Both devices have integrated memory, so that 16 GB will look more like a 11/5, 12/4, or maybe even 14/2 split. The Steam Deck is also $400 for an LCD model or $550 for the OLED, not $800. It’s reasonable to expect more performance when you pay more.
Because the Steam Deck has a lower native resolution, that means that less of the RAM will be used for the integrated GPU. Downscaling from 1080p to 720p doesn’t look good, either - and you could downscale to 540p if supported, but if you need to do that (vs choosing to for an emulated game) it probably won’t be pretty, either.
This device is also running Windows, rather than a streamlined Linux-based launcher, meaning that more of that RAM will be taken up by OS processes by default.
The article talks about how the 8840U benefits from more, fast RAM. You won’t get near the 8840U’s full potential gaming with 16 GB. 24 GB, on the other hand, would have been enough that games expecting 16 GB of system RAM would have been able to get it, even while devoting 6-7 GB to the GPU and 1-2 GB to the OS.
Thanks!
I didn’t know/understand the integrated memory thing.
It seems like this thing is like 80% of the way to an amazing machine. Hall Effect sticks and a great screen and chip set, but the Windows 11 nonsense and the short RAM keep it from being an auto-recommend.
If SteamOS goes public, I’d really hope to see how this device fares.
