A little over four years ago, Steam creator Valve invigorated the handheld gaming PC market with the Steam Deck. Featuring a strong balance of performance, battery longevity, and price alongside a smooth user experience driven by the bespoke Linux-based SteamOS and quality controls, it was an instant hit. And even as competing Windows devices like the ASUS ROG Ally, the Lenovo Legion Go 2, and the Xbox Ally have come along, the Steam Deck is still the preferred handheld of choice for many.
With the rise of AI bringing a widespread RAM shortage, however, Steam Deck stock has rapidly dried up this year, and it may not be back for a long time; reports indicate that AI datacenters are expected to use up 70% of available RAM in 2026, lengthening a memory crisis so severe that it's hamstringing countless industries, from the production of automotives to the creation of Xbox's upcoming Project Helix console.
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In an effort to get its hands on as much RAM as it can — both for new Steam Decks as well as the delayed upcoming console-like Steam Machine gaming PC — Valve says it's aiming to "work with all the big players and some of the smaller ones as well" to have multiple sources of RAM to fall back on when supply runs dry elsewhere.
"We're trying to make sure to keep options open and to work with as many different manufacturers as we can," explained Griffais. "I think in general, that's something that we're doing throughout our hardware design and production phase where we're always cognizant of the fact that having a single source for a given part would put us downstream of potential shortages, and things like that in a way that affects the continuity of the supply and the price for end users."
"So from the get-go, we've been trying to make sure that we have many options there, and that's been proving really useful in this kind of climate, because we can work with all the big players and some of the smaller ones as well," he continued.
Of course, there's only so much Valve can do to mitigate the effects of the RAM crisis, as "the conditions around memory are pretty global right now." Still, Griffais points out that there was a similar situation with microcontroller during the pandemic, and Valve was able to weather it by employing this same strategy.
"Because we had so many different options open in terms of putting different types of microcontrollers in there, we were able to navigate that and keep some supply in a climate where maybe some other players were not able to do that," he added. "So we expect to be navigating the memory thing the same way."
One device not affected by the memory shortages is the new $99 Steam Controller, which comes out on May 4. It looks great, though many feel it's too pricey and will be hampered by its lack of compatibility with Xbox on PC and PC Game Pass.
Have you been trying to buy a new Steam Deck, but have been unable to do so due to the memory crisis preventing restocks? Let me know down below.
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