Back in February we hit the three year mark of Valve's Steam Deck with SteamOS Linux, and as we approach the release of the public SteamOS 3 Beta for more devices, here's an updated look at the sales charts.
If the Deck stops being sold tomorrow, that has zero impact on the one I already have, save for the possible decline in spare parts available.
Yes, exactly. Getting it repaired (both within and outside of warranty) and spare parts availability.
Software eventually too, but usually that takes a while longer.
There are lots of reasons to wait to buy something, but “they might stop selling them” seems more like a reason to get something you want to have sooner, rather than later.
Would you have bought a Steam Deck if Valve would stop producing them after 3 years? I wouldn’t.
Not saying you shouldn’t though, each to their own and all that.
Yes, exactly. Getting it repaired (both within and outside of warranty) and spare parts availability.
What do you mean, “exactly”? The vast majority of owners will not need to repair theirs, and the vast majority of units will outlive their owners interest in using them. You’re assuming you’ll be one of the exceptions, which is always a possibility, but you can’t factor it in as if it’s a 100% chance.
Software eventually too, but usually that takes a while longer.
What do you mean?It’s an x86 PC. The same way I can grab a 15-year-old laptop and slap a linux distro on it, the same thing is possible with the Deck.
Would you have bought a Steam Deck if Valve would stop producing them after 3 years? I wouldn’t.
I would and I did. In fact every person who has bought one before today, technically did. That’s a million points of contest against the argument you’re trying to make with this. Are you seeing the catch 22 you’re asking your tech to adhere to?
I’d have bought a Deck even if it only lasted a few months, because I got one two months after launch on pre-reservation.
And why not? It’s a great device that is worth the price of admission, as-is. It runs games right now that I will still want to play years from now, and is durable enough to last that long. I do not need valve to make several million more, and to keep doing so for several years, for my unit to somehow become worth owning. It is worth that all on its own.
I get wanting companies to do hardware better, but the level of the standard you are claiming you want here, is absurd. The Decks potential for longevity is above and beyond almost any other hardware product in the tech industry right now, with the exception of the framework laptops.
My one unit has given me three years and hundreds of hours of gaming away from home, and will likely give several hundred more before it stops working. When it does, there are a variety of possibilities to get it back to working.
If it had stopped working within warranty, I’d either have gotten a new unit, or my money back. There is no gamble there.
Yes, exactly. Getting it repaired (both within and outside of warranty) and spare parts availability.
Software eventually too, but usually that takes a while longer.
Would you have bought a Steam Deck if Valve would stop producing them after 3 years? I wouldn’t.
Not saying you shouldn’t though, each to their own and all that.
What do you mean, “exactly”? The vast majority of owners will not need to repair theirs, and the vast majority of units will outlive their owners interest in using them. You’re assuming you’ll be one of the exceptions, which is always a possibility, but you can’t factor it in as if it’s a 100% chance.
What do you mean? It’s an x86 PC. The same way I can grab a 15-year-old laptop and slap a linux distro on it, the same thing is possible with the Deck.
I would and I did. In fact every person who has bought one before today, technically did. That’s a million points of contest against the argument you’re trying to make with this. Are you seeing the catch 22 you’re asking your tech to adhere to?
I’d have bought a Deck even if it only lasted a few months, because I got one two months after launch on pre-reservation.
And why not? It’s a great device that is worth the price of admission, as-is. It runs games right now that I will still want to play years from now, and is durable enough to last that long. I do not need valve to make several million more, and to keep doing so for several years, for my unit to somehow become worth owning. It is worth that all on its own.
I get wanting companies to do hardware better, but the level of the standard you are claiming you want here, is absurd. The Decks potential for longevity is above and beyond almost any other hardware product in the tech industry right now, with the exception of the framework laptops.
My one unit has given me three years and hundreds of hours of gaming away from home, and will likely give several hundred more before it stops working. When it does, there are a variety of possibilities to get it back to working.
If it had stopped working within warranty, I’d either have gotten a new unit, or my money back. There is no gamble there.
Well, that might just be where we differ. I don’t find it fiscally responsible to drop 400+ on a piece of hardware I’d only use for 2 months.
I’m not telling you how to live your life, just saying that ain’t for me, chief 🤷🏻♂️
Are you being deliberately obtuse?
The device isn’t going to cease to exist, just because it was only for sale for two months.
Even if it had only been for sale for two months, I’d have gotten to enjoy using it for at least three years by now.