Valve is Still Holding Out for Better Chips to Power Steam Deck 2
The wait for a more powerful Steam Deck continues. In an interview with IGN, Pierre-Loup Griffais, Valve Software Engineer, revealed that the company is still waiting for significant advancements in portable gaming silicon to justify launching a new and improved version of the Steam Deck.
Griffais expressed his concerns about the lack of performance gains in recent years, stating, "The thing we're making sure of is that it's a worthwhile enough performance upgrade [for a Steam Deck 2] to make sense as a standalone product." He emphasized that Valve is not interested in simply increasing performance by a small margin, but rather wants to see significant improvements that would justify a new release.
Currently, the best portable gaming handhelds available in the market, such as the ROG Xbox Ally X, offer more powerful processors at a higher price point. Griffais noted that while these devices can deliver better performance at the cost of battery life, Valve is focused on maintaining its signature balance between power and efficiency.
Valve has consistently pushed back expectations for an imminent Steam Deck 2 release, citing the need for significant technological advancements to justify a new product. The company's stance has been reinforced by Hardware Engineer Yazan Aldehayyat, who stated that "obviously we'd love to get even more performance in the same power envelope, but that technology doesn't exist yet."
The wait for a more powerful Steam Deck is likely to continue, with Valve offering alternative solutions, such as the upcoming Steam Machine, which promises to be significantly more powerful than the current model. While this may satisfy gamers' appetite for better performance, it also raises questions about the sustainability of the company's business model.
Ultimately, Valve's commitment to delivering well-thought-out and well-made hardware has earned the company a loyal following among consumers. By prioritizing quality over quantity, the company can maintain its reputation as a trusted brand in the gaming industry, even if it means delaying the release of a new Steam Deck model.
The wait for a more powerful Steam Deck continues. In an interview with IGN, Pierre-Loup Griffais, Valve Software Engineer, revealed that the company is still waiting for significant advancements in portable gaming silicon to justify launching a new and improved version of the Steam Deck.
Griffais expressed his concerns about the lack of performance gains in recent years, stating, "The thing we're making sure of is that it's a worthwhile enough performance upgrade [for a Steam Deck 2] to make sense as a standalone product." He emphasized that Valve is not interested in simply increasing performance by a small margin, but rather wants to see significant improvements that would justify a new release.
Currently, the best portable gaming handhelds available in the market, such as the ROG Xbox Ally X, offer more powerful processors at a higher price point. Griffais noted that while these devices can deliver better performance at the cost of battery life, Valve is focused on maintaining its signature balance between power and efficiency.
Valve has consistently pushed back expectations for an imminent Steam Deck 2 release, citing the need for significant technological advancements to justify a new product. The company's stance has been reinforced by Hardware Engineer Yazan Aldehayyat, who stated that "obviously we'd love to get even more performance in the same power envelope, but that technology doesn't exist yet."
The wait for a more powerful Steam Deck is likely to continue, with Valve offering alternative solutions, such as the upcoming Steam Machine, which promises to be significantly more powerful than the current model. While this may satisfy gamers' appetite for better performance, it also raises questions about the sustainability of the company's business model.
Ultimately, Valve's commitment to delivering well-thought-out and well-made hardware has earned the company a loyal following among consumers. By prioritizing quality over quantity, the company can maintain its reputation as a trusted brand in the gaming industry, even if it means delaying the release of a new Steam Deck model.