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 alternative 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 difficulty and decide a payment primarily based on the guarantee and repairs wanted.
One thing like an occasional button enter drawback would fall below guarantee, which Valve will restore and return to the client free of charge. 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 stated clients may refuse a restore after getting a quote so they may attempt another choice, like an unaffiliated restore store or getting alternative components from iFixit.
Valve suggested in opposition to DIY Steam Deck repairs however understood it could not cease each buyer from trying them. Thus, it uploaded a teardown video for the gadget and partnered with iFixit to supply alternative components.
Restore equipment provides have been initially tight, however Valve lately improved availability. Fan replacements can be found for $30, whereas battery kits value $95. These costs are probably a bit larger than Valve’s devoted restore facilities cost however supply one other avenue for customers who wish to observe Valve’s recommendation or aren’t snug with self-repair.
Valve did not point out who performs repairs at its facilities, however they probably use third-party contractors. Nintendo makes use of exterior restore facilities for the Change, and one reported fixed saturation with requests to repair the system’s Pleasure-Con controllers. Hopefully, an identical drawback should not happen with Steam Deck restore retailers.
Since opening orders for the Steam Deck, Valve has labored to enhance its provide chain, managing to maneuver This fall 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 12 months.
Over time, Valve has sharpened its Proton compatibility layer for working Home windows video games on Steam Deck’s Linux-based working system. Nonetheless, it is not the one group engaged on Home windows-Linux interoperability. Earlier this week, an replace for Wine included fixes for working Home windows video games on Linux.