Gabe Newell says Steam Deck storage is replaceable & upgradable via 2230 M.2 NVMe SSD slot, all versions use the same motherboard

And get modded like crazy.

M.2 to PCIe adapter!

Modded in which sense? Platform is said to be completely open.

Wanna install windows? Sure.

Wanna install other stuff? Yeah.

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I think amazing part is that power of that thing roughly matches PS4.

So, something people expected from Switch/Nvidia (which is about 3 times weaker) was actually delivered by AMD.

Based on the interview their goal is to fill "mobile PC gaming" niche. It's not about making money on hardware at all.

Nintendo should feel threatened. Not only cross-lats, but likely the even Switch exclusive titles will likely run faster (emu) on AMD's APU.

Good luck with that OLED bump, clowns.

WELP I GUESS I HAVE TO GET ONE NOW HAHAHA

With flair like that, you are probably the target customer. Either you play a ton of smaller games that run fine on less powerful hardware, or you are cool playing games at console like frame rates. That isn't a dig, honestly, you should look into it, bet you will have a riot with this thing.

Hehe. I remember how some people were saying that they weren't gonna get the $399 version because of storage issues. I hella glad I reserved the 64GB eMMc model within an hour.

To be fair, you're gonna have a bitch of a time finding a 2230 SSD that's bigger than 128gb, anyway, so it's not like it's a bad idea to upgrade.

... Plus we don't know how dangerous an upgrade this will be to do.

FWIW, I figure a good UHS-I microsd will be good enough for my purposes. I've had slower spinning rust before, after all.

To be fair, you're gonna have a ***** of a time finding a 2230 SSD that's bigger than 128gb

Just to set the record straight, here are your two cheapest, readily available 1TB options. One is a $180 OEM SSD from Dell that is slower but the cheapest around by far. The other is a still relatively cheap (for M.2 2230), $230 housed Toshiba Kioxia BG4, the fastest NVMe available in this form factor, requiring a quick and easy harvesting job. Either will get the job done:

Details for harvesting:

EDIT: Let me try adding onto this with a killer deal I found while scrolling through the Steam Deck search results on Twitter. There is a $120 (that's the lowest auto-accepted offer price) refurbished 1TB NVMe on eBay right now too.

ebay (dot) com/itm/174838952402

This is apparently just as fast as the Toshiba XG6 KXG6AZNV1T02 I linked, only HALF the price!

Not in the US, but I can find plenty of 512 GB and 256 GB 2230 SSDs in my country for about $100 converted from the local currency.

Well, assuming the Steam Deck will sell like hotcakes, im thinking that more manufacturers will start looking at the 2230 form factor more seriously and start releasing more NVMe offerings in that size.

I would have loved to see a full size SD card slot on the Steam Deck as I've got 5+ 128GB SD cards already.

Oh well.

You can cancel for free within 30 days, no?

You can cancel anytime,il in the first 30 days it goes back on the bank account, afterwards it stays in the steam wallet

From what I gather, usually, until it ships, you can cancel.

I guess maybe they pocket the $5 at most.

I got screwed over, they don't steam for ages and they said that I was not a member long enough LOL.

Then after all that waiting they offer up a 2022 pre-order!

I will get one going to mop the crap out of it!

Same. I think the original IGN reveal specifically said it would not be upgradable. And they had two Steam Deck devs in the room. So, either two devs didn't know what they were talking about, or Gabe is going to piss the devs off and make them change the design two months before releasing lol.

Or they absolutely are not meant to be upgradeable. Being 'technically' able to do something is very different from supporting it.

You will be on your own if you decide to try this. Valve does not want you cracking the thing open to play with the insides.

Which would still be a better deal than buying the top end Steam Deck.

It requires you to open the steam deck up, some people don't wanna do it, and peace of mind is worth something

Fingers crossed it's just the housing that prevents a 2242 from being installed. Can't wait for the teardowns.

Sure, but at least you know you can do it. With 16 GB of RAM and expandable storage, I can see this thing lasting you for a veeery long time. Also, SSD prices go down, and being able to put 1tb in, in a couple of years for 100$, instead of being stuck or having to buy a new one is certainly the best possible outcome any way you look at it.

Also, SSD prices go down

This would still require 2230 to be continually supported with high quantities going forward. Very questionable at this point outside OEM products.

At least it can be done, though. 500GB was straight up not going to work for me. A TB is a lot better.

Yes, it is.

Plus it might be a bit of a headache taking that thing apart, it's probably packed together tighter than Gaben's wallet.