from the when-you-want-to-take-it-with-you dept.
Exclusive: Valve is making a Switch-like portable gaming PC
Video game and hardware studio Valve has been secretly building a Switch-like portable PC designed to run a large number of games on the Steam PC platform via Linux—and it could launch, supply chain willing, by year's end.
Multiple sources familiar with the matter have confirmed that the hardware has been in development for some time, and this week, Valve itself pointed to the device by slipping new hardware-related code into the latest version of Steam, the company's popular PC gaming storefront and ecosystem.
[...] In recent years, the "Switch-like PC" category has exploded. In early 2020, Alienware revealed its first Switch-like gaming PC, but the "concept" device has not yet turned into a commercial product. If you want to buy a similar device today, you're largely looking at products from Chinese OEMs like GPD, One-Netbook, and Aya, who have slapped ultramobile PC processors and parts into a Switch-like chassis.
Rumors point to an AMD "Van Gogh" APU (Zen 2 quad-core with RDNA 2 graphics and support for LPDDR5 RAM), 7/8-inch screen, at a $400 price point for a Q4 2021 release.
Also at Wccftech.
Related Stories
Samsung Starts Mass Production of Second-Gen 16GB LPDDR5 RAM for Future Premium Smartphones
Samsung has announced that it will kick off mass production of the world's first 16GB LPDDR5 RAM package for future smartphones. Last year, the Korean giant stated that it started mass production of 12GB LPDDR5 RAM. For 2020, Samsung has taken that production dial to the next phase and claims that the new RAM packages will enable users to experience enhanced 5G and AI features ranging from graphic-rich gaming and smart photography.
According to the company, the data transfer rate for the 16GB LPDDR5 [package] is 5500Mb/s (megabits per second), making it significantly faster than the previous-generation LPDRR4X RAM package, which peaks out at 4266Mb/s. That's not the only benefit of using these chips, because compared to an 8GB LPDDR4X package, the new mobile DRAM can deliver more than 20 percent power savings while offering twice the memory capacity.
16 GB DRAM packages could also be used in single board computers and other compact systems. For example, the BCM2711 SoC used in the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B can theoretically address up to 16 GB of memory.
Samsung press release. Also at AnandTech.
Previously: Samsung Announces 8 GB DRAM Package for Mobile Devices
Samsung Announces LPDDR5 DRAM Prototype Before Specification is Finalized
Samsung Begins Mass Producing 12 GB DRAM Packages for Smartphones
Samsung Mass Producing LPDDR5 DRAM (12 Gb x 8 for 12 GB Packages)
Get Ready for Smartphones with 16 GB of RAM
Steam Deck is Valve's Switch-like portable PC: Starting at $399 this December
Steam Deck is Valve's Switch-like portable PC, starting at $399 this December
On Thursday, Valve took the wraps off its new Switch-like portable PC, now dubbed the Steam Deck, confirming that it is indeed the hardware Ars Technica wrote about earlier this year. The device will begin shipping later this year at a starting price of $399.
The hefty-looking console, which is 11.7 inches long, will launch at three price points, differentiated by built-in storage capacity, SSD speed ratings, and differently tempered glass on its screen. Those particular upgrades will cost $529 (256GB) and $649 (512GB, "anti-glare etched glass"). Both pricier bundles include a carrying case.
Valve Announces the "Steam Deck", a Handheld Gaming PC
Valve has announced a handheld gaming PC, the Steam Deck:
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday May 26 2021, @06:46PM (3 children)
I wonder how long before Valve fire sales these at $5 each?
Anything that helps gaming on Linux is nice, but I'm not sure how helpful this will actually be. PC games just aren't designed for that form factor. They all expect mouse & keyboard. And on top of that you have the usual Linux compatibility problems (though with Valve qualifying everything in house, at least they'd know). Valve has only whitelisted a small portion of the games that actually work in Proton, and then you have others (Fall Guys coming to mind) where the game itself works fine but the anti-cheat doesn't.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday May 26 2021, @06:51PM
VMs can solve all that transparently... If I can do it, I know valve can get it done.
(Score: 2) by Immerman on Wednesday May 26 2021, @07:32PM
I don't know - a huge number of modern PC games support console (especially Xbox) controllers, and not just the ones designed from the ground up to target multiple platforms games. It's also the platform that practically invented the twin-stick shooter, not to mention using an analog joystick, steering wheel, or various other increasingly specialized controllers for games.
Granted, there's also a lot of games that just won't work well without a keyboard and mouse... but so what? Don't try to play those games on a handheld. It doesn't have to be all things to all people to be really good. The PC is by far the largest gaming platform in the world, even a small fraction of the PCs gaming library dwarfs the library of any other console ever made.
What remains to be seen, is how good it actually is. If it doesn't try to lock things down, and includes a couple USB ports to allow keyboards, etc. to be installed, maybe an HDMI port so it could be hooked up to a TV at will - it might actually be extremely compelling. You could even use it as a real PC. Maybe not quite as convenient as a laptop for that, but if you're mostly a tablet/handheld person anyway, having it double as an on-demand PC could be a substantial bonus, especially when traveling.
(Score: 3, Informative) by takyon on Wednesday May 26 2021, @08:43PM
You can have a look at how people like the existing ones, like the AYA NEO and GPD Win. Clearly there is interest in the form factor.
Some PC games (I don't know how many) can use an Xbox controller for input, so those games should be able to adapt to Switch-style controls.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Wednesday May 26 2021, @07:02PM (10 children)
Am I the only person on the planet who wants a 7 or 8" screen Linux tablet with reasonable performance?
There are so many potential applications beyond gaming starting with: media playback, dashboard instrumentation, network sourced info display, touchscreen control of you-name-it, security camera monitoring, and above all: multi-function selecting from all of the above.
$400 isn't prohibitive, would be nice if it were closer to $100 like the Chinese 7" Android phones, would be nicer still if at least some of those phones ran Linux, but I'm pretty sure the powers that be are afraid of an easily reprogrammable phone.
🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 2) by NateMich on Wednesday May 26 2021, @07:14PM (1 child)
You're exaggerating by quite a large margin, unless you're looking at several years old devices that would have horrible specs in every way possible.
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Wednesday May 26 2021, @07:27PM
I don't know that I would call this one hopelessly outdated or unacceptable:
https://www.banggood.com/UMIDIGI-A11-Global-Version-Android-11-Helio-G25-5150mAh-3GB-64GB-16MP-AI-Triple-Camera-6_53-inch-HD+-Smartphone-p-1848456.html?cur_warehouse=HK&ID=63076766246444 [banggood.com]
🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 2) by Tork on Wednesday May 26 2021, @07:17PM
Oh I bet there's a larger market than you might expect. I use old iPhones as tablets around my place. If those suddenly grew to 8" slates I'd smile much bigger. I just wish they'd come with a port (pref usb-C but I'm open to suggestions like mini-HDMI) so that an obsolete phone could be used as a screen. Hell my iPhone 6 runs at full HD. I have a similar fantasy about laptops working that way, too.
🏳️🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️🌈
(Score: 2) by Immerman on Wednesday May 26 2021, @07:46PM (3 children)
Nope, I'm intrigued.
I don't actually care much for tablets, though I did finally get a larger phone since I don't carry a computer, and a small tablet is a lot better than nothing.
But put a full fledged PC on the thing, and give it handheld console controls so it's actually good at something? Now that starts having potential.
And hopefully, without the perverse incentives that plague dedicated console makers, they'll actually let you access a desktop OS, and hopefully even include some standard ports. Give it USB and HDMI so it could double as an ultra-compact desktop on demand, and I'd be *extremely* tempted. Especially if it included upgradeable storage. I know RAM is probably too much to ask, but I'd be absolutely delighted if it had an internal M.2 port.
(Score: 1, Offtopic) by Runaway1956 on Wednesday May 26 2021, @08:54PM
I remember being intrigued with Android Linux. The problem there is, who has root. Unless you hack your device, you don't have root. The phone manufacturer shares root privs with the telcos, they don't readily hand over root to the end user. And, that is the root cause, shall we say, for so many of the exploits on Android.
“I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Wednesday May 26 2021, @10:37PM (1 child)
Assuming the thing is running SteamOS, you could have access to a desktop. It could be a nice Linux handheld or a locked-down console like experience, but with Steam. Here's hoping it's more along the lines of a nice Linux handheld. I would love a portable way to play Master of Magic, other DOSBox supported games, GOG games, and the vast majority of my Steam Library. In the event that it could run Space Engineers, I might could take it to my brother's and we could finally play some Space Engineers together! My internet may suck a semi-truck load of awful, his internet is like going to the dump and trying to find that receipt your threw out last week.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Immerman on Thursday May 27 2021, @12:25AM
Yeah. I'm hoping that Valve is more interested in creating additional markets (and some independence from Microsoft with their creeping store) than an operating system empire. The device would likely be far more interesting that way.
(Score: 2) by richtopia on Wednesday May 26 2021, @08:25PM (1 child)
I haven't used one myself, but this should fit your bill once it is in stock:
https://pine64.com/product/pinetab-10-1-linux-tablet [pine64.com]
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Wednesday May 26 2021, @08:34PM
I want to like the Pine products, but any time I've come close to buying one horrible driver support issues turn me away.
🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 3, Interesting) by DeVilla on Wednesday June 02 2021, @05:41PM
I'll say yes, but only because I've limited my max screen size to 7". I'm leaning toward the GPD Micro PC, but it's a little dated now, lacks touch screen (but has a touch pad) and I can't decided if the low resolution is a good or bad thing.
I'd like to get the GPD Win 2 (yes for Linux) but I think they're dead now, replaced by the win 3. I prefer the clam shell design of the win 2. It doesn't have a "mouse"-like thing, but there's a switch to make the game controller act like a mouse. That worked ok on the pandora. The power button might be in a dangerous place.
The pocket 2 is a thing. I'm just not as interested in it for some reason. It looks harder to fake a 3 button mouse for one thing. I had the pocket and the max battery life dropped almost instantly from 8 hours to 15 minutes one day. I may still be sour about that.
(Score: 1, Flamebait) by Tork on Wednesday May 26 2021, @07:13PM (5 children)
:)
:(...
🏳️🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️🌈
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday May 26 2021, @07:31PM
Those other listed devices all seem to run Win10.
Which I was coming to complain about, but maybe that's a plus for other people too.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Wednesday May 26 2021, @08:46PM
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday May 26 2021, @09:33PM (2 children)
You /want/ windows?! WTF is wrong with you?
(Score: 2) by Tork on Wednesday May 26 2021, @09:36PM (1 child)
🏳️🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️🌈
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Freeman on Wednesday May 26 2021, @10:48PM
I wouldn't be terribly concerned about it. Steam's Linux support is actually pretty good. I've been tempted to dump Windows for a while. The better Steam's Linux support gets, the more I find myself wondering, why I put up with Windows. There are some anti-cheat issues with some PvP games, though. Mainly, because they are stupid and hackers got incentive.
In the event that you want to play old games, you're actually probably better off trying to play that Windows 98/XP game on Linux. I installed "Civilization II: Multiplayer Gold Edition" on Linux for my Dad and it worked like native. Trying to do the same on a modern Windows machine is impossible without a Virtual Machine or hacked executables available from the community or patches that hack the executable for you, also available from the community. Civilization IV worked great (while I was testing it for a couple minutes), nearly flawlessly, but errored out after playing for a bit (it would just crash after he'd been playing a while), I looked up the solution (some wine settings tweaked) and he's been rock solid since then. He pretty much doesn't use a computer, except at work and to play Civ IV.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 5, Informative) by WizardFusion on Wednesday May 26 2021, @11:23PM (5 children)
For all those saying there are not many games that work without windows, check out https://www.protondb.com/ [protondb.com] where they keep track of this sort of thing.
As of now, over 14,634 games work from Steam on Linux.
(Score: 2) by PinkyGigglebrain on Thursday May 27 2021, @08:49AM (4 children)
Officially.
There are a more games that will run on Steams Proton that just haven't been certified and added to the list at protondb.
Only way to really know is get the games installer and try it out with Proton.
"Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."
(Score: 2) by takyon on Thursday May 27 2021, @11:43AM (3 children)
Even more games if you count emulators.
It may be capable of emulating PS3, WiiU, and Nintendo Switch games for maximum hilarity.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by Immerman on Thursday May 27 2021, @05:28PM (2 children)
Has anyone actually gotten decent Wii controller support working though?
It's been a few years since I've investigated, but I had Dolphin all set up, ripped a bunch of my Wii discs so I could play them in glorious emulated HD resolution... and ended up very disappointed with the motion controls. Even with the bluetooth+sensor bar purpose made for maximum compatibility and responsiveness (I forget the name) the controls were laggy and and erratic. Completely unacceptable for a platform who's primary appeal was the wonderfully immersive motion control scheme.
I've considered getting an old WiiU, but they're still rather expensive just for the resolution upgrade on a library of old games I sometimes get the urge to play.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Thursday May 27 2021, @08:15PM (1 child)
I need to research it before I can answer you, since I don't play any of this stuff. I assume you can use other controllers with these emulators and get similar results.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by Immerman on Sunday May 30 2021, @02:54AM
I don't think there are any other controllers similar to the "Wiimotes", aside from their later iterations. The Playstation Move controllers are the only other thing I can think of that were even remotely comparable.
Well, at least not until you start getting into modern VR controllers. The cool thing with the Wii was that it was sort of VR-light. You didn't get the headset, but you did get the "feel" of controlling your avatar by moving like you were really in the game.
There were games that used more traditional "classic" or "pro" controllers, but the vast majority of memorable Wii games leveraged the motion controls in a way that really set them apart from games on any other platform.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Thursday May 27 2021, @11:45AM
[Updated] Bloomberg: New Nintendo Switch 4K Model to be Released As Soon as September; An Announcement Is Imminent [wccftech.com]
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday May 27 2021, @03:47PM
i hope they make enough that they can be ordered from amazon.
yes please, linux with battery, touchscreen and wifi. soo long 3year-2-die android!
they should make a game were dark pro android forces try to keep this from happening :)
(Score: 1) by Orion Blastar on Friday May 28 2021, @06:22AM
has handheld editions. Uses an ARM chip and costs less than $300 to own and assemble. Will run any game in emulation.