I think the one huge difference is that things are much more public and permanent than in the past. And sometimes people don’t realize the consequences of what they share until it is far too late. Long time ago stupid things stayed in people’s memories and now it can be digitized for record keeping. And social media makes it seem like somethings follow you home when in the past problems might just be at school, but now the issues and attention can continue online.
I think most interesting thing about this discussion thread is that some of the trends back then are talked about like it was in the past. But, stuff like clothing, using allowance for candy or at worst cigarettes, etc is still something that all kids are still undergoing. It’s just the same stuff older people went through, but with social media and increased digital engagement and public exposure on top of that. So doesn’t seem like much has changed, but that now there is even more stuff than before to also juggle.
Wikipedia that you referred to before calls Steam deck a handheld gaming computer. If Steam Deck is a console why wouldn’t a gaming PC fall into the category of console.
This all seems arbitrary. It is all subjective anyways. You can see steam deck as different from PC. I’ll look at Steam Deck and PC as the same. So to me both are either console or PC.
You can also take it up with valve for their it’s a pc comments. Even the reveal they did with ign calling it a handheld gaming PC.
All Steam Decks (both LCD and OLED) are powerful, portable, PC gaming devices made for comfort and a console-like experience.
At best described as “console-like experience”
Steam Deck has a user-friendly interface specifically designed for its gamepad controls. Its software and operating system are tailored for Steam Deck, making it the easiest way to get into PC gaming.
This is also a nice watch of Gabe talking about the openness of the PC ecosystem and how if you want to you can install epic game store or run oculus quest on the Steam Deck. Take what you will from it but I feel like Gabe and the people who worked on the Steam Deck see it more as a PC than console.
By your definition I don’t see why PC wouldn’t be a console, since being to do some things doesn’t exclude it. And why exclude PC as console just because it can do a lot of things.
I got a 360 controller that is going strong but my Playstation and Nintendo controllers ended up drifting. I think they just don’t make them like they used to. My 360 controller is still one of my daily drivers.
Can it run movie editor, code, blender, etc? How many people could be given an Xbox that doesn’t intend to game with it and use it for productivity?
By that loose definition Windows is a console too, since Steam can be launched with big picture mode so the device has a simplistic UI at launch that can be navigated by a controller.
I just consider Steam Deck more PC than console. Even getting games to work requires more tinkering sometimes having to switch proton versions. Console tends to just work in comparison.
I just go by what traditional consoles have been capable of. And only console that comes to mind that even came close to the full functionality of the Steam Deck productivity potential was the PS3 with Linux support before they removed it.
No not really. Steam Deck I can actually use fully as a desktop replacement, since it is a full Linux desktop and you can fully run a desktop Windows OS on it. Can’t do the same with a Switch or PS5 or Xbox. Console OS and it being locked down holds it back. Even jailbroken ones.
A phone is closer to a desktop equivalent than a console. Especially Samsung with stuff like Dex.
No not really. Steam Deck I can actually use fully as a desktop replacement, since it is a full Linux desktop and can have Windows OS installed on it too. Can’t do the same with a Switch or PS5 or Xbox. Doesn’t matter what peripherals you attach. Console hardware being locked down holds it back. Even jailbroken ones.
A phone is closer to a desktop equivalent than a console. Especially Samsung with stuff like Dex.
I would say an OS being locked down to prevent normal forms of productivity like Office work or even web browsing at times would be a requirement to be considered a console. They are usually at best a media and game system by design due to the locks in place. So I wouldn’t put Steam Deck in the category of console for the spirit of the discussion.