Deck
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Blog
The Steam Deck Is Bulky & Battery-Hungry. Here’s How I Optimize It for Trips
One of the big selling points of the Steam Deck is the ability to play your games anywhere. While it is easy to pick and go with it, there are a few things you should do and bring along with you if you want to maximize the value of your Steam Deck while traveling and keep it safe. 1 Bring…
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Elgato is letting you stick a Stream Deck on anything
Elgato announced a new “Stream Deck Everywhere” strategy at Computex, which includes a software-based virtual Stream Deck for PCs, an ethernet dock accessory, unbranded Stream Deck modules that can bring its keys into other products, and even new scissor-switch keys for a more precise, keyboard-like feel. “With these launches, we’re opening up Stream Deck to a world of new users,…
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Blog
The Best Ways to Customize Your Steam Deck Controls
The Radial Menu UI as it appears in-game while playing Stardew Valley Credit: Eric Ravenscraft Valve’s Steam Deck has quickly become my go-to gaming handheld. I’ve clocked—oh god—500 hours just in Hades II on the Steam Deck. Yet I spent full weeks of my life using this device without diving into its most powerful feature: its customizable controls. Here’s why…
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Blog
How to Clean Your Deck and Outdoor Furniture
1. Prep for safety. Pressure washers are powerful tools that can cause serious bodily harm. Be sure to dress appropriately: Put on long pants, sturdy footwear, and goggles, and avoid oversized clothing or dangly jewelry. 2. Clear the deck. Remove all of the furniture and any movable objects, especially breakable ones. Sweep the deck clean of debris so any stains…
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How to get your deck ready for spring — 7 easy steps
The clocks have changed, the weather has warmed and spring is officially upon us. So it’s the perfect time to step outside and give your deck the attention it deserves. After a long winter of rain, frost, and general neglect, your deck is likely looking a little worse for wear — but a quick refresh can make it ready for…
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Blog
How to install VPN on Steam Deck: Step-by-step guide
The Steam Deck is a fantastic piece of portable gaming hardware, but like any internet-connected device, it benefits from the security and flexibility of a VPN. Installing a VPN is key whether you want to protect your data on public Wi-Fi, access geo-restricted game servers, or bypass ISP throttling. However, the Steam Deck’s Linux-based SteamOS doesn’t support native VPN apps…
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Blog
How I Brought a Cassette Deck Back to Life
Craving the analog sound of cassette tapes? So was I, and I managed to get a vintage deck on the cheap that wasn’t working—until I made some simple repairs. The problems I ran into are common, so I’m recording them here so you can be prepared if you get one. For background, I bought this deck as part of a…
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Blog
6 Things an Xbox Handheld Needs to Do to Replace My Steam Deck
I play most of my games on an Xbox plugged into a 65-inch OLED TV in the living room. Despite this comfy setup, I caved and finally bought a Steam Deck in late 2024, and I’m so happy that I’ve started padding my neglected Steam library once again. As an “Xbox first” gamer and long-term Game Pass Ultimate subscriber, I’m…
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Blog
CR’s Guide to Deck Maintenance and Safety
To ensure safety and visibility, municipalities usually mandate lighting around deck areas such as steps and landings, says Patrick Harders, a landscape lighting designer and co-owner of Sterling Lighting, an outdoor lighting maker in Danville, Va. But avoid wall-mounted security floodlights. “You don’t need that ‘prison breakout’ look to make things safe,” Harders says. Instead, choose softer lighting for a…
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Steam Deck OLED, ROG Ally and more: all the news about the handheld PC revolution
In July 2021, Valve revealed the Steam Deck, a Switch-like handheld device packed with features including a huge variety of control options, a 7-inch touchscreen, the ability to connect to external displays, and a quick suspend / resume feature. The device began shipping in February 2022, starting at $399. We’ve been keeping a close eye on the Steam Deck and…
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