Source is KeplerL2, who is generally considered a reliable source for insider hardware info, particularly on AMD GPU hardware and AMD SoC for consoles.
Previously I would have personally estimated Steam Deck 2 to release mid 2026-early 2027, but the recent info about an upcoming Steam Machine made me think that maybe I should push back that estimate.
Of course even if we assume this is reliable insider info, a lot can change in couple years, so things can definitely change.
As a dad, the ability to pause games like a switch is beyond a selling point, it’s amazing to me that it’s ALSO and affordable low end pc and gaming rig that’s ALSO portable. There’s hundreds of indie games that run like a dream on the steam deck, not to mention retro games.
You’re not getting desktop performance in a portable format for cheap like the steam deck, and again the ability to pause a game is fucking phenomenal for my life.
Pausing has allowed me to start working through my backlog, totally agree with all your points.