This Was a Huge Surprise

The Steam Deck saga continues with a new happy ending. In this video, I compare some of the differences between my new Q3 Steam Deck and my old second-hand Q1 Deck.

Disclaimer: This video includes affiliate links. Anything you purchase from those links helps support the channel.

[jarednthomas]

Too many differences for it to be quality control. I'd guess your previous owner took the deck apart completely, and put it back together. Hence the variance in tolerances.

[locodez]

I’m willing to bet somebody opened that second hand deck. It would explain the inconsistent gap in the shells, and possibly the other issues (creaking screen, button issues).

[srvuk]

Quality control would seem to be an issue and some that have paid scalping prices for early models might begin to regret their decisions.

[riskvideos]

A very generous contribution via valve. Even more so if it's a 512GB.

[retroman--]

Glad you got a new steam deck and you're willing to do different tests with it. They are finally coming to Korea. But with a baby on the way I wont be able to get one...so I'll enjoy it through you lol. I hope we get batocera on this one day. I would live on this device

[BrainOfRott]

I take my deck to my cross country meets, to friends houses, on busses, and a road trip too. It has worked well in all of them, just keep it in it’s case and make sure to grab a screen protector. Very pleased with it! Might have to use a hotspot for some games though, make sure airplane mode is on and WiFi is off if you’re playing offline too, otherwise it’ll try to verify everything with steam servers and that’s just a drag to sit though.

[thesuperzfamilyvlog]

I finally decided to place myself on the purchase list. I know I have a long wait, but your review was the one I was waiting on (the previous video) and I’m ok with the wait. I truly appreciate your review and your honesty. Great video as always and look forward to the upcoming videos.

[JohanMGO]

The steam deck was made for everyone but specifically for dads. I have my first and I can't sit for long so this device is perfect for me

[SailorMercury]

Thank you Taki!!! It's your vids that always convince me on what is worth my time and money. I bought the RP2+ on your rec, and I love it, using it daily. I also decided to just put the deposit down for my waitlist spot on a steam deck, since I have a few months to decide if i want it or not. The big question for me is if it's going to be my goto emulation device or not. Looking forward to your vids on this as it will be the deciding factor for me to buy or not.

You're the best!!!!

[RoseTintedSpectrum]

Incredible timing on these Steam Deck videos, just had notification that mine has been shipped! Can't wait for the emulation test.

[ken]

Dude.. you got Steam Deck shipped from Valve USA to China is less than half the time it takes for Valve to get one to me in California. Ordered August 29th. 14 days later: still waiting for FedEx.

[OtioseFanatic]

I’ve seen a lot of scalpers buy up the 32gb models, upgrade with the official spare parts and “refurbished” Chinese SSDs, and sell them as the top of the line unit at scalper rates. This used deck has all the telltale signs of being opened and fiddled with.

[GyldariaTanoGen]

FWIW I've read anecdotal reports from people with wills strong enough to tear their decks down - that the inconsistensies with strength on vibration between the two trackpads is caused by the screws holding the assembly down. They're on these like springs(?) that hold each one into place, which are also what vibrate - but the screws connect through that piece into the plastic casing.

What happens is if the screws are too tight/loose or aren't tighened equally on both sides of the deck - you get that strange strength issue you were commenting on between both of your units.

I've read through quite a few teardowns back when I first got mine since I have a sticky B button that I was thinking of tearing the unit down to fix. (Ended up just wrapping a piece of tape around the button and it's worked fine ever since - also I typically map the B button to one of the 4 rear bumpers.)

[carlos]

i got my deck about 2 weeks ago and it gave me quite a scare.
first thing i did was replace the 64gb ssd, and add a 512 sd card. then i started downloading games, setting up all my emulators, transferring saves, and just general set up stuff. two days later, i get home and plug it into a pd charger i use for my phone - completely kills it. no boot, no chimes, no charging, nothing. i was really bummed out

i thought the board was toast so i started a support ticket. i was truly worried they would void my warranty since i had opened the device. but after a few days of supporting helping me without any success, they started the rma process. i needed to get it ready for the return so i opened it again to replace the 256gb with the original 64gb. to my surprise, the damn thing lit up when i reconnected the battery.

i think the charger couldn't handle the current output, failed, and when it did, it would have taken out the steam deck. but apparently it protected itself and needed a disconnect of power to completely reset the board.

other than that major scare, i'm loving it. it's a little big for my liking, but it feels well designed. and this will actually be replacing my switch, so it too will be my beater device.

[infasis]

I remember seeing some reviewers saying that units they purchased themselves and received after official launch had small differences over the prerelease, review models that they received free from Valve. I wonder if the first one is one of those super early units. It just seems like a lot of differences and things that would make sense to be "fixed".
(Well, minus the weaker haptics. It would be interested to know the differences internally)

[TarisRedwing]

Woot good on Steam for hooking you up. I'm looking forward to your Emulation vid on the Steam Deck.

[mystertom]

I feel like I'm the only one who likes gaming whole traveling with the deck😂, I use it on my daily train commute every day as long as I get a seat.

[ADreamingTraveler]

Nice seeing Freedom Planet there. The sequel for it just came out and I'm really excited to play it. From what I've seen a ton of people say it blows the first one out of the water

[waffle]

Screen choice was likely a play for improved battery life: lower contrast and color saturation don't require as much backlight strength (thus energy) to achieve similar brightness levels in LCD screens.

[christophermarin]

THANK YOU VALVE. For Giving this man a Steam deck, even though it's MONTHS too late.