News Modder creates the Steam Brick — a stripped-down Steam Deck with only a power button and a USB

[Admin]

Someone has stripped down one of the popular Steam Deck handhelds into a minimal form factor and dubbed the result the Steam Brick.

Modder creates the Steam Brick — a stripped-down Steam Deck with only a power button and a USB : Read more

 

[Notton]

So it's basically a mini-PC running steamOS.
I mean, I get that it's cheaper than buying a mini-PC since they already had a 3D printer and steamdeck, but couldn't they have traded their steamdeck for a mini-PC?

 

[usertests]

So it's basically a mini-PC running steamOS.
I mean, I get that it's cheaper than buying a mini-PC since they already had a 3D printer and steamdeck, but couldn't they have traded their steamdeck for a mini-PC?

I would convert a Steam Deck to a mini PC after its useful life as a handheld has ended, or if the screen breaks, etc. Framework has made this easy to do with their laptop mainboards, but if a kit isn't available or you don't want to screw around, you could simply dock your handheld forever. It would be preferable if the thing can run with the battery removed.

 

[MobileJAD]

I just want the replacement Steam Deck motherboards to get cheaper online so I can attempt to cobble together a Steam Deck mini PC. The ones I have seen online cost as much as a refurbed 64GB Steam Deck direct from Valve.

 

[gg83]

I think this modern is on to something. Especially for AR glasses. At least until all the processing is done in the cloud.

 

[cryoburner]

They explain that the handheld was often left behind when packing a backpack, as it was just a little bit too bulky.

And now it will be left behind when packing a backpack, as it lacks a built-in power source, display and controls. Bringing along an external input device and cables will likely result in it taking up more space than it did before.

The only way I could see this making any sense is if the device had an internal display output failure that wouldn't be practical to fix. Otherwise, why take the touchscreen off of it? It would have remained far more useful and not much larger had they instead converted it into a 7.4" x86 tablet.

 

[Babylegzz]

So a steam machine?

 

[MobileJAD]

And now it will be left behind when packing a backpack, as it lacks a built-in power source, display and controls. Bringing along an external input device and cables will likely result in it taking up more space than it did before.

The only way I could see this making any sense is if the device had an internal display output failure that wouldn't be practical to fix. Otherwise, why take the touchscreen off of it? It would have remained far more useful and not much larger had they instead converted it into a 7.4" x86 tablet.

To be honest there are people who will take mini pc's with them on trips as opposed to handhelds that include the display and battery built in, because they want to hook it up to the TV in their hotel room, or they want to use it with a projector during a meeting on a business trip. The Steam Deck is still a x86 PC stuffed inside a handheld gaming unit, so if someone had a broken Steam Deck they can easily convert it down to a desktop mini pc and install Windows 10, 11 or Linux on it. Its just too bad that it apparently refuses to boot without a battery attached to the motherboard.

 

[cryoburner]

because they want to hook it up to the TV in their hotel room, or they want to use it with a projector during a meeting on a business trip. The Steam Deck is still a x86 PC stuffed inside a handheld gaming unit, so if someone had a broken Steam Deck they can easily convert it down to a desktop mini pc and install Windows 10, 11 or Linux on it. Its just too bad that it apparently refuses to boot without a battery attached to the motherboard.

According to the article, they found the stripped-down device to start up fine without a battery and peripherals, though of course it still requires a power cable. But again, it really begs the question of why bother removing the battery or screen just to make it a little more compact, at a significant loss of functionality? Part of the advantage of having a portable device like that is that you can access it anywhere, while this modified version needs access to an external power source, display and input device. You could still use the device as a mini PC without making any modifications to it, as it can be docked with a television or projector and other peripherals in its stock form. Making it moderately smaller doesn't seem worth the tradeoff of removing everything that allows it to function on its own without additional external equipment.