Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Design and compatibility
Replacing a PC
After years of placing it off, I not too long ago accepted that my PC is in dire want of an improve. A graphics card swap final yr slowed its march in the direction of obsolescence, however it was clear that my outdated processor wanted a lift to match. The extra I researched, the extra I noticed that wasn’t my solely drawback. I used to be taking a look at a full motherboard swap, probably setting me again $1000. That was all to take care of what’s change into my least favourite option to play video games. I’d a lot fairly sit on my sofa and use my Steam Deck than play on the identical monitor I stare in any respect day for work.
While I do know I’ll need to improve ultimately, I simply discovered one other good excuse to place that off somewhat longer. Razer simply launched its personal Nintendo Switch-like dock, dubbed the Handheld Dock Chroma, constructed for units just like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally. It’s a deceptively feature-loaded piece of plastic that has already remodeled my gaming habits, placing one other nail in my PC’s coffin. That comes at a value although, each figuratively and actually, which stops this from being the one dock to rule all of them.
Design and compatibility
If you’ve used a Nintendo Switch earlier than, it is best to know precisely what to anticipate with the Handheld Dock Chroma. You place your system of selection into it, join it to the dock by way of USB-C, and voila. Your moveable system now outputs as much as 60 frames per second at 4K on no matter display you need, whether or not it’s a monitor or TV. It’s the sort of accent that any Steam Deck proprietor ought to have.
In reality, many already do. Razer isn’t new to the sport right here, as third-party docks have existed for fairly a while. What Razer brings to the market is its premium high quality, however for a worth: It’ll run you $80. That’s double the worth of some nice competing docks that do most of what it does. You don’t even get an influence provide for that worth, which is a bit absurd contemplating that price ticket. If the Handheld Dock Chroma expertise I’m about to explain sounds interesting to you, simply know that there are different methods to get it.
So, what are you getting for $80? On the constructive aspect, Razer’s dock is a enjoyable little bit of engineering. It’s an open-faced dock that’s vast sufficient to comfortably match a Lenovo Legion Go. The system rests towards an adjustable bottom, which may tilt again to about 75 levels. That implies that the dock isn’t simply helpful for hooking a handheld as much as a TV, however it lets gamers use it in a type of tabletop mode. That piece may also be folded down flat, turning the complete dock right into a small, travel-ready field. The hinge feels sturdy, so most of what you’re paying further for right here is that dependable premium design.
Giovanni Colantonio / Digital Trends
You’re additionally getting an RGB gentle strip that glows from the underside of the dock. While I perceive that lighting is a part of Razer’s model id, it’s a useless add-on that would have been reduce to knock the worth tag down a peg.
As far as compatibility goes, it labored with nearly all the pieces I threw at it, even when some units aren’t an ideal match for it. The dock has a built-in USB-C cable that’s largely constructed with the Steam Deck in thoughts, as in units which have their ports on the highest. That’s the case with most fashionable handhelds, from the Ayaneo 2S to the Legion Go, however you’d have to put a Nintendo Switch the other way up on the stand to hook it up. The Razer Edge equally locations its USB-C port on the underside of its Kishi V2 Pro controller, however it’s off to the aspect fairly than within the heart, so built-in cable can get to it with out turning it over.
With 100W passthrough, it’s attainable to maintain these units charged whereas taking part in, even when it’s essential to present your individual energy provide to do it (that’s a bit annoying, as I used to be utilizing my Switch charger, however that isn’t actually highly effective sufficient for the Legion Go). Toss in an ethernet port for wired gaming, in addition to three USB-A ports, and also you’ve bought absolutely anything else you may need right here. It’s a sturdy dock that’s elevated by its nice moveable design, even when that’s not sufficient to justify the associated fee.
Replacing a PC
I used to be particularly keen to place Razer’s system to the check as a result of the Steam Deck has change into a dominant a part of my gaming life previously few years. I barely play something on my PC anymore and am pleased to take a efficiency dip in favor of comfort. The Steam Deck OLED’s implausible show helps make that simpler to swallow, however it comes with loads of sacrifices. For one, the Steam Deck’s touchpads and on-screen keyboard simply aren’t sufficient to exchange a standard PC management setup. Games like The Roottrees Are Dead or Cryptmaster merely don’t work on the system, in order that’s after I have a tendency to make use of my PC most.
That’s the place the Handheld Dock Chroma’s utility got here into play. I began by testing it with Rift of the Necrodancer. The rhythm sport can be an ideal candidate to check the dock for 2 causes. The main one is that it’s a rhythm sport constructed round keyboard arrow controls. It might be performed on a controller, however I discover that it’s simpler to match beats with an arrow structure. I plugged my keyboard in by way of USB-A and it was like taking part in on a PC. Considering that Civilization 7 will run on Steam Deck, I can already see myself transferring a wi-fi keyboard and mouse into my lounge and taking part in on my sofa fairly than at my desk.
Rift of the Necrodancer did reveal an enormous trade-off, although. The sport includes a calibration check to verify gamers can keep on beat as attainable. When taking part in on the Steam Deck correct, I used to be getting a -17ms outcome, a small little bit of human error. On the dock, that latency jumped to 115ms. That’s an infinite distinction when you’re simply trying to plug and play. If you need as little latency as attainable, you’ll must be sure to’re taking part in in your TV’s Game Mode. If that’s not sufficient, it’s possible you’ll wish to ditch 4K for 1080p, knocking a part of the system’s attraction out.
Giovanni Colantonio / Digital Trends
While these are the sort of quirks I deal with as a product reviewer, my extra informal expertise of docking my Steam Deck has been all the pieces I’ve dreamed of. As I used to be testing it, I bought deep into Ender Magnolia: Bloom within the Mist. The new indie is a beautiful Metroidvania that begs to be performed on a handheld, however seen on an enormous display. I spent a weekend seamlessly getting each of these experiences because of a lounge tweak. While I started taking part in on the Steam Deck correct, I quickly moved it over to my dock. I linked a spare Amazon Luna controller to my handheld by way of Bluetooth and, identical to that, I used to be utilizing my Steam Deck like I might my PS5. I may bounce between that handheld and docked expertise very quickly, relying on what I used to be within the temper for.
This is the sort of flexibility that I in the end need from gaming as of late. You can blame the Nintendo Switch for that. I don’t wish to be tethered to at least one seat if I wish to play a sport anymore. I wish to take a sport with me wherever I am going with as few sacrifices as I can handle. Heck, I even use my PlayStation Portal usually in my own residence. My gaming PC nonetheless matches into that need. If I wish to max out all of my graphics settings, there’s a spot I can nonetheless try this. Convenience is king, although, and that’s what I’m at the moment getting in my new life-style shift.
You don’t want a Handheld Dock Chroma to get that have. I’m unsure I might have sprung for it exterior of a piece context, frankly. Any dock will do the trick, however I’ll go to bat for Razer’s sturdy, travel-friendly design right here. This is an all-in-one gaming dock that feels future-proofed sufficient to deal with a spread of system sizes. It’s already change into a staple of my leisure heart in only one week and I don’t count on that to vary anytime quickly. At least not till I get that new motherboard.