Looks like the Nintendo Switch has some mean competition. The concept of a portable gaming PC isn’t a new idea, however, it hasn’t been done properly. One such reason is that nobody has been able to make a proper console, with companies like Smach Z kickstarting the concept but never delivering. However, when it comes to new hardware there’s one company who may not get it right, but when they do it’s done the best, and that company is Valve.

Announced just yesterday, Valve unveiled the Steam Deck, which is a portable PC running on the Steam Operating System, which was used in the Steam Machines, an affordable console version of PC gaming which went defunct years ago. However, it looks like Valve is using the failures of the past to make a new handheld console, that not only works with the entire steam library but is able to function as a PC as well.

The console itself is a sleek black, and while it resembles the switch, it’s got a couple of extra functions that Nintendo doesn’t have on their console. While the Steam Deck doesn’t have the detachable Joycons, the controls on the Steam Deck aim to be comfortable, as the console is designed for long play sessions. The thumbsticks, while called “best in class,” are designed more like Xbox and Playstation thumbsticks rather than what Nintendo uses. The sticks also come with touch sensors, which is used for the gyroscope that’s built into the console, making FPS games feel better to play on the handheld.

The buttons and triggers are designed to be right in the reach of the hands, continuing the ergonomic design of the deck. The triggers are also analog, which is used on most home consoles, making the Steam Deck perfect for any kind of game that uses regular controllers. Another addition to the Steam Deck is an extra set of buttons on the back of the console, called the grip buttons, more bindings can be put into the player’s favorite games, making controls easier and more fluid when playing.

The console also comes with two trackpads situated underneath the thumbsticks, making games that without controller binds able to work on the console. It also includes a 7” touch screen, the same size as the new Switch OLED. The bigger screen will supposedly make games look fantastic when playing them on the go.

Included in the console are several types of internal storage depending on the model. Players can purchase a 64GB eMMC memory, a 256 NVMe SSD, or if they want the largest storage, a 512 GB NVMe SSD. With the two bigger Steam Decks, they’ll be able to load and save games just as fast as the PS5 and Xbox Series X. On top of this, the console also comes with a Micro SD Port, meaning that storage can be expanded as players grow their portable library.

A 40Wh battery is also included, blowing the Switch’s battery out of the water, letting users stream, browse the web, and or play 2D games for up to 7-8 hours. The Stream Deck is also wireless, making the console play nice with all manners of Bluetooth devices with no adapter. On top of this, the Steam Deck also comes with Hi-Fi audio, as well as dual microphones, meaning that player’s who want to chat with their friends can continue to do so without the need for any outside influences.

The Steam Deck is not just a portable PC in name alone, meaning that players can download PC apps such as Discord, connect it to a display, and continue to play their games with a mouse and keyboard, provided they have the official dock. Valve also knows that some players want to play their favorite games from other stores and has them covered, as the PC Mode for the Steam Deck allows for stores like Xbox Game Pass and Epic Games Store to be accessible on the system, making it possible for players to have on the go fun on whatever game they want

However, just making PC players can pick up and take wherever they want isn’t enough, as the Dock for the Steam Deck also supports a TV Mode as well, further cementing the Steam Deck as Valve’s answer to the Switch.

The Steam Deck also runs on a new version of SteamOS and includes everything that players expect from the software, including chat, notifications, cloud Saves, remote play, and the Workshop and Community tabs. However, SteamOS also comes with one extra feature: the ability to suspend and resume applications, Just like all the consoles the Deck is competing with.

SteamOS has been rebuilt for the Deck, making the software work just like Steam on the console. Valve’s interest in making their storefront portable is one thing, but for developers who are wanting to make their games work on the Deck, Valve’s already got that covered. Proton is a compatibility layer for the Deck that ensures that no matter the game, no matter the build, The game is going to work on the Deck without question. However, developers can choose to use Proton with the Deck developer kit to make playing their games on the new hardware even better.

Everything mentioned currently might seem like a dream come true for PC gamers. But if the games don’t look good, then what makes the Steam Deck any different from the Nintendo Switch? Valve has already thought of this and partnered with AMD to develop their own processor for the Deck, making AAA games look fantastic on the platform.

The CPU is a Zen 2 4c/8t, running at 2.4-3.5GHz

The GPU is an 8 RDNA, with 2 Cu’s Running at 1-1.6GHz

The Full APU’s power is 4-15W.

The RAM for the console is sitting at a whopping 16Gbs of ram, making it the most RAM in a single handheld console.

The screen isn’t top of the line but still beats Nintendo at its own game with a 1280×800 display, putting the aspect ratio at 16:10. While not an OLED display like the new Switch model, the display is an LCD for better readability and has a refresh rate of 60hz, which is perfect for what the Deck wants to do.

Valve has reservations for the console coming up today and is letting players who want in on the Steam Deck to pick up a console as soon as possible reserve the console before its December release date. Valve has seen the immense amount of scalpers, who have ravaged the console and graphics card market lately with their extremely high-priced resales, waiting in the wings and is ready to make sure that the Deck gets into the hands of the people it trusts the most: its consumers.

Like their virtual Reality headset, the Index, the Deck is only going to be available off of the Steam Storefront, and costs just $50 more than the Switch OLED if player’s want the 64GB eMMC memory. Upgrading to the 256GB SSD is going to cost $530, and purchasing the 512GB SSD is going to cost $649. However, the console’s upgrades also come with some goodies for the console itself, as well as some swag for the Steam profile.

But Valve’s willingness to put the customer first goes farther than some extra swag with their console. For the first 48 hours of reservation, Steam accounts that haven’t made a purchase before June of 2021 are unable to reserve the Steam Deck. This means that any scalper who’s wanting to buy a Steam Deck will be unable to reserve one, putting the console in the hands of the main demographic first. Afterward, the Deck will be shipped out to the owners who reserved in the order of the queue. A Fee is also included in the price, much like putting a down payment on a pre-order for a console game.

Valve’s newest handheld has the capability of blowing the Switch out of the water. By making a console that can run just about every single game on the PC, the possibility of playing games like Call of Duty, and Fortnite at near PC quality is within the grasp of consumers, for a price that rivals the Switch OLED, as well as the functionality of a true gaming PC.