Steam Steampal, Valve's Alleged Handheld Gaming PC

[Husky_Khan]

Though SteamPal is considered a codename.

And it's not sure if calling it a Handheld Gaming PC is accurate... as it's been dubbed other things as well, such as a Switch-like PC and other similar terminology.

In recent years, the "Switch-like PC" category has exploded. In early 2020, Alienware revealed its first Switch-like gaming PC, but the "concept" device has not yet turned into a commercial product. If you want to buy a similar device today, you're largely looking at products from Chinese OEMs like GPD, One-Netbook, and Aya, who have slapped ultramobile PC processors and parts into a Switch-like chassis.

The SteamPal will go a similar route, with a system on a chip likely coming from either Intel or AMD, not Nvidia. (The aforementioned Switch-like PC manufacturers have leaned on both AMD and Intel for their products.) It's unclear whether Valve will release multiple SKUs to offer customers a choice of power level, battery life, and other specs, as other Switch-like PCs have offered over the past year.

At least one SteamPal prototype version is quite wide compared to the Nintendo Switch. This extra width accommodates a slew of control options. No, Valve is likely not slapping an entire QWERTY keyboard onto its system, but the company has packed in a standard array of gamepad buttons and triggers, along with a pair of joysticks and at least one thumb-sized touchpad (in addition to the device's touch-sensitive screen). The SteamPal's touchpad is likely smaller than the pair of touchpads that came standard on every Steam Controller.

Exclusive: Valve is making a Switch-like portable gaming PC

We can confirm some, but not all, of what's in store for the codenamed "SteamPal."

arstechnica.com

 

[ParadiseLost]

Hmmm

It all depends on its graphical capabilities and price. Additionally, if it runs a custom OS, it can be a custom OS that doesn't allow the user to install games from services other than Steam. That would allow them to sell it at a much lower profit margin than otherwise possible.