Valve has announced the Steam Deck, which is essentially a portable handheld PC capable of playing Steam games. It is slated to launch in December with three versions featuring different specifications.

Basically, the Steam Deck can play games on Steam just like a PC, and it can also be docked, similarly to the Nintendo Switch (but is sold separately). It’s powered by a custom AMD Zen 2 + RDNA 2 APU, which is described as capable of “delivering more than enough performance to run the latest AAA games”.

The Steam Deck is a PC, so you can apparently also install third-party software and operating systems.

Physically, the Steam Deck features a 7-inch touchscreen, two thumbsticks, a D-pad, and a four-button layout. There are also two trackpads; one on either side of the machine and another under the thumbsticks. It also has eight triggers on its back: four on the device’s shoulders and four more where the ring and pinky fingers rest.

Those in the US, Canada, Europe, and the UK can reserve a Steam Deck starting tomorrow but it remains to be seen where else the console will be available.

It even has its own Steam page and official website.

These include the following:

• 64GB (US$399)
  • 64GB eMMC internal storage.
  • Carrying case.
• 256GB (US$529)
  • 256GB NVMe SSD internal storage.
  • Faster storage.
  • Carrying case.
  • Exclusive Steam Community profile bundle.
• 512GB (US$649)
  • 512GB NVMe SSD internal storage.
  • Fastest storage.
  • Premium anti-glare etched glass.
  • Exclusive carrying case.

Here are the full specs of the Steam Deck:

• CPU: AMD Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32)
• GPU: 8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.0-1.6GHz (up to 1.6 TFlops FP32)
• RAM: 16 GB DDR5
• Storage: 64GB, 256GB, 512GB versions; expandable with MicroSD cards
• Display: 7″ diagonal, 1280×800 (16:10), 60Hz LCD touchscreen
• Audio: Stereo speakers that “pack a punch,” says Valve, 3.5mm stereo jack, dual mics, multichannel USB-C/Bluetooth output
• Controls: Two analog sticks with capacitive touch, D-pad, face buttons, analog triggers, bumpers, assignable grip buttons, “view” and “menu” buttons, gyro
• Trackpads: There’s two of them, and Valve says that they have “55% better latency compared to Steam Controller.”
• Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• Wired connectivity: USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4 Alt-mode support; up to 8K @60Hz or 4K @120Hz, USB 3.2 Gen 2
• Battery: 40Whr, “2-8 hours of gameplay”
• Size: 11.7″ x 4.6″ x 1.8″ (298mm x 117mm x 49mm)
• Weight: Approximately 1.47 lbs (669 grams)

Introducing Steam Deck: powerful, portable PC gaming starting at $399. Designed by Valve, powered by Steam. Shipping December 2021.

Learn more at https://t.co/ZOTx3KUCVK and reserve yours tomorrow. #SteamDeck pic.twitter.com/jcgbaKfT9c

— Steam (@Steam) July 15, 2021