[Discussion] What's something that has improved your Deck experience?
It's been kinda a slow week as far as Deck news goes, so seems like a good time for a discussion post.
What's something that's significantly improved your deck experience? It can be a hardware accessory, software, decky plugin, etc.
It's quite technical, but enabling ssh has made it much easier to transfer files over.
Yeah, ssh and ftp are really handy. Warpinator is also a really easy way to do file transfers for people who want something pretty easy to set up.
I can also recommend KDE connect, does not work well on most public WiFi though.
I use localsend
This is peak laziness, but I installed a tablet mount on my bed's headboard so when I lay down I can just have the deck screen in front of my face. I use an 8bitdo controller so I don't have to hold my hands in the air.
I was originally going to get one of those gaming glasses that are advertised for the deck, but this accomplishes the same goal of comfortably gaming while laying down.
Heroic launcher, kdeconnect
Honestly, Emudeck has been a game changer. I love how it just sets up all the emulators pretty fast and I just drag and drop and im off to the races with default controller layouts.
Used it for a long time, but IMO RetroDeck is way better in making things as dumb as possible. One of the reasons I tried RetroDeck in the first place - bug with ROM Manager, it was showing some blank forms in my face and reset didn't helped, until the new EmuDeck update.
you know what, im always open to trying new things, I'll definitely give retrodeck a try for sure, thank you!
I upgraded my KVM switch recently to one with more ports (from 2 to 4). I used to have to get up and physically rewire the audio and switch the video input selection on my monitor when I wanted to use it instead of my main Linux desktop or ancient Win7 PC before. Now that I can just type a couple keystrokes to switch back and forth I'm actually using my Deck way more often...
Would you mind sharing your hardware setup?
I got the KVM used in good condition. It's an older model -- but I went with it anyway since it was a drop-in replacement for my 2-port setup and getting it used was much cheaper than their newer models. The newer ones support higher resolution/frame rates though, I think; I know this one won't do frame rates above 60FPS properly even though my monitor is capable of it when plugged in directly.
There's a few quirks with this setup. Probably most annoying is that moving the mouse typically causes computers to wake from sleep (like pressing a key on a keyboard normally does...); I think there's a way to mask that event off with udev rules but, eh, even a decade or so after getting the original 2-port KVM I haven't cared enough to actually bother working it out, so I guess it's not that big of an issue to me... :p
I’ve got a JSAUX modcase, and it’s been great for deck portability. The case that came with the deck is great for protection, but too big to fit easily in my bag I take to work. The modcase provides enough protection to put the deck in a bag, and has made it a lot easier to take with me. dBrand did this first with the Killswitch case, but it was a bit more expensive than I was willing to pay. I think some other brands have since made their own versions of it, but I don’t have any experience with those.
It is really nice.
My buddy has the KillSwitch case and I honestly prefer the Jsaux. Nicer texture on the grips.
Also love having the slide for the battery on the back.
I hate dealing with cords so I often plug a battery pack in, use it till I drain the battery pack. Then by the time the pack is full - the deck is almost empty. Rinse, Repeat
I got a gaming pillow from Mechanism. It holds the deck exactly where I want it, so my hands don't fall asleep during long play sessions.
Hardware-wise:
I have to say that when I'm docked, it's my 27" 1440p monitor. I love the way it looks, and it perfectly integer scales with 720p, so I have the option of running stuff in 720p native with no jaggies, and it looks fantastic.
When I'm handheld, I use a pair of light and thin bone conduction headphones so I can be anywhere in the house and have my ears open. I also use a simple pair of clip on 2x reading glasses to blow up the native screen, they cost me maybe $10 and really help out my 40s eyes.
Software wise: This is my main PC, and you know I always sing the praises of Nested Desktop because I'm always needing to bounce to Desktop mode. Decky Loader has also been transformative over the years with so many good plug ins.
But finally, I would have to say that the most impactful thing in recent times has been the Lossless Scaling frame gen... that's a literal game changer. If you had told me three months ago that I'd be playing Baldur's Gate 3 on my Steam Deck at 90 FPS, I'd have looked at you like you had a third eye growing out of the middle of your forehead, but here we are.
Seconding the Bone Conduction Headphones. I got them for walking/jogging and now I use them for everything.
I have 2 kids so I basically never know when I'm going to hear "Oh no" and have to take care of it.
I may have to pick up a pair of those reading glasses. What a brilliant idea!
30s and my eyes are already going so I know how you feel 😂
Updated Proton-GE Latest version in Heroic launcher.
Mechanical keyboard, trackball, and docking station
I used a Dell Thunderbolt dock to dock my Steam Deck with my third monitor at work, so when it gets slow I can play with my Dualsense I keep in the drawer at work.
It hasn't been slow in a while but when it was, oh boy, I made some progress in my games.
Installing OpenSUSE Tumbleweed was perfect for me. I much prefer the Plasma 6.4 Wayland desktop to gaming mode. Haven't noticed any slowdowns.
Back button "enhancement set".
Hated the stock back buttons and just never used them because they lined up exactly with the joint on my finger.
These just stick on with some 3M tape (definitely clean prior to application) and my fingers rest on the buttons now - and they're way easier to click.
I also grabbed some thumb stick cover things, but those aren't as "game changing"
Alternatively replace them if you're doing the back, and or face, plate swap. I did it with Jsaux Gameboy Purple.
Same result.
I never used them before the swap, and now I use them in every game.
Honestly the deck is always in the case so I don't see the purple but I do notice the back triggers.
Hahaha this post made me realize that the deck does have a back button. I never used them
