$3K Steam Deck Prototype Bought & Cracked Open by YouTuber
▼ Summary
– Tech YouTuber Bringus Studios analyzed a prototype Steam Deck sold on eBay, revealing it was less powerful but similar in layout to the retail version.
– The prototype was purchased by SadlyItsBradley and confirmed authentic due to its matching external design and unique, hard-to-fake software.
– The device ran a prototype version of SteamOS and featured an unreleased AMD Picasso APU with roughly half the GPU power of the final Steam Deck.
– The prototype’s internal layout closely resembled the retail unit, though it had a different battery shape and a more makeshift, off-the-shelf feel.
– Key differences included a 16:9 720p screen (vs. the retail 16:10 800p) and lower-quality analog sticks, later upgraded in the final model.
A rare Steam Deck prototype purchased for $3,000 has been thoroughly examined in a new YouTube teardown, revealing key differences from the final retail version. The engineering sample, acquired by content creator SadlyItsBradley and analyzed by Bringus Studios, offers a fascinating glimpse into Valve’s hardware development process before the handheld gaming PC hit the market.
The prototype’s authenticity is undeniable, matching images shared by Valve programmer Pierre-Loup Griffais in 2022. Its unique prototype version of SteamOS and experimental AMD Picasso APU, reportedly half as powerful as the retail model’s chip, would be nearly impossible to replicate. Performance tests showed even weaker results than expected, likely due to missing drivers for the unfinished hardware.
Opening up the device revealed surprising similarities to the final Steam Deck’s internal layout, though with noticeable differences. The battery shape varied, and the overall construction had a more makeshift, off-the-shelf appearance compared to the polished retail unit. The prototype also featured a 16:9, 720p display instead of the final 16:10, 800p screen, a subtle but meaningful change for retro gaming enthusiasts.
Other notable upgrades in the retail version included improved analog sticks, swapping out the prototype’s Switch-like thumbsticks for full-sized gamepad controls. The prototype’s rounded, bulky design also reflected Valve’s earlier hardware aesthetic, reminiscent of Steam Machines and the original Steam Controller.
While this early version lacked the performance and polish of the finished product, its examination provides valuable insight into Valve’s iterative design process. Thanks to SadlyItsBradley’s willingness to share the prototype rather than hoard it, the gaming community gets a rare behind-the-scenes look at how the Steam Deck evolved. The device serves as a compelling piece of gaming hardware history, showcasing the trial-and-error behind one of Valve’s most successful hardware ventures.
Correction: An earlier version of this article mistakenly described the prototype’s screen as 16:10 based on preliminary observations. Further analysis confirmed it used a 16:9 display.
(Source: PC GAMER)
