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My next PC will almost certainly be a Steam Deck. Already been using Linux for decades now, but that portable form factor is just the perfect size for my own n

My next PC will almost certainly be a Steam Deck. Already been using Linux for decades now, but that portable form factor is just the perfect size for my own needs/wants. Been wanting something inbetween a smartphone/tablet and a laptop for a long time now, but netbooks were still a shade too large (and underpowered). Steam Deck fills that wish perfectly. Now we just gotta hope Valve don't "kick it to the curb" like they did the Steam Controller (best game controller I've ever owned).

ranguna 4y ago
As long as all the packages you need are available as a flatpak, then you should be good. My current issue blocking me from using the deck as a full fledge PC is that package availability is limited, ex: installing docker right now would require me to disable the read only system and possibly have the next system upgrade remove docker. I have done some light programming on the deck and it's a pretty fun experience, but I personally won't switch just yet. For playing video games though, I'm all in.
- the_biot 4y ago
  I assume you use it with a USB-C hub and keyboard/mouse/HDMI plugged in? Because its touch keyboard is crap, and ssh is super slow on it for some reason.
  - ranguna 4y ago
    Yes, touch is indeed crap. I used a Bluetooth keyboard and USB C monitor. For mouse, I used the deck's right trackpad.
the_biot 4y ago
I think it unlikely that the deck will get cancelled as a product. The Steam Controller was a commercial failure, interesting as it was technically. But Valve can't make the deck fast enough, they've got a months-long waiting list. I think they've got a hit on their hands, at least if they can catch up with demand. I also suspect the platform will find lots of uses other than gaming. It's just a really handy form factor, with lots of controls. Not that this does Valve any favors -- as the article says, there's likely little margin in the hardware.

ranguna 4y ago

As long as all the packages you need are available as a flatpak, then you should be good. My current issue blocking me from using the deck as a full fledge PC is that package availability is limited, ex: installing docker right now would require me to disable the read only system and possibly have the next system upgrade remove docker. I have done some light programming on the deck and it's a pretty fun experience, but I personally won't switch just yet. For playing video games though, I'm all in.

the_biot 4y ago
I assume you use it with a USB-C hub and keyboard/mouse/HDMI plugged in? Because its touch keyboard is crap, and ssh is super slow on it for some reason.
- ranguna 4y ago
  Yes, touch is indeed crap. I used a Bluetooth keyboard and USB C monitor. For mouse, I used the deck's right trackpad.

the_biot 4y ago

I think it unlikely that the deck will get cancelled as a product. The Steam Controller was a commercial failure, interesting as it was technically. But Valve can't make the deck fast enough, they've got a months-long waiting list. I think they've got a hit on their hands, at least if they can catch up with demand. I also suspect the platform will find lots of uses other than gaming. It's just a really handy form factor, with lots of controls. Not that this does Valve any favors -- as the article says, there's likely little margin in the hardware.