this post was submitted on 05 Sep 2023
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Steam Deck

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I'm looking into purchasing a steamdeck for my kids. Ican I attach my 2 old Xbox controllers to it, so the kids can play together?

Most multiplayer articles talk about playing with remote players.

Also, should I go for a more expensive version? It seems like I can swap the SSD myself.

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[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago

If a game has split screen support, sure, knock yourself out.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Apparently you can connect up to 4 Xbox controllers, but only one at a time can be the "Primary" controller, the one that moves around the UI and picks the games, etc.

https://www.partitionwizard.com/partitionmagic/use-external-controllers-on-steam-deck.html

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don't know why it would be different with Xbox controllers, but with Stadia controllers I can controller the UI with either controller.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Yeah, with both connected I can go from controller to controller and use both on the menu.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Buy the 64gb, and upgrade the SSD. I have a 2TB SSD and a 1TB microSD card. :) i pair PS4 controllers and one Xbone controlller and they all work great. PlateUp and all the emulated games with 4 players are a blast docked to a TV!

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If you want a screen protector, stay away from the 512gb version since you either put a protector with glare ontop of the anti glare screen. Or double down on anti glare which reduces image quality.

Most people should probably buy the 256 gb version and get a large external storage.

Only buy the 64gb version if you are looking to make an internal swap. It's very easy but obviously not for everyone. Some people argue that 64 gb is ok if you buy a 512gb se card or bigger. But shaders cache caches up to most of us. It's a bitch, and storage will fill up even if you have 0 games in internal storage. Especially if you wanna use a basic install of CryoUtilities which I recommend everyone to do.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I have the 64gb version and just a simple micro SD works well. Shader cache hasn't filled it yet but if it does I'll probably just clear it. I'm surprised the shader cache doesn't go aside the game install.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Agree. Guessing you aren't using CryoUtilities for higher vram and such. Mine got full in an instant and it was all I had locally. Dunno what caused it.

Edit: had the same issue over multiple wipes and reinstalls so I just pulled the trigger on new internal storage and everything feels great.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don't use anything that's non standard. I like to keep my steam deck as a game dev test unit. How hard was the internal storage swap? Did you have to crack open the siding or did it come apart without a plastic shim?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I used a plastic bender-tool thingie that I've bought. I used the same tool to swap earbuds on my headphones a while back which brought new life to my old, worn, but expensive headphones. Actually worth it since it's SO much easier to open stuff.

I followed a youtube video to do the swap. Took me about 2 hours going through it all very slowly. Detaching the battery cord is what took the most time and patience. Just a very slow process where I questioned if I'm even making progress, but it loosened eventually.

Not at all hard to do. Just required a little attention and I watched the whole guide before I got started.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Ah, yeah, if I have to crack it open with some sort of tool like an otter with an oyster then I'll probably never upgrade. I've done that with my laptop a few times but it never feels okay and with my steam deck, any bending of the plastic could result in noticeable differences in the surface of the plastic where I hold it. The MicroSD seems to be fast enough for me anyway.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

A lot of retailers claim people are returning with sd cards that stop working after about a year in the Steam Deck. Not sure about the validity but good information to take in notheless.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I've not read that, do you have an article or such so I can learn more about what's happening to the microSDs?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It was just a post by someone claiming to work in retail and they had a lot of people coming in with sd cards about 1 year after Steam Deck release saying they had used it in a Deck. Nothing more to share I'm afraid. Hard to know how true it is but good to know so you can make backups.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Ah, eh, I don't use the micro sd for anything except games. The whole steam deck for me is a handheld device to play steam games and not a desktop or such.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

So the same as 98% of users. But losing w/e games you had on there, if not installed directly from Steam, might be a frustrating endeavour. Just wanted to give a heads up. If you didn't really need it, that's ok and a thanks is alright. Have a good day.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@MJBrune @hogart the steam deck 2 should be more open and not my reliant on playing games from steam. This would be a huge win for open and free gaming, playing wise.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Steam deck 2 is at least 2 years away, probably more.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@MJBrune dang. What do you think of the legion go?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago

I have a feeling that for these windows handhelds windows is going to need to become more handheld friendly for them to succeed.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

You can connect any controller really. Either via Bluetooth or cable (you'd need to buy a dongle for cable controllers tho).

As for which version, I'd say go with 256 and get MicroSD card if you need more space. That is, unless buying the 512 model would be cheaper than 256gb model + 256gb card, then I'd recommend you 512 model

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I've had six controllers connected and working on mine at once. It was a mix of Nintendo switch, wired PS3, Xbox and stadia controllers. It worked fine.

I have had 4 wireless controllers running at the same time. I believe you can do up to 7 wireless.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I wouldn't buy anything but the 64gb version. Very easy to swap the SSD and it's much cheaper.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Keep the screen size in mind. It's fine for one person, but with two people you will likely want to connect it to a screen.