Why Do You Need a Steam Deck Docking Station?
Thanks to the devices USB bang out-C port, it can output video and much more besides.
you could connect it to your TV and generally soup up your Steam Deck.
But while a basic USB throw in-C to HDMI adapter is useful, it gets a bit messy.
What you need is a Steam Deck Docking Station.
Only one of those devices is not complete trash.
Inside the box is the Docking Station itself and another PSU.
Aside from some insulating packaging and a small connection guide, thats it.
To be honest, the Docking Station is a funny-looking thing.
Its a lump of black metal and plastic with a 6-inch USB throw in-C cable flopping about.
One is HDMI 2.0, and the other is DisplayPort 1.4.
Output can be up to 4K at 60Hz, or 1440p at 120Hz refresh rate.
Multi-Stream Transport for multi-monitor support and FreeSync support are planned but not yet enabled.
Also on the Steam Deck Docking Station is a USB-C Power Delivery passthrough input.
This charges the Steam Deck as well as powers the docking station.
The Steam Deck Docking Station is heavy enough to give your Steam Deck a safe place to sit.
It won’t get scratched by the dock, either.
After this is done, youre ready to play.
It is largely similar, and you might prefer it for two key reasons.
First, the JSAUX docking station is cheaper than the Valve dock.
Conversely, Valve lists the Steam Deck Docking Station at $89, with a two-week turnaround.
Its easy to see why the JSAUX Docking Station might be chosen ahead of Valves official hardware.
However, you’re gonna wanna know something before you save money.
The JSAUX Docking Station sucks.
The promise of console-style gaming is upon you.
But in my case, the JSAUX Docking Station stopped working less than a week after installation.
The first warning I got was from the Steam Deck display, informing the power supply was slow.
Switching on the TV, I found that the HDMI signal was not being picked up.
The JSAUX dock was faulty.
Now, I had a bad feeling that returning the unit would turn out to be a major PITA.
So much so that there was always the chance that the replacement might also be troublesome.
Don’t chance it.
Buy the official Steam Deck Docking Station from Valve.
Nothing will prepare you for just how console-like the Steam Deck becomes when docked.
All I needed was a faucet implanted in the back of my neck.
Ive referred to Reddit on this, and it feels like an HDMI issue that needs patching.
This alone is a point in its favor.
Sadly I wasnt able to give the JSAUX dock any real testing.
Of course, when buying electronics, you tend to get what you pay for.
Low prices usually mean shortcuts have been made.
It detects updates, USB is responsive, and charging is reliable.
But the Steam Deck is not a Nintendo Switch.
Third-party docks dont cut it.
That’s why Steam Deck owners need the Steam Deck Docking Station from Valve.
