After a bit of an accidental early start that was taken down, iFixit have now actually properly launched their Steam Deck replacements parts and various guides for each part to fix or replace yourself.
The Steam Deck scored a 7/10 on their repairability score which they said is "very respectable" but there are certain issues, like the battery not being very accessible and the USB-C port being soldered right to the motherboard. See the guides here and the components here, plus see the iFixit announcement.
Currently, it seems there are still some parts that are missing including: the battery, audio board, touchpads, heatsink, all action buttons are missing including the D-pad, SSDs and the motherboard we saw before is also not available. So it's not yet the full thing but it's vastly better than what other vendors do.
Here's a fresh breakdown on the parts and prices:
- Right Trigger Button Assembly - £7.99 / $7.99
- Left Trigger Button Assembly - £7.99 / $7.99
- UK charger - £24.99 / $24.99
- EU charger - £24.99 / $24.99
- US charger $24.99
- Screen Adhesive - £4.96 / $4.99
- Battery Adhesive - £4.96 / $4.99
- Front Plate - £24.99 / $24.99
- Back Plate - £24.99 / $24.99
- Right Bumper Button Assembly - £6.99 / $6.99
- Left Bumper Button Assembly - £6.99 / $6.99
- Speakers - £24.99 / $24.99
- Steam Button Rubber Membrane - £4.99 / $4.99
- D-pad Rubber Membrane - £4.99 / $4.99
- Action Button Rubber Membrane - £4.99 / $4.99
- Screen (64GB / 256GB) - From £59.99 / $64.99
- 512GB Anti-glare Screen - From £89.99 / $94.99
- Fan - From £24.99 / $24.99
- Right Thumbstick - £24.99 / $19.99
- Left Thumbstick - £24.99 / $19.99
Not all of them actually correctly show up in their store list too, so it seems like they're still tweaking it. The thumbsticks for example don't actually show in the list for me right now, but their store pages are live and linked from inside the guides.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
(Not that I would do it, of course, just as a curiosity)
- iPhone 13 Pro: 6/10
- Xbox Series X: 7/10
- PS5: 7/10
- PS4: 8/10
- Switch: 8/10
So the Steam Deck is as repairable as the Xbox Series X and the PS5, less than the Switch or a PS4, but a bit more than an iPhone 13 Pro.
I think it's pretty obvious that it isn't right. How do you get parts for all these devices? I tried for a PS4 and it is not easy at all, you got to ship parts directly from China and you're not even sure it's going to be compatible! And look at how difficult it is just to get into an iPhone! And the Steam Deck gets barely better than an iPhone! On the other hand, Valve has been open from the start to the idea of opening and repairing the Steam Deck, they sent the blueprints so anybody can print whatever they want, and they even offer parts now.
I must say, I'm a bit disappointed by iFixit here, it doesn't seem fair to me.
Last edited by Creak on 24 May 2022 at 12:25 pm UTC
Quoting: CreakI must say, I'm a bit disappointed by iFixit here, it doesn't seem fair to me.
Which would be strange, they seem to be sort of a business partner with Valve here...?
Quoting: EikeWhich would be strange, they seem to be sort of a business partner with Valve here...?Indeed... I hope the current score has been given before Valve started shipping parts of the Steam Deck.
mr-victory May 24, 2022
Quoting: CreakiPhone 13 Pro: 6/10Low expectations
Xbox Series X: 7/10
PS5: 7/10
PS4: 8/10
Switch: 8/10
QuoteSteam Deck 7/10High expectations
Quoting: mr-victoryNo doubt. But as Creak said, that isn't actually fair.Quoting: CreakiPhone 13 Pro: 6/10Low expectations
Xbox Series X: 7/10
PS5: 7/10
PS4: 8/10
Switch: 8/10
QuoteSteam Deck 7/10High expectations
Quoting: CreakI find the score pretty harsh actually compared to other devices...
- iPhone 13 Pro: 6/10
- Xbox Series X: 7/10
- PS5: 7/10
- PS4: 8/10
- Switch: 8/10
So the Steam Deck is as repairable as the Xbox Series X and the PS5, less than the Switch or a PS4, but a bit more than an iPhone 13 Pro.
I think it's pretty obvious that it isn't right. How do you get parts for all these devices? I tried for a PS4 and it is not easy at all, you got to ship parts directly from China and you're not even sure it's going to be compatible! And look at how difficult it is just to get into an iPhone! And the Steam Deck gets barely better than an iPhone! On the other hand, Valve has been open from the start to the idea of opening and repairing the Steam Deck, they sent the blueprints so anybody can print whatever they want, and they even offer parts now.
I must say, I'm a bit disappointed by iFixit here, it doesn't seem fair to me.
I don't think they use accessibility of parts as input.
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