A place to discuss and support all things Steam Deck.
Replacement for r/steamdeck_linux.
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cross-posted from: https://lemmit.online/post/3922769
This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/linustechtips by /u/RevolutionaryAd8204 on 2024-09-14 15:50:43+00:00.
Can you actually use steamdeck as a desktop PC though? Can it drive dual external monitors? Is it a reasonable "minipc" type thing? How much power does it munch on in idle?
Can I maybe put some other linux distro on it? So many questions
I have a Steam deck, here's the answers to my knowledge:
Yes, you can connect a keyboard and mouse, and even in SteamOS they let you access KDE in a separate "Desktop mode"
Not sure about multiple monitors but you can connect at least one. There are docks made for it to do just that (the USB C cable has display port support I think)
It runs a 4 core/8 thread AMD laptop chip so assuming you get a mouse/keyboard it should work pretty well.
It has a 5W mode in the power settings in SteamOS so I'm assuming around that much at idle.
You can put other distros on it, it's completely unlocked. You could even put Windows on it if you wanted. I'm not sure how easy the install process is though since I've just left SteamOS on mine.
Not sure about multiple monitors
Most usb-c ports with DP alt mode support up to 1 monitor at 4k@60Hz, or 2×1080p@60Hz, and I believe 2×1440p@30Hz. It comes down to bandwidth, so I think that as long as you're fine with one monitor running at a slower refresh-rate or lower resolution, you can have your primary screen displaying in high-res.
Of course, you have to also take into consideration the GPU performance, running higher resolutions will usually degrade performance!
Probably not great for games but it could totally drive a 1440p or even 4k monitor if you're only using it for web/office/media playback. I'm curious to know if other people are using it as a general computer.
Edit: some people are totally using it as a general computer: https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2024/09/frame-of-mind-developer-ended-up-coding-the-game-on-steam-deck-for-a-year/
You can even put Windows on it if you feel like committing blasphemy
Now I want to get MacOS on one just to make gamers twitch
Not sure if this counts but (Reddit link warning) someone managed to do it in a VM
That's just as gross as I was imagining 😬
In short yes. I use it as a mini pc, with dual monitor set-up.
Can you actually use steamdeck as a desktop PC though?
Depends on how many pixels you "need". Running high resolution monitors, even for basic stuff can get costly performance wise pretty damn quick, but in my opinion that isn't really asking the same question as whether the Steam Deck can be a good desktop.
You can absolutely use the Steam Deck as a desktop, I frequently use my Steam Deck in desktop mode... using the onboard controls. The only real limitation of the Steam Deck so long as you don't expect it to be a top of the line gaming pc, is that most people who buy it are never truly going to be able to give anything else other than a mouse and keyboard an honest go, they are too impatient and won't believe it can work but the sky is the limit for joystick+gyro input (our touchpad + gyro) for computers/gaming.
How good does it work on an external 4K monitor? Can you watch 4k video? I imagine youtube and browsing reddit or news online shouldn't be a problem.
Basically I'd like an ultra low power PC for boring desktop stuff on 4k monitor.
If that's all you need, a Raspberry Pi 5 will fit the bill nicely. It's got two 4K HDMI outputs and it's roughly on par compute-wise with a higher end Chromebook. You won't be gaming on this thing -- it can just about play a YouTube video at 4K60 -- but it'll gladly handle your desktop stuff. As a bonus it's about an eighth the price of a Steam Deck.
Honestly, with the Raspberry Pi 5 costing as much as it does, I'd definitely check out some mini PCs on Amazon as well. There are several in the $100-150 range that are pretty decent, and won't require additional purchases like a case and additional storage.
That might be a reason to maybe consider some competitors of the Steam Deck that are a bit more powerful (but have their own tradeoffs, primarily that the wholistic experience just isnt going to be as good as the steam deck is right now), I don't know the Steam Deck might run 4k fine but I'd be hesitant to recommend it, that is so many fucking pixels lol
The most expensive Steam Deck is still cheaper in my country. €680. While the PS5 Pro is €800.
And many will just buy the cheaper version and replace the SSD by themselves. The 512GB OLED version plus a 2TB drive is only €50 more expensive than the 1TB version. So even with like for like storage it’s still cheaper than the PS5P
I have never felt as much envy as seeing someone play BG3 on an 8 hr flight. That was what sold me.
To cap it off the SOB killed Scratch and the Owlbear Cub. That flight was actual torture for multiple reasons.
Was BG3 smooth? I'm getting jealous if it was. It's a hot mess on my shitty PC.
It is. From my experience a couple months back its crisp. Not the highest graphics, and it took a little getting used to from a high-end PC, but it was really nice. In certain aspects even preferable xD
I didn't play much of it but it ran well when I tired it. I just decided it was the type of game I wanted to plat with all the settings maxed on my laptop.
I love the steamdeck. In almost always dock it and use it as my default computer.
If I did not NEED windows for a SINGLE work app, it would probably be my only computer.
PS5 Pro: PRObably not for you
And for those who have not tried it, the desktop is fully functional (not some half baked version. My son uses the desktop mode as a full school workstation for internet browsing, email, teams, Google docs, etc
That sells it for me. Steam Deck is in my future. Windows will not be my next OS.
That is KDE Plasma for those who are curious. It is one of the main desktop environments in Linux. It is my daily driver on my main PC. It is the most customizable desktop I know of. There is nothing you can't change.
I'm not sure if it's the meme but here (Europe) there is a huge difference in price between the basic 512GB OLED SD and the basic PS5 pro option.
569€ vs 800€.
... and you have to pay for PS Plus repetitively to play games with friends.
Eventually, Sony will stop supporting the PS5 and it'll be a brick. If Valve ever stops supporting the Steamdeck, it'll keep running.
And I can install games from other store fronts if I want.
If you think $700 is bad, it's £700 in the UK... which is $913. 🤢
Also:
median household income, UK (2022): £32,400 ($42,265)
median household income, USA (2022): $74,580
A PS5 Pro is 26% of the typical UK household monthly income.
A PS5 Pro is 11% of the typical US household monthly income.
The US pricing is bad. The UK pricing is absolutely insane.
The OLED Deck starts at £479. Still a lot but not as egregious. The LCD Deck is currently £262 ($344), which is pretty great.
No joke, I'm tempted to buy a Steam Deck (or true Linux phone) because... It can run a local HTML/CSS/JS app on a browser with filesystem access and audio support. This is the power of having an OS that is not locked down.
Speaking of which, what would you recommend for me to run a local HTML/CSS/JS app on a browser with filesystem access and audio support? (No, Android is too locked down to meet that spec) Other required specs:
Which do i choose? The $300 dollar deck and a $100 tb drive
Subscription for Internet access is the one that's always baffled me. What a stupid business model. I guess devices not belonging to their buyers is not a new thing.
Sales on PSN are appalling compared to Steam as well. Plus you can also get Steam sales on other sites like Fanatical.
Steam also has better remote play, and Steam custom controller profiles with nearly any controller are amazing.
Also nearly no backwards compatibility issues, whereas PS5 will only play/stream limited games from the past.
Also the price scales wayyyy better. Steam Deck starts at 313,65€ now.
if you have less money, buy that, get an sd card, and if you enjoy it put an ssd in later.