Framework now gives Steam-Deck-sized SSDs, simply because it might probably

Steam Deck and Microsoft Floor homeowners seeking to get extra SSD storage than is often provided (and for much less cash) have a brand new, sudden supply: Framework, the repairable laptop computer firm.

Seeing the necessity for respected distributors of smaller-size M.2 drives, the corporate determined to “add another line merchandise” to its typical Western Digital drive order. As such, the corporate has began providing a 2TB M.2 2230 drive for $300 in its US and Canada shops. As of this writing, the drives are bought out, however you’ll be able to signal as much as be notified after they’re again in inventory.

Framework founder and CEO Nirav Patel describes the transfer as “an fascinating alternative to allow upgrades on one other in style shopper electronics product: the Steam Deck.” Patel notes that “it may be tough to search out professional sources for bigger capability drives,” just like the 2TB SN740 2230 fashions from Western Digital that Framework will provide. Patel hyperlinks iFixit’s guides to upgrading the Steam Deck and Floor units and asks Framework followers to let the corporate learn about different methods to “aid you with hard-to-find upgrades for different merchandise.” We’ll presume “retail-price GPUS” is not price mentioning.

As we famous in an article concerning the widening availability of teensy SSD drives, these drives aren’t low cost, however they nonetheless present giant financial savings over the massive OEM distributors’ costs.

Upgrading the Floor Laptop computer Go 2 from a 128GB SSD to 256GB prices between $50 and $100 should you purchase from Microsoft or one other retailer, and higher-capacity drives aren’t obtainable. Microsoft will cost $300 to improve the Floor Professional 9 from a 256GB SSD to 512GB and $600 to improve from 256GB to 1TB. The Steam Deck’s numerous value tiers include different non-storage-related advantages, however going from the bottom mannequin’s 64GB of gradual eMMC storage to a 256GB SSD nonetheless prices at the least $130.

Shopping for from a reputation like Western Digital by way of Framework can also be more likely to be a greater wager than buying from lesser-known distributors on eBay or different marketplaces. Whereas these drives are usually not Framework-labeled and thus do not have the corporate’s one-year guarantee, there may be nonetheless a 30-day return coverage and a wider variety of assist choices. Framework’s guarantee language means that precise malfunction or failure response could be dealt with by Western Digital.