When it comes to transportable PC gaming, the Steam Deck is the best choice for a number of causes. It has a terrific mixture of efficiency, battery life, and affordability. Plus, in terms of the handheld-friendly interface and variety of video games obtainable, it is onerous to beat. Valve, the corporate that makes the Steam Deck, has invested extra in repairability than most producers by giving customers details about how you can preserve their gadgets, and promoting spare components by iFixit.
But if you wish to get much more out of your Steam Deck, you might have to show elsewhere. There’s a gaggle of nice equipment and additions that may defend and improve your Deck, in addition to enable you beat that ultimate boss. Even when you opted for the $400 entry-level model, there’s an entire ecosystem of ins and outs that can make your Steam Deck higher than ever. As the Steam Deck remains to be a reasonably new gaming platform, that is removed from an exhaustive record of the whole lot that works with it. But we’ll maintain our eyes peeled for extra equipment and modifications as they flip up.
Table of Contents
Docks
While the Steam Deck is a conveyable gaming PC at the start, it will also be used to sport on a 4K TV or at a desktop setup with a keyboard and mouse. The best solution to leap to the large display is to attach your Deck to a dock. Furthermore, when you enter the desktop mode, you can use this gaming handheld as a Linux pc, prepared for net looking 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 normal to attach your Deck to its peripherals, you might plug in an iPad or laptop computer and get the identical performance.
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The first-party dock possibility is a very nice one. Not solely is Valve’s Deck Dock compact, nevertheless 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. While 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 worth 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.
Also Great
This steel base for this Steam Deck dock seems slick and has loads of ports. Like the Valve-made dock, this Jsaux possibility affords three USB 3.2 ports and twin show choices, together with an Ethernet port. Even although Jsaux brags about its dock’s 100-watt charging potential, 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 lower your expenses over the plastic Valve possibility and get a classy aluminum dock to adorn your desk.
Best Value
Sabrent is thought for its USB equipment, and its Steam Deck dock does the trick at lower than half the worth of the Valve possibility. Unlike 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 lower corners an excessive amount of. 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
If you’re utilizing the Steam Deck with a dock, you’ll be able to’t maintain the console, so after all you’ll want one other solution to management your video games. Thankfully, with its Bluetooth assist, the Deck makes connecting peripherals a cinch.
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While there are a ton of suitable Bluetooth controllers, the one made for the Xbox is the perfect controller to make use of with the Steam Deck. The motive is straightforward: The Steam Deck acknowledges this mannequin and barely adjustments its interface to match the controller. For occasion, within the nook you will see an Xbox brand telling you to return to the principle menu with that button. Furthermore, the A/B/X/Y face buttons are the identical as on the Deck, making it straightforward to transition between the 2 management mechanisms. It’s snug, acquainted, and works reliably, with no changes required.
Portable Batteries
The period of days-long battery life for transportable gaming is lengthy behind us, and trendy handhelds just like the Steam Deck generally final solely a handful of hours on a single cost. Thankfully, you gained’t be slamming in a fistful of AA batteries. We have a number of picks for large 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 information for that class. It has a USB-A port for smartphones that want much less juice and a USB-C port with Power Delivery to prime up higher-power gadgets like tablets and gaming handhelds. At across the measurement of a deck of playing cards and solely 6.4 ounces, it could actually tuck away within the Steam Deck’s included case and you may barely discover it is there.
At 18 watts peak charging, nonetheless, it may not allow you to cost and play the Deck on the identical time, particularly when you’re working a very intense sport like Cyberpunk 2077. The Champ is finest used to cost up throughout breaks quite than preserving it connected for lengthy durations.
Best for Long Play Sessions
This high-capacity 20,000-mAh battery is so much greater than the nimble Nimble, however when you’re a frequent long-haul flier that is the one to get. Since it could actually cost on the Deck’s 45-watt advisable fee from its USB-C port, it could actually sustain with probably the most intense video games so long as it has cost left in its cells. Speaking of, a easy numerical show tells you (by displaying a quantity between zero and 99) how a lot juice you’ve left. As a bonus, its further ports can concurrently put energy into different gadgets, for a complete of 63 watts.
Screen Protectors
Wherever there’s a touchscreen, there’s gonna be a set of keys or different sharp implements ready to mar its shiny visage. Protect your Deck from scratches and dings with a custom-fit display 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’s onerous to beat this package of two display protectors for less than $10. They are available in matte or clear tempered glass and have the whole lot it’s essential to get a clear set up. What made these stand out was the inclusion of a snap-on alignment information that made it straightforward to get the display 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.
Cases
The Steam Deck features a carrying case, which is fairly candy to get as a standard-issue accent. But what in regards to the day-to-day bumps and bruises a handheld console runs into? These instances 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 in the course of the jostles and jolts of journey. There’s a $60 primary model, however I’d suggest you go for the $75 model, which comes with the must-have rugged clip-on journey cowl. Every Killswitch features a sturdy kickstand (with storage for SD playing cards), which may 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 normal with every package is a entrance vinyl pores and skin that covers the final uncovered a part of the Deck, in your alternative of a wide range of patterns and colours. The $75 model comes with two analog stick toppers that add slightly further chunk underneath your thumbs, together with a extra aggressive texture.
Best Value
If $75 looks like so much to pay for a Steam Deck case (and it’s), the Jsaux may give you a really related expertise for lower than half the worth. The ModCase works in a similar way, 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 resolution for exterior equipment, which you strap on with a watchband-like little bit of elastic. Jsaux additionally sells an exterior fan for further cooling and a USB docking resolution 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 less than $30 it is shut sufficient for most individuals and has extra equipment within the field.
Storage Upgrades
If you’re like me, you’re a cheapskate who grabbed the $399 64-GB bare-bones Steam Deck. Right 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.
Easy Installation
Every Steam Deck has a handy microSD card slot, so including further area takes solely seconds. This Extreme 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.
Word to the sensible: Be cautious which manufacturers you purchase today. There are a whole lot of iffy, low-quality SD playing cards that might corrupt your knowledge or may really maintain a fraction of the marketed capability. If you see a deal from an organization you do not know, it is in all probability too good to be true.
Internal Storage Upgrade
If you are 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 does not take an excessive amount of effort. I changed mine by first cloning its contents over to the brand new drive by way of an exterior enclosure and utilizing the Deck’s Linux terminal. IFixIt has a improbable information that can take you step-by-step by eradicating the rear housing, taking off a steel defend over the principle circuit board, and unscrewing the tiny 2230-size SSD chip. If you need to begin from scratch along with your Deck’s new drive, you’ll be able to reimage the system utilizing a USB-C drive.
Since the 2230 measurement remains to be unusual, it may be onerous 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 an honest guarantee and has good critiques. Plus, it is one of many solely fashions with the large 2-TB capability. Like with SD playing cards, there are some much less respected manufacturers promoting these tiny drives, so be certain you are getting one with good critiques and an affordable guarantee, and doubtless skip any OEM-labeled items. (These are normally supposed for pc 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 can stick on a vinyl wrap or bust out the screwdrivers for a full exterior shell swap. Let’s trick out your Deck.
Easy Installation
Dbrand is thought for its thick vinyl in some actually bonkers patterns. The Steam Deck will get the total wrap remedy, with precision-cut, adhesive-backed materials prepared to put in. Some of the choices are flat colours, however others have a improbable holofoil look to them. Starting at $30 every, it is a nice solution to defend 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 does not offer you sufficient of a {custom} look, how about a completely new shell? Jsaux has engineered a sequence of latest components that the DIY-minded can set up to get a radically totally different look. These shells are available in clear, smoky, and purple finishes (that final one offers off sturdy late-’90s Nintendo Atomic Purple vibes), and you may get kits that change the entrance panel ($36), the again panel ($27), or the entire shell ($50).
A complete-shell swap is a severe modification and may take hours, even when Jsaux supplies excellent directions and good instruments within the field. I opted for an easier rear housing swap, which may be completed 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.