News & Reviews:   Steam Deck pre-order

Back in July, Valve confirmed that the Steam Deck's supply chain issues were clearing up. It would soon be able to sell more consoles, and scalpers should no longer be a problem. Now, Valve has announced that the console is no longer reservations only.

If you ask PC gamers which portable console they're interested in, the answer would be "Steam Deck". Valve's handheld gaming console has been making waves in the west, but you can't get it here in Asia unless you pay exorbitant import fees. Fortunately, things seem to be changing.

If you’ve been thinking about getting the Steam Deck and for some reason is only deterred by the portable console not running Windows, then we’ve got great news for you! In a statement yesterday, Steam announced that it has released Windows drivers for the Steam Deck, essentially making it a Windows device should you wish for it to run the OS.

However, do note that only Windows 10 is fully supported as of right now. Steam further clarified that Windows 11 would require a new BIOS which is currently in the works by the company and will be released soon.

Although Valve's Steam Deck is not officially in Malaysia, there are ways that you can get a hold of one. Local gaming store Impulse Gaming is importing the console to Malaysia in limited numbers, so some of you could get it soon. You might even be able to customise it.

The Steam Deck has piqued many gamers' interest over the past few months. It's slated to launch this month but there's no word if Malaysia would have it until now. Just this afternoon, local gaming store Impulse Gaming just posted about its availability.

Last year, Valve announced that it would release the Steam Deck in February 2022. The company wanted to ship the first batch of its handheld console last year, but supply issues slowed things down. Now, Valve has confirmed the actual release date.

If there's one issue that's plagued (heh!) companies in 2021, it would have to be the production delays caused by the pandemic. This time, Valve is the company that has will have to delay shipment for its big product for the year - the Steam Deck.

Handheld consoles have been popular options for gamers. In particular, the Nintendo Switch is a popular choice for many around the world. For PC gamers, the Steam Deck will probably be just as famous. But like the Switch, you probably shouldn't upgrade the insides.

When Valve first announced the Steam Deck back in July, some people were concerned with how well it would perform. Soon after, Valve's Pierre-Loup Griffais claimed that it could hit at least 30FPS in most games. And it looks like Valve has made good on that promise.

One device that's been making waves for gamers lately is definitely the Steam Deck. Valve has opened reservations for the device, but it's not going to be out till late next year. In the meantime, the company is thinking about adding more colour varieties.