Valve may be planning a PSU-less model of its upcoming Steam Frame device. Data found in the Steam backend suggests the company is testing a version without a built-in power supply. The discovery was made by Chris Mizo on Twitter.
Discovery suggests two possible motivations
The PSU-less model could serve as a cheaper entry point into the Steam Frame lineup. Alternatively, it might be designed to comply with European Union regulations. Valve previously offered a charger-less option for the Steam Deck in Europe for similar reasons.
Chris Mizo speculated that a base Steam Machine with 512GB storage and a PSU-less Steam Frame option may actually be a choice for buyers. However, it remains unclear whether the PSU-less model is primarily a cost-saving measure or a regulatory requirement.
Valve has not confirmed the existence of a PSU-less Steam Frame or provided any official details. The company has not announced a launch window for the device.
Source: SteamDeckHQ
