I’ve had my deck for 2 years now and it’s been my main gaming device since the day I got it. I take it on trips and use my 3rd party dock and controller to hook it up to whichever TV is at my location.
My only regret is that this way I’m limited to controller-only games, and I really want to play some of the keyboard + mouse games in my library.
Whichever kb + mouse I buy needs to be as portable and lightweight as possible, but still functional with near full-size keycaps (chiclet keys are ok).
I have a folding Bluetooth keyboard, but the build quality is absolute trash.
Any recommendations will be gratefully added to my research list!
Hear me out, you don’t want portable, you want transportable. I made this. It’s a lap tray with cushion underneath and a handle, and everything attaches to it.
I like this. It fits a lot of the solutions I create around the Steam deck. Thanks for sharing!
This is really cool, do you have a high level guide on what you used to make it?
Unfortunately no, at least not that I can still find. It was really just a lap tray and I used industrial Velcro with adhesive on the back, along with an adhesive mousepad. The mouse holder is just from the box it came in.
The challenge was the lack of wireless for the single-handed hardware keyboard at the time, so a USB2BT module was needed, and those knobs I added at the top were for wrapping a wire from a tiny USB2.0 Hub for if I wanted to be wired.
Doing it again it would be 100% wireless with magnetic quick charge connectors on all the elements. (I got a million of them of different angles off Aliexpress and have them on all my travel items).
Here’s a couple of suggestions for your keeb: (LMK if you have questions. This is one of my hobbies; I can talk about it all day lol)
https://rkgamingstore.com/collections/65-keyboards?filter.tag=connectivity:wireless
https://www.gloriousgaming.com/collections/wireless-keyboards
Although these are great mechanical keyboards, I don’t think they are ideal for portability. The Keychron one you linked is 0.7Kg (1.6lbs) which is quite a lot if you want to carry it around. I have a Keychron TKL and it’s really heavy with the aluminium frame.
I’ve got the Keychron K7, it has low profile switches and keycaps and works pretty alright. Since I use my Deck as a dev machine and do my general computer stuff on it as well, In almost always bring it with me.
The downside to the K7 I’d say is the battery life. I often have it plugged in when at home and it lasts me when I’m out but the Bluetooth dies quickly on it when I forget to do so.
They have a re-programmable version of it as well and while I don’t have that one to save a bit of cash I’d wager it works a bit nicer.
There’s also different switches available to purchase. I have the keychron browns but hope to upgrade to the Gateron Banana or equivalent one day.
For the mouse, I recommend G305. It’s wireless, but it lasts a truly stupid amount of time on a single AA. Just keep a spare in your bag and you will literally never have to think about charging it.
It has a fantastic sensor, and doesn’t break the bank. As long as the shape fits you, it should be good.
For keyboards, look for “tenkeyless” or even smaller. Tenkeyless can come with full size keys, while being smaller by dropping the numpad. Even smaller keyboards might drop the columns of keys with the arrow keys and home/end/page keys, the function row, or even the number row. Somewhere along the spectrum you should get down to something that’s about the size of a SteamDeck, or smaller, without making the keys you’ll actually use while gaming, smaller.
If you want to save on thickness and weight, consider LP switches. Low profile mechanical keyboards have become more available. These’ll be thinner and have shorter travel, but without going as flat as most laptops. They can be really nice, while also being way more portable than boards with full-height key switches.
I like them myself just for the ergonomics. A keyboard that lays flatter on my desk means less bending upwards and then back down in my hands and fingers when using it.
I use a G915 TKL, but that may still be a tad big next to the Deck. (And expensive)
Edit: I remember hearing good things about keychron. I don’t have personal experience so do some research, but that K3 and this K7 seem potentially ideal. They also have a bunch of other models.
What’s your definition of portable? A small mechanical keyboard might be a good fit.
Good question. Too large would be something larger than the deck itself. I need it to fit into a regular day backpack with other stuff.
Too small would be one of those Rii style keyboards with built in trackpad that you need to hold in your hands and type with your thumbs.
Look at maybe a game pad + portable mouse? I use a Planck ortholonear kb for my steam deck, but you probably don’t need a 45%kb.
Back in the day I used a nostromo game pad. This looks similar? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B84QHPDW
I don’t have a cool kb&mouse combination for the deck. I just use the K380+Pebble, it’s not cool, but it works well for both my Deck and my iPad.
