Opinions on the Smach Z

[DarklordKyo]

As you doods probably know, there's a handheld in the prototype stages called the Smach Z. For the five or so not in the know, it's a handheld Steam Machine. As proper gaming laptops can get very expensive, how do you doods feel about the potential of a Steam portable?

For my two cents, I'm open to the idea. That said, hopefully they give a good showcase during Gamescom. They'll need to in order to succeed in the upcoming redux of their crowdfunding campaign.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

I find it interesting. The thing about a handheld device running SteamOS is that it already comes with a pretty decent library and chances are if you're a PC gamer you already own some of those games. That's neat. And 5h battery for a gaming only device is not too shabby.

 

[Saelune]

Not against it. But I still haven't been able to afford a Vita or a New 3DS, so I doubt I will ever get it just because of that.

 

[Amaror]

Meh.
I am not really into handhelds any more. The price for the device plus the games, that tend to be more expensive because they are often exclusives, is not really worth the benefit in my opinion. I love gaming personally but it's just easier and just as entertaining to just get my kindle out during travel and read a bit instead of gaming.
I played the sh** out of my gameboy color back in the day with pokemon red, yellow and silver, but haven't bothered with any handheld since.
Additionally I don't think games native to a pc will work particullary well on a tiny screen with handheld control-scheme.

 

[DarklordKyo]

Meh.
I am not really into handhelds any more. The price for the device plus the games, that tend to be more expensive because they are often exclusives, is not really worth the benefit in my opinion. I love gaming personally but it's just easier and just as entertaining to just get my kindle out during travel and read a bit instead of gaming.
I played the sh** out of my gameboy color back in the day with pokemon red, yellow and silver, but haven't bothered with any handheld since.
Additionally I don't think games native to a pc will work particullary well on a tiny screen with handheld control-scheme.

When it comes to the control scheme, hopefully they add separate X-Input and DirectInput modes depending on the game.

 

[DarklordKyo]

I find it interesting. The thing about a handheld device running SteamOS is that it already comes with a pretty decent library and chances are if you're a PC gamer you already own some of those games. That's neat. And 5h battery for a gaming only device is not too shabby.

Y'know, on that note, hopefully they hit that Windows 10 stretch goal they said they may add. As cool as SteamOS is conceptually, don't games run worse on that gaming OS than they do on Windows? (on top of Linux having fewer games than Windows in general).

Of course, if they reach that goal, hopefully people get an option between the two.

 

[DarklordKyo]

Not against it. But I still haven't been able to afford a Vita or a New 3DS, so I doubt I will ever get it just because of that.

Fair enough, better to keep your roof than risk it for an optional want if you can't squeeze it in the budget.

 

[09philj]

Good handhelds give me a huge boner, but I suspect this will probably be pretty underpowered and have fairly janky controls.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

I find it interesting. The thing about a handheld device running SteamOS is that it already comes with a pretty decent library and chances are if you're a PC gamer you already own some of those games. That's neat. And 5h battery for a gaming only device is not too shabby.

Y'know, on that note, hopefully they hit that Windows 10 stretch goal they said they may add. As cool as SteamOS is conceptually, don't games run worse on that gaming OS than they do on Windows? (on top of Linux having fewer games than Windows in general).

Of course, if they reach that goal, hopefully people get an option between the two.

If it runs SteamOS it can run Windows 10. I'm sure tech savvy people would quickly find a way to dual boot. I could probably do it. But when it comes to Windows 10, I'd have to strip it down to its bare bones to have it make sense on such a device.

 

[DarklordKyo]

If it runs SteamOS it can run Windows 10. I'm sure tech savvy people would quickly find a way to dual boot. I could probably do it. But when it comes to Windows 10, I'd have to strip it down to its bare bones to have it make sense on such a device.

I don't doubt that it would be, it's just that Windows 10 would be a stretch goal in the campaign. Not to mention it wouldn't be good for them to force it for those who prefer Linux (dual booting would be ideal honestly).

 

[DarklordKyo]

Good handhelds give me a huge boner, but I suspect this will probably be pretty underpowered and have fairly janky controls.

Then again, it wouldn't really have all the unneeded gaff that a laptop would have built in (would help lessen the cost requirements). Not to mention, along with being built from the controls of the Steam controller, they may still retain the optional button addons for the touchpads (like N64 buttons for Project 64, for example).

 

[Elijin]

For the five or so not in the know, it's a handheld Steam Machine.

I cant tell whether that's meant to be genuine or dry wit, since I have never heard of this thing, nor has anyone in my group after asking around...

 

[Chimpzy_v1legacy]

Good handhelds give me a huge boner, but I suspect this will probably be pretty underpowered and have fairly janky controls.

I've looked into this thing a little and supposedly they want to sell it for $300-350. At that price, I don't see how they could cram in enough hardware to be able to run something like Ark: Survival Evolved.

"But that game has a console version and those don't cost much more."

Yes, but they are made by Sony and Microsoft, juggernauts with the clout and capital to keep hardware costs down through getting good deals on them, producing in large numbers and recouping costs through software sales.

 

[Neurotic Void Melody]

I may be wrong, but doesn't steam require an online connection to play any of your owned games? It's just I see handhelds as a way of being able to game anywhere at any time, not only when there's a stable internet connection. If this isn't the case, then it sounds fine.

 

[DarklordKyo]

I cant tell whether that's meant to be genuine or dry wit, since I have never heard of this thing, nor has anyone in my group after asking around...

It's just a saying of mine. I didn't mean to offend.

 

[DarklordKyo]

I may be wrong, but doesn't steam require an online connection to play any of your owned games? It's just I see handhelds as a way of being able to game anywhere at any time, not only when there's a stable internet connection. If this isn't the case, then it sounds fine.

Steam has an offline mode you can toggle from the client.

 

[DarklordKyo]

I've looked into this thing a little and supposedly they want to sell it for $300-350. At that price, I don't see how they could cram in enough hardware to be able to run something like Ark: Survival Evolved.

"But that game has a console version and those don't cost much more."

Yes, but they are made by Sony and Microsoft, juggernauts with the clout and capital to keep hardware costs down through getting good deals on them, producing in large numbers and recouping costs through software sales.

I think there's gonna be two versions. A cheaper one for $300-$350, and a more powerful one for a higher price.

 

[Cap'nPipsqueak]

I've looked into this thing a little and supposedly they want to sell it for $300-350. At that price, I don't see how they could cram in enough hardware to be able to run something like Ark: Survival Evolved.

"But that game has a console version and those don't cost much more."

Yes, but they are made by Sony and Microsoft, juggernauts with the clout and capital to keep hardware costs down through getting good deals on them, producing in large numbers and recouping costs through software sales.

I think there's gonna be two versions. A cheaper one for $300-$350, and a more powerful one for a higher price.

Cheaper and three hundred dollar handheld aren't really synonyms.

 

[DarklordKyo]

Cheaper and three hundred dollar handheld aren't really synonyms.

True, but I meant that in relative terms to the more expensive model (like how an Xbox One is cheaper than an Xbox One with the Kinect, if only relatively speaking).