Hardware teardown videos have become so popular, it's got to the point where companies like Microsoft and Sony are now making official ones, or are at least sharing a closer look in a controlled environment. It seems as if it's an attempt to reduce the number of people doing this sort of thing with their own system, or posting similar videos online.
The latest company to join this trend is PC gaming giant, Valve - with an official teardown of its new handheld device, the Steam Deck. It reveals the many components - including replaceable thumbstick and SSD, while strongly advising users not to do this with their own models. In saying this, it also states how the consumer has "every right to open it up" and tinker with it.
It's got us wondering if the Nintendo community would like to see this sort of thing. Before Nintendo's new Switch OLED model was even released, unofficial teardown videos were already appearing online - and that's set to continue now that the new system is out. If anything, it seems Nintendo's attempts to stop people from opening up its devices only encourages it.
Valve has been praised for sharing a look at the internals of its new handheld gaming device ahead of release. Do you think Nintendo should have done something like this with the Switch OLED? Would you like to see it do official teardown videos in the future? Tell us below.
Comments 46
Teardowns are great because it means we can see just how shoddy certain stick components are before buying a Switch.
Official battery replacement walkthrough please, Nintendo.
Also, please sell replacement batteries, Nintendo.
Kinda feel both, as one sentence. "It would be great to see it first from the creator, but
I can live without it, unofficial teardowns will always be about."
Given the number of teardowns already, I think it's best we leave it up to them to do the analysis.
It’s more fun to watch tear downs wear the person doing it has to figure it as they go.
Nintendo and intellectual property transparency are like water and oil. If some random engineer at the company recommended that they do hardware teardowns, he'd probably get a visit from the Nintendo ninjas just for suggesting the idea.
You may have missed the "YOU SHOULDN'T DO ANY OF THIS" 😂
But sure, I'm fine with teardowns of any kind.
@westman98 I've added this option in!
No.
Why? Because teardowns like these will lead to lawsuits over broken devices. Even if you say "You shouldn't do this" for 100 times. The device should be 100% safe and modular before you do would ever do this.
For example the frame.work laptop (google it).
Official Hardware Teardown Videos Are Becoming Increasingly Common, Should Nintendo Also Be Doing It?
translation:
Everyone is jumping off the cliff, want Nintendo to do it too?
@sanderev That’s how Apple get away with murder. Consumers should be allowed to repair their own devices, even if there are proprietary parts within.
Nintendo will never do this.
@nessisonett Ofcourse they should, but a company should also be allowed to claim warranty is void if you open your device and break it by replacing parts. Which is quite difficult if you start posting teardowns.
It's a good move by Valve that they do this. But it will hurt them in the end. Devices with (dangerous) electronics in them should never be opened by the end user, unless this is absolutely completely safe. Or when the end user used their own knowledge to do it safely.
@sanderev Yeah, people should never open their computers to replace parts, or even open the hood of their cars to check the oil. Don’t even open your door. There are dangerous things on the planet. Just stay at home, and open nothing and you’ll be safe.
@BloodNinja WHERE do I say that?
If something is made to be opened or should be, like the car's hood. Then yes, people should. Also you should be able to open a computer and replace modular components. For instance I built my PC from scratch with components I bought. But I would NEVER EVER open up a PC PSU because it has high powered caps that could absolutely KILL you if you aren't careful.
You should open your device if it's meant to be opened by the end user. Otherwise take it to a professional or the manufacturer to be serviced. Because, do a simple Google search for exploding batteries.
No. Valve did it because the Steam Deck is upgradable. It's an open console, you can do anything you wish to it. Nintendo... not so much.
@sanderev Sarcasm doesn't reach you over there, huh?
Valve keeps suprising me.
I'm happy reading about what is inside. It's not very fun to watch.
@sanderev I replaced my 3DS battery at the age of 14. These things aren’t difficult. You literally just remove the back panel and replace the battery. Would you rather I had sent it off for repairs than an extremely simple DIY job?
@WoomyNNYes Why sell new batteries when they can sell you another console?
Nintendo would never do this as it would reveal the string, sellotape and blu tak that holds it's analogue sticks in place.
Yes, it could lead into Companies to make their Devices easier to repair.
@sanderev
Consoles itself have nothing so different inside from PCs.
Changed the Drive of my PS3 and the Soundboard of my Gamegear for Example.
Opened many old Controllers to repair Buttons.
The most Dangerous Thing is the Batterie but mostly also the easiest to change.
@nessisonett The 3DS battery is made to be replaced by the user. Meaning the cells are shielded. This makes them safer, but adds bulk. With non-replaceable batteries they removed a lot of these shields making the devices a lot thinner. Which means you could easily puncture a cell which could cause it to explode or burn.
Gaming PC’s are generally aimed at older consumers with more awareness of how computers work. If they/we are willing to risk busting an expensive piece of tech, fair enough.
Nintendo products are largely aimed at children. Let’s not encourage Timmy to break his Christmas present.
@Azuris Okay, I'll open my Switch and try installing my PC GPU in it. Or my PC ram. Or PC bluray drive. I'm sure that will all fit perfectly and safely.
Obviously as you bought the thing with your own money you can do what you like with it. BUT.... in the case of Nintendo then you forego your warranty.
So should Nintendo do a video, absolutely not.
@sanderev
People really underestimate how risky it is handling those especially since they are typically glued down, Nintendo is never going to encourage that and since it’s the number 1 reason why most people would open up a Switch they aren’t going to make a teardown, they could miraculously make one telling people about about using a heat gun or solvent to deal with the glue and you’d still have people screwing that up badly or still trying to pry that battery out with nothing but a screwdriver wedged under it and they’d try making Nintendo liable for damages. It’s unfortunate that the days of easy to replace shell shielded batteries are long gone.
Nintendo wouldn't do this, or else everyone would find out that the processor chips they use are just pieces of cardboard.
Valves's transparency and overall approach with the Steam Deck is a real breath of fresh air. I hope they do really well; the world needs more companies like this.
It was cool of Valve to do one, but Nintendo have a very different audience (despite the overlap). There's a reason why you void your warranty if you open your Switch, and it's not because Nintendo are rubbing their hands over the sweet, sweet repair fees.
I think they are pointless without any means to buy replacement parts. What use is there in an official tutorial if we can't officially get parts?
We need right to repair for electronics.
Nintendo isn't about the technology.
They're about the play experience.
I think official teardowns would take time away from what they really want to show people.
Absolutely! I think all tech companies should do these. I'm all for anything that promotes transparency for something you're spending a bunch of money on. But I def don't expect it. Tech biz kinda depends on a large number of install base to have no idea how it actually works.
@sleepinglion the Steam Deck is NOT a console. Valve has called it a portable PC. The Switch doesn’t have a fully functional OS complete with web browser, word processor and ability to print. The Steam Deck runs SteamOS, which is full Linux operating system.
Apples and oranges between the two of them. Also, Valve is sticking with their first message, “Steam Deck IS NOT user upgradeable.”
@BloodNinja your sarcasm is extremely dry and can’t be seen via text. If you stopped wearing a mask and speaking in one tone, people would find a ninja funny. NINJA APPROVED.
@Azuris it could be done. However, every video would start with a warning that those companies won’t be responsible for the damage you cause from your own repairs.
Another thing, how many people are going to pick up soldering to fix their Switch, Steam Deck or mobile device? Even PCs are heading down this road where everything is SOC (system on a chip). The Raspberry Pi isn’t just a cool idea, it is a glimpse into the future.
For the record, I believe the consumer has the right to get their device repaired. At an authorized shop, so if they make a mistake your device is covered by their insurance with them and the manufacturer. I don’t think it is fair for Apple or any other company to funnel you through their system.
As someone who has replaced multiple disc drives, monitors on laptops/ds, and my own joy cons, it would be nice to see official videos instead of randoms. But I’m one of those randoms, and my systems still work today.
When you want to keep a Wii/u and it’s nearing 400 game library alive, you might want to learn a couple of these things too.
@WoomyNNYes And ones that actually last too. Good luck having a switch have good battery life after 3-4 years. Even on a switch V2.
@progx What would be an example of “wet” sarcasm, then? Good luck conveying tone of voice across text, btw!
I checked your papers, you aren’t a ninja...
@BloodNinja splish splash... sorry, what were you asking?
Isn't a Mii just an illusion too?
@Debo626 my thoughts rxactly
Nintendo's not going to do it. They don't want us to know what's inside.
Ever since the Famicom carts (with its clip hinges that it doesn't sound like can be 100% reliably opened without damage risk), to be shared with the NES "security bit" screws.
I'm not sure I see any value in official teardowns. I'd much rather watch an unofficial one that can be impartial and critical.
If it's not fun then I don't think Nintendo will be ever interested in doing it. They've done unboxings in the past though...
I just remembered, they first need to share the complete specs of their consoles
@progx LOL nice try, we will be watching you! O_O
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