Summary
Valve is now selling refurbishedSteam Decksfor a lower price than brand-new models. For those who are interested in the portable PC gaming experience, this is a good opportunity to pick one up.
The Steam Deck has proven to be extremely popular. While several companies are now producing handheld PC gaming devices, Valve threw its proverbial hat into the ring early and saw major success for it. However, due to the Steam Deck’s extreme demand, acquiring adiscounted Steam Deckfor a cheaper price than MSRP has been difficult, so gamers shouldn’t miss this chance.
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Valve is now selling refurbished Steam Decks directly through its own site. All three models are available for purchase. Valve is selling the 64GB model for $319, down from $399, the 256GB for $419 from $529, and the 512GB for $519 down from $649. The price cut is substantial, and Valve notes that each unit goes through a rigorous process to ensure that it’s functioning as well as the brand-new ones. TheSteam Decks are factory reset, then all their components tested.
However, Valve notes that refurbishedSteam Decks may be subject to minor cosmetic blemishes, as is typical with refurbished or open box products. The company is applying the same year-long warranty to refurbished units as brand-new ones, so buyers shouldn’t have to worry about the device breaking down. Interested gamers shouldn’t wait too long to purchase one, as Valve notes that supplies are limited. Anyone who finds that the model they were looking for isn’t available may want to check back, as the supply will be replenished as the company refurbishes more.
As technology continues to improve, it seems handheld gaming beyond what’s possible on a phone or tablet is regaining popularity. While processing power and battery life once held back handheld gaming, many new game releases arecompatible with the Steam Deckat launch, giving fans one more option to play games. Given the popularity so far and with Valve actively encouraging other companies to develop Steam Deck competitors, the devices will likely become more powerful, lighter, and longer-lasting as time progresses.
With that said, some fans may want to hold out if money isn’t a big concern. Some of the Steam Deck competitors offer superior specs, like the Asus ROG Ally’s faster processor or theOneXPlayer 2’s better resolution, though both devices also come with a higher cost. Valve is also said to be planning its next version of the Steam Deck, as well. Regardless of whether the buyer is on a budget, there are plenty of options to choose from at this point.
MORE:The Asus ROG Ally Vs The Steam Deck: Handheld Deep Dive
