Gamers Report Valve’s Priciest Steam Deck Is Susceptible To Cracking

The practically $700 Restricted Version Steam Deck OLED was launched in November 2023 and got here with all of the enhancements discovered within the regular OLED Deck, but additionally sported a translucent plastic shell. However this pricier, restricted variant appears to be cracking resulting from overly-tight screws and doable points with the particular plastic used to create its clear shell.

Since its preliminary launch in 2022, Valve’s moveable PC, the Steam Deck, has been an enormous success for the corporate and helped usher in a brand new period of moveable, Swap-like PC units. In late 2023, to assist keep on the high and beat out the brand new competitors, Valve launched the Steam Deck OLED, an upgraded model of the machine with a fancier display screen, extra storage, and a greater battery. Alongside this, Valve launched a restricted version upgraded model of the OLED Deck that price greater than different variations—$680—and got here with further ornamental touches, like coloured vents and a clear shell. Nevertheless, this priciest model of the machine appears to be susceptible to cracking, in response to many on Reddit.

Over on the Steam Deck subreddit, yow will discover many various house owners sharing pictures and tales of discovering tiny cracks within the again of their pretty new Restricted Version OLED Steam Decks. The cracks are usually discovered close to screws at the back of the machine.

“I awoke this morning to an unlucky shock,” posted one person on April 1. “The plastic shell subsequent to the vent cracked and now the part close to the SD card slot is wobbly. I’ve by no means dropped my deck and I at all times retailer it within the offered case when not in use. I’m hoping it’s not a high quality challenge with the translucent shell materials, so I’m posting this in case different folks with the LE expertise the identical factor.”

Others took to the replies, chiming in to say that that they had discovered related cracks of their Restricted Version Decks, too.

“Wow. I’ve these cracks too it seems. That’s some bullshit proper there,” one person replied.

“I checked mine and it occurred to me as effectively. Oh no,” posted another person.

Trying across the subreddit, I discovered loads of posts and feedback the place folks declare to have checked their LE OLED Steam Decks and found tiny cracks on the again.

Whereas some house owners have reported Valve has been unwilling to substitute units or supply free fixes, others declare to have had higher success after sharing the quite a few posts, photographs, and threads concerning the cracks with the corporate—seemingly exhibiting this can be a widespread challenge involving the plastic and never only a case of somebody dropping their Steam Deck. In the intervening time, it appears a bit hit-or-miss. Kotaku has contacted Valve for extra data.

As for what to do to stop this, the preferred repair is to loosen the screws on the again of the Steam Deck barely to keep away from undue stress on the plastic. Some of us have claimed that the screws on the Steam Deck OLED’s again are typically overly tight resulting in cracks.

Fortunately, the cracks are small and seem to solely be beauty. I’ve not seen any proof that these cracks are inflicting severe harm or making the machine unplayable or something like that. Nevertheless, I can perceive that after spending practically $700 on a brand new machine, tiny cracks forming at the back of it for no cause may be very irritating.

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