The Steam Deck is clearly a handheld PC/console, but with the right equipment it can become a full desktop PC. It has a desktop mode with decent desktop apps and is a powerful portable PC whether you use the Linux-based SteamOS or Windows.
The easiest way to accomplish this conversion is with a desktop dock. Valve actually announced one when he released the Steam Deck, but it didn’t become available until much later. It was a great price when it arrived.
This provides an opportunity for alternatives such as this Steam Deck dock from JSAUX. This is a brand you’ve probably never heard of, but it’s quickly become one of our go-to brands for Steam Deck accessories, and JSAUX’s Steam Deck Dock is amazing. It’s also significantly cheaper than Valve.
JSAUX Steam Deck Dock: Pricing and Availability
The JSAUX Steam Deck Dock is available now for $50 in various global markets through Amazon. There’s also a cheaper version at $40, the difference being the number and speed of USB ports.
JSAUX Steam Deck Dock: What’s Good
JSAUX Steam Deck Dock Specs
Power: USB-C PD
port: HDMI 2.0, 3 x USB 3.0 Type-A, Gigabit Ethernet
price: $50
The key to a good Steam Deck dock is that it’s specifically designed to keep your handheld secure while still allowing easy access to the expansion port. And the JSAUX dock has them all.
The expansion port is almost exclusively on the back, where you’ll want to find it. The only outlier is the Gigabit Ethernet on the side. Still, with cables on every connector, this is a neat little dock. All the cable clutter can be fed the same way away from the dock, and the included right-angle USB-C cable is long enough to fit securely and neatly.
Port selection is also abundant. The cheaper version probably isn’t worth saving just $10, but it has a trio of USB 3.0 connections, HDMI 2.0, and Ethernet, alongside a USB-C PD that lets you plug in your regular Steam Deck power adapter. All ports can be used simultaneously without compromising Steam deck performance.
The dock itself is made of metal and the deck channel is wide enough that it holds well even at a slight angle. It’s the perfect angle to watch while playing with the controller. It has a gunmetal finish and is a pretty smart setup. I certainly think it’s visually better than Valve’s own all-black dock.
JSAUX Steam Deck Dock: Not So Good
Certainly not about the price you pay.
The only concern is that the rear airflow is slightly compromised when the deck is attached to the dock. It does cover some of the vents, though it hasn’t proven to be a problem.
Connecting and disconnecting with one hand when the deck is in the dock is also a bit inconvenient, as the Ethernet port is on the side instead of the back.
JSAUX Steam Deck Doc: Competition
The main competitor is Valve’s official Steam deck docking station. This costs about twice as much and adds just one important feature that JSAUX lacks.
This feature is a DisplayPort connection. Otherwise, it has everything a JSAUX dock does, but with the Ethernet more conveniently located in the back. But the main reason to pay extra is if DisplayPort is important to you. The valve dock also doesn’t cover the rear airflow.
JSAUX has also developed their own add-on docks, with the latest docks retaining SSDs to seamlessly add external storage to Steam decks.
JSAUX Steam Deck Dock: Should You Buy It?
In a nutshell, yes, you definitely need to get the JSAUX Steam Deck dock.For $50, you can use the deck as a desktop PC or connect it to your TV to play games on the big screen. It’s an elegant solution for playing and one of the best Steam deck accessories.
It basically has everything you’d find in Valve’s own official dock, and aside from DisplayPort, it’s much more affordable. And I think it looks better.
The minor downside of covering a tiny fraction of the rear airflow doesn’t really seem to do anything to keep the Steam Deck cool. So it’s a huge winner, and it’s really easy because it saves you more than the official option.
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JSAUX 6-in-1 Steam Deck Dock
The JSAUX Steam Deck Dock does pretty much everything Valve itself does, but with a sleeker design and a much more attractive price point, making it a sure winner.
