Steam Deck - An average users thoughts on Valve's first handheld!

[@AyaWetts]

Just like laptops... if you plug in the Steam Deck, it powers it directly. Its not just running off the battery and charging the battery at the same time. It will charge the battery if there is excess power, and if the battery is fully charged, it stops charging it, and the power plug runs the power directly.

[@zerocal76]

I bet he was referring to using the device while charging. That's really bad for l-ion batts. And a lot of devices, including laptops do use a bit of the battery even w/ a proper charger if the device is pushed hard. You'll see them jump btwn 98 to 99 stay at 99 then 100 then back to 99 and so on

[@archie7288]

Can i skip battery charging, while i pluggin in? So it directly into power input?

[@thomasbaker444]

@@archie7288 I mean if your deck is at 0% and you plug it in it will charge the batt regardless

[@AyaWetts]

@@archie7288 prevent any charging? no... it will take care of its own charging when plugged in. It does directly power when you have it plugged in, but if there is excess power available, and the battery is not fully charged, it'll also charge the battery... if the battery is fully charged, then it'll stop charging. There is no user override on that. I guess maybe if you find a low power adapter that provides so little power it barely runs and has no extra power to charge the battery....

[@kbbreviews]

Thanks for the clarification!

[@kaetha1]

I just got my steam deck yesterday my wife got it for me the other day and it arrived yesterday, I’m going to play something on it today, I probably didn’t need it but I love tech products lol😂

[@LBP2Saperoth]

Hello very active steam deck user here. There is a good interview with the Deva of the steam deck where they explain why they did the layout for the deck. I am not saying your wrong, but Idk if you can say it is a con of the deck as layout is more of a personal preference. Me personally someone who loves the layout of PlayStation controllers prefers symmetrical stick for fps games. I am glad to see you like the Steam Deck.

[@LBP2Saperoth]

Also lots of the games marked as untested you can hit up protondb to see if it has been tested by the community on steam deck.

[@MatthewWilliamsX]

Basically the responses I would have given. Compatibility will only get better the more you look. Controller layout is way more versatile than you might realise. When you realise just how deep the rabbit hole goes you will know why this device gets so much love.

[@kbbreviews]

Thanks for watching!

[@rs.matr1x]

There's also the option of using motion controls for those who like that in FPS, making the right thumbstick less imperative. Or using the trackpad instead of the thumbstick.

[@Viesta]

Actually if you have the steam deck charged to 100% and keep "Charging" it... it'll just go directly into the machine instead of into the battery so it keeps the battery as fresh as possible which makes desktop mode actually okay to use and allows the steam deck to be used as a full blown PC...

[@troywallace7011]

Yeah this guy doesn't know what he's talking about

[@Viesta]

@@troywallace7011 yeah im pretty sure i do.

[@troywallace7011]

@@Viesta wasnt talking about you, was agreeing with you :p

[@Viesta]

@@troywallace7011 oh... i actually had no idea soo that's a big my bad.

[@kbbreviews]

My mistake. I have pinned a similar comment as a correction. Thanks for watching!

[@tylenoltyx]

For the incompatible games, just go to community layouts, you can find layouts for games - Cheers

[@kbbreviews]

Oh nice! I didn't know about this thank you for the information!

[@thebeast7590]

@@kbbreviews steam with newer updates are trying to incorporate community layouts so eventually you won't have to do anything

[@KatalistProductionsKozzySasha]

Yup this works REALLY well. Some games the default controls are meh, but many times there are wonderful community ones (I use a wonderful one for Dwarf Fortress, and probably 30% of my games have community ones)

[@traestephen7276]

@@kbbreviews use proton db for games

[@blurtling]

yeah man. the community is a VITAL resource, and addresses just about every issue people have with a fix easy to implement. amazing device/service.

[@gerardoduran1144]

Extremely helpful video I was on the fence about getting one but thanks to you I was able to decide on getting one

[@rosealphabet6084]

at the end, did you buy it?

[@gerardoduran1144]

@@rosealphabet6084 yes I did I've been using it to play some of my favorites racing games from recent times and older ones too

[@rosealphabet6084]

@@gerardoduran1144 Nice,thank you!

[@DoctorFuturity]

Just for contrast, I really love the stick layout and find FPS games like Quake, Dusk, and Doom to be excellent on Swi...er, Steam Deck lol.

[@zerocal76]

Yo man just wanted to take a min to say thanks for the vid. Its the best S Deck vid I've seen. Yup, why? You're the ONLY one who admitted to it being too damn heavy and even gave an estimated time for when it starts to feel heavy--30 mins. I was on the edge about it bc I don't game much and that's enough to sway me to a no. Will get a lighter future version. Big thanks!

[@zerocal76]

@bedtime How do u hold it tho? I see every reviewer holding it against a table, hands resting on the table. If I was gonna play like that I'd rather use a Xbox or PS controller and just use a gaming laptop u know

[@joemann7971]

@@zerocal76 if I'm going to be using a desk, I might as well jump into a gaming desktop instead and throw the laptop in the trash where it belongs. My laptop has literally seen zero use since I got my steam deck. My laptop is less convenient to use than my steam deck, and my desktop is way more powerful than any laptop. My steam deck and my desktop also are a sort of "power couple", especially since it gives me the option to play on a TV and the steam deck is superb for streaming from my PC. That's not to say there isn't situations where I don't use my gaming laptop but its very few situations where my laptop actually makes more sense than the steam deck. The laptop is kinda old by now. Its using an older i7 with a gtx 1660 ti, but its still significantly more powerful than the steam deck. I'm sure there is newer laptops that will run circles around that old thing but my gaming desktop will destroy any laptop on the market without having to deal with silly things like thermal throttling.

[@zerocal76]

@@joemann7971 You're preaching to the choir my man. I have all of what you said + the XboxS + tablet for retro games. There are very clear and good uses for a gaming laptop though. For ex, last week I played some PS2 games at 1080p about 60 fps on a big hotel TV. So traveling for sure. Another would be going to a friends house to game bc u know, all these stupid developers want everyone to have their own console or PC now to co-op or MP. I def wouldn't want to do that on a SDeck. Streaming to my tablet around the house sounds nice. I just bout a MPX-7 somethin controller. What service do u use?

[@kbbreviews]

Thanks for watching! Glad you found my review helpful. Hopefully they will make a lighter version in the future.

[@ChrisDavidsonDoobieWainwright]

I play it at home on my lap and don’t find it too heavy. I guess I’m a big guy but it’s a sad reason to not get one. It’s 200g heavier than the Switch. If a child can handle the Switch an adult can certainly handle the Steam Deck. It’s totally your choice but if the Steam Deck offers everything you want but it’s weight is putting you off it’s so sad to wait for a device that will never arrive. They won’t ever make a lighter version as it’s generally not considered to be that heavy.

[@Orain88]

I'm a big fan of setting gyro controls to activate when I hold down the left trigger button to allow for better precision aiming in fps and 3rd person shooters. This is nice bc I don't want gyro aiming on the whole time. It's particularly nice for older pc shooters that lack any sort of aim assist features that came with more recent pc ports with gamepad support.

[@vviridescentt]

How do i do this?

[@Orain88]

@@vviridescentt hit the left side steam button, go to controller options, edit controls, look for gyro settings. First you assign it to what it's functioning as, this is typically either right joystick or mouse, it can vary depending on the game or control preset, but generally I pick the option that has a little star next to it. Next click the little gear icon for gyro and you'll pull up a new set of menus, I don't remember off the top of my head which section it is under but there's a setting to changed what activates the gyro output and I set this to "left trigger full pull" I also find I typically need to invert the gyro, this setting is at the outer most control menu just under gyro. This seems to work with most games, the ones I've had issues setting it up properly with have been sony games that have their own official control layouts. They don't seem cooperate with gyro for some reason, I'm still looking into solving this. I really want it to work for Horizon Zero Dawn and Days Gone.

[@Orain88]

@@vviridescentt if you have issues finding anything let me know, I can give more detailed instructions with my deck in front of me. Just a brief list of game this is working great for on my deck, FEAR 2, all the recent Resident Evil games REmake 2&3 Village RE4, Dead Space 2, CoD WW2 (turn off aim assist), in general you want to turn aim assist off while using this.

[@deckverse]

Good stuff! One thing I'd recommend: Make sure to learn about the Golden 40! (got an older video of mine explaining everything on my channel, but will most likely produce a new one soon). This will change everything for you in terms of performance on the Steam Deck. Enjoy!

[@kbbreviews]

I will look into it, thanks!

[@KatalistProductionsKozzySasha]

Nice video, def check out community control layouts for games are someone below said, there are some great ones! I have been enjoying my steam deck more and more each week since I have had it (since end of Sept). Have used it on the go, in bed and when my nieces and nephews are over I hook it up to the big tv and we hooked up 3 xbox controllers and leave it docked unseen hooked up to the tv. Happy Holidays and enjoy the Deck!

[@vviridescentt]

Some games that are unsupported do work, you just need to change the proton version to Experimental in properties, i got Mafia: Definitive Edition working as well as Need For Speed: Unbound

[@MatthewWilliamsX]

- power - - desktop mode - press "X" on controller - type : "discover" - tap the Discover software centre - type : "protonup" - tap the install button for ProtonUp-QT. Learn to use this tool to install the latest "GE" edition of proton for steam. The best compatibility that community effort can buy.

[@vviridescentt]

@@MatthewWilliamsX yo i even got fall guys working, thanks :D

[@vanakis]

The deck pulls power straight from an outlet, bypassing the battery, if the power delivery is enough

[@deckverse]

That's definitely a pro. Because it prolongs the health of the battery.

[@vanakis]

@@deckverse maybe I did my wording incorrectly here, but that is what I meant. It was to reply to a "charging con" in the video

[@vviridescentt]

nope, i left on 100 for too long it was at 98

[@kbbreviews]

Thanks for the clarification!

[@aelaan12]

Here is a tip on how to get the screen protector on without the dust particles coming back constantly. Turn off the furnace and the furnace fan. Using the frame is not always helpful. I like to wear gloves as well, I learned over the years.... and many dollars wasted 🙂

[@thefriendlessgamer8552]

Nice thing with steam is you can put a few bucks in your steam wallet every check and "save" for the deck that way as well.

[@BossUpNikka]

I never knew that i just threw my whole check to get one

[@CasanOffi]

For me the button and stick placement is almost perfect. I have smaller hands and the layout fits like it was made for me.

[@MalcolmOSB]

Thumb stick position is definitely user specific, I love it and it felt wrong moving back to a Xbox controller.

[@MrGuyOnTheFly]

64gb is now in reserve only mode . I found out the hard way when I thought I’d be good to wait a week to order xD boy was I wrong , had to order the 250gb model to beat the 2-3 month wait

[@cheeseswears]

Bro I literally ordered the 64gb yesterday, I beat it by one day!

[@cheeseswears]

Gonna install my own 1tb 2230

[@rajivpaul9122]

Sheesh. Wya? Cuz I'm in NY and I remember in November I ordered mine on a Saturday and got it the following wednesday

[@cheeseswears]

@@rajivpaul9122 that was November, check the website now. The 64gb is on reserve only

[@JLowCapo]

I had to reserve the 64 gb model at the beginning of this week but within 2 days they let me buy it. Just waiting for it to be shipped now.

[@MrinalSaurabh]

How many units do you guys think Steam Deck will move in the holiday season?

[@zakk19]

Hi! Which case do you use to proper protect/carry the steam deck with those thumb grips?

[@Tential1]

Oled is a worthwhile upgrade.... I literally just bought a brand new setup, just for oled. In fact, it's why I'm gonna buy one of the Aya devices and pay double the steam Deck cost. Oled adds a lot. Personally, I get MASSIVE eye fatigue on non oled, but that's extremely personal.

[@Papaswing71]

Q between steam deck or Logitech g 🤔 I play a lot of xbox games, but I'm looking for a handheld game console just lost at the moment to select 🤔

[@kbbreviews]

I prefer the Steam Deck because the game are stored on the device, vs the Logitech G which stores all the games on the cloud.

[@DeusMachina71]

I bought the 512gb version, it runs just about every single game out of my 350+ game Library I own that I've thrown at it. The real question is performance and playability on a small screen factor, I use a 15 inch portable monitor and mouse and kb when traveling for these games and it adequate when I'm away from mymain gaming PC but by the time I accessorized my Steam deck I could of just bought another gaming laptop though for what it is it's fine since those peripherals are not necessary to enjoy thr Deck

[@vviridescentt]

gaming laptops are way louder than the steam deck this is better than a gaming laptop for sure

[@whattheshep6814]

What possible games could you be playing to get 5 hrs of battery life? Cookie clicker?

[@ttalah2964]

Thank you so much for this information, for me I guess , I am still happy with my oled , because still many great games that I didn’t play yet such as the Witcher 3 , automata , and many more . There is no point of having a big hand hold console if that hurt your hand after 30 minutes or 20 minutes and I wish I bought switch light . If I have to use a docking system , then it is better to get Xbox’s cheaper and better performance with game pass can’t go wrong . the only downside is the cost of Nintendo games and I wish if I can synchronize my progress on hand held device and my PC . Thanks for reading .

[@ActionJaxonH]

Also, Switch OLED gets double battery life, and has a killer kickstand. But if you think Deck battery is "good" that probably doesn't mean much to you

[@tomulator]

What does the term “Steam games” refer to? Never heard that term before…🤷🏻‍♂️

[@dak8710]

Good review!

[@kbbreviews]

Thank you friend!

[@myaccount__7269]

Good review but you could have got the 64gb model and installed a $40 512gb nvme 2230 from eBay and save a ton of $. Also windows on it runs games well too! Halo infinite on game pass and cod works great on it for story mode

[@kbbreviews]

Good idea! Thanks for watching!

[@AmegaFuerte]

Great video, keep it going.

[@lcsighteken2248]

That screen protector installation was painful to watch. 😆

[@stardebrisx9]

Watching that screen protector being applied was pure torture. A tip from a phone repair technician ... apply the protector and pressure from the center first this will reduce the air bubbles.

[@meric12131415]

Ahhhhh so that's why dbrand does it like that

[@SadlySorrowful]

8 hour Battery life running triple a and an 8k amoled retina screen for 2,000 with 64 gb of ram would do.

[@vcblueworld123]

Subscribed. Keep it up

[@justinespinoza8098]

No one talks about the Steam Decks biggest flaw. Sleep mode makes my system crash 5 times out of 10. It’s really frequent and annoying. The Switch has never crashed just cause I wake it up from sleep mode.

[@m.faisal5835]

great review

[@BossUpNikka]

I think somethings wrong with your power cause mine charges to 90% in an hour i wish i could show u a picture but i was playing gta online for a 30 mins before i went to mario kart 8 and originally it was at 40% but now im sitting at 96 and i got that from only 42 mins on being on this i just got off work while playing.

[@gatorsraid3087]

Playing while charging will not degrade the battery life. The devs took that into account which is why you will never charge it to 100%. EDIT: Unsupported just means 'Not Tested'

[@ActionJaxonH]

FPS are EXCELLENT on handhelds if you use gyro aiming. Try Halo Infinite with Mouse mapped to Gyroscope. It's easier to aim than with a real mouse

[@ActionJaxonH]

Also, Battery Life is a CON, not a PRO. Demanding games will barely get 90 minutes, MAYBE 2 hrs if you set everything to low

[@s3ms3m80]

ocd people stay away from this video.

[@superpotato657]

6:56 saw yakuza 0 absolutely based youtuber

[@kbbreviews]

Thanks super based Potato!

[@mr.hemiroids794]

Oh man you got the mysterious v. Hopefully you don't get clotting.

[@specowos]

sick video!

[@kenesufernandez1281]

❣️

[@gambaownsus]

Honestly.. the screen is ugly. And it's too big. Waiting for oled and more revision

[@Jakevoss96]

another slavery testimonial

[@troywallace7011]

Imagine being so week you can't hold 1.65 pounds. Also thumb sticks like that are fine if you are coming from a PS controller, sounds like you just are use to xbox, should have pointed that out.

[@kbbreviews]

Thanks for watching!