Kinda feel like a 600 dollar device should be supported for at least a decade.

Well fuck. A lot of the OG decks are getting into battery replacement time, this is unfortunate if they really are discontinuing parts. I can't blame valve to stop producing the older hardware but hopefully ifixit can work with them to line up reputable third party suppliers.

Update: Valve says iFixit will keep selling Steam Deck batteries after all

Why would Valve stop stocking the most important replacement part just as people are starting to need it?

Here is Valve’s answer to The Verge, as of 5PM ET: “We just confirmed with iFixit that they plan to have batteries back in stock by next week.”

“iFixit will be getting the same OEM parts sourced through Valve’s partners that they always have,” spokesperson Kaci Aitchison Boyle tells me.

The Reddit story wasn’t necessarily false. Earlier today, iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens confirmed to The Verge that it had indeed heard that Valve would no longer make replacement batteries or screens for the original Steam Deck LCD.

But by afternoon, Valve and iFixit had already managed to change that. “They have hooked us up with a supplier, we’re working on it,” Wiens now tells me. And if Valve does decide to sunset the part in the future, iFixit says it’ll be ready to take up the torch by using an aftermarket supplier instead. “I want people to know we are going to find a way to get batteries for these things,” says Wiens.

That sucks. Right at the point where needing spare parts is getting more likely for Steam Deck owners. What's the point in selling replacement batteries if you only sell them while almost everyone's batteries are still fine?

Hopefully they'll be able to stock some good third-party parts.

Hopefully I can trust the Aliexpress batteries I guess.

Edit: Nvm we're okay now: https://www.theverge.com/games/966106/valve-ifixit-will-keep-selling-steam-deck-lcd-battery

Article really only mentions battery. My LCD model has needed a replacement LB for a while, and I've been putting it off. Looks like maybe I shouldn't do that now

More focus should be made on repairability for products like this.

I've had mine damn near 4 years now and I upgraded to a 2tb when I first bought it, and I just recently installed a new battery. Ifixit didn't have the battery in stock when I looked, so I ordered a third party. It's higher density, like 5000 mah and it fit just fine in the LCD deck. Honestly the hardest part of the install was loosening the adhesive, but if you follow the guide it's not too bad, just gotta be patient.

No idea how well it'll hold up, but it's been fine so far. It's nice to have some actual battery life available again for now at least. But with how these things have gone up in cost, I gotta try and get as much life out of it as I can.

Right as prices for the steam deck oled skyrocket

That sucks. I'm kinda glad I didn't wait for another month to replace my dying battery, but I'm sad for other people in the same boat.

Oh good. That was the whole reason I bought a Steam Deck lol. And my battery is in bad shape. Not that I blame Valve particularly.

:(

Yikes, the lcd version of the deck has only been discontinued for a year. Coincidentally, their warranty period is also one year. This is better than never providing the part at all, but not by much.

On one hand supporting a product with parts only for 6 months after it's discontinued is unacceptable. On the other hand, most manufactures don't even do this or offer parts at all. It's a pretty sad state of affairs when it comes to right to repair.

If there’s a demand and money to be made someone will fill the gap.

understood! i used to encourage friends to get steam decks before the price increase. I'll now be telling them to steer clear of valve products and look elsewhere instead.

I guess I'm confused why people are upset. It's been out of manufacturing production for a year. How long should custom manufactured parts be produced after a product is no longer on the market? The device is still repairable, just not with first party parts.