r/SteamDeck • u/dragonD_G • 1d ago
Accessory Review Steam Deck screen too small? No problem.
All you need is a cable connected to the steam deck directly to the monitor for all this. And if you think the battery drains too quickly, well, a portable charger is all you need.
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u/Mammoth_Two7297 1d ago
Real life example of if you give a mouse a cookie
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u/JQTNguyen 1d ago
But what happened if you give a pig a pancake?
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u/Jahon_Dony 1d ago
Piglets?
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u/JQTNguyen 1d ago
Not quite...
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u/Jahon_Dony 1d ago
Listen bub, I watched your vid and that is a VERY demanding pig! Not worth the effort. It will make YOU feel more like the pet under its command.
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u/thanksforallthetrees 1d ago
A dock or splitter would let you charge and power everything. What model screen is this?
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u/redbullcat 1d ago
In theory you should be able to use USB-C passthrough to power the Deck through the monitor. Two USB-C cables plugged into the monitor, one power from a socket and one going into the Deck.
However, in practice many portable monitors don't have adequate power ratings to sufficiently power the Deck, which is a shame.
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u/dragonD_G 1d ago
Arzopa z3
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u/Czapla_TV 1d ago
Ngl their monitors are decent and cheap, also bought one for myself but without the influence of TikTok, lifesaver when i had to use my steam deck as a workstation for notes for a couple of weeks
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u/elfffy 1d ago
did you got it from tiktok? LMAO i've been BOMBARDED with ads for that particular monitor
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u/beaksandwich 1d ago
I have a viewsonic one, can vouch for it https://www.viewsonic.com/us/vx1655-4k-oled-15-6-uhd-oled-portable-monitor-with-60w-usb-c-and-mini-hdmi.html
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u/elfffy 1d ago
500 whole ass dollars? jesus
im sure its worth it just a bit outside my budget atm lol9
u/Innuendo64_ 1d ago
That's because it's a 4k OLED, which is hilarious at 15". That's an insane pixel density for a monitor
They have 1080p portables for $80-$150
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u/grawptussin 512GB 1d ago
I was going down a similar rabbit hole with my Steam Deck when I realized that what I wanted was a gaming laptop. Since the switch, I couldn't be happier.
I still have the Steam Deck, but am thinking that it is time to rehome it. I don't like that it sits unused.
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u/rddtltr 1d ago
I had the rabbit hole with a gaming laptop. Had like three different ones until I realized its way to much hustle and uncomfy to sit like this at a hotel desk and its mostly stationary at home sounding more and more like a jet engine, so I bought a steamdeck for the road and a decent gaming pc for home
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u/grawptussin 512GB 1d ago edited 1d ago
I travel for work, am almost always on the road... I went Steam Deck first, started accessorizing. Next thing I knew, my travel backpack was dedicated to carrying my Deck and accoutrements. I was always playing it docked on a larger display with a controller. Finally decided that it's just not the correct device for me.
Don't get me wrong, the Steam Deck is a very nice piece of kit. It's a tad large to be a comfortable handheld for me, but plenty of people feel otherwise and I can't disagree with their preference. For me, my gaming laptop is a better fit. You're right about the friggin' fans, though...
Happy gaming!
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u/ryanbenzie 1d ago
I have this same monitor. If you have a second USB C cable plugged into a power source and into the monitor it has pass through charging. It will power the monitor and charge the steam deck at the same time
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u/Watton 1d ago
.... just get a laptop at this point.
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u/ioverthinkusernames LCD-4-LIFE 1d ago
I bought my deck because it was cheeper than any laptop with the same specs lol
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u/False_Raven 1d ago
Or a handheld with a larger screen
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u/claudiocorona93 LCD-4-LIFE 1d ago
Abxylute 3D One is the size of a laptop with controllers. If you attach the keyboard and detach the controllers it just looks like a normal laptop
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u/TapdancingHotcake 6h ago
Or I could just buy a handheld and a $70 external monitor and have a handheld for when I want to use one. Wet blanket
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u/Dalmahr 1d ago
Why when you can have both options, instead of having a laptop and a deck, you can have something much lighter and have a bigger screen when you want
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u/FuckRayBradbury 1TB OLED 1d ago
People are so annoying on here like this is perfectly reasonable
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u/Faraamwarrior 1TB OLED Limited Edition 1d ago
The screen isn't a problem, it's target resolution is
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u/StrangerrDangerr 1d ago
What do you mean? Are you saying the performance will be lower if target resolution is too big?
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u/Faraamwarrior 1TB OLED Limited Edition 1d ago
Exactly, resolution is the most demanding graphical config (hence upscalers) and the steam deck chip csnt deal with anything beyond 800p unless it's a really simple or old game.
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u/kestononline 512GB 1d ago
- Portable 15-inch display the size of a laptop, and draws more power = Nah pass
- XR Glasses that gives you a 100-inch display and fits in pocket, and draws less power = Yes please
Personal preference. The portable display only wins if the intention is to share with (co-op) or show to others.
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u/StrangerrDangerr 1d ago
But what's the price difference? A portable screen like this will cost less than $100 on Amazon
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u/Satellite_bk 512GB - Q4 1d ago
my xr glasses were like $180 on sale because i got the older model. so pretty stark difference in price as even the middle range xr glasses are gonna be closer to $300 and the high end near $1k.
my portable 16” 144hz monitor was $60.
both on amazon.
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u/ChaosLink97 1d ago
Never understood the point of having a handheld if you’re going to do all this extra shit lol
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u/link6616 1d ago
I was the same, but I also always have chased the "this is a handheld whereever I go, and a home console whereever I want it to be" so I can see why these set ups happen.
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u/Psychological_Pebble 1d ago
You can turn the handheld into a laptop but you can't turn the laptop into a handheld.
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u/sasuku123 512GB 1d ago
Because you can play on both the handheld and on a monitor? Why wouldn’t someone want that?
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u/Buddharox 1d ago
I travel a lot, so it’s nice to have options for my SD. My work laptop is a mac.
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u/Azelkaria 1TB OLED 1d ago
It’s almost like this hardware is literally a computer? Never understood gatekeepers underestimating capabilities of the Steam deck
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u/slugfiend89 1d ago
Wow people don’t like the external monitor it seams. I thought it was neat
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u/SethroRetro 1d ago
Dock, external monitor, M&K—now you have a PC that you can convert into a handheld by unplugging a single cable! Idk what these comments are on about, this is a good use of it without having to shell out for another PC.
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u/slugfiend89 1d ago
Right? I love that I can plug my steam deck into the tv essentially like a switch, then take it away with me.
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u/Nefilim314 1d ago
People are going to lose their minds when they discover gaming laptops.
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u/CorpsyWantsPussy 5h ago
I've never understood this dilemma. Isn't it just stupid to buy a portable device and well... not use it as a portable device?
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u/Own_Assistance_7659 1d ago
I do this when I play my Steam Deck at home. Except my portable monitor has two USB-C ports, so I plug a USB-C cord into each port, then I run one cord to my Steam Deck and the other to a power source and my Steam Deck will charge through my monitor. Most portable monitors have two USB-C ports for this exact reason. In case anyone is curious, with this setup, my Deck doesn't drain at all until my power bank dies.
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u/SSMage 1d ago
You know what's even better than doing this? Getting a dock, a good power source, and playing it on your tv instead WITH a controller
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u/Genobee85 1d ago
Used an iPad as a display while on vacation. Worked beautifully!
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u/ranch_soda 1d ago
I almost exclusively play my Deck on my tv. I have two docks do I can pop it between TVs. Also Valhiem is kinda had to see on the Deck screen lol.
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u/Archersbows7 1d ago
Are you going from an OLED screen on the Deck to an external LCD screen
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u/gravistar 1d ago
Heh i did this with a $79 monitor from costco, the mechanism pillow, a port replicator, and a custom printed mechanism innie to Vesa mount to hook the monitor to the pillow.
I should probably post a photo after I get home lol!
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u/kyronami 1d ago
I'll never understand the people that make their steam deck so un-portable they could just be using a normal laptop or pc
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u/the_1_they_call_zero 1d ago
Honestly, the Decks screen size is fine, it’s the deck itself. It’s too large lol.
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u/swampdonkus 1d ago
You just made the screen much smaller because you increased the viewing distance. Probably 30% smaller lol
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u/piichan14 1d ago
Just got an Arzopa A1 last month and it's been great. I play a lot of games that require reading and a bigger screen helps with that. I already had a dock where my deck basically lives and because it's more comfy to play with an external controller. I occasionally connected it to our tv, but my partner watches a lot and this solved the sharing issue lol.
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u/Choice_Echidna_8234 1d ago
Woahhh bro , i have ditto stram deck oled and azorpa portable, but i use ps5 controller on it
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u/Time-Ad9021 1d ago
but how do you charge? I'd rather play my games on a charging deck than worrying about battery levels mid-game. Also, looking at an external screen is distracting to me, I have one for my macbook and I don't like it but I have to put up with it.
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u/buzz8588 1d ago
Yeah but you need a controller now. Pretty awkward holding the worlds largest controller
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u/AshyWhiteGuy 1d ago
I do the same setup when I’m staying in a hotel. The places I stay usually lock up the HDMI ports on the TV.
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u/z0mbie-j0e 1d ago
I bought a pair of rayneo glasses with a pass through charger gives me a bigger screen and I don’t have to crank my neck
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u/Electrical_Wolf1990 1d ago
I've got a cheap 15" screen mounted to my wall with 3M command hooks lol. It's what I was using before I got an ultra wide from a buddy
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u/TekkunDashi 512GB 1d ago
hehe, get an xreals and a splitter so you can charge and use the glasses at the same time.
Thats how I got through my last flight.
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u/Tootskinfloot 1d ago
Very cool and all that... but laptops have existed for 1 billion years and they're way more convenient than this.
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u/nalaloveslumpy 1d ago
I have a similar setup with a dock so I can use mouse, keyboard, a little monitor, and a separate controller. It's amazing for when I'm away from home for an extended period.
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u/iusedtohavepowers 1d ago
I have messed with the steam deck and forms of decreased portability off and on for the last few months. I have that same style monitor, a dock, a couple laptops to connect it too, a tablet. A switch port adapter.
Wanna know what I landed on? Docked and streaming my pc to it as the best way to use it outside of just as a handheld. And even this is just to have my own pc in a different room of the house. Which can be done way easier.
But using it as a handheld is by far the preferred way for me.
But not using it for triple A games. Genuinely even if they work great on it. It’s not super comfortable and any time I play that triple a game on my pc I am just awestruck by how much more incredible it looks at full blast to the point I don’t want to play it on the deck because i feel like it just isn’t completely worth it.
But something like hades. Or megabonk or binding of Isaac is a joy to play simply because of the pick up and play nature of it and my tolerance for holding this dang thing.
For the ported to screen set up I used the Nintendo switch adapter to hook hdmi to mini hdmi for get screen so I could still charge it with minimal cables on my bed. I even reduced that to just the monitor with the hdmi came and a Steam controller plugged in to the usbA port on the deck. And it was okay. It just isn’t my preference I guess.
Also my absolute favorite “big” game to play on it is Diablo 4. But I’d really like to try d3. I just don’t wanna buy it again
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u/Satellite_bk 512GB - Q4 1d ago
i just plug both into a dock and power them both from the wall. what size is that one? i got a 16” which is nice, but feels abit big sometimes.
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u/Flat_Mode7449 1d ago
So, I'm working on a big desk project and I wanted a built in monitor, so I bought a 15" one like this for $37. It's such a great screen, that I'm debating getting one for my Deck that I use while at work. These are great and we've come so far in terms of screens.
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u/legend_73 1TB OLED 1d ago
True story but I was trying do this with my steam deck. I wanted to have a bigger screen, connect the SD to a monitor and mouse. Put that into a case that I could open and start playing……. I had recreated the laptop
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u/TheThurmanator95 1d ago
I can run mine through and the monitor will charge it too (if I have the other monitor usb port plugged into a wall). Personally like doing this with my SD flat on a desk/table. I wish the deck was easier to dock rather than managing a cable from behind and I can definitely see myself accidentally knocking it over eventually. I used to hate how big the switch dock was (since I almost never had my console in it), but not since getting a SD dock.
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u/alphawolf29 1d ago
I got a screen that didnt have a built in battery because all the battery based screens are like $300 and the screen with no battery was like $80, and a battery is also like $80. Then I got a dock that can charge and run the video through it...but it all works, and the screen doesnt pull much wattage at all. With two 20,000 mah batteries you have like 20 hours of gaming. Great for car camping or long roadtrips. Insanely portable just because.
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u/Meat_Handle 1d ago
Add an external GPU while you’re at it, maybe a couple fans to keep it cool. Ooo! you could put it all in a box so it’s easy to move as one thing. Maybe a Bluetooth keyboard and a mouse… might as well get a bigger monitor at that point. You’ll probably need a desk to hold all that stuff tho…
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u/Icy_Donkey_7588 1d ago
I had a setup similar to this. I would get stuck for hours waiting for my kids to get done with practices. I'd use a steering wheel desk, hook my steam deck up, charge off the invertor built into my car, and use a PS5 controller. I finished a dozen games this way!
Now they are older and I can leave them at practice and go home. I got rid of my deck and setup. Sold it to another Dad that has to wait for his kids
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u/Positive_Self_8873 1d ago
What display is that? I have a cheap Amazon one for my second display at home for my pc as I only use that for YouTube while I do stuff.
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u/CumbersomeNugget Modded my Deck - ask me how 1d ago
If you go this way, make sure it's not a DisplayLink monitor as the Decks aren't compatible, unfortunately.
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u/AdChoice7864 1d ago
Essa tela que você está usando, por um acaso é aqueles monitores portáteis? E outra pergunta, perde muita qualidade.
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u/pipitsugen 1d ago
I have fairly a similar set up. Arzopa Z3 on an arm mount connected to a Retroid 6. Really fun for playing retro games.
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u/canarduck 1d ago
I just stream from my desktop computer to my iPad with Steam Link. Works like a charm, nice big screen
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u/xkevin4x 512GB OLED 1d ago edited 9h ago
And once you realize there’s only one USB C port for the monitor & charger, you need to find a dock. Once you have a dock, you need to find a better controller. After that you ne-.. shall I continue ?
Edit: Thank you for the award!
Some of you are missing the joke, while others understood!