Thursday, January 25, 2024

Steam Deck Tips And Tricks: Get More From Your PC Gaming Handheld

Steam Deck Tips And Tricks: Get More From Your PC Gaming Handheld

Key findings

  • Use Steam Deck shortcuts to quickly access features like screenshots, force quit games, and adjust brightness.
  • Set a lock screen PIN to prevent others from accessing your Steam Deck and playing with your library.
  • Stream games from your gaming PC to Steam Deck over Wi-Fi for more storage and increased productivity.

The Steam Deck has remained one of the best portable gaming consoles since its launch in early 2022, and now that the OLED version is available, it doesn't look like that's going to change anytime soon.

Changes
How to add non-Steam games to your Steam library
Since every other company has its own launcher these days, you quickly find that your PC gaming library is spread across multiple apps.

Steam Deck not only makes PC gaming affordable and portable, it also makes it a great choice. There's so much you can do with Steam Deck that we keep coming back. These are some of the best Steam Deck tips and tricks we've discovered while playing.

Use Steam Deck shortcuts

To view a list of useful Steam Deck shortcuts, press and hold the Steam button for a few seconds. Some of the most useful shortcuts are:

  • Screenshot : Steam key + R1.
  • Force quit game : Press and hold Steam key + B
  • Show keyboard : Steam + key
  • Increase brightness : steam button + left stick up.
  • Lower brightness : steam button + left stick down.
  • Enter key : Steam key + right control pad.
  • Tab : Steam button + cross down.
  • Esc : Steam key + left control pad.
  • Show cursor : Steam button + trackpad / right joystick (right trigger for left click).
  • Right click : Steam key + L2.
  • Left click : Steam key + R2.
  • Magnifying glass : steam button + L1.

Give your Steam Deck a lock screen PIN.

If you don't want family or friends accessing your Steam Deck and disrupting your library, there's good news: you can add a PIN.

To enable PIN setting, go to Menu -> Settings -> Security . Set a PIN that you remember and choose whether you need it when you wake up or turn on Steam Deck, when you log in, when you switch to desktop mode, or any combination of the three.

Check valve steam platform control photo 9 Steam deck in hibernation mode

Between gaming sessions, you don't need to completely shut down your Steam Deck console or exit the game you're playing.

Instead, you can easily pause and resume your game by putting your Steam Deck to sleep while playing, then turning it back on for the next session and continuing from the same point.

To put Steam Deck into sleep mode, simply press the power button and then press it again to wake it up from sleep mode.

Stream games to your Steam Deck

There is another way to solve the Steam Deck space problem: using Steam's Remote Play feature (e.g. Steam Link).

If you have a good gaming PC with the Steam client and Steam games installed, you can stream games from your PC to your Steam Deck over your home WiFi.

Changes: How to stream games to your Steam Deck

This has two advantages: firstly, you don't have to install games locally on Steam Deck, and secondly, you can take full advantage of the additional processing power of your gaming PC for higher frequencies, more frames and better performance. Experience. .

It's easy to do: all you need to do is make sure both devices are working and connected to the same network, then click the "Hold" button for the corresponding game in your Steam Deck library.

Turn on night mode to avoid eye strain.

Steam Deck's Night Mode can help prevent eye strain and help your eyes and brain get some rest before bed.

It works by reducing the frequency of blue light emitted from the Steam Deck screen. It may look a little orange when you first activate it, but your eyes should quickly get used to it and will probably thank you for it (or would thank you if they had the chance).

To enable Night Mode in Steam Deck, go to Menu -> Settings -> Display . From here, you can set a time for Night Mode to turn on automatically , or turn it on immediately and set a Night Mode tone .

Adjust Steam Deck performance options

To change the performance of the Steam Deck, press the three-dot menu button and go to the Battery section.

Try changing the frame rate and refresh rate in performance settings to make the game smoother or extend battery life. Lower frame rates and refreshes should increase battery life, but decreasing them too much can cause the game to become too choppy. You can also try FSR as a scaling filter and reduce resolution to improve gaming performance; Try different combinations until you find what works for you.

If you only want to make changes for a specific game, you must check the “Use profile for every game” box before making changes.

Remap the controls and use the rear paddle shifters.

To remap in-game controls:

  1. Click on the Steam button
  2. Select driver settings
  3. On the next screen, press A to select controller settings.

On this screen you will see a map of the current controls. However, you also have the option to add more by clicking on “Controller Settings”.

Now you can remap the various controls. Another advantage is that you can remap the back petals to your liking.

The rear blades are rarely used at all. There are four pallets labeled L4, L5, R4 and R5. You can assign them to game controls and use them for more comfortable gaming.

Adjust the screen brightness

To decrease the brightness of the Steam Deck, click the three dots button on the right side of the Steam Deck to open the options menu and adjust the brightness slider .

Although there is a temptation to increase the brightness to the maximum, we recommend reducing it.

Changes: Steam Deck OLED: What's new and should I update?

One of the complaints people have about Steam Deck is its battery life. Without some adjustments, it is easy to drain the battery of a portable device in two to three hours with the LCD version, and not much longer with the OLED version.

Reducing the brightness is a step towards extending your pleasure.

Buy a microSD card

SanDisk 512GB Ultra microSDXC

The SanDisk Ultra microSDXC is a great option for easily upgrading your Steam Deck storage.

We highly recommend purchasing a microSD card (or more) so you can easily access more games. Games don't load as quickly as NVMe SSDs, but it's always nice to have extra storage without a huge additional cost.

Steam Deck is available in different storage sizes: 256GB for the original LCD version and 512GB or 1TB for the new OLED version.

Changes: The best microSD cards: A small device that allows you to significantly expand your storage

Although it's theoretically possible to replace (and upgrade) internal storage, this isn't an option for many people.

To save money, we bought the 256GB model and found that we could only load the console with four games. Of course, this depends on what you install, but Forza Horizon 5, for example, takes up over 100GB of storage space.

Installing a microSD card is a good way to solve this storage problem.

Tips and tricks for working with Steam Deck Photo 13 Check out some game guides.

To find the manual for the game you are currently playing, click the Steam button and select Manuals .

Steam Deck really simplifies most of your portable gaming tasks, such as: B. changing performance settings and game controls.

The same thing happens with game instructions. By browsing these player-submitted game guides you can get the help you may need to beat that boss or level or find that hidden area.

Of course, there are tons of travel guides online, but the easiest way is to click a few buttons and find the perfect guide right before your eyes.

Adjust your graphics settings and optimize your game

If you try playing on Ultra settings, you'll probably find that Steam Deck doesn't work as well as you'd like. Try reducing the graphics a bit. We didn't always find it necessary, but switching to high settings can provide smoother operation when needed.

The advantage here is that it still looks good since it still has a small screen.

As PC gamers, we are used to simply launching our games and basking in the beauty of the visual delights.

If you have access to a gaming PC, you can use the Remote Play streaming feature mentioned above to run Steam Deck games at high graphics settings without taxing your GPU.

However, the Steam Deck's capabilities are slightly different than a full-fledged gaming PC, so some adjustments may be required.

With the best gaming settings, multiple resources are available to maximize performance and extend battery life. These are proven settings for any game that are worth trying if you want to get the best gaming experience without having to figure it out yourself.

ShareDeck and Steam Deck HQ are two customization sites that help you optimize your gaming settings.

Connect other devices to Steam Deck via Bluetooth or USB.

Thanks to its Bluetooth capabilities, the Steam Deck can work with a variety of devices including mice, keyboards, and headsets. So if you need more precise control, you can easily connect these devices.

Tap the Settings button , then scroll to turn on Bluetooth . Now you can easily connect and use your device. It also works with many devices.

Changes: How to use Bluetooth headphones with Steam Deck

You can also consider connecting devices via USB to a USB hub that connects via USB-C. Simply plug the hub into the Steam Deck's USB-C port and you'll have several additional ports for connecting peripherals (or maybe even a TV or monitor).

Check for Steam Deck updates

Valve regularly creates updates to Steam Deck to improve functionality and user experience.

We recommend checking Steam Deck regularly for updates. To do this, click on the Steam button on the left and select “Updates” . When the update is ready, an exclamation mark will appear in System Settings .

Some of Valve's Steam Deck updates included significant improvements. Originally, one of our complaints about the Steam Deck was that the fans were too loud, but Valve released a patch that made them much quieter.

Check game compatibility for your Steam Deck.

Once you have a Steam Deck in hand, you can pretty easily see which games are performing well. The ones in your library are already marked as:

  • Checked
  • interpreted
  • Unsupported
  • Stranger

We've found that the list of games you can play can grow quickly. So it's worth checking out your library for new games.

Changes: How to find out which games work with your Steam Deck

The Steam Deck Store also offers you compatible games, so you can be sure your game will work before purchasing.

Just because a game is marked as “unsupported” doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. We've seen several games that only required a few controller changes to run. So if you already have the game and want to play it, don't let this label stop you from giving it a try.

Valve Steam Deck: release date, price, features and reservation options Gallery 2 Photo 5 Force Quit if your Steam Deck is frozen.

If you find that your Steam Deck has frozen while playing, you can force stop it by simply pressing a few buttons. Pressing the Steam button and the B button at the same time will exit any problematic game.

Mega Modz 3 Custom Steam Cover Desktop navigation in desktop mode

To access Desktop Mode on Steam Deck, press the Steam button and select “Switch to Desktop” to “On”.

Desktop mode gives you the full desktop experience: you can surf the web, send email, move files, and even install applications, just like you would on a laptop or PC.

Install Epic Games on your Steam Deck.

If you've exhausted your Steam games catalog or just want to play more, don't worry because you can also install Epic Games on your Steam Deck. This might sound a bit blasphemous, but if you don't mind doing it yourself, it's pretty easy.

Changes: How to Install Epic Games on Your Steam Deck

This also has obvious advantages, as Epic regularly offers games in its store. Installing Epic Games on your Steam platform is a bit tedious, but we have written a guide to help you (link above).

Upgrade your Steam Deck's internal storage.

Karsar MP600 Mini

This NVMe PCIe Gen 4 x4 drive is the perfect size for your Steam Deck and is also a great way to upgrade it.

Another way to improve your Steam Deck is to upgrade your internal storage. The Steam Deck uses a compact NVMe solid-state drive that's relatively easy to upgrade, but requires a few steps and a few hours.

You'll need the right tools (not just a screwdriver) and a lot of patience to open it, but using the larger NVMe M.2 2230 drive will allow you to boot faster than if you use your storage with a single MicroSD card would expand. .

Upgrading your Steam Deck SSD will require you to reinstall Steam OS and reinstall all of your games.

We did this with the Corsair MP600 Mini, increasing the storage from 256GB to 1TB relatively easily, and now we can store a lot more games and load them quickly.

Customize your Steam deck

Steam Deck is a rather modest device and is unlikely to stand out from the crowd if you have several such devices at home.

If you just want to make your device look a little different, you can visit Dbrand and find some amazing skins to personalize your device. The company created a fun Nintendo Switch skin called Switchdeck, but there are plenty of other styles as well.

You can also try different on-screen keyboard themes for your Steam Deck. To do this, go to Menu -> Settings -> Keyboard and you can choose between different styles and themes. You can also purchase additional styles from the Steam Points Store.

The most useful Steam Deck features you may not have known about

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Monday, January 22, 2024

Best Steam Deck SD Card In 2024 Top MicroSD Card Picks

Best Steam Deck SD Card In 2024  Top MicroSD Card Picks

The video player is compatible with readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may receive an affiliate commission. Prices may vary. Learn more

If you want to store all your favorite games, the best SD card in Steam Deck should be quite sufficient.

If you have the cheapest version of Steam Deck, you will only have 64GB of storage available. Part of this modest amount will be removed from SteamOS, allowing you to keep even less in your favorite game library.

The simple solution is to insert a good microSD card. While you may be tempted to wait for news about a possible Steam Deck 2, it's probably best to bite the bullet now and prepare your console for future expansions.

In fact, a microSD card is a simple solution to an annoying problem. Below is a selection of cards by speed and value. They all support the UHS-I speed standard required by Steam Deck, although most SD cards can meet this standard.

So if you're not thinking about turning to ASUS' recently announced Rog Ally, let's take a look at the best SD cards in the Steam Deck.

Best SD card for Steam Deck

  1. Samsung Pro Plus
  2. SanDisk Extreme Pro microSDXC
  3. Samsung Evo Select MicroSD card

Best overall SD card for Steam Deck: Samsung Pro Plus

MicroSDX Samsung Pro Plus

Strengthen

  • Excellent value for money
  • Fast loading time

So why is the Samsung Pro Plus Micro SDX at the top of our list?

Once you've looked at the microSD cards available, you'll notice that there's a wide range of prices you can pay. We really like the Samsung Pro Plus Micro SDX as it falls between these prices and offers very fast performance.

With a read speed of 160MB/s, this card will have no problem loading your Steam games quickly. As an added bonus, the Samsung Pro Plus is highly durable, water and temperature resistant, and comes with a 10-year limited warranty.

Fastest SD card for Steam Deck: SanDisk Extreme Pro microSDXC

SanDisk Extreme Pro microSDXC

Strengthen

  • Temperature test
  • Stable
  • High transfer speeds

If reading speed is your top priority, this is the card for you.

Offering a range of storage options up to 1TB, the SanDisk Extreme Pro microSD card is an ideal choice.

Although the 1TB version is a bit expensive, this card is recommended for those who want to shave precious seconds off game loading time.

Faster charging times are particularly useful if you want to conserve your console's battery life on the go.

Like the Samsung Pro Plus, which tops our list, this microSD card is extremely durable and versatile, meaning it should last for many years.

Best budget SD card for Steam Deck: Samsung Evo Select 128GB MicroSD Card

Samsung Evo Select Micro SD

64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

Strengthen

  • The storage space can be expanded up to 512 GB
  • A trusted brand
  • Affordable

While it's easy to spend over $100 on a high-end SD card for the Steam Deck, you'll be perfectly happy with the Samsung Evo Select MicroSD.

Expect a smooth loading experience for your Steam games with speeds of up to 130MB/s. Like our other products, this card is water and temperature resistant.

It also has the added benefit of being from a trusted brand that has held the title of leading flash memory brand since 2003.

Although the speed is a bit slower at 130MB/s, we are still very impressed with this microSD. It's an easy investment and provides the valued storage space for your ever-growing Steam library.

How do I format an SD card for Steam Deck?

Once you've selected your Steam Deck SD card, you'll want to mount it. However, it often happens that SD cards are not immediately compatible with certain devices. How to format your microSD card for use with Steam Deck.

Steam Deck uses Linux, a different operating system than Windows. It uses a different kernel and therefore a different file system. To format your SD card for Steam Deck, do the following:

  • Insert the SD card into the Steam Deck
  • Go to the settings menu
  • Format the SD card

frequently asked Questions

As with any new console or gaming device, there are many questions that need to be asked and answered. Here you will find everything we think you would like to know.

Are SD cards good for Steam Deck?

Yes, SD cards are great for Steam Deck if you need consumable storage. We recommend purchasing MicroSD.

Is 512 GB SD enough for Steam Deck?

Yes, while a 1TB SD card may be preferable to protect your settings, 512GB provides plenty of storage space.

Steam Deck uses microSD or SD.

Steam Deck actually uses microSD. It is now rare to find consoles that use normal SD cards.

5 Best Micro SD Cards of [2023]

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Monday, January 15, 2024

Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Review: "a Satisfying Balance Of Luxury Feel And Handy Functionality"

Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Review:

The Razer BlackWidow V4 75% continues the trend we've seen in gaming consoles since the beginning of the year, including out-of-the-box features and custom designs for those who are investing heavily and ready to take on the hobby. We saw Corsair do just that with the K70 Pro Mini Wireless. Asus did it with the ROG Azoth, and now one of the best gaming keyboards on the market is getting the same treatment.

The original Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro is a beast in its own right, but it's 75% thinner and has a heavy emphasis on high-quality custom design. It's much more than just a replacement keyboard. The inclusion of a variety of fan-favorite modes means this is one of the best typing experiences I've ever had, especially on a Razer keyboard that prioritizes speed over feel and sound.

I've had the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% in my hands for a month now, here's how it works.

design

As the name suggests, the Razer BlackWidow V4's form factor is 75% smaller than the giant Pro model. However, there's still a nice array of RGB lighting on both sides, although these don't extend to the bracelet, which is oddly included in the box. However, this is a removable card, and like many others in its class, the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% uses a few special tricks to improve the typing experience. The main body is assembled at the joints with a laminated epoxy resin insert that covers the motherboard and provides a deeper, softer feel with every keystroke. Razer has followed this trend, but also has 75% of the V4 glued to the back of the card for ultra-clear audio.

Each stabilizer is lubricated at the factory, and although it's mounted on the deck itself rather than on the PCB, there are contact points on the main board if you want to upgrade. However, please note that opening the package will void the warranty.

Aesthetically, this is a Razer keyboard. The wedge-shaped design, durable black aluminum construction, textured palm rest and matte finish are consistent with the previous Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro. Below you'll see two legs pushed forward to lift the tail even further than the already tapered silhouette, creating a set of dewclaws with a beautiful profile. I obviously prefer the higher position and this is one of the most comfortable I've ever found.

Functions

The addition of Hot Swap removed 75% of some features from the full-size Pro version. There's no USB pass-through, and the command line is also removed from the equation. This means that the added flexibility and macro functionality of a full-size device is lost. However, if you prefer to prioritize typing, the V4 is 75% worth the sacrifice.

Razer Orange Gen 3 switches are pre-installed and provide greater depth and tactility. Additionally, the design of the rack ensures that everything sits securely on your back. The switches have 3.5mm travel and require an actuation force of 50g, which is less than the Cherry MX Brown and is also much lighter.

However, you may not be able to stick with it - hence the appeal of a warm ensemble that can change. The board has 3 and 5 pin switches and I was able to quickly and easily replace the entire bridge without yanking or moving it.

When I got to the top, I was in for a surprise. I used the Razer BlackWidow V4 at 75% for about a day without reading the full specs. When I realized that the keycaps were made from ABS and not the PBT quality I was expecting, I was surprised. They have a very good texture and are especially pleasant to the touch compared to cheaper plastics.

The 75% form factor means I've never lost the key I use every day for productivity. This affects keyboards that are 60% and sometimes 65% smaller. Like the Asus ROG Azoth, the BlackWidow V4 75% has a carefully curated list of navigation keys with built-in arrow keys in the bottom right corner. I prefer Asus's segregated keys, but Razer's has everything in one unit. While I didn't have much trouble with accidental presses while working or playing, it did take me a few milliseconds to remember where I was on my back, which can be crucial to mastering the layout I'm using.

The V4 75% also retains the media keys in the top right corner, but like the Pro, the function bars at the top are hard to read due to a brush effect. Here you will also find the volume control of the original model.

This is a closely related issue that once again contradicts the BlackWidow series' previous reputation as Razer's line of wireless gaming keyboards. However, this does mean that you'll have an easier time relying on the 8,000Hz polling rate, although casual gamers shouldn't be running at those speeds. Of course, you can also use the Razer Synapse software to customize macros, set RGB models, and save presets in five built-in profiles.

Performance

Few gaming keyboards love the sound and feel of the keys. Trumpet, ping, and reverb work when you trade the clicky feel for higher speed and macro features. That said, I've been impressed with the overall experience of the latest hot-swappable options to hit the market over the past 12 months, and the Razer is no different.

Replacing them won't be a problem, they are some of the best switches Razer has ever made. The distinct click at the actuation point takes some getting used to, and it feels heavier than the lighter ROG NX switches I'm used to, but once you're there, it's impressive how connected the feel is to the journey itself. After a few days of playing, I was particularly pleased to ride the decks, not only because of the speed of operation, but also because of the rich and smooth sound of each key.

These touch buttons don't work as well in fast-paced games as they do in more casual adventure or strategy games. I'm by no means a fast Apex Legends player, but I've noticed the extra weight disappears a bit in games, and the linear keys are better suited for repetitive typing. However, offline this deck is absolutely compelling and competes well with Assassin's Creed: Odyssey and Eastward.

Is it worth buying the Razer BlackWidow V4 with a 75% discount?

Believe it or not, the Razer BlackWidow V4 represents 75% of the cheapest gaming keyboards from major brands on the market. The Asus Azoth costs $249.99/£269.99 but offers wireless connectivity, dual PBT knobs, faster ROG NX switches and a slightly thinner button layout. Overall, this is the best keyboard. However, if you value comfort, the BlackWidow's strap and increased height may negate these benefits.

The Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless is slightly cheaper, a much smaller package (60%) that still offers interchangeable buttons and wireless connectivity for $179.99/£169.99. If you're looking for a smaller footprint, saving $10 off Razer's $189.99 MSRP might make sense here.

However, the Razer product is a very good choice. It provides fantastic hot-swappable capabilities while maintaining the speed needed for more demanding games, and comes with all the switches and media controls you need for everyday use. These tactile switches feel great in the hand, and if you need to swap them out for something faster, the board also offers a lot of flexibility. 75% would recommend the V4 to anyone looking to enter the world of custom desktops while upgrading from a mid-range gaming console, especially if you don't require a wireless connection.

Here's how we tested the Razer BlackWidow V4 at 75%.

I used the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro for four weeks for all types of work and play, running everyday tasks like Apex Legends, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Doom Eternal, and Eastward. I also removed the switches completely and replaced them with a set of Cherry MX Browns. For more information on how we test game consoles, please see GamesRadar+'s full hardware policy.

We 've rounded up many of the best Razer keyboards on the market , but if you're looking for something a little cheaper, check out the best membrane gaming keyboards or the cheapest gaming keyboards right now .

Top 10 Best Tenkey Mechanical Keyboards (2023)

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Thursday, January 11, 2024

How Tony Hawk Is Using Tech To Extend His Career And Prepare For X Games Return

How Tony Hawk Is Using Tech To Extend His Career And Prepare For X Games Return

When Tony Hawk started skateboarding at nine years old, he never thought he would still be doing it at fifty, let alone professionally. At that time, there was no project.

And even the world's greatest snowboarders must constantly contend with Father Time, who isn't always invincible in the end, but lives up to his commitment to physical health and his tenacious mindset.

Hawk never struggled with this mental toughness; From the age of 14 until now, he has worked hard to achieve his dream. In the year He is famous for his first 900 race at the X Games in 1999 because after 10 failed attempts, the organizers allowed him to continue making history.

And sure enough, 22 years later, at Hawke's inaugural Vert Alert event in Salt Lake City, I saw more than 10 of his attempts to get an early return taxi - something he never did. done once in his life, 26 years ago - end well. . The all-time gag competition where you compete against younger players in games.

Saturday, January 6, 2024

CES 2024: I Fiddled With The New Dell XPS Laptops — Here's Why They're Polarizing

CES 2024: I Fiddled With The New Dell XPS Laptops — Here's Why They're Polarizing

Dell's new XPS laptops will hit the market before CES 2024, and unsurprisingly, they have new AI capabilities. Finally, as mentioned, we now live in the age of artificially intelligent computers.

These laptops will be available in three variants – with screen sizes of 13, 14 and 16 inches. By the way, the last two are new to the Dell XPS series. Yes, they are amazing, but after attending the latest presentation of the new generation of laptops, I had some thoughts.

My hands-on experience with the Dell XPS series and why it generates such mixed reactions

Dell XPS 13 Plus image credit : Shutterstock / Chikena

So here's the thing. The design that Dell uses for the new Dell XPS series is taken from the high-end Dell XPS 13 Plus laptop. The design of the Dell XPS 13 Plus has been controversial among techies for three reasons.

  • It does not have physical buttons for switching functions. Instead, it's a series of tactile LEDs.

  • Its interface is "invisible". You really can't tell the difference between the touchpad and the deck.

  • It does not have a lip, which makes the lid difficult to lift.

Ars Technica said the Dell XPS 13 Plus has a "disappointing design." The Verge complained about the feature set, adding, "There's no haptic feedback, so I'm often not entirely sure I've actually pressed a key." PCWorld says the touchpad was too hard to get used to.

New Dell XPS Laptop Photo: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable

Despite the lukewarm response to the Dell XPS 13 Plus design, Dell had to say: We've installed the Dell XPS 13 Plus on all of our XPS laptops, including the new Dell XPS 14, and Dell has helped make such a controversial create design. It's also worth noting that the Dell XPS 13 Plus is no longer available. There are only 13, 14 and 16 of them.

New Dell XPS Laptop Photo: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable

Personally, I find the design elegant, minimalist and simplistic. It's beautiful to look at. In a sense, it is a miracle of technology. Not sure if I want to use it as a laptop though. Having gained some hands-on experience with the new laptops, I could understand PCWorld's point of view. I no longer like laptops having "unified" touchpads without dedicated areas for the right and left mouse buttons (I'm a bit old fashioned in that sense). So the lack of separation between the touch panel and the deck is confusing. I wish there was a lip. I tried to open the lid for a few seconds too long.

If you've never used a Dell XPS 13 Plus before, these systems will take some getting used to. However, if the laptop line can live up to Dell's claims of improved performance, the learning curve could be worth it. Laptops are not only visually stunning but also lightweight, thin and thin. they are ideal as companions. Now let's look at the new advantages of artificial intelligence in the new Dell XPS series.

3 Artificial Intelligence features for the new Dell XPS laptops

ChatGPT has sparked an AI race with big tech companies like Google, Meta and Twitter trying to attract consumers, but Microsoft seems to have moved ahead with the launch of Copilot, another ChatGPT competitor that's more accessible on Windows 11 computers.

1. Dell XPS laptops come with a dedicated Copilot button.

As Mashable's Cecile Moran reported, all Windows 11 PCs should have a dedicated Copilot button that will allow users to quickly access an AI chatbot with a single keystroke. The Dell XPS series is one of the first laptops with this new convenience button. Microsoft has made Copilot easier than ever. For example, the Redmond-based tech giant recently (and quietly) launched a dedicated Copilot mobile app for iOS and Android users before the holidays.

Photo: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable

2. New processors based on artificial intelligence

Dell XPS 13, 14 and 16 feature new Intel Core Ultra processors. What does it mean? Well, Intel has released a new generation of processors, and what makes them special is that they have an NPU, a component designed to handle artificial intelligence and machine learning tasks.

This means that the CPU and CPU, the units we typically see in an Intel chipset, have more room to work on other tasks while the NPU does its job for all things AI. Presumably, this means that laptops equipped with Intel Core Ultra processors should work more efficiently. However, we won't know for sure until we test it in Mashable's lab.

3. A set of tools based on artificial intelligence

The XPS 14 and XPS 16 laptops, unlike the XPS 13, have a dedicated GPU. This makes them ideal for complex creative workflows including 3D rendering, video editing and more. Interestingly, Dell told me that these systems are NVIDIA Studio Certified laptops, meaning they have been carefully selected by NVIDIA for their superior performance and features.

Nvidia Studio laptops get access to exclusive developer tools, including NVIDIA Broadcast, NVIDIA Canvas and NVIDIA RTX Remix, each using AI tools to unleash creative magic.

The XPS 16 features an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU; The XPS 14 only has the 4050 GPU.

The XPS lineup starts with 13 models and starts at $1,299. As for availability, Dell told Mashable that it's "coming soon."

Macbook Pro 15 (2017) vs Dell XPS 15 (9560) - Best Laptop. |: Technology Section

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Friday, December 8, 2023

What Graphics Card Does The Steam Deck Have?

What Graphics Card Does The Steam Deck Have?

The video player is supported by readers. When you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices are subject to change. To learn more

For those wondering what graphics card is installed in the Steam Deck and how powerful it is, we have the answers.

Since the Steam Deck's release in 2022, gamers have been enjoying its gaming capabilities. What's impressive is that many games run with minimal controls, creating a relative difference between console and PC gaming setups. In fact, this tiny electric car packs a 40Wh battery and measures just 298 x 117 x 49mm. With the announcement of Valve's OLED Steam Deck, we expect renewed interest in the gaming console, especially with the already good Steam Deck deals arriving on Black Friday.

Here's everything we know about the Steam Deck GPU and what it's capable of.

What graphics card is installed on Steam Deck?

The Steam Deck uses a custom AMD Zen 2/RDNA 2 APU as its graphics card.

The APU combines the power of a Zen 2 CPU and an RDNA 2 GPU. Using these technologies, the Steam Deck can run at CPU speeds of 2.4-3.5 GHz (that's up to 448 GFlops FP32). In terms of GPU, the Steam Deck can run up to 1.6 teraflops FP32 at 1.0-1.66 GHz. The overall APU power range is 4-15W, although it's difficult to directly compare the Steam Deck APU to a desktop graphics card.

While the GPU specs look a bit modest, the Steam Deck is powered by 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM optimized for mobile devices.

If you're unsure whether this feature will allow you to play a game like Starfield on your Steam Deck, Steam Deck offers a verification process to see if the game is optimized for Steam Deck: If the game title has a green check mark, it means it is optimized for Steam Deck. If it has a small yellow circle with an "i" in it, it means the game can be played on the deck, but may require some changes to the game settings to run smoothly. If there is a gray circle with a line, it means the game cannot be played on the Steam Deck. A gray question in a dotted circle means that Steam doesn't yet know whether you can play the game on Steam Deck or not.

What graphics card is equivalent to the Steam Deck GPU?

We showed that the Steam Deck uses a dedicated AMD APU as its graphics card, with peak performance of around 1.6 teraflops. Based on what we know about graphics cards, the Steam Deck GPU is roughly equivalent to the Nvidia 1050 or GTX 950 released in 2016 and 2015, respectively.

FAQ

How much RAM does the Steam Deck have?

The Steam Deck has 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM.

Steam Deck has RTX.

No, at the time of writing the Steam Deck graphics card is an AMD APU combining a Zen 2 processor and an RDNA 2 GPU.

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