Why it issues: If a Steam Deck wants repairs, DIY or mom-and-pop operations are now not the one choices. Valve has touted its settlement with iFixit to supply substitute components since launching its handheld gaming PC, however the firm additionally acknowledges that self-repair is not for everybody.
On Friday, Valve introduced that Steam Deck restore facilities at the moment are open. When a buyer contacts help and ships a unit to Valve, the corporate will diagnose a problem and decide a charge based mostly on the guarantee and repairs wanted.
One thing like an occasional button enter drawback would fall underneath guarantee, which Valve will restore and return to the client at no cost. One thing like a pet destroying a thumbstick can be an out-of-warranty situation and would face a restore cost. Valve did not specify prices however mentioned clients might refuse a restore after getting a quote so they might strive an alternative choice, like an unaffiliated restore store or getting substitute components from iFixit.
Valve suggested towards DIY Steam Deck repairs however understood it could not cease each buyer from making an attempt them. Thus, it uploaded a teardown video for the gadget and partnered with iFixit to supply substitute components.
Restore equipment provides had been initially tight, however Valve not too long ago improved availability. Fan replacements can be found for $30, whereas battery kits value $95. These costs are doubtless a bit larger than Valve’s devoted restore facilities cost however provide one other avenue for customers who need to comply with Valve’s recommendation or aren’t snug with self-repair.
Valve did not point out who performs repairs at its facilities, however they doubtless use third-party contractors. Nintendo makes use of exterior restore facilities for the Swap, and one reported fixed saturation with requests to repair the system’s Pleasure-Con controllers. Hopefully, an analogous drawback should not happen with Steam Deck restore outlets.
Since opening orders for the Steam Deck, Valve has labored to enhance its provide chain, managing to maneuver This autumn reservations as much as Q3. Those that reserved one ought to nonetheless obtain it earlier than the tip of 2022. Those that have not ought to order one quickly if they need a Steam Deck earlier than subsequent yr.
Over time, Valve has sharpened its Proton compatibility layer for operating Home windows video games on Steam Deck’s Linux-based working system. Nevertheless, it is not the one group engaged on Home windows-Linux interoperability. Earlier this week, an replace for Wine included fixes for operating Home windows video games on Linux.
