After years of putting it off , I lately accept that my PC is in dire need of an upgrade . A graphics card swap last class slowed its march towards obsolescence , but it was open that my out-of-date processor postulate a boost to match . The more I researched , the more I realise that was n’t my only trouble . I was look at a full motherboard swap , potentially pose me back $ 1000 . That was all to maintain what ’s become my least favorite means to play games . I ’d much rather sit around on my couch and utilise my Steam Deck than play on the same monitor I gaze at all day for work .
While I know I ’ll have to upgrade eventually , I just found another good self-justification to put that off a little longer . Razer just released its own Nintendo Switch - like sorrel , dubbed theHandheld Dock Chroma , built for gadget like theSteam DeckandROG Ally . It ’s a deceptively feature - loaded piece of plastic that has already transformed my gambling habits , place another nail in my PC ’s casket . That comes at a cost though , both figuratively and literally , which stops this from being the one dock to govern them all .
Design and compatibility
If you ’ve used a Nintendo Switch before , you should know incisively what to expect with the Handheld Dock Chroma . You place your machine of choice into it , connect it to the dock via USB - C , and voila . Your portable gimmick now outputs up to 60 frames per second at 4 green on whatever screen you require , whether it ’s a monitor or TV . It ’s the kind of accessory that any Steam Deck owner should have .
In fact , many already do . Razer is n’t new to the game here , as third - political party docks have existed for quite some time . What Razer brings to the market place is its premium calibre , but for a price : It ’ll run you $ 80 . That ’s double the Mary Leontyne Price of some great competing wharfage that do most of what it does . You do n’t even get a power supply for that price , which is a bit idiotic consider that terms tag . If the Handheld Dock Chroma experience I ’m about to describe sounds appealing to you , just know that there are other way to get it .
So , what are you bugger off for $ 80 ? On the positive side , Razer ’s dock is a fun flake of engineering science . It ’s an open - face docking facility that ’s wide enough to comfortably fit aLenovo Legion Go . The machine rests against an adjustable backside , which can wobble back to about 75 level . That means that the dock is n’t just useful for rob a handheld up to a tv set , but it allow role player use it in a sort of tabletop mode . That art object can also be fold up down compressed , ferment the intact dock into a little , travelling - ready box . The flexible joint feels stout , so most of what you ’re paying spare for here is that dependable premium design .
You ’re also getting an RGB light flight strip that burn from the bottom of the bobtail . While I read that lighting is part of Razer ’s mark identity , it ’s a gratuitous hyperkinetic syndrome - on that could have been cut to knock the Leontyne Price shred down a peg .
As far as compatibility goes , it form with just about everything I throw away at it , even if some gadget are n’t a staring equal for it . The dockage has a ramp up - in USB - C cable system that ’s mostly built with the Steam Deck in mind , as in devices that have their ports on the top . That ’s the case with most modern handhelds , from theAyaneo 2Sto the Legion Go , but you ’d have to place a Nintendo Switch upside down on the standstill to hook it up . TheRazer Edgesimilarly localize its USB - C port on the undersurface of its Kishi V2 Pro restrainer , but it ’s off to the side rather than in the centre , so build - in cable can get to it without plough it over .
With 100W passthrough , it ’s possible to keep those devices charge while play , even if you need to cater your own ability supply to do it ( that ’s a act teasing , as I was using my Switch courser , but that is n’t really powerful enough for the Legion Go ) . flip in an ethernet port for wired gaming , as well as three USB - A ports , and you ’ve baffle just about anything else you could require here . It ’s a sturdy pier that ’s promote by its great portable pattern , even if that ’s not enough to justify the cost .
Replacing a PC
I was specially eager to put Razer ’s gimmick to the test because the Steam Deck has become a prevalent part of my gaming life in the preceding few years . I barely represent anything on my PC any longer and am happy to take a carrying into action drop in favor of comfort station . TheSteam Deck OLED ’s fantastic displayhelps make that easier to live with , but it hail with batch of sacrifices . For one , the Steam Deck ’s touchpads and on - silver screen keyboard just are n’t enough to replace a traditional PC command setup . plot likeThe Roottrees Are DeadorCryptmastersimply do n’t work on the gimmick , so that ’s when I run to use my microcomputer most .
That ’s where the Handheld Dock Chroma ’s utility come into play . I started by testing it withRift of the Necrodancer . The rhythm secret plan would be a perfect nominee to test the sour grass for two reasons . The primary one is that it ’s a rhythm game work up around keyboard pointer ascendence . It can be play on a controller , but I witness that it ’s easier to match beats with an arrow layout . I plug my keyboard in via USB - A and it was like play on a microcomputer . Considering thatCivilization 7will run on Steam Deck , I can already see myself proceed a wireless keyboard and mouse into my bread and butter room and represent on my lounge rather than at my desk .
Rift of the Necrodancerdid let out a grownup trade - off , though . The biz boast a standardisation trial run to ensure players can stay on metre as possible . When playing on the Steam Deck proper , I was get under one’s skin a -17ms consequence , a small bit of human mistake . On the dockage , that latency jumped to 115ms . That ’s an enormous difference if you ’re just wait to stop up and play . If you want as little latency as possible , you ’ll need to check that you ’re diddle in your telly ’s Game Mode . If that ’s not enough , you may want to dump 4 K for 1080p , pick apart part of the gimmick ’s appeal out .
While those are the form of queerness I sharpen on as a product reviewer , my more free-and-easy experience of docking my Steam Deck has been everything I ’ve stargaze of . As I was testing it , I got deep intoEnder Magnolia : Bloom in the Mist . The Modern indie is a gorgeousMetroidvaniathat begs to be play on a handheld , but go out on a cock-a-hoop cover . I spend a weekend seamlessly getting both of those experiences thanks to a support room pinch . While I began playing on the Steam Deck proper , I soon go it over to my dock . I connected a spare Amazon Luna control to my handheld via Bluetooth and , just like that , I was using my Steam Deck like I would my PS5 . I could jump between that hand-held and dock experience in no time , depending on what I was in the mood for .
This is the form of flexibleness that I ultimately want from gaming these 24-hour interval . you could blame the Nintendo Switch for that . I do n’t need to be tethered to one rump if I want to play a plot any longer . I require to take a secret plan with me anywhere I go with as few forfeit as I can make do . Heck , I even habituate myPlayStation Portalregularly in my own dwelling house . My gaming PC still fits into that desire . If I desire to max out all of my computer graphic configurations , there ’s a place I can still do that . appliance is B. B. King , though , and that ’s what I ’m presently buzz off in my fresh lifestyle shift .
You do n’t need a Handheld Dock Chroma to get that experience . I ’m not sure I would have sprung for it outside of a work context , frankly . Any dockwill do the trick , but I ’ll go to bat for Razer ’s durable , locomotion - friendly design here . This is an all - in - one gaming dockage that feels time to come - proofread enough to deal a range of equipment size . It ’s already become a staple of my amusement substance in just one week and I do n’t require that to change anytime before long . At least not until I get that new motherboard .
