When prototypes of popular consoles or accessories surface on the open market, they tend to command hefty prices. One such instance occurred with a Steam Deck prototype that was listed on eBay and caught the eye of someone on the r/SteamDeck community.
This intriguing prototype, which closely resembles images previously shared by Valve, was originally posted with a price tag of $3,000. Equipped with an AMD APU utilizing the 2019 Picasso silicon, it ultimately sold for $2,000, a markdown likely attributed to keen interest.
Dubbed “Engineering Sample 34,” this prototype stands apart from the standard Steam Deck. It boasts distinctive blue accents, a uniquely curved design, circular trackpads, and an intriguing sensor located on the right joystick, setting it apart in both aesthetics and functionality.
Despite a glaring “Not for resale” sticker on its back cover, the seller found a way to make the exchange happen. During its design phase, Valve created numerous engineering samples for internal testing purposes, making it difficult to pinpoint the prototype’s exact age. However, the older APU used suggests it was intended to evaluate mechanical elements, hinting at a design date around 2019 or 2020.
Interestingly, the prototype doesn’t come with SteamOS installed. Images captured from Notebookcheck’s listing reveal several telling specifications, such as the use of an unnamed AMD Picasso (Ryzen 3000 mobile) chip, which features up to four Zen+ cores accompanied by a GCN 5.0 (Vega 3/8/11) integrated GPU. This architecture significantly impacts performance, differentiating it from today’s retail Steam Decks.
Moreover, the prototype’s hardware includes 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, considerably less than the modern 16GB and 512GB options widely available now—except for those opting for the 64GB eMMC variant. Compared to the current powerhouses from AMD, Aerith and Sephiroth APUs, this setup feels like a relic.
As we eagerly await the identity of the buyer, there is speculation about whether they are a reviewer or hardware analyst. If that’s the case, we might be treated to a thorough exploration of this unique Picasso chip and see the evolution of the Steam Deck’s design. Alternatively, it may simply be treasured by a collector in silence.
For those hoping for a new iteration of the Steam Deck, Valve has confirmed that you’ll need to be patient until more advanced processors are available on the market.
