Thursday, August 10th 2023
Steam Starts Selling Refurbished Steam Deck
Valve has announced that refurbished Steam Deck consoles are now available. As "Certified Refurbished" Steam Deck devices, these are tested, get full factory reset, and come with the same one-year warranty as a new Steam Deck. Valve was keen to note that these might come with "minor cosmetic blemishes", but still "provide a reliable, high-quality gaming experience at a lower cost."
Of course, refurbished Steam Deck devices are cheaper than the new ones, and actually depends on the model, as the discount is higher on the most expensive SKU. In most of the Europe, the refurbished 512 GB version goes for €539, a good €140 less than the price of the new one, while the 256 GB is down by €110, at €439. The least expensive 64 GB model is priced at €339, €80 less than the new one. In the US and the UK, the 512 GB model goes for $519 and £459, the 256 GB one goes for $419/£369, and the 64 GB model sells for $319/£279.
Here is the full description for refurbished Steam Deck devices from Valve:
Certified Refurbished
Each Certified Refurbished Steam Deck has been thoroughly tested to the same high standards as our retail units. Every device goes through a complete factory reset, software update, and an extensive examination involving over 100 tests at one of Valve's facilities. Among the tests are all controller inputs, the audio system, the screen, and internals. Battery health is also assessed to ensure proper functionality and longevity.
All refurbished units meet or even exceed the performance standards of new retail units. Although they may have minor cosmetic blemishes, they provide a reliable, high-quality gaming experience at a lower cost.
All Certified Refurbished Steam Decks include:
Source:
Steam
Of course, refurbished Steam Deck devices are cheaper than the new ones, and actually depends on the model, as the discount is higher on the most expensive SKU. In most of the Europe, the refurbished 512 GB version goes for €539, a good €140 less than the price of the new one, while the 256 GB is down by €110, at €439. The least expensive 64 GB model is priced at €339, €80 less than the new one. In the US and the UK, the 512 GB model goes for $519 and £459, the 256 GB one goes for $419/£369, and the 64 GB model sells for $319/£279.
Certified Refurbished
Each Certified Refurbished Steam Deck has been thoroughly tested to the same high standards as our retail units. Every device goes through a complete factory reset, software update, and an extensive examination involving over 100 tests at one of Valve's facilities. Among the tests are all controller inputs, the audio system, the screen, and internals. Battery health is also assessed to ensure proper functionality and longevity.
All refurbished units meet or even exceed the performance standards of new retail units. Although they may have minor cosmetic blemishes, they provide a reliable, high-quality gaming experience at a lower cost.
All Certified Refurbished Steam Decks include:
- The same one year warranty as a new Steam Deck (unless longer as determined by your country of residence)
- A refurbished power supply - fully tested (may have minor cosmetic marks)
- Carrying case and Quick Start guide
24 Comments on Steam Starts Selling Refurbished Steam Deck
Well, time to wait for 100 purchases of these used ones and to see how well they are scratched and etc.
- One on SteamOS for near-everyday use
- One completely on Windows
- ROG Ally for heavier games (on Windows)
- Maybe a 64 GB refurbished one for me to drop a 2TB Micron 2400, Gulikit hall effect sticks and the coated IPS screen from the 512 GB version?
If the 64gig refurbished was in stock I already would have ordered (ironically discovered this morning the same day this article went up), but struggling to get my head round paying an extra £90 for a 256 gig SSD lol.
I can understand the pricing, steam increase the margin for the customers who are less price sensitive and minimise it for those that are are, so different margins. Also the discount is reasonable, usually amazon and co will knock around 2-5% off for something used.
The premium on the new one's is £110 per 256 gig of nand so even worse on those.
I probably will order the 256 gig anyway, as I am not going to turn into a refresh bot waiting for a 5 minute window the 64 gig is in stock. Wish they would add pre order queues.
In terms of the marks I will assume the actual handheld device is going to have only very light marks at worst, with none on screen (steam already stated wont be any on screen), they have also said they dont care so much about marks on the charger so thats the only part I think that may have noticeable marks. Bear in mind this is different to a retailer or someone on ebay selling something used, its still their brand at stake.
And when they sell it in the EU, that magically turns into 2 year warranty minimum.
On top of national law that says the economical life expectancy of any computer is at the very least 3 years, but more often 5+.
But i agree that 1 or 2 years of warranty for new (or as new) electronics is not enough.
But yeah, while I agree with your general statement, we're talking here when you have a choice. Riding the public transportation and using public spaces is more like 'I have no choice', while with Deck you can buy it new or don't buy it at all.
There has been some discussions of the state of the UK stock for steam decks, its been a trend now for the 64 gig to be out of stock but 512 gig always in stock.
My opinion is the rog ally killed the demand for the 512gig model, steam wont reduce its price to reflect new market conditions (which also includes cheaper after market m.2 drives), and as such I expect its sales have tanked, to shift the excess units they wont supply new 64gig units to try and get those waiting for 64 gig to buy the more expensive sku to avoid waiting.
Sadly steam decks due to the lack of supply in UK combined with lack of reservation feature (not even a notify), are now entrenched as a scalpers market. There is no notify bots I can find for steam decks, so I am probably going to bite my tongue and buy the refurbished 256 gig model, so accept I am paying £90 for 256 gig nand that might only be 2 lanes as well.
Steam staff are absolutely refusing to even give estimated restock dates when asked.
256 gig refurbished now also out of stock, I am not paying £450 for one of these things, but looks like its perpetual, no news of any restocks since the summer sale.
Its still in stock in EU but dont know how a friend could buy it me, and send it me without import tariffs.
If you think is a way, I will accept your help thank you, but I agree because of import tax it looks like it is isnt viable unless you know a way round that, I checked the UK imports page and it states gifts will have 20% VAT added.