When it comes to transportable PC gaming, the Steam Deck is the best choice for a number of causes. It has an amazing mixture of efficiency, battery life, and affordability. Plus, on the subject of the handheld-friendly interface and variety of video games obtainable, it is exhausting to beat. Valve, the corporate that makes the Steam Deck, has invested extra in repairability than most producers by giving customers details about the way to preserve their units, and promoting spare elements by means of iFixit.
However if you wish to get much more out of your Steam Deck, you might have to show elsewhere. There is a gaggle of nice equipment and additions that may shield and improve your Deck, in addition to enable you to beat that remaining boss. Even in the event you opted for the $400 entry-level model, there’s a complete ecosystem of ins and outs that can make your Steam Deck higher than ever. Because the Steam Deck remains to be a reasonably new gaming platform, that is removed from an exhaustive record of every little thing that works with it. However we’ll preserve our eyes peeled for extra equipment and modifications as they flip up.
Desk of Contents
Docks
Whereas the Steam Deck is a transportable gaming PC at the beginning, it may also be used to sport on a 4K TV or at a desktop setup with a keyboard and mouse. The simplest approach to leap to the massive display screen is to attach your Deck to a dock. Moreover, in the event you enter the desktop mode, you’ll use this gaming handheld as a Linux laptop, prepared for internet searching in Firefox or no matter different boring stuff you’d usually use a pc for. Plus, since all these docks use the ever present USB-C commonplace to attach your Deck to its peripherals, you can plug in an iPad or laptop computer and get the identical performance.
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The primary-party dock choice is a very nice one. Not solely is Valve’s Deck Dock compact, however it additionally features a second energy adapter you’ll be able to go away at your desk. Valve appears devoted to its {hardware}, issuing firmware updates periodically to make this dock secure and safe. Whereas many docks skimp on one port or one other, this has a ton of connectivity choices: Three USB ports, two display-out choices, and wired gigabit Ethernet. If I’ve to complain about something right here it is that the $80 value is greater than most competing docks, however then once more, most of these are lacking a show port or do not embody an additional energy brick.
Additionally Nice
This metallic base for this Steam Deck dock seems to be slick and has loads of ports. Just like the Valve-made dock, this Jsaux choice affords three USB 3.2 ports and twin show choices, together with an Ethernet port. Despite the fact that Jsaux brags about its dock’s 100-watt charging capacity, you will not see elevated cost speeds, because the Deck caps out at 45 watts it doesn’t matter what you plug into it. At round $50, you will get monetary savings over the plastic Valve choice and get a trendy aluminum dock to adorn your desk.
Finest Worth
Sabrent is thought for its USB equipment, and its Steam Deck dock does the trick at lower than half the worth of the Valve choice. In contrast to that dock, this has solely a single HDMI port however makes up for it by providing a USB-C output, for a complete of 4 USB ports. At $30, it is a excellent worth that does not really feel too low-cost or reduce corners an excessive amount of. Just like the Jsaux dock above, the max charging pace of the Deck is 45 watts, so ignore the marketed cost score of 95 watts right here.
Bluetooth Controllers
In case you’re utilizing the Steam Deck with a dock, you’ll be able to’t maintain the console, so in fact you’ll want one other approach to management your video games. Fortunately, with its Bluetooth assist, the Deck makes connecting peripherals a cinch.
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Whereas there are a ton of suitable Bluetooth controllers, the one made for the Xbox is the most effective controller to make use of with the Steam Deck. The reason being easy: The Steam Deck acknowledges this mannequin and barely adjustments its interface to match the controller. As an illustration, within the nook you will see an Xbox emblem telling you to return to the primary menu with that button. Moreover, the A/B/X/Y face buttons are the identical as on the Deck, making it simple to transition between the 2 management mechanisms. It is snug, acquainted, and works reliably, with no changes required.
Transportable Batteries
The period of days-long battery life for transportable gaming is lengthy behind us, and fashionable handhelds just like the Steam Deck typically final solely a handful of hours on a single cost. Fortunately, you gained’t be slamming in a fistful of AA batteries. We have now a number of picks for giant exterior batteries you’ll be able to hook as much as refill your Deck very quickly.
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We love the Nimble Champ, which is why it is our total advisable transportable charger in our separate guide for that class. It has a USB-A port for smartphones that want much less juice and a USB-C port with Energy Supply to high up higher-power units like tablets and gaming handhelds. At across the dimension of a deck of playing cards and solely 6.4 ounces, it might probably tuck away within the Steam Deck’s included case and you may barely discover it is there.
At 18 watts peak charging, nevertheless, it may not allow you to cost and play the Deck on the similar time, particularly in the event you’re working a very intense sport like Cyberpunk 2077. The Champ is finest used to cost up throughout breaks quite than protecting it connected for lengthy durations.
Finest for Lengthy Play Periods
This high-capacity 20,000-mAh battery is loads larger than the nimble Nimble, however in the event you’re a frequent long-haul flier that is the one to get. Since it might probably cost on the Deck’s 45-watt advisable charge from its USB-C port, it might probably sustain with probably the most intense video games so long as it has cost left in its cells. Talking of, a easy numerical show tells you (by displaying a quantity between zero and 99) how a lot juice you may have left. As a bonus, its additional ports can concurrently put energy into different units, for a complete of 63 watts.
Display Protectors
Wherever there’s a touchscreen, there’s gonna be a set of keys or different sharp implements ready to mar its shiny visage. Defend your Deck from scratches and dings with a custom-fit display screen protector. These may even improve your viewing expertise from a shiny and distracting one to a glare-free matte end.
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It is exhausting to beat this package of two display screen protectors for under $10. They arrive in matte or clear tempered glass and have every little thing you should get a clear set up. What made these stand out was the inclusion of a snap-on alignment information that made it simple to get the display screen protector onto the console. Plus, these kits additionally put screen-cleaning wipes and a microfiber fabric within the field, so it is a cinch to get rid of fingerprints and mud earlier than laying down that candy layer of scratch-resistant glass.
Instances
The Steam Deck features a carrying case, which is fairly candy to get as a standard-issue accent. However what concerning the day-to-day bumps and bruises a handheld console runs into? These circumstances wrap the Deck in a layer of rubber, allow you to snap on a plastic shell to guard the entrance of the machine, and even present methods to connect different equipment.
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This dear accent envelops your Steam Deck in a blanket of grippy textured rubber and retains it from getting broken through the jostles and jolts of journey. There is a $60 primary model, however I might advocate you go for the $75 model, which comes with the must-have rugged clip-on journey cowl. Each Killswitch features a sturdy kickstand (with storage for SD playing cards), which could be eliminated and changed with a “common” attachment level for equipment like batteries or USB-C exterior drives.
With the Deck bundled up on this spectacular case, most of its buttons are protected with no hole between the triggers and the entrance clamshell. It feels greater than sturdy sufficient to chuck it in your backpack with out fear. Included commonplace with every package is a entrance vinyl pores and skin that covers the final uncovered a part of the Deck, in your selection of quite a lot of patterns and colours. The $75 model comes with two analog stick toppers that add a bit additional chunk underneath your thumbs, together with a extra aggressive texture.
Finest Worth
If $75 looks as if loads to pay for a Steam Deck case (and it’s), the Jsaux can provide you a really related expertise for lower than half the worth. The ModCase works similarly, with a tough plastic entrance cowl and a rubber again that wraps across the edges. It features a weirdly gummy stand for the machine, a removable kickstand, and a mounting answer for exterior equipment, which you strap on with a watchband-like little bit of elastic. Jsaux additionally sells an exterior fan for additional cooling and a USB docking answer that slots on the again of the ModCase.
I will not say that this has the fit-and-finish or top quality supplies of the Dbrand Killswitch, however for under $30 it is shut sufficient for most individuals and has extra equipment within the field.
Storage Upgrades
In case you’re like me, you’re a cheapskate who grabbed the $399 64-GB bare-bones Steam Deck. Proper out of the field, you’ve received two choices so as to add extra storage—and with some AAA video games taking over dozens and dozens of your valuable gigabytes, you’re gonna want it.
Simple Set up
Each Steam Deck has a handy microSD card slot, so including additional area takes solely seconds. This Excessive card is rated for high-speed reads and writes and has 256 GB of storage—sufficient to suit a bunch of indie video games or a handful of large AAA titles.
Phrase to the smart: Watch out which manufacturers you purchase today. There are numerous iffy, low-quality SD playing cards that would corrupt your knowledge or might really maintain a fraction of the marketed capability. In case you see a deal from an organization you do not know, it is in all probability too good to be true.
Inner Storage Improve
In case you’re helpful with a screwdriver and software program, upgrading the Steam Deck’s inner solid-state drive to at least one with an even bigger capability would not take an excessive amount of effort. I changed mine by first cloning its contents over to the brand new drive via an external enclosure and utilizing the Deck’s Linux terminal. IFixIt has a improbable information that can take you step-by-step by means of eradicating the rear housing, taking off a metallic protect over the primary circuit board, and unscrewing the tiny 2230-size SSD chip. If you wish to begin from scratch together with your Deck’s new drive, you’ll be able to reimage the system utilizing a USB-C drive.
Because the 2230 dimension remains to be unusual, it may be exhausting discovering high-quality replacements for the Steam Deck’s SSD. This Sabrent drive is without doubt one of the hottest choices, and it comes with a good guarantee and has good evaluations. Plus, it is one of many solely fashions with the big 2-TB capability. Like with SD playing cards, there are some much less respected manufacturers promoting these tiny drives, so make certain you are getting one with good evaluations and an affordable guarantee, and doubtless skip any OEM-labeled items. (These are often supposed for laptop producers, not finish customers.)
Customization
If a wrap-around case isn’t sufficient for you, there are much more methods to make your Steam Deck your personal. You possibly can stick on a vinyl wrap or bust out the screwdrivers for a full exterior shell swap. Let’s trick out your Deck.
Simple Set up
Dbrand is thought for its thick vinyl in some actually bonkers patterns. The Steam Deck will get the complete wrap remedy, with precision-cut, adhesive-backed materials prepared to put in. A number of the choices are flat colours, however others have a improbable holofoil look to them. Beginning at $30 every, it is a nice approach to shield the Deck from scratches whereas giving it a brand new outfit that Valve may not have chosen to ship from the manufacturing facility. Dbrand skins allow you to change the look of your console with out voiding your guarantee.
For the Hardcore
If a vinyl pores and skin would not offer you sufficient of a {custom} look, how about a wholly new shell? Jsaux has engineered a collection of recent elements that the DIY-minded can set up to get a radically totally different look. These shells are available clear, smoky, and purple finishes (that final one offers off robust late-’90s Nintendo Atomic Purple vibes), and you may get kits that change the front panel ($36), the back panel ($27), or the whole shell ($50).
An entire-shell swap is a severe modification and may take hours, even when Jsaux offers outstanding instructions and good instruments within the field. I opted for a less complicated rear housing swap, which could be accomplished throughout an SSD improve. These alternative rear shells have customizable rear buttons with totally different shapes and heights, so you’ll be able to fine-tune your Deck’s responsiveness whilst you’re swapping its pores and skin.
