iFixit has spare parts for the Steam Deck
We've known since shortly after the Steam Deck announcement that with the correct tools, we'd be able to make improvements to it without having to contact technical support.
Valve has promoted this by not being afraid to expose the interior and composition of the console. Thus, what began with the assurance that the SSD could be changed has already progressed to the point where, a few weeks ago, a user reported how he had attached a Radeon RX 6900 XT to his Steam Deck.
There is no doubt that we are discussing a device that is highly recommended for DIY enthusiasts, as well as something that has been certified by iFixit, which is always a guarantee.
So much so that the popular and veteran service, which has for many years disassembled each new technical equipment to show us its guts and tell us how simple or hard it is to make adjustments and repairs to them, now provides all kinds of spare parts for the Steam Deck.
The list of references is extensive, from a membrane for one of the controls to the screen, to the point where it appears that we could even build a Steam Deck, or a clone of it with minor alterations, based on such a catalog.
However, as you may have guessed, the expense of doing so would much outweigh the cost of purchasing the entire console. However, for those who must perform a repair, the ability to obtain extra parts and use the iFixit guidelines is a huge benefit.
The bad news is that, based on what we can confirm, it appears that iFixit's estimates were understated, and as a result, many of the parts are currently unavailable, as all of the stock with which it was opened has been sold out.
Yes, this is a temporary scenario, as The Verge reports, with the CEO of iFixit confirming that they are working with their supply chain to replace stock and adapt to the volume of demand.
However, at a time when regulators must act to restore the right to repair, the fact that the Steam Deck has been purposefully intended to allow this type of operation by its users is something that deserves to be acknowledged.
