible with modern PCs and laptops via USB-C.
Best Bags for Creators: Style, Functionality, and Protection in OneThis guide reviews various bags designed for content creators, focusing on style, functionality, and gear protection. It highlights options like the Sakk Gear Nomad Sling, Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 25L, Samsonite Paralux Spinner Carry On, Bellroy Transit Carry-On, Breakwater Supply Fogland 25L Waterproof Backpack, PGYTECH OneGO Solo V2, URTH Norite 24L Backpack, Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack, PGYTECH OneGO Backpack, and Peak Design Everyday Backpack. The article details features such as capacity, organization systems, durability, and comfort to help creators find the ideal carrying solution for their equipment.
The RAMpocalypse Is Already Claiming Its First PC Gaming HandheldAyaNeo has suspended preorders for its upcoming Next 2 handheld gaming PC due to significant increases in RAM and storage costs, driven by demand from AI and data-center companies. While existing preorders will be fulfilled, the company cited that component costs have more than doubled, making the product unsustainable at its current price point. This situation highlights a broader industry-wide component shortage impacting various gaming hardware, including the Steam Deck and potentially future consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2.
Steam Dominance Sparks Reddit Debate: Why Valve Still Rules PC GamingA Reddit discussion highlights Steam's continued dominance in PC gaming, attributing its success to a robust ecosystem of community features, library management, and social integration rather than just free games or exclusives. Despite competition from Epic Games Store, GOG, and subscription services, Steam's long-standing user satisfaction and consistent service have fostered strong loyalty. The platform's evolution, including the Steam Deck and features like Proton, further solidifies its position, though it faces ongoing challenges from cloud gaming and evolving industry trends.
If Nintendo won't make Pokemon Pokopia thumb grips, I'm happy settling for these cuties insteadThe author expresses disappointment over the lack of official Pokémon Pokopia themed accessories for the Nintendo Switch, particularly thumb grips. While third-party options like 'Versatile Elves' grips exist and are found to be cute and comfortable, their quality is questionable compared to official Nintendo products. The article highlights a desire for more official customization options for the console.
JSAUX Accessories Review — Steam Deck Dock, Screen Protector, and Charger for Nintendo Switch 2 | Console CreaturesThis review examines JSAUX accessories for the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch, including a 4K@120Hz docking station, a 60W USB-C charger, and anti-glare screen protectors. The accessories enhance the handheld experience by enabling TV output, fast charging for multiple devices, and reducing screen glare for outdoor use.
Weeks after the Steam Deck disappeared, Retroid discontinues Pocket G2 "due to ongoing fluctuations in memory…Retroid has temporarily discontinued the Retroid Pocket G2 handheld due to ongoing industry-wide component shortages, particularly affecting memory. This follows the recent cancellation of the Retroid Pocket 6's 12GB model. The company is also increasing prices on other devices, with the Pocket Classic now costing $149. The article suggests consumers consider existing handhelds not impacted by AI memory demands while waiting for the market to stabilize.
Lutris now being built with Claude AI, developer decides to hide it after backlashThe developer of the game manager Lutris has faced backlash for using AI-generated code from Anthropic's Claude, leading to concerns about trust and copyright in open-source software. The developer initially defended the use of AI as a valuable tool, citing personal health issues, but later removed AI co-authorship from commits, sparking further debate about transparency.- Valve's Steam Machine launches in 2026: Everything we know so farValve has announced a new home console, the Steam Machine, set to launch in 2026 as a successor to the Steam Deck. The device will feature semi-custom AMD Zen 4 CPUs and RDNA3 GPUs, 16GB of RAM, and options for 512GB or 2TB of storage, aiming for 4K 60FPS gameplay with FSR technology. While pricing is not yet confirmed, it is expected to be competitive with self-built PCs and potentially higher than current-generation consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X due to component costs.
DRAM maker SK hynix has validated its next-gen LPDDR6 which would be great news for handheld PCs, except that the…DRAM maker SK hynix has successfully validated its next-generation LPDDR6 memory, which offers improved performance and 20% lower power consumption compared to LPDDR5X. While ideal for handheld gaming PCs and mobile devices, SK hynix appears to be prioritizing the AI market for its new memory, potentially limiting availability for other sectors.
Project Helix Insider: New Game Will Be ‘Pretty Expensive’ for Niche MarketInsider information suggests that the upcoming 'Project Helix' will be a premium-priced game targeted at a very niche audience, rather than a mass-market release. This strategy could involve high-end hardware, specialized VR experiences, or hardcore simulation titles. The success of this approach will depend on delivering clear value that justifies the cost, similar to how Valve positioned the Steam Deck.
A Steam Machine update reignited release date fears, but Valve say the new hardware is still shipping this yearValve has clarified its commitment to shipping the new Steam Machine, Steam Controller redesign, and Steam Frame VR headset in 2026, addressing fears of further delays. Despite ongoing component shortages, the company assures customers that all three products will be released this year, though the exact timing within 2026 remains unspecified.
Valve’s Steam Machine Faces A Possible Delay Due To Techbros AI Kink | Console CreaturesValve has announced potential delays for its upcoming Steam Machine, Steam Controller, and Steam Frame, originally slated for Q1 2026. The company cited challenges with integrating Artificial Intelligence and ongoing memory and storage shortages as reasons for a possible shift to the latter half of 2026. The Steam Machine is described as six times more powerful than the Steam Deck, featuring AMD Zen 4 and RDNA3 architecture with support for 4K gaming and ray tracing.
This Linux tool was the last thing I needed to wave goodbye to WindowsThis article details how the ScopeBuddy tool simplifies the process of enabling High Dynamic Range (HDR) on Linux for PC gaming. The author, who previously struggled with HDR on their LG OLED TV, found ScopeBuddy and its GUI frontend to be an easy-to-use solution that finally allowed them to fully embrace Linux over Windows.
Fate of console pricing uncertain after Supreme Court strikes down Trump tariffsThe US Supreme Court has ruled against tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, potentially impacting video game hardware pricing. Companies like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo had previously raised prices due to these tariffs, with manufacturing largely based in China. However, ongoing shortages of RAM and hard drives driven by AI data center demand, exacerbated by a deal between OpenAI and Samsung, continue to pose challenges to hardware availability and pricing.