Valve, owners of gaming digital storefront Steam, have released handheld gaming computer the Steam Deck.

Early reviews are mixed but the broad consensus might best be summed up by The Verge's take which is that this is effectively an Early Access launch.

For the sake of non-gamers, Early Access is a game software business model which became very popular on Steam - release for purchase in a playable but unfinished state and completing development with the benefit of early adopter feedback and revenue.

We lack the expertise to really get into specifics but the IGN and Verge reviews paint a similar picture of this being a very promising device and getting a lot of things right functionally in its current state but still needing work.

PC Gamer's review is more positive but concedes that not all games work well or at all on it presently.

Impressively you can watch Elden Ring being played on one.

This isn't just a recent release (February 25) but one whose system requirements are quite demanding.

When they were unveiled a few weeks ago there was widespread consternation from PC gamers with older systems very keen to play this long and highly anticipated game.

A lot of excitement about the Steam Deck stems from the fact that in contrast to other handheld devices and also gaming consoles, it is and can function as a personal computer.

Also being cheap compared to gaming laptops.

Versions range in price from US $399 to $649 and in an interview with IGN, Valve president and Steam co-founder Gabe Newell revealed that surprisingly pre-order reservations for the most expensive one far exceed those of the cheapest.

They're not for sale on the general market. Valve are taking pre-order reservations and rolling them out in limited numbers, with no plans to make them available in stores.

Also not available in Australia though if you're really keen there are slightly involved methods to sidestep that restriction.

[ Main Image: Steam Deck trailer. Credit: Valve via YouTube. ]

References

Fenlon, Wes (February 25, 2022). Steam Deck Review. PC Gamer.

Gamespot (February 26, 2022). 8 Minutes Of Elden Ring Running On Steam Deck. YouTube.

Hollister, Sean (February 25, 2022). Steam Deck Review: It's Not Ready. The Verge.

IGN (February 26, 2022). Gabe Newell on Steam Deck's Launch and Future. YouTube.

Macy, Seth G. (February 26, 2022). Steam Deck Review in Progress. IGN.

Steam. Steam Deck. (viewed February 27, 2022)

Taylor, Mollie (February 15, 2022). Elden Ring's system requirements are here and they're beefy. PC Gamer.

Valve (February 24, 2022). Launch Day Details. Steam.

Williams, Leah J. (February 16, 2022). Here’s How to Preorder a Steam Deck in Australia, if You’re Game. Gizmodo.