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Comment by for1nner | Hacker News Reader

> At this point, I hope Valve releases a second Steam controller: one that's just the Deck without the PC inside. Coupled with the new Steam Big Picture, I'm confident Steam consoles could take off.

Isn't this just a steam controller + the steam Link? I'm not clear on what you mean by "without the pc inside"

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The first steam controller is discontinued. The op wishes for a v2. (I’ve got 3 v1s personally, I love them)

A v2 controller would be AMAZING

Since no-one else is listing the differences, here's what the v1 lacks in controls compared to the steam deck:

    - Two joysticks (probably the main shortcoming of v1)
    - D-pad
    - Four rear buttons (the controller only has two)
    - build quality (as others have mentioned)
    - Touch sensitive joysticks (benefits motion control usage)
    - USB C

I do really actually like the 'weird' touchpad 'bowls'.. I know othes do not.

The truth is that most people have never given them a chance or even learned how to hold the Steam Controller properly. The touchpads are way more precise for, e.g., FPS games than analog sticks ever could be, but on many games you need to take the time to configure a good profile to get the most out of them, which is the main part of why the Steam Controller failed.

But the inputs are more precise and the ergonomics are better. If you are using a Steam Controller correctly, your fingers (including thumbs) never scan over different inputs on the controller at all. Each rests over a single input among the touchpads, shoulder buttons, triggers, and back paddles. There's just nothing like it, either in terms of comfort or precision.

The Deck layout doesn't require any fiddling or for people to adjust their habits, but it can't reach the same heights as the Steam Controller.

It's cool whatever way anyone likes it— both kinds of controllers should exist. But for that to happen, Steam Controller v2 can't be Deck-based, because it doesn't fill the same niche.

It certainly took some getting used to with the bowls.

It's more like a steam controller + mini laptop. It runs things directly. The specs are at https://www.steamdeck.com/en/tech/

I have a Steam controller and it's really Not It. The build quality is quite mediocre and the controls are laid out weird. The clickable touch areas are hard to click right and controls generally just don't feel that great.

The Deck controls are worlds ahead of the Steam Controller. Better buttons, better hand positions, better quality, better all around.

Weird, I have used the steam controller a lot and bizarrely my kids even picked them up. I find the right track pad on the steam deck smaller than I'd like and I wish they hadn't relocated the buttons. But I really wanted a d-pad on the steam controller so I could use it for emulation more seamlessly so I was glad to see that on the deck.

It makes sense that a product that came later would incorporate what they learned from the previous one. The race in manufacturing is always between "better expertise/technology" and "cost cutting".

I would love a new Steam Controller fashioned after the layout on the Deck.

The point of the Steam Controller is the touchpads, which are not positioned comfortably enough or large enough to be primary input devices on the Deck.

If you want a controller where a touchpad is a secondary accessory, you already have a great option in the DualSense.

I think they stopped selling the steam controller - they want a new one that's closer to the steam deck

With a screen but only as a thin client.

I have been thinking about this lately. Some games, like plateformers, feel better playing on the couch rather than sitting at a desk. But buying an entire new system just for these games feels wasteful.

Is there anything handheld with a decent screen and controls that could stream games from my gaming PC?

Steam Link and the many other remote gaming software solutions can easily take care of the streaming part. All you really need is a tablet with a decent controller attached to it.

The Logitech G Cloud may fit your use case. Though, for that price, I don't know you wouldn't just buy an entry level Deck. The Deck's 800p screen isn't the highest quality but I'm not sure if I'd rather spend as much money on an alternative that's useless on the go.

There are also special grips out there for tablets and phones to add controller functionality; that'd probably be a lot cheaper and easier if you already have a big phone or a tablet.

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