Rare Steam Deck Prototype Sells for $2,000 on eBay
An early prototype of the Steam Deck has reportedly sold on eBay for $2,000, catching the attention of Valve fans and collectors. The device, labelled “engineering sample 34,” was spotted by a user known as Gary_the_mememachine and closely resembles early Steam Deck images shared by Valve.
The prototype features several differences from the final version, including round touchpads instead of square ones, altered button shapes, and two face buttons in blue rather than black. Despite its rarity, the device was in poor condition, with scuffs, a loose touchpad, and no operating system installed. It was originally listed at $3,000, but the seller accepted a lower offer.
While the legitimacy of the prototype has been questioned by some, its design matches Valve’s official early concepts. It’s unclear how the prototype made its way to eBay, but it offers a rare look into the Steam Deck’s development.
Prototype gaming devices like this often attract attention for their historical value. In the past, other rare units—like the unreleased Nintendo PlayStation—have sold for hundreds of thousands, making this Steam Deck prototype a unique find for enthusiasts.
