[Discuss] Steam Deck

[Rich Pieri]

I got mine last week. Does it live up to the hype?

Yeah, it pretty much does.

Underneath the very Nintendo Switch-like appearance and the Steam
library manager there's a full Arch Linux installation along with KDE
Plasma. While technically not user serviceable most components are
swappable, and Valve partnered with iFixit to provide replacement
parts. Which is nearly everything that isn't soldered to a PCB.
Internal storage is not soldered to a PCB. :)

It's an open system. You can install pretty much anything you want on
it. Boots from the on-board microSD card slot so you can dual boot
(dual-booting the internal storage is not yet supported).

As a gaming PC? It's really good. Amazingly good given the constraints
of a portable machine.

As a Linux PC? It's fine. Connect a USB-C hub with a keyboard and mouse
and it's usable, though the 7", 1200x800 display is awfully small for a
workstation. But it is functional, and HDMI output through the hub
works just fine for external displays.

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