Steam Deck to Offer SSD Expansion; Creators Promise no Issues With Analogs

After the recent reveal of Steam Deck, news keeps coming out about how the device will work and what specs it will have. It turns out that the memory in the device will be expandable, and drifting analogs are not supposed to be a problem.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Steam Deck will have upgradeable SSD;
The console will be equipped with an M.2 connector to make this possible;
M.2 will be available in both the basic and more expensive versions of the console;
The developers promise no problems with drifting analogs;
Steam Deck is supposed to be the beginning of a "new PC ecosystem".

A few days ago Steam Deck, a new console from Valve, saw the light of day. Rumors about the creation of this device circulated the web for a long time. Now we're learning more and more about the new platform and the path its creators took from concept to finished product, as well as details on the specs or expansion options of the device.

One internet user decided to write to Gabe Newell and ask about an issue that was bothering a large portion of potential Steam Deck buyers. Namely, whether the SSD memory of the device can be expanded. As it turned out, it can, because the hardware is equipped with an M.2 slot, specifically the 2230 version. This slot allows for the use of numerous expansion cards, including the expansion of SSD memory. It is important to note that the connector is located both in the basic and in more expensive versions of the console.

Interestingly, Newell wants other PC manufacturers to create their own "Steam Decks". SteamOS, the operating system of the new console, is open source, and Valve wants to build a new PC ecosystem in this way. This works both ways, because it is possible to install other software on a Steam deck, such as Windows.

As for the reliability of the console, engineer responsible for Valve's console, Yazan Aldehayyat, took the floor (via IGN). Of particular concern to Steam Deck users will be how quickly the analogs will wear out. This has been an issue with many manufacturers lately, for example, the problems associated with DualSense, in which the analog knobs began to drift after only a few weeks of use. Analog drifting prevents precise control in games because it causes the character or the camera to move on its own. Valve's employees responsible for the console are sure that in the case of their hardware they did everything to prevent this issue.

"We've done a ton of testing on reliability, on all fronts really – and all inputs and different environmental factors and all that kind of stuff. I think we feel that this will perform really well. And I think people will be super happy with it. I think that it's going to be a great buy. I mean, obviously, every part will fail at some point, but we think people will be very satisfied and happy with this."

The topic was also brought up by Steam Deck designer John Ikeda. As he said, paying special attention to parts under heavy use was one of the main elements of the creative process.

"We purposely picked something that we knew the performance of, right? We didn't want to take a risk on that, right? As I'm sure our customers don't want us to take a risk on that either."

Starting yesterday at 10:00 AM PT it is possible to reserve Valve's new consoles. We advise you to hurry, because the new hardware may sell out fast. More than 100 thousand. reservations have already been made, and the Internet started noticing offers from scalpers, or scammers who inflate the device's price.