Engineering samples, particularly those from popular gaming consoles or accessories, often become valuable collectibles if they end up for sale. Recently, one such item, a Steam Deck prototype, appeared on eBay and caught the attention of a keen-eyed Reddit user from the r/SteamDeck community.
The prototype, which looks quite similar to images shared by Valve in the past, is equipped with an AMD chip featuring 2019’s Picasso silicon. Originally priced at $3,000, it ultimately changed hands for $2,000.
This specific version, internally labeled as “Engineering Sample 34,” stands out with its unique blue highlights, a more curved design, round trackpads, and what might be a sensor on the right joystick.
Interestingly, a sticker on the back clearly states “Not for resale,” although that didn’t seem to deter the seller. During Valve’s development phase, numerous prototypes were created for internal tests, making it difficult to determine precisely when this model was made. However, the use of an older CPU suggests it was crafted around 2019 or 2020 to explore mechanical designs before finalizing retail specs.
The prototype lacks an operating system, as noted by the seller, and images from the eBay listing captured by Notebookcheck showcase key specs. They reveal that earlier prototypes were tested with an AMD Picasso (Ryzen 3000 mobile) chip, with up to four Zen+ cores alongside a GCN 5.0 (Vega 3/8/11) integrated GPU. Such architectural differences result in a noticeable performance gap compared to the components in the retail Steam Decks.
Moreover, the handheld’s 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD are on the smaller side when compared to today’s available configurations of 16GB and 512GB, barring the 64GB eMMC version. Current APUs like AMD’s Aerith and Sephiroth offer significantly better performance.
The identity of the buyer remains a mystery for now. If it’s a reviewer or hardware analyst, we might soon see a detailed breakdown of this custom Picasso chip and insights into the evolution of the Steam Deck’s design. Otherwise, it could remain a prized, but private, addition to someone’s collection.
Meanwhile, those eagerly anticipating a new version of the Steam Deck will have to hold tight, as Valve suggests it won’t appear until future processors offer a substantial leap forward.
