Some folks love to open their PCs to improve performance, increase storage space, and so on—and Valve understands this. It knows there will be some users who want to open their Steam Deck to swap out some components, so it’s released a video going over the basics of how to remove the thumbsticks and the SSD. It’s also strongly cautioning against any of this. According to Valve, the Steam Deck has been designed with specific parts in mind, with no intention for user-swapped parts. However, it acknowledges that user replacements are still possible, but could result in all kinds of hardware issues. For example, the SSD was specifically chosen because of its location in the hardware and the parts surrounding it. Therefore, swapping in a different SSD could result in overheating, battery drain, and other problems. There was, however, mention of a “source for replacement parts” being made available sometime in the coming months, so you won’t necessarily have to retrofit anything. Simply opening the case in the first place can cause issues, as well. Valve stated that the process could damage the screws and housing. The screws could end up getting stripped, the case could crack, and even if nothing breaks, it will still weaken the unit’s structural integrity and reduce its drop resistance. Also, the battery could catch fire if it sustains damage. The most important message from Valve in all of this is to avoid opening your Steam Deck unless you’re experienced with performing similar tasks on other devices. You don’t want to void your warranty and potentially damage your $400-plus handheld gaming PC for nothing, right?
