The Steam Deck is superior — you didn’t want me to inform you that. However with these equipment, you can also make it so significantly better.
At its core, the Deck is basically a mini gaming PC. To many, sticking to the inventory {hardware} is sufficient, however you possibly can vastly increase its usability by shopping for some key merchandise to open it as much as different use circumstances.
Given the flexibility of this technique, I’ve damaged down my suggestions into three classes: gaming on the go, gaming at dwelling and increasing usability. I’ll break down what every one entails as we undergo!
Increasing usability
The Steam Deck is a strong sufficient system out of the field, particularly in the event you get the 512GB mannequin. However with some key equipment, you possibly can actually take advantage of its potential with three key issues — storage growth, a USB-C hub, and peripherals for utilizing this in desktop mode.
A 1TB MicroSDXC card
PC video games are large. For comparability, whereas Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Assortment tops out at 90GB on PS5, the PC model goes as much as a whopping 126GB. That’s virtually double the storage of the baseline Steam Deck, and 20% of the half a terabyte you get within the high spec.
Merely put, irrespective of which model you’ve, a microSD card is important. Personally, I picked up the Amazon Fundamentals 1TB card (opens in new tab), which is recurrently discounted right here within the UK. Whereas microSD card assist is fairly broad for the Steam Deck, there are two issues to look out for to make sure the perfect efficiency:
- A2: This stands for “Software Efficiency Class 2,” which boosts efficiency over class 1 with higher flash storage administration methods like Command Queuing and Cache.
- U3: This refers back to the velocity of the microSD card. For instance, U1 is 10MB/s, whereas U3 is 30MB/s.
- C10: That C with the ten inside it represents the minimal velocity in MB/s, which means that at its hottest beneath relentless sustained efficiency, you’re getting 10MB/s.
You may get greater storage capacities than this, however for a lot steeper costs. I really feel this center floor is the perfect steadiness for worth, whereas maximizing velocity. Plus, with Black Friday across the nook, I assure you possibly can choose up a superb deal.
Logitech MX Mechanical + MX Grasp 3S
In the event you’ve learn any of my information items on varied methods to tinker along with your Steam Deck, be it including a customized boot animation to the Steam Deck or turning the Steam Deck into the world’s greatest emulator, you already know it at all times begins with going to the Linux-based desktop mode and a chunk of recommendation: use a keyboard and mouse.
Sure, you should use cheaper choices than I’ve really useful. Simply check out our greatest keyboard and mouse combos record and you’ll find different decisions at decrease costs. However I like the MX Mechanical and MX Grasp 3S for the keyboard’s tactile really feel and the mouse’s responsiveness and ergonomic design.
You’ll be able to choose up the MX Mechanical for $169 (opens in new tab) and the MX Grasp 3S for $99 (opens in new tab).
Anker 341 hub
Now I do know what you’re going to say. There are quite a few different USB-C hubs which can be far superior, from including extra ports to supplying you with a full 4K 60Hz image by way of an upgraded HDMI port.
Nevertheless, for what I take advantage of mine for, which is primarily to get an even bigger display screen image for tinkering on the Linux desktop mode, I would like not more than the 1080p 60fps image this supplies.
Plus, I solely want the ports than what this supplies — be it the USB-A for plugging in varied equipment just like the Thrustmaster T248 for racing sims, or the USB-C for my SSD at any time when I wish to take video games off the Steam Deck and retailer them for later use (reasonably than having to redownload them).
On high of that, in the event you’re utilizing it for possibly connecting to a lodge room TV for gaming, making an attempt to run video games at 4K 60fps is nearly unimaginable. You’re going to wish to goal for 1080p and even 720p. With that in thoughts, the $35 worth is greater than best for what this does, and it’s recurrently discounted too (opens in new tab).
Gaming at dwelling
Whereas I do speak about considered one of my favourite Steam Deck advantages being the actual fact I can simply fireplace it up and play on the couch whereas my companion takes over the TV together with her one centesimal viewing of Gilmore Women, you should use this like a Nintendo Swap and dock it dwelling console type. The UI feels nice to make use of on a giant display screen and most video games work extraordinarily effectively with these bigger calls for.
However to take action, we’d like a dock (powered utilizing the plug you get with the Steam Deck) and a controller.
JSAUX Docking Station
The official Steam Deck dock is fairly costly for what you get. In fact, there’s that first celebration assist, however Valve has dedicated to offering that very same TV expertise throughout third-party choices too.
At $49 from Amazon (opens in new tab), JSAUX supplies a extra sturdy docking station, constructed utilizing aluminum and offering a full 4K 60fps potential with HDMI 2.0. Alongside this, you’ve received three USB-A 3.0 ports and gigabit ethernet.
And it seems unmistakably premium subsequent to your TV or monitor. What extra might you ask for?
Xbox Core Wi-fi Controller
For the controller, you possibly can at all times go wired and save your self some cash, because of the USB ports on the again of the dock, however this could make your desk or front room look just a little messy.
To repair this, I’d at all times go wi-fi and relating to the perfect bang to your buck, the Xbox’s wi-fi controller supplies an incredible ergonomic form and tactile buttons for comfy play periods over lengthy intervals of time.
Don’t get me mistaken — the PS5’s DualSense controller is nice to make use of, however is available in at a steeper worth and rumble suggestions in video games is way extra broadly supported than the DualSense’s superior haptics, which means that it’s just a little pointless.
No matter you utilize, the visible button prompts throughout Steam UI adjustments to match the pad you utilize, and at $49 proper now from Amazon (opens in new tab), it is a nice worth selection.
Gaming on the go
The title is a lifeless giveaway for what I’m speaking about right here. That is objective constructed as a conveyable gaming console in any case, however there are some issues you should buy to actually unleash its potential.
A fast heads-up — in the event you’re going to be away from an web connection for some time, possibly taking part in on an extended practice journey, be sure to’ve arrange offline mode appropriately.
1More Quad Driver in-ear earbuds
Sure, the Steam Deck has bluetooth and you’ll join a pair of the perfect wi-fi earbuds to it, however the latency ruins the expertise in my view. Fortuitously, there’s a 3.5mm audio jack to fight this, which suggests I can unleash the perfect wired earbuds I’ve ever used.
The 1More Quad Driver wired earbuds (opens in new tab) do what they are saying on the field — every bud accommodates three balanced armature drivers and one diamond-like carbon dynamic driver, all tuned by Grammy Award-winning sound engineer Luca Bignardi for unimaginable element in any respect ranges.
Not solely is that this best for offering spectacular definition to songs, it makes for a improbable gaming expertise too (bolstered by the buds’ THX and Hello-Res audio certification). Plus, the 45-degree indirect design ensures a safe match and spectacular passive noise cancellation.
As for utilizing these whereas out and about along with your Steam Deck, the Kevlar core cabling is tremendous sturdy and tangle resistant, and the leather-based case with the magnetic latch suits snugly into the again compartment of the included case.
Anker Nano II 713 charger
Sure, the Steam Deck does include its personal charging brick and cable, and the final word price slicing train can be to make use of that. However let’s ask the query right here: is that the most suitable choice?
The brick is fairly sizable and the mounted cable limits the usability of this charger to only something with a USB-C plug. In the meantime, the Anker Nano II 713 delivers the required 45W output, and the truth that you possibly can swap the cable out means you possibly can use this to cost any devices with different proprietary connectors, reminiscent of Lightning or the Apple Watch puck.
That is infinitely extra handy when touring and at $39 from Amazon (opens in new tab), it’s a steal!
A conveyable battery
This one is just a little obscure to suggest a selected mannequin, as a result of there are a number of to select from. The entire Greatest Laptop computer Energy Banks record helps the required 45W of energy supply to cost the Steam Deck successfully, however let me pull some specifics from the record.
At the moment, I’m utilizing the Intelli ScoutPro, which does all of it — MagSafe wi-fi charging on the highest and 100W energy supply by way of USB-C. That makes it infinitely extra helpful past Steam Deck charging.
I’m additionally testing (and loving) the Shargeek Storm 2 (opens in new tab). Whereas there isn’t wi-fi charging, the capability is bigger than the ScoutPro and it nonetheless has the port selection to ship versatility. The clear design is cool for nerds like me to take a look at, however with no higher method of claiming this, in the event you take it by way of airport customs, put together to get requested lots of questions as a result of it could look a bit like an explosive to some!
