Steam Deck is the new portable console from Valve, the company behind the Steam platform.
As order delivery continues, it’s time to figure out how to set up this device. Unlike Nintendo and PlayStation, the SteamDeck is closer to a gaming computer.
Basic configurations for the Steam Deck
As with any new electronic device, you will need to check the battery charge status of your Steam Deck.
Once done, you can boot up your console and begin setup. Pressing the Wi-Fi or Steam button will take you to Settings. From here it is possible to adjust the volume, microphone, screen brightness, controller button assignment and language used. For a better experience, we recommend disabling automatic brightness.
The Steam Deck runs on Linux, with a Proton overlay to support Windows gaming. There is a Desktop mode, however, which can be accessed by holding down the power button. This option turns the console into a mini-PC. Thanks to this, it is possible to add other programs and even another OS like Windows 10/11. This process, however, requires a separate guide.
Advanced options
Valve’s console has plenty of other options. For example, it is possible to connect the Steam Deck to a monitor or television via a USB-C to HDMI cable. Bluetooth also allows you to add peripherals such as a mouse, keyboard or even a wireless controller.
One of the advantages of the console is its flexibility. Once you master the device, you can turn it into a mini office by adding Office Suite from the Discover Software Center. This customization extends to the configuration of the keys. From the Settings, it is possible to assign the L4, R4, L5 and R5 buttons anywhere on the gamepad, keyboard or mouse.
The Steam Deck also has the EmuDeck feature. This tool allows you to play retro games or the most recent titles. However, you will have to download emulators and ROMs to be able to take advantage of it.
Conclusion
Steam Deck is a versatile console, available with 64GB (eMMC), 256GB (NVMe SSD) and 512GB (NVMe SSD) storage. Respectively accessible for $399, $529 and $649, we will recommend the latter two for space and SSD speed.