You might be able to upgrade a Steam Deck's SSD, but Valve says not to | PC Gamer - fuentesvill1978

You might be healthy to upgrade a Steam Deck's SSD, only Valve says not to

(Image course credit: Valve)

Since it's just a PC using pretty normal Personal computer parts, there's been about mass brewing ideas already for hardware hacking on Valve's upcoming handheld Microcomputer, the Steamer Beautify. Valve has been pretty unambiguous that the computer hardware, for all its fancy case and control scheme, is just a takeout PC inside—Gabe Newell even said that you canful put Windows on that, and even other game storefronts if you'd like.

A Reddit user emailed Gabe Newell with a followup question, asking if the Steam Embellish will have a replaceable SSD, allowing users to upgrade the machine's storage. Afterward all, from a technical point of view the only big remainder between the three Steam Grace models available for pre-order satisfactory now is storage capacity. Newell replied that the Steam Deck SSD was connected with a 2230 M.2 slot, substance it's not soldered to the main instrument panel surgery otherwise neighboring in some extremely permanent way.

Notably, the Steam Deck website was later updated to say that "All models use socketed 2230 m.2 modules (non intended for end-user replacement)."

That does nasty that, at least theoretically, you could manually upgrade the memory board in the Steam Bedeck—but Valve doesn't think it's a ripe idea for you to endeavour information technology. That probably means you'll feature to significantly disassemble the Deck to access that M.2 slot, likely in a way that voids your warranty on the whole thing.

That makes it seem wish the theory-based upgrade testament only be for hardcore hardware hackers and computer-assembly professionals. You can go check out Tom's Ironware surgery Tech Radar for a little more theorizing well-nig breaking out the screwdrivers and soldering irons to come up the upgrade path.

Valve has been remarkably approaching well-nig the computer hardware and internals of the Steam Deck, especially compared to most game console manufacturers. They also think they've avoided the thumbstick wander problem.

The Steam Deck has been the matter of a lot of discussion around the PC Gamer campfire, with negative opinions flying left and right. We've asked if the Steam Deck will be a success, to varying reply. Our Jorge Juan Ramon Jimenez said he opinion the Steam Deck was "a handheld PC you might finally buy," but Abundant Stanton patterned it was just a Switch without the magic.

Jon Bolding is a games writer and critic with an extensive background in scheme games. When helium's not on his PC, helium can be found playing all tabletop game subordinate the sun.