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- Favorite Pinball Machine
- Trigon
So, in another post, I was talking about commercial pinball, and the Steam Deck came up as a idea with fp/bam and why I should consider grabbing one (still haven't made up my mind completely)
So, after watching a bunch of videos, and reading some posts, I came across some interesting uses for the steam deck, and how it would relate to me. But first off, I will tell you why I am now looking at a Steam Deck. First and foremost, my "outside" computer is no longer working, so if I want to take my computer out, I have to take my 5 pound (plus power) out with me. Since my GF has a major shopping addiction, I usually spend a couple hours in a coffee shop waiting for her, and sometimes, it just isn't that easy with a massive gaming computer that only runs 2-3 hours on battery. Furthmore, to be able to replace that laptop properly requires a small scale gaming computer with a dedicated graphics card, and that is 1000 to start up here, so budget wise, it didn't make much sense.
In other words, even though it's a laptop, it's just in name only, and having to carry it in a backpack can be tough on the shoulders after a while. So I wanted a more portable option. The last little while, I have been getting into my steam games, so I would like to play those more as I am really into builder type games like Cities skylines, and sim games like No Man's Sky and timberborn. I'm also a retro gamer, and in another thread, there is a talk on emulation and mame, so I got that bug back as well, so needed a decent replacement computer that can handle Steam and emulation.
And... maybe some pinball...
Can the steam deck run fp WITH bam? Yes and No. The Steam OS has problems with BAM, but one of the nice things with the steam deck is you can install Windows, so once you have a dual boot system, FP/BAM is possible, and with the specs on the Steam Deck, everything but the highest tables should play fine. Okay, that problem is solved, I can run my pinball games on it.
So, I want my cake and to eat it too. Play pinball, my steam games, run my emulators, and use general windows functions like internet browsing, downloading, and listen to my music and watch videos, and I want it at half the price while being easier to lug around. I also want to take it with me and spread the word on FP and show people how good it is, as well as a simple hook up to external displays. A simple go everywhere little unit with enough horsepower to do what I want without having to morgage my place.
Hense, the Steam Deck. Even the basic version is quite a bit cheaper than a laptop of the same specs, but if you want a good idea, here's the link: https://www.steamdeck.com/en/tech
In other words, more than good enough for 98% of all the fp and vpx games out there. It can play AAA game titles (with some adjustments) and adding a program called emudeck will give me the ability to run emulation for over 150 emulaters. (even some switch games work) The power in the Stream Deck is about the same as the last gen consoles like PS4 and compatability is getting better as updates come out.
There are some downsides, battery life for one, so you will still be tied to a wall outlet with triple A games, but you can get a simple hub with htmi ports so maybe you can use this as a low cost alternative to a dedicated computer for a pinball cabinet. It is a pretty big unit though, but people just love this thing, so nat. my ears perked up and my brain went into overdrive about this. So if I pull the trigger, expect more posts on my adventures with this, and just how good is the Steam Deck for vpx/fp.
Hmm, I wonder how cabinet mode would look in this, even with no scoring display...
So, after watching a bunch of videos, and reading some posts, I came across some interesting uses for the steam deck, and how it would relate to me. But first off, I will tell you why I am now looking at a Steam Deck. First and foremost, my "outside" computer is no longer working, so if I want to take my computer out, I have to take my 5 pound (plus power) out with me. Since my GF has a major shopping addiction, I usually spend a couple hours in a coffee shop waiting for her, and sometimes, it just isn't that easy with a massive gaming computer that only runs 2-3 hours on battery. Furthmore, to be able to replace that laptop properly requires a small scale gaming computer with a dedicated graphics card, and that is 1000 to start up here, so budget wise, it didn't make much sense.
In other words, even though it's a laptop, it's just in name only, and having to carry it in a backpack can be tough on the shoulders after a while. So I wanted a more portable option. The last little while, I have been getting into my steam games, so I would like to play those more as I am really into builder type games like Cities skylines, and sim games like No Man's Sky and timberborn. I'm also a retro gamer, and in another thread, there is a talk on emulation and mame, so I got that bug back as well, so needed a decent replacement computer that can handle Steam and emulation.
And... maybe some pinball...
Can the steam deck run fp WITH bam? Yes and No. The Steam OS has problems with BAM, but one of the nice things with the steam deck is you can install Windows, so once you have a dual boot system, FP/BAM is possible, and with the specs on the Steam Deck, everything but the highest tables should play fine. Okay, that problem is solved, I can run my pinball games on it.
So, I want my cake and to eat it too. Play pinball, my steam games, run my emulators, and use general windows functions like internet browsing, downloading, and listen to my music and watch videos, and I want it at half the price while being easier to lug around. I also want to take it with me and spread the word on FP and show people how good it is, as well as a simple hook up to external displays. A simple go everywhere little unit with enough horsepower to do what I want without having to morgage my place.
Hense, the Steam Deck. Even the basic version is quite a bit cheaper than a laptop of the same specs, but if you want a good idea, here's the link: https://www.steamdeck.com/en/tech
In other words, more than good enough for 98% of all the fp and vpx games out there. It can play AAA game titles (with some adjustments) and adding a program called emudeck will give me the ability to run emulation for over 150 emulaters. (even some switch games work) The power in the Stream Deck is about the same as the last gen consoles like PS4 and compatability is getting better as updates come out.
There are some downsides, battery life for one, so you will still be tied to a wall outlet with triple A games, but you can get a simple hub with htmi ports so maybe you can use this as a low cost alternative to a dedicated computer for a pinball cabinet. It is a pretty big unit though, but people just love this thing, so nat. my ears perked up and my brain went into overdrive about this. So if I pull the trigger, expect more posts on my adventures with this, and just how good is the Steam Deck for vpx/fp.
Hmm, I wonder how cabinet mode would look in this, even with no scoring display...
