When unique gaming hardware hits online marketplaces, especially prototypes with an appeal to gaming enthusiasts, it’s not surprising to see high price tags attached. Recently, a rare Steam Deck prototype appeared on eBay and got the attention of keen-eyed users on the r/SteamDeck subreddit.
This particular prototype, reminiscent of images previously shared by Valve, houses an AMD APU featuring Picasso silicon from 2019. Initially listed at $3,000, its final selling price was a slightly more modest $2,000.
Dubbed “Engineering Sample 34,” this prototype differs from the commercial Steam Deck with some unique features. It has blue highlights, a distinctive curved design, circular touchpads, and what seems to be a sensor perched atop the right joystick.
Interestingly, the back of the device boldly carries a “Not for resale” sticker—something the seller evidently didn’t find restrictive. Valve produced numerous engineering samples for internal development, so pinpointing its exact age remains tricky. But given the older APU, this version likely existed to test mechanical features before finalizing the retail specs around 2019 or 2020.
The seller notes the absence of the SteamOS operating system on this unit. However, screenshots from the listing shared by Notebookcheck unveil crucial specs. The machine sports an unnamed AMD Picasso (Ryzen 3000 mobile) chip packed with up to four Zen+ cores alongside a GCN 5.0 (Vega 3/8/11) integrated GPU. This particular architecture offers a significant difference in performance compared to the components found in today’s commercial Steam Decks.
Moreover, this prototype’s memory and storage—8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD—pale in comparison to the newer models flaunting 16GB RAM and larger storage options, unless one opts for the 64GB eMMC variant. Modern AMD Aerith and Sephiroth APUs perform leagues above this version.
Now, the mystery remains around who snagged this device. Could it be a hardware analyst looking to break down the custom Picasso chip and explore the developmental journey of the Steam Deck? Alternatively, a collector might have discreetly added it to their treasure trove without fanfare.
Valve has indicated that those eagerly awaiting a next-gen Steam Deck will have to be patient until more advanced processors become available.
