Quick question for the community: has anyone had the chance to try out the eXtremeRate Clear Shell Replacement for the Steam Deck? I’m curious about how well it works and if it’s worth it!
3 Answers
I tried replacing mine and honestly, the trickiest part is getting the screen out. You really need to be careful, but it’s definitely doable. Just make sure you have the right tools, like a screwdriver, a plastic pry tool, and a hairdryer to assist with loosening things up. If you run into trouble, iFixit has some solid guides that might help, especially if the eXtremeRate video leaves you scratching your head. And don’t worry about tearing ribbon cables; as long as you aren’t super clumsy, you can manage it without damage. I even have a guide on my site if you’re interested!
Overall, it works fine for me! Just a heads up, though: it does feel a bit cheaper than the original shell. If you go for it, I’d recommend keeping the stock buttons and just swapping the shell itself. Also, be careful not to screw the casing on too tight; the clear plastic can crack pretty easily.
I got one but haven’t used it yet. The YouTube tutorials freaked me out a bit—apparently, you need to delaminate and work in a static-free environment. They make it sound like you’re definitely going to tear the ribbon cables, which is kinda scary. I think I’ll hold off until I feel more confident!