Valve partners with iFixit for Steam Deck repair parts
By Andrew Lin
Valve’s upcoming Steam Deck handheld is shaping up to revolutionize the gaming industry in more ways than one. Not only does the console offer mobile PC gaming at an unprecedented price, it also carves a path in repairability for consumer electronics. Valve’s partnership with right-to-repair forerunner iFixit is a testament to that.
Valve partners with iFixit for Steam Deck repair parts
Valve’s new Steam Deck is here, and we’ve got a full video teardown of this intriguing (and impressively repairable) device.
— iFixit (@iFixit) February 17, 2022
Spoiler alert: we didn't die, despite Valve's warnings that we could: https://t.co/Gj7aTJ0fmp pic.twitter.com/BosswFBrL2
Valve opened up (get it?) the conversation for repairability with their initial official Steam Deck teardown video. Somewhat cheekily, they told users to not try it at home.
Of course, you’re not going to listen to them, and this hypocrisy seems to be intentional as a running joke for the system. It’s good marketing.
It was later revealed that Valve will be authorizing repair shops to sell Steam Deck replacement parts. Just last week, Valve released CAD files for the Steam Deck’s chassis.
In a Steam Community announcement, Valve revealed that iFixit will be among the first partners to stock Steam Deck replacement parts, in addition to parts for the Valve Index VR sets.
It’s not known what parts exactly are going to be offered, but it would be safe to assume that buttons, switches and sticks will be some of the most requested replacement bits.
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Electronics companies really don’t want you to repair their products, and would rather you buy a new one. So why is Valve taking this unprecedented pro-consumer move when it would, theoretically, hurt their bottom line?
If someone wants to take apart the Steam Deck, they will. It’s not a matter of if, but when in these cases, especially among computer hardware enthusiasts like so many gamers are.
When it’s easier to go through official channels, it helps curb illicit ones.
I also think it’s a matter of reputation as well. Valve needs that consumer confidence going into their hardware offerings, especially since the less than stellar sales performance of their previous forays.
Their realistic approach isn’t to say that the Steam Deck will be a faulty product, but that if consumers need to repair anything (which they will) Valve’s got their back.