自从索尼(Sony)决定没有Vita的继任者以来， (Vita)Nintendo Switch多年来一直独占掌上游戏市场。现在，Valve Corporation宣布了他们的手持系统Steam Deck。
您可能已经注意到社交媒体和科技圈的一些关于Steam Deck是所谓的“ Switch杀手”的议论，但Steam Deck能与Nintendo Switch相提并论吗？它们有何不同？
为什么我们要比较Steam 卡座(Steam Deck)和Switch？
不难看出为什么这两种设备在同一个讨论中。有很强的重叠领域：
- 两种设备都具有相似的物理布局。
- Switch和Steam Deck的价格范围相似。
- 它们都允许手持玩传统上仅限于控制台或 PC 的游戏。
换句话说，Switch和Steam Deck的功能是重叠的。您可以在两个系统上玩许多相同的游戏。Switch Deck发布后，手持游戏设备市场上的任何人都必须在这两个主要选择之间做出决定。
这就是Switch(Switch)和Steam Deck之间的相似之处结束的地方，因为一旦我们超越它们的表面外观，引擎盖下的细节就大不相同了。
Steam 平台是一台 PC
是的，你没有看错。虽然它可能看起来像一个手持控制台，但它的内部是一台 PC。它具有与 PC 相同的基本硬件，并运行与任何其他 PC 相同的软件。
您将在Steam 甲板(Steam Deck)上玩的游戏与您在Steam上使用游戏笔记本电脑或台式机系统玩的游戏相同。就像任何其他 PC 一样，Steam Deck是一个开放平台。这意味着您可以自由地在其上安装任何软件，而无需“越狱”设备。这使得它与Switch(Switch)和任何其他类型的控制台非常不同，后者通常被锁定并且只能运行控制台制造商认证的软件。
(Steam Deck Hardware)Steam Deck 硬件比Switch更(Closer)接近PlayStation或Xbox(Xbox Than)
Nintendo Switch内部有几个ARM CPU内核，类似于智能手机和平板电脑中的内核。在Steam Deck内，您会发现四个AMD Ryzen CPU内核和一个AMD RDNA 2 GPU。如果您对最新的 Xbox 和PlayStation(PlayStation)游戏机有所了解，那可能听起来很熟悉。是的，Steam Deck使用的硬件类似于最新一代游戏机中的硬件。
但是，这是种类上的相似，而不是数量上的相似。与 PlayStation 5 或Xbox Series X(Xbox Series X)系统中的大型、耗电处理器相比，Steam Deck内的CPU和GPU被削减了。(GPU)它们只是共享相同的DNA。
如果您想了解更多关于基于 ARM 的CPU(CPUs)与使用x86技术的 CPU 之间的区别，请查看ARM 与英特尔处理器：哪个是最好的？(ARM vs. Intel Processors: Which Is The Best?)
Steam Deck比Switch强大得多(Than)
到目前为止，Switch内部基于 Nvidia 的片上系统 ( SoC )是手持游戏系统中最强大的硬件，至少就其价格而言。然而，在PlayStation 4和Xbox One等游戏机的陪伴下，它远没有那么令人印象深刻。
虽然比较游戏机从来都不是一件容易的事，但与PlayStation 4或 Xbox One相比， Switch在性能范围内更接近于PlayStation 3和 Xbox 360 等游戏机。它比那些旧游戏机要好得多，但Switch游戏实际上比那些旧系统高出半代，但以手持形式存在。
根据Steam Deck的纸面规格，它具有与基本型号PlayStation 4交换打击的图形肌肉，但其CPU功能远比索尼的上一代主流游戏机强大。
因此，将Deck理解为可以握在手中的 CPU 增压PS4的一种方式。(PS4)考虑到Switch(Switch)和PS4之间的巨大差距，它明显比任天堂的系统更上一层楼。
大多数Steam 甲板(Steam Deck) 游戏(Games) 不是(Are)原生的(Native)
Steam(Steam Deck)平台运行Linux。具体来说，它运行一个名为SteamOS的定制版Linux。但是，您可以在 Steam 上购买的大多数游戏都是为Microsoft Windows制作的。那么Steam Deck怎么可能玩它们呢？
答案是Valve实施了一款名为(Valve)Proton的特殊软件。Proton将(Proton)Windows的“语言”翻译成Linux的(Linux)“语言” 。因此，Windows游戏会说它的语言，而Linux可以回应，因为Proton正在充当翻译器。
这与仿真不同，仿真是模拟整个系统的硬件以运行为该控制台设计的游戏。Proton没有仿真那样耗电的开销。事实上，在许多游戏中并没有明显的性能差异。
尽管如此，这确实描绘了与Switch不同的画面。Switch游戏是专门为在Switch上运行而编写的。开发者(Developers)开发或移植他们的游戏以充分利用Switch的每一盎司性能。Steam 甲板(Steam Deck)上没有这样的考虑。
蒸汽甲板具有(Steam Deck Has)独特的控制(Unique Control Scheme)方案
您可能会注意到，与Switch或任何标准控制台控制器相比， Steam Deck具有更多的按钮和控制界面。这是因为Steam Deck旨在让您玩与游戏手柄兼容的游戏，以及设计用于使用鼠标和键盘(mouse and keyboard)的游戏。Valve正试图通过包括压敏触摸板、触摸感知拇指杆和额外的后拨片来适应所有可能的 PC 控制方案。
任何设计为与游戏手柄配合使用的 PC 游戏都应该没有问题，但就像他们现已停产的Steam 控制器(Steam Controller)一样，鼠标驱动的游戏在旅途中的表现可能会因游戏而异。
无论好坏(Better)，Steam (Worse)Deck 用户体验(Steam Deck User Experience)都会有所不同
Switch和Steam Deck之间最显着的区别可能是用户体验。Switch是一个真正的控制台。您所要做的就是下载游戏或插入游戏卡带，然后您就可以在几秒钟内开始游戏。你没有什么可做的了。
在Steam 甲板上(Steam Deck)，您将有更多的跑腿工作。对于您安装的每款游戏，您都必须根据自己的喜好和Steam 平台(Steam Deck)本身的功能调整其设置。我们希望Valve、Steam社区或两者都提供有关如何配置特定游戏以获得最佳游戏体验的指南，但不能保证这一点。
虽然我们看到 Steam Deck 的自定义软件界面看起来很有希望，但与游戏机相比，PC 平台固有的自由度在购买游戏和玩游戏之间有更多的步骤。
这是否意味着您应该考虑在时机成熟时将您的 Switch换成 Steam 卡组(Steam Deck)，这主要取决于您对掌上游戏的需求和期望。没有正确或错误的选择，只要您不从表面上看它们的表面相似性。
What Is a Steam Deck and How Is It Different From Nintendo Switch?
The Nintendo Switch has had the handheld gaming market all to itself for years since Sony decided that there would be no successor to the Vita. Now, Valve Corporation has announced their handheld system, the Steam Deck.
You may have noticed some buzz on social media and in technology circles about the Steam Deck being a so-called “Switch killer,” but is the Steam Deck comparable to the Nintendo Switch? How are they different?
Why Are We Comparing the Steam Deck and Switch?
It’s not hard to see why these two devices are in the same discussion. There are strong areas of overlap:
- Both devices have a similar physical layout.
- Price ranges for both the Switch and Steam Deck are similar.
- They both allow for handheld play of games traditionally confined to a console or PC.
In other words, the Switch and Steam Deck overlap in their function. You can play many of the same games on both systems. After the Switch Deck releases, anyone in the market for a handheld gaming device will have to decide between these two primary choices.
That’s where the similarities between the Switch and the Steam Deck end because as soon as we look beyond their surface appearance, the details under the hood could not be more dissimilar.
The Steam Deck Is a PC
Yes, you read that right. While it may look like a handheld console, it’s a PC on the inside. It has the same fundamental hardware as a PC and runs the same software as any other PC.
The games you’ll play on a Steam Deck are the same games you’d play on Steam using a gaming laptop or desktop system. Just like any other PC, the Steam Deck is an open platform. This means you’re free to install any software on it without having to “jailbreak” the device. This makes it very different from the Switch and any other type of console, which are generally locked down and can only run software certified by the console maker.
Steam Deck Hardware Is Closer to PlayStation or Xbox Than Switch
Inside the Nintendo Switch are several ARM CPU cores similar to those found in smartphones and tablets. Inside the Steam Deck, you’ll find four AMD Ryzen CPU cores and an AMD RDNA 2 GPU. If you know something about the latest Xbox and PlayStation consoles, that might sound familiar. Yes, the Steam Deck uses hardware similar to what’s in the newest generation of consoles.
However, that’s a similarity of kind, but not of quantity. The CPU and GPU inside the Steam Deck are cut down in comparison to the large, power-hungry processors in a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X system. They simply share the same DNA.
If you want to know more about the difference between ARM-based CPUs and those using x86 technology, check out ARM vs. Intel Processors: Which Is The Best?
The Steam Deck Is Much More Powerful Than Switch
The Nvidia-based system-on-a-chip (SoC) inside the Switch was, until now, the most powerful hardware inside a handheld gaming system, at least for its price. However, in the company of consoles like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, it’s nowhere near as impressive.
While it’s never easy to compare consoles, the Switch sits closer to consoles like the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on the performance spectrum than the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. It’s significantly better than those older consoles, but Switch games are effectively a half-generation step above those older systems but in handheld form.
Based on the paper specifications for the Steam Deck, it has the graphical muscle to trade blows with a base model PlayStation 4, but a CPU that’s far more capable than Sony’s previous-generation mainstream console.
So, one way to think of the Deck is as a CPU-supercharged PS4 you can hold in your hands. Considering the wide gap between the Switch and the PS4, it’s a clear step up from Nintendo’s system.
Most Steam Deck Games Are Not Native
The Steam Deck runs Linux. Specifically, it runs a custom version of Linux called SteamOS. However, most of the games that you can buy on Steam are made for Microsoft Windows. So how is it possible for the Steam Deck to play them?
The answer is that Valve has implemented a special piece of software called Proton. Proton translates the “language” of Windows to that of Linux. So a Windows game speaks its language, and Linux can talk back because Proton is acting as a translator.
This is different from emulation, where an entire system’s hardware is simulated to run games designed for that console. Proton doesn’t have the power-hungry overhead that emulation does. In fact, there are no perceptible performance differences in many games.
Still, this does paint a different picture to that of Switch. Switch games are specially written to work on the Switch. Developers develop or port their games to tap every ounce of performance from the Switch. There are no such considerations for the Steam Deck.
The Steam Deck Has a Unique Control Scheme
You might notice that the Steam Deck has many more buttons and control surfaces than a Switch or any standard console controller. That’s because the Steam Deck is designed to let you play games that are gamepad compatible, but also games designed to work with a mouse and keyboard. Valve is attempting to accommodate every possible PC control scheme by including pressure-sensitive touchpads, touch-aware thumbsticks, and additional rear paddles.
Any PC game designed to work with a gamepad should be no issue, but just as with their now-discontinued Steam Controller, how well mouse-driven games will work on the go is likely to vary from one title to the next.
For Better or Worse, the Steam Deck User Experience Will Be Different
The most significant difference between the Switch and the Steam Deck is likely to be the user experience. The Switch is a true console. All you have to do is download a game or insert a game cartridge, and you’re playing in seconds. There’s nothing more for you to do.
On the Steam Deck, you’ll have more legwork. With each game you install, you’ll have to tweak its settings to your preference and the capabilities of the Steam Deck itself. We expect that Valve, the Steam community, or both will provide guidelines on how you should configure specific games for optimal play, but there is no guarantee of this.
While what we’ve seen of Steam Deck’s custom software interface looks promising, the inherent freedom of the PC platform comes with more steps between buying a game and playing a game compared to consoles.
Whether that means you should consider trading in your Switch for a Steam Deck when the time comes depends mainly on your needs and expectations for handheld gaming. There’s no right or wrong choice, as long as you don’t take their surface similarities at face value.
