DIY portable computing takes many forms, and doesn’t always require getting down and dirty with custom electronics. [Justinas Jakubovskis]’s Steam Deck Play and Work case demonstrates this with some really smart design features.
It’s primarily a carrying case for Valve’s Steam Deck portable PC gaming console, but the unit also acts as a fold-out workstation with keyboard. Add a wireless mouse to the mix and one can use it much like a mini laptop, or just pull the Steam Deck out and use it in the usual way.
The case is 3D printed and while the model isn’t free (links are in the video description) some of the design features are worth keeping in mind even if you’re not buying. The top clasp, for example, doubles as a cover for the buttons and exhaust vents and the kickstand at the rear covers the cooling intake when closed, and exposes it when deployed. We also really like the use of thick fabric tape lining the inside of the case to support and cushion the Steam Deck itself; it’s an effective and adjustable way to provide a soft place for something to sit.
The case is intended to fit a specific model of keyboard, in this case the Pebble Keys 2 K380s (also available as a combo with a mouse). But if you want to roll your own Steam Deck keyboard and aren’t afraid of some low-level work, check out the Keysheet. Or go deeper and get some guidance on modding the Steam Deck itself.
This is one of the things “why didn’t I thought about that!”.
Now I have got more ideas I can’t realize.
I wonder if the screen is large enough to be comfortable to use. Its really bad to work on a small screen while having to squint at text
I use my SteamDeck when visiting my parents, friends where everyone has at least one workplace with USB-C dock ready. I hate puny laptop displays and non-orthogonal keyboards from the bottom of my heart anyway. So I say that even 17″ displays are barely usable and not comfortable at all.
There are just a few occasions per year when I would appreciate having laptop like devices and suffer through using a small screen and that’s where a setup like this one could come in handy.
For what it is it is a perfectly good screen, sharp enough etc. You probably need good eyesight to find it comfortable and practical to use when it is sat on the desk so probably a meter or more from your head as it is here as otherwise you are sacrificing quite a bit of stuff on screen to make everything large enough for your eyes.
But I’ve used mine in similar fashion just sat on a desk with a keyboard and it is fine, obviously you really miss the larger monitor/dual monitor setup you are used to whenever you don’t have it, but it is a big enough and good enough screen to use as a desktop like system just by adding the usual HID devices. Really not much different to any smaller laptop in usability, you just have to adapt to work in the screen space you have.
IIRC the 3D models for the Steam Deck’s shell are available. Has there been much success 3D printing replacement shells?
If so then I bet a way better/compact version can be made while integrating it into the shell itself.
I think that would run counter to the point of this build a little. As it seems like the whole point is to still let you just pull the deck out to game on it normally, and protect it while you travel so more integral would make both of those objectives harder to pull of as neatly.
Is however a direction I think I’d rather go as well, if you are already making your own back panel for seamless integration it doesn’t matter as much if it gets beaten up you can always make a new one, and make it in more durable/shock damping material combination. I don’t know of anybody that has just printed a new shell, probably a bit thin walled and warp prone to just print the file provided. But plenty of aftermarket shells exist, so you could use the injection moulded off the shelf case part as the skeleton to build from with the provided model ensuring a good fit to your additions.
You already pointed out that if you print it then there is less concern if the case is damaged.
The counter to the ease of pulling it out to game is just that the design of the clamshell could be modified to allow the keyboard attachement to be easily removed from the Deck instead of the Deck being easily removed from the attachment.