Can anyone comment on how to gauge which storage size to get? I’d like to go cheap with maybe an option to upgrade later. I usually only play one game at a time, so I’m open to reinstalling games as needed if it helps keep the price down.

If your wife likes gaming, you can play co-op on the said TV! The dock is somewhat expensive, but any USB C hub with power in and HDMI out will do. We have a thin keyboard with the mouse pad built in and two blue tooth controllers - voila! For optimal play on large screens, you should run it in Desktop mode. For gaming, I still use the Big Picture mode for Steam to be able to navigate to games with the controller, but with the keyboard and mouse, you can use it for anything really. I’ve responded to school emails, done online courses, even built small games in Unity (did a course on it), all from the comfort of my armchair and big TV screen.

Steam Deck is so versatile, you’ll love it!

I can attest that it works great in this scenario. I managed to play through several Final Fantasy games, a handful of indie games, and I’m deep into BG3 - all while on the couch or in bed with my other half. Or on the toilet.

Before the Steam deck I hadn’t beaten a single game in years.

I got a ps4 because I could use remote play and not take up the tv so that I could play next to my wife. It was ok, but I had to setup my computer on the couch with charger, kind of a hassle. When I got a switch it was a game changer because I could just grab it and flop down on the couch next to my wife. I imagine (I don’t have one) the steam deck is basically the same.

If that is what you guys do also then it will probably be great for you.

Protip: you can use Bluetooth headphones with it so she doesn’t complain about the sound when you are next to her. My girlfriend always complains if I don’t lol

Talk to support? They do that with games

It’s just a usb hub thats shaped to hold the deck. I was really underwhelmed with the dock, and would recommend a cheaper 3rd party one

No, but I bought a third party one that stopped working, returned it and bought the official dock which is still working.

I’d say its biggest strength is that this is the only dock you can guarantee will continually have firmware updates to support the Steam Deck.

my official dock likes to not recharge it often. I have to look and replug in the usbc to the dock to and check to make sure its charging. I actually now just plug the usbc directly to the deck as then I don’t have to fuss with it so much.

It includes an additional charger, wich costs 25$ in the ifixit store, + has both hdmi and Displaylink, both of wich can reach 4k 120hz. Also 1Gb/s ethernet port and 3 usb 3.1. Also firmware updates and support from valve.

I bought a 3rd party dock but soon realized it doesn’t pass ARC signals over HDMI… so when the dock is plugged into my receiver it fucks up all the auto-power on and volume control stuff. I believe the official dock has this supported in its firmware.

Congrats, man! I’m very tempted to join you. Fortunately, I still have a couple of days to think about it.

It does and you can use external drives via the usb C port

It does have a micro SD card slot. It is also possible to replace the main M.2 drive with a larger one, I have 2TB in my Steam Deck.

I’ve got a sort of breastfeeding pillow which takes the weight very well