Steam Deck Supply Dries Up: A Global RAM Crisis Hits Valve’s Handheld
The RAM Crunch Explained
The global RAM crisis is intensifying, impacting not just PC builders facing quadrupled prices, but also major hardware manufacturers like Valve. Although some companies have responded by increasing prices or downgrading components, Valve initially managed to shield the Steam Deck from immediate price hikes. That reprieve is now over.
Steam Deck Availability Shrinks Worldwide
Reports indicate the Steam Deck is becoming increasingly difficult to locate. Initially, the Steam Deck OLED vanished from stores in the US and Japan, with customers encountering a message stating, “Steam Deck OLED may be out-of-stock intermittently in some regions due to memory and storage shortages.” Valve also confirmed the discontinuation of the 256GB LCD model once existing stock is depleted.
Now, the issue has spread to the EU, as spotted by Gaming On Linux, signaling a global shortage. This scarcity is likely a confluence of factors: rising RAM and storage costs, increased demand as an alternative to expensive PC builds, and a rush to purchase following Valve’s confirmation of the supply issues.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
The path forward remains uncertain. It’s possible Valve is preparing a unified announcement regarding Steam Deck pricing and its upcoming hardware releases. Until then, access to portable PC gaming is becoming more challenging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing the RAM shortage?
The primary driver is the significant demand from the AI industry, which requires substantial amounts of RAM and storage.
Will the Steam Deck price increase?
Valve has not announced any price increases, but the discontinuation of the 256GB LCD model effectively raises the starting price to $549.
What about the Steam Machine and Steam Frame VR headset?
Valve has delayed the release of these products due to the same memory and storage shortages.
Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops.
