In the leaked info, we know that Valve has an upcoming device that will use the same APU as the current Steam Deck. We don’t know if this will be a new VR headset or a Steam Deck hardware refresh. Even though using the same APU means there won’t be a performance increase, there could be various other improvements in an upgraded Deck like a better screen, etc. What would you like to see in a partial hardware upgrade?
I would say a APU with some RT Cores, and maybe 1080p. If not 720p OlED will be fine. I know this is likely to compete with the ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion both of which have 1080p screens
The APU thats in the deck already has “RT cores”. At least, inasmuch as any RDNA2+ device has them.
Though I really doubt this is an updated deck, and much more likely to be “Deckard”.
I would love adaptive triggers like the PS5 controller
An OLED display with slimmer bezels, and a battery that uses more user serviceable glue
- Larger, OLED screen
- Hall effect sensor sticks
- Better rumble
- Support for 2242 m.2 drives
- Second SD card reader
- Better cooling (I’d gladly have a lump in the back middle if it allowed for a quieter/better fan)
- Better accessory connection options (eg a standard for attaching stuff like extra batteries to the back) - I would prefer this to adding more battery (ie weight) to the unit itself.
- Tweaks to the back buttons so they work no matter where on the button you press
- Some sort of charging dock connection standard to avoid the manual usb connection. Maybe just a usb-c on the bottom
- Small case design change to prevent sd cards being snapped when opening (I haven’t done it, but only by luck)
- Replace the carry case with a plastic cover to protect screen/sticks like dbrand’s (or at least make it a lot smaller)
Better performance/more ram would be good too I guess but honestly having a unified platform with fixed specs to target has a lot of benefits.
Strip it down and make a Steam Machine out of it. Valve could likely sell a tiny set top box for under $100.