Valve’s Steam Deck has been a success so far, its (relatively) modest specs not really a problem when compared to the screen size and the fact that it can be played on the bus. But since it’s essentially a small computer, there’s always the temptation to upgrade it.
That’s exactly what Linus Tech Tips has done in his latest video, taking Valve’s humble laptop and giving it some juice in a few key areas. While they obviously don’t change the Steam Deck’s CPU or GPU, they could make some key additions or replacements elsewhere to try and improve the device’s performance.
This includes removing the potentiometer-based joysticks from the Steam Deck and replacing them with some electromagnetic ones. These have a number of advantages, including better durability (they won’t deflect) and a smaller “dead zone”.
The handheld’s storage has also been improved, with an experimental 2TB SSD drive that slots seamlessly into the device in a way that avoids all the discomfort that people might have, discomfort that Valve has warned explicitly when installing larger, heat-intensive solutions. This gives this particular Steam Deck 3TB of storage, a ridiculous amount for such a small computer.
There’s also an extra fan that helps out a huge heatsink (that juts right out the back of the unit), a tempered glass screen protector, and an external battery upgrade that’s not the most elegant way to extend Steam Deck’s screen time, but it’s incredibly satisfying. as it attaches to the back of the handheld using magnets.
The end result is a device that looks less like a gaming laptop and more like a 90s sci-fi movie with actors hacking into a locked door, but as you can see in the video below, the results , primarily focused as they are on durability, longevity and peace of mind, ultimately speak for themselves.