3 ms·

I can see a little overlap between the two, but how are they competing with each other? With Link, you need a gaming PC running 24/7, and then you need another

I can see a little overlap between the two, but how are they competing with each other? With Link, you need a gaming PC running 24/7, and then you need another device and a controller to go with it. The Deck is all in one. It's like Stadia vs a Nintendo Switch. Overlapping for sure, but pretty different overall.

willis936 5y ago
If you already use Steam then you already have a PC and according to the steam hardware survey you very likely have a more powerful GPU than what is in the steam deck. Nearly everyone has a smartphone and video streaming box on a TV. So to get all the way there you need a controller. Stadia vs. Switch is apt, except with negligible latency in the home (TV sharing is a common issue in couples/families today) and without needing to pay a subscription for things you own. Also, the graphics quality is going to be much better than what Stadia or Deck can deliver if you use Link with any decent gaming rig. Also I don't invite any google venture into my life because it's spyware and vaporware. https://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey/videocard/ https://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey/videocard/
- kobalsky 5y ago
  > If you already use Steam then you already have a PC that's probably not their target demographic.
  - willis936 5y ago
    I agree, but I think many on HN and the excited hardware junkies (which there will be plenty of for this niche boutique product) could gain some value without having another computer through existing, free, undermarketed software.
- throwaway675309 5y ago
  Not necessarily, you can use steam on a Mac and it runs natively, you can also use it with parallels with virtualized windows, or you could've owned a PC and accumulated steam games at one point in your life and then moved over to the mac ecosphere. There are plenty of use cases where you may have a steam library and not have a PC... you're just not looking very hard.

willis936 5y ago

If you already use Steam then you already have a PC and according to the steam hardware survey you very likely have a more powerful GPU than what is in the steam deck. Nearly everyone has a smartphone and video streaming box on a TV. So to get all the way there you need a controller. Stadia vs. Switch is apt, except with negligible latency in the home (TV sharing is a common issue in couples/families today) and without needing to pay a subscription for things you own. Also, the graphics quality is going to be much better than what Stadia or Deck can deliver if you use Link with any decent gaming rig. Also I don't invite any google venture into my life because it's spyware and vaporware. https://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey/videocard/ https://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey/videocard/

kobalsky 5y ago
> If you already use Steam then you already have a PC that's probably not their target demographic.
- willis936 5y ago
  I agree, but I think many on HN and the excited hardware junkies (which there will be plenty of for this niche boutique product) could gain some value without having another computer through existing, free, undermarketed software.
throwaway675309 5y ago
Not necessarily, you can use steam on a Mac and it runs natively, you can also use it with parallels with virtualized windows, or you could've owned a PC and accumulated steam games at one point in your life and then moved over to the mac ecosphere. There are plenty of use cases where you may have a steam library and not have a PC... you're just not looking very hard.