I would love to see a lower powered and low budget focused one. Powerful enough for locally running a web browser, normal Linux stuff like SSH and some low spec games like CDDA. Otherwise most games would be played by streaming it from your desktop.
There are loads and loads of really cheap Android-based emulator handhelds. The YouTuber TechDweeb does lots of reviews of these devices. These things have effectively spawned their own retro gaming ecosystem around them.
An alternative is to pick up a used New Nintendo 3DS (New being part of the name, distinguishing it from the original 3DS which is way less powerful). This device can be hacked to run many different emulators and play thousands of games. While the screens are not as good as the best Android handhelds, the form factor is ideally suited for running DS and 3DS games (which obviously run natively on the device) while still being great for older single-screen systems (the unused touch screen is excellent for emulator controls such as pause/resume and save/load state).
I believe a lot of the folks into these retro handhelds ditch the default Android system and install a community made distro specifically for running these retro emulators! TechDweeb talks about them.
In that form factor/size are the android handhelds better screens worth the trade-off of what I assume is better build quality from Nintendo (I’ve never used a ds so I assume the build quality is better)
I just want something that runs Minecraft so I don’t have to keep up to date with workarounds on the Switch that Nintendo keeps trying to block
also fuck bedrock edition
my switch exists primarily for Minecraft. I don’t use it much because the experience is terrible. if there was something that did the same thing but for Java, I’d buy it
This is a neat idea and contrary to what the other commenter said, I still think it’s a valuable proposition because many folks, myself included, would rather have a Linux device rather than an Android one.
I think a budget android handheld could work well for game streaming. TechDweeb and Retro Game Corps newest videos show android handhelds that cost less than 100€.
I care less about power and more about silence. I would pay double for a Steam Deck that doesn’t sound like a hair dryer when I try to play Baldur’s Gate 3 on low.
That’s kinda about power though. Think about going up a pulling a trailer up a hill with a vehicle that has a small engine versus a bigger one.
The small engine vehicle might make the hill, but it’s going up gear lower, rev higher, and probably heat up a bit.
The bigger vehicle will handle the hill and load with more grace, but may also use more fuel in everyday situations or cost more.
BG3 is kinda stretching the Deck’s engine (APU), and the fans are running like made to compensate for the heat running at 100% for longer periods. I’ve a few games that stretch the Deck’s capabilities so for those I just stream from my more powerful PC
I was thinking about a bigger fan. Diddnt someone bolt a pc fan on? Dont remember, but that was my tought tiny fan replacing with Silent 80-140 and the noise is gone.
Newer handhelds might have more power, but I still think the Deck is the best value for what it offers.
I would love to see a lower powered and low budget focused one. Powerful enough for locally running a web browser, normal Linux stuff like SSH and some low spec games like CDDA. Otherwise most games would be played by streaming it from your desktop.
There are loads and loads of really cheap Android-based emulator handhelds. The YouTuber TechDweeb does lots of reviews of these devices. These things have effectively spawned their own retro gaming ecosystem around them.
An alternative is to pick up a used New Nintendo 3DS (New being part of the name, distinguishing it from the original 3DS which is way less powerful). This device can be hacked to run many different emulators and play thousands of games. While the screens are not as good as the best Android handhelds, the form factor is ideally suited for running DS and 3DS games (which obviously run natively on the device) while still being great for older single-screen systems (the unused touch screen is excellent for emulator controls such as pause/resume and save/load state).
Yeah, but I hate android and want to run steam natively so I can play indie games.
Where is my small Linux handheld for steam. Something not targeting the AAA games?
I believe a lot of the folks into these retro handhelds ditch the default Android system and install a community made distro specifically for running these retro emulators! TechDweeb talks about them.
In that form factor/size are the android handhelds better screens worth the trade-off of what I assume is better build quality from Nintendo (I’ve never used a ds so I assume the build quality is better)
I’m not sure actually. I’m into the hobby but I have only a New 3DS. I plan to get one of those handhelds at some point but I’m not there yet!
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So essentially a Steam Link/Moonlight thin client? Yeah, I like the idea of that.
I just want something that runs Minecraft so I don’t have to keep up to date with workarounds on the Switch that Nintendo keeps trying to block
also fuck bedrock edition
my switch exists primarily for Minecraft. I don’t use it much because the experience is terrible. if there was something that did the same thing but for Java, I’d buy it
This is a neat idea and contrary to what the other commenter said, I still think it’s a valuable proposition because many folks, myself included, would rather have a Linux device rather than an Android one.
I think a budget android handheld could work well for game streaming. TechDweeb and Retro Game Corps newest videos show android handhelds that cost less than 100€.
With google looking at locking down Android and preventing you from installing things on it I would rather not
The android console did not do do well. I mean it made a lot of money, but died not last long after release.
I care less about power and more about silence. I would pay double for a Steam Deck that doesn’t sound like a hair dryer when I try to play Baldur’s Gate 3 on low.
That’s kinda about power though. Think about going up a pulling a trailer up a hill with a vehicle that has a small engine versus a bigger one.
The small engine vehicle might make the hill, but it’s going up gear lower, rev higher, and probably heat up a bit.
The bigger vehicle will handle the hill and load with more grace, but may also use more fuel in everyday situations or cost more.
BG3 is kinda stretching the Deck’s engine (APU), and the fans are running like made to compensate for the heat running at 100% for longer periods. I’ve a few games that stretch the Deck’s capabilities so for those I just stream from my more powerful PC
Thats only Part of it, the others are efficence, Formfaktor and weight. Make it 2-5cm thicker and its now nearly silent
I think even 1cm would be enough. Take a look at the ifixit steamdeck heatsink replacement guide to see how small the heatsink is.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Steam+Deck+Heatsink+Replacement/148904
I was thinking about a bigger fan. Diddnt someone bolt a pc fan on? Dont remember, but that was my tought tiny fan replacing with Silent 80-140 and the noise is gone.