Steam Deck is Valve’s Switch-like portable PC, starting at $399 this December

Article note: Well, that's a neat gadget. I recently sprung for an RG351p handheld and I see the appeal of one with a full-on computer in it. ...Also, holy shit, SteamOS 3 is ArchLinux-derived.

• 

  The Steam Deck, from Valve. [credit: Valve ]

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 (compared to 9.4 inches for the default Switch with Joy-Cons), will launch at three price points, differentiated by built-in storage capacity, higher SSD speed ratings (jumping from default eMMC storage to a pricier NVMe protocol), and differently tempered glass on its screen. Those upgraded versions will cost $529 (256GB) and $649 (512GB, "anti-glare etched glass"). Both pricier bundles include a carrying case.

All models will have the same AMD-powered combination of a four-core Zen 2 CPU and a RDNA 2 GPU, which Valve describes as a "custom" APU. Each model also includes 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, a 40 Whr battery (guaranteeing "2-8 hours of gameplay" on a single charge), and a 7-inch, 1280x800 touchscreen LCD.