All models of the Steam Deck are currently out of stock, and it's for the reasons you'd expect. According to Valve, the handheld device may be unavailable for purchase at times amidst the ongoing scarcity of memory chips.
"Steam Deck OLED may be out-of-stock intermittently in some regions due to memory and storage shortages," Valve's Steam Deck store page reads. The site also leaves a reminder that the Steam Deck LCD is no longer in production, as confirmed in December, so don't expect that model to come back at all.
Valve previously sold the Steam Deck 256GB LCD model for $399. In comparison, the Steam Deck OLED 512GB model retails for $549, with the 1TB model going for $649.
The global RAM crisis stems from the increasing demand for memory chips from AI and data center companies, which is feared to result in increasing prices for consumer technology. The "RAMageddon" has already afflicted the release of Valve's Steam Machine, delaying the company's announcement of the device's launch and price, though it's still expected to come out in the "first half of the year."
It remains unclear when the Steam Deck will be in stock again--or how long it will remain available afterward. Valve also sells refurbished Steam Deck units ranging from $279 to $519, but those are currently sold out as well.
Outside of Valve, the RAM shortage is also said to affect game console manufacturers, with analysts speculating that the crisis could push back the release of Sony's next PlayStation and prompt Nintendo to increase the price of the Switch 2.
Source
"Steam Deck OLED may be out-of-stock intermittently in some regions due to memory and storage shortages," Valve's Steam Deck store page reads. The site also leaves a reminder that the Steam Deck LCD is no longer in production, as confirmed in December, so don't expect that model to come back at all.
Valve previously sold the Steam Deck 256GB LCD model for $399. In comparison, the Steam Deck OLED 512GB model retails for $549, with the 1TB model going for $649.
The global RAM crisis stems from the increasing demand for memory chips from AI and data center companies, which is feared to result in increasing prices for consumer technology. The "RAMageddon" has already afflicted the release of Valve's Steam Machine, delaying the company's announcement of the device's launch and price, though it's still expected to come out in the "first half of the year."
It remains unclear when the Steam Deck will be in stock again--or how long it will remain available afterward. Valve also sells refurbished Steam Deck units ranging from $279 to $519, but those are currently sold out as well.
Outside of Valve, the RAM shortage is also said to affect game console manufacturers, with analysts speculating that the crisis could push back the release of Sony's next PlayStation and prompt Nintendo to increase the price of the Switch 2.
Source