Recently, I mentioned that Mini PCs and handheld consoles are going through one of their best moments, but cramming so much hardware into tight spaces forces manufacturers to sacrifice expandability… or does it? To answer this question, we need to visit the YouTube channel of dosdude1, a tinkerer who specializes in low-level modifications. In his latest sessions, dosdude1 managed to expand the RAM in a Steam Deck and a Legion Go, but the process is not for the faint-hearted.
One of the most common tactics manufacturers use to segment product prices is limiting internal storage or RAM. That way, the user has extra pressure to jump to the next configuration (or why not, an alternative if they don't want to spend as much money), but in some cases it doesn't make sense.
The new generation of handheld consoles comes to mind. The Steam Deck makes more efficient use of its 16 GB thanks to SteamOS, but Lenovo asks 800 euros for its Legion Go, and the only available configuration is 16 GB… with Windows 11 preinstalled. For that price, I think the manufacturer could have doubled the RAM, but if Lenovo doesn't respond, the truth is there are very talented people out there, among whom dosdude1 stands out, whom we remember well for his SSDs for old computers.
RAM upgrades for the Legion Go and Steam Deck consoles
In general, the whole process has three phases: The first is to obtain the correct memory modules for the upgrade, something not so easy considering that the available distribution channels are not the best. dosdude1 has found more than one defective module 'from the factory' in the past, so quality control leaves much to be desired.
The second phase is to remove the 'old' modules from the PCB and install the new ones. dosdude1 usually preheats all boards, and it's clear he has great command of both temperature and airflow. The margin of error is much smaller than it seems, and any excess can cause damage, or cause a tiny component to fly off.
The third phase is almost as complicated as the installation itself: editing the console firmware. Placing new modules is not enough, and any modder interested in performing these upgrades will have to modify the SPD tables so the console detects all the memory. In the case of the Steam Deck, flashing a modified BIOS is enough, but the Lenovo Legion Go requires manual editing of the SPD values.
Now, is it worth doing these mods? Apparently, the Steam Deck doesn't show big improvements, but some isolated reports on Reddit indicate that the Legion Go definitely improves its performance.
