Disassembled Steam Deck Prototype Reveals: Discrete GPU Support, Smaller Joysticks, Circular Touchpads - Cost Estimated at $3,000

Disassembled Steam Deck Prototype Reveals: Discrete GPU Support, Smaller Joysticks, Circular Touchpads - Cost Estimated at $3,000

Breaking: YouTube Channel Showcases Early Steam Deck Prototype

Gamers got a sneak peek into the making of their beloved handheld gaming device when Bringus Studios, a popular YouTube channel, unboxed and disassembled an early engineering prototype of the Steam Deck. Known as the Engineering Sample 34 (ES34), this proof-of-concept unit offers a fascinating glimpse into Valve's development process.

The ES34, lent by Twitch streamer SadlyItsDadley, boasts a unique feature: a paper label with "POC2-34 Control 163." This label indicates that the unit in question is indeed the 34th prototype built for proof-of-concept testing.

The creators at Bringus Studios meticulously explored the prototype's internals, sharing details about its hardware and software with the gaming community. While hardware specifications for the ES34 are not fully disclosed, it seems to feature an AMD Ryzen 7 3700U processor, 8GB RAM, a 256GB SSD, and an Intel Wi-Fi chip, with support for discrete graphics (although this functionality wasn't tested).

The experimental unit also sported a distinct design from the Steam Deck we know and love today. For instance, its touchpads were larger circular pads, while its dual joysticks were smaller than the standard version. The prototype's exterior look hints at the many design iterations that Valve went through during the development phase.

When inserted into the prototype, the original SSD revealed an early version of SteamOS boasting three pre-installed accounts, one of which corresponds with the device's POC number. However, Bringus wasn't able to access the '34' account, and the SteamOS on the unit was built on September 30, 2020, hinting at the device's early development stage.

The Steam Deck, launched in 2021, started a resurgence in handheld gaming consoles, inspiring major PC hardware manufacturers to debut competing handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally family, the Lenovo Legion Go series, and the MSI Claw line. The ES34 prototype serves as a testament to Valve's dedication to innovation and their commitment to perfecting their gaming devices.

Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News for all the latest news, analysis, and reviews in the tech world. Don't forget to click the follow button!

Stay Ahead of the Game: Sign Up for the Tom's Hardware Newsletter

Stay updated with the best news and in-depth reviews from Tom's Hardware, directly in your inbox. Sign up now!

Enrichment Data:

Examination of the ES34 Prototype

The examination of the ES34 revealed several interesting discoveries:

Hardware Specifications

While the specific details about the ES34's hardware are limited, it can be inferred that the processor is likely an AMD APU, similar to the one used in the final product, but with minor variations in clock speeds or core count. The memory and storage configurations might have differed from the final model, with potential options for different solutions during testing.

Games Tested

The specific games tested on the ES34 aren't extensively documented, but the Steam Deck is designed to support a wide range of Steam games, meaning various titles were likely tested during development to optimize performance and compatibility.

Differences From Current Model

1. Display: Final Steam Deck models offer both LCD and OLED display options, while the ES34 may not have finalized or tested both display types.
2. Storage Options: The current models boast more standardized storage options compared to what might have been available in the prototype.
3. Optimization: The ES34 would likely have had less optimized software and hardware compared to the final product, which has undergone extensive testing and refinement.

Timeline of Development

The Steam Deck was first announced in July 2021 and released in February 2022. The ES34 would have been part of the early development stages, with the exact timeline not being clearly detailed.

Conclusion

The ES34 serves as an exciting artifact of Valve's development process, demonstrating their iterative approach to hardware and software design. The variations between the ES34 and the final product highlight the advancements made during the development process, leading to a more refined and user-friendly product.

The ES34 prototype, with a paper label identifying it as the 34th prototype built for testing, features a unique blend of technology, including smartphones-like Intel Wi-Fi chip and gadgets-inspired touchpads. Despite being an early stage engineering sample, it showcases the beginnings of the advanced technology used in the Steam Deck, a testament to Valve's commitment to innovation in the gaming industry.

Read also: