Hahaha, they kept trying to convince people again and again that there will NOT be a hardware refresh any time soon. That was only a few months ago.
They were careful with how they phrased it, leaving the possibility of a refresh without a performance uplift still on the table (as speculated by media). It looks like the OLED model's core performance will be only marginally better due to faster RAM, but that the APU itself is the same thing with a process node shrink (which improves efficiency a little).
See also: PCGamer article about an OLED version. They didn't say "no", and (just like with the previously linked article), media again speculated about a refresh happening.
It looks like they were consistent with what they were talking about with how it wasn't simple to just drop in a new screen and leave everything else as-is, and used that opportunity to upgrade basically everything a little bit while they were tinkering with the screen upgrade.
The effiency part becomes a larger feature if it's a mobile device....
Sure, but not much of that battery improvement is coming from migrating the APU's process node. Moving from TSMC's 7nm process to their 6nm process is only an incremental improvement; a "half-node" shrink rather than a full-node shrink like going from their 7nm to their 5nm.
The biggest battery improvement is (almost definitely) from having a 25% larger battery (40Whr -> 50Whr), with the APU and screen changes providing individually-smaller battery life improvements than that. Hence the APU change improving efficiency "a little".
Well yeah, otherwise it will end up like Atari. No sales for the first one because everyone is waiting for the next one.
Just a few tips for people:
I got a 512 LCD at launch prices. I have zero regrets. It is awesome when I go on travel but also great for just hanging out around the house. And while the price is considerably higher than a switch (less so if you go for the entry level pricing), you save a LOT on games since Nintendo Pricing tends to translate to third parties over there too. But you obviously know you.
Will probably "trade in" my current model some time next year for the 512 OLED. 1 TB is tempting, but I have a desktop too. So installing and uninstalling games are almost all network transfers that go really fast because I generally am also playing those games on my desktop. Or even just keeping them installed there because I have the extra storage.
As for trading in: Be INCREDIBLY wary of using ebay. Ebay has incredibly good buyer protections at the cost of almost zero seller protections. If someone receives it and then says "Didn't arrive, go fuck yourself" they get their money back and ebay/paypal will basically tell you to take it up with local police... who won't do shit because ACAB. So stick to local exchanges (and follow all best practices for that) or just keep an eye out for the inevitable amazon or best buy trade in programs. You'll get less, but also will have almost zero stress.
What I really like is that they double down on hackabilty by switching to metal torx screws, etc.
That, and a Linux system are IMO the main selling points of the SteamDeck, compared to any clones from Asus or Lenovo, etc.
Great. Can you fucking release it in Australia now? Fuck Valve and its support here.
Yeah ikr. Feels like they’re still pissed at us for our ACCC taking them to task for not offering refunds here
Meanwhile Gaben said he fell in love with New Zealand while he was stranded there during the pandemic. Shame he couldn't confuse the two.
Ok, this has me hyped because it also implies further iterations.
At not wildly inflating costs. I love my deck, so I can't wait to see the next iteration :).
Jup, love that the price is not just not being increased with upgraded specs, the remaining stock of the old Steam Deck variants is actually being significantly discounted.
I think the real question here is, what will the exhaust vent smell like? Have they improved on the aroma?
How can you improve perfection?
Please announce a trade in program, Valve. Don’t make me use eBay cause I’m not sure it’s worth the hassle at that point.
Try to sell locally
Like put a sign in my front yard or what
Craigslist, Facebook marketplace, gumtree, OfferUp, or whatever the local buy/sell website is
Thinking about finally getting one. The 512GB OLED does look very good...
I also wonder if they're ever going to have a non-handheld console (essentially a revamped Steam Machine). I've heard a bunch about people building PCs and running Holo ISO on there as a console replacement, might make sense to have an official solution from Valve.
I do not think they will. But they said they will release steamOS for install on your own machine. It just runs Linux, so it should work on most desktop hardware without any problems.
Stop it Valve, I can only become so erect
Soooo I was looking into buying a steam deck... Guess that's great news
It is. It's a significant upgrade for no price increase.
And if you don't want to get the best model, the old LCD models have crazy discounts right now.
Well shit. I didn't expect to replace my steam deck so soon, but the extra half an inch plus better battery life could convince me. I use it daily for Final Fantasy XI.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfoLRmKwnSI
The 90 Hz display is apparently still not VRR
So went from "I NEED THIS" to "I really shouldn't buy it but probably will upgrade during the first sale"
Better battery life, faster wifi and brighter display is definitely enough for me! Though I will have to be able to sell my original one first
Some guy on lemmy went on a two paragraph rant on me when I said 'at this point Ill probably just wait for the next version of the deck' "oh they're just rumors and valve would never release another model this early in the decks life and yada yada yada..." Well here we are a month later. Ive been alive long enough to know the next model is ALWAYS right around the corner, because it makes the company money. I wanted a PS4 when it came out but held off then a little while later ps4 pro came out and held off some more, then ps5, now ps5 pro. At this point I don't even play video games that much anymore so the deck is likely the last 'console' ill ever want. I know the game and am one patient motherfucker, if I need to wait a few more years for the deck 2 then by god ill wait.
of course Valve will make a steam deck 2.
They just won't make a steam deck 3.
Don't bother. By the time the deck 2 comes out, in 6 months there will be a Deck 2.5.
Never buy or enjoy anything! ONLY think about the future
I don't understand this, then the deck 2 will be out and you'll then wait for the refresh that's coming out soon then the deck 3? At that rate you'll never have a console.
I know exactly when the Switch 2 will be announced.
It will be the same week that the guy at work who has been holding out for it for 3 years finally relents and buys one.
Damn, very much tempted to sell mine and buy this OLED version; the LCD screen is pretty much the only feature I dislike.
What would be a fair price to sell a used 256gb version with no damage?
Looks this is a refresh for those who were on the edge of buying one or those who really love OLED.
Personally, I would've instantly sold mine and upgraded if these also had VRR. Hopefully the proper next generation of these devices comes with it.
Wonder if it would be possible to retrofit the new parts into an existing SteamDeck
I read in a couple spots earlier that the new battery is physically too big and the OLED panel won’t transfer either.
I waited just under a year for my preorder.
Yes, I will buy the OLED one, and pass the original to my son.
This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.
