Curved design offers easy port access
Barely noticeable when docked
Great connectivity
Feels a little cheap
No DisplayPort
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If you want to go big screen with your Steam Deck there are a heck of a lot of options to choose from alongside the official 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Valve Steam Deck Dock. The Syntech 6-in-1 Steam Dꦬeck Docking Station is another♈ one, but with a unique curved design and distinctly affordable price tag, it really is one to consider.
Syntech's docking station is only $39.99 / £36.99, which makes it the cheapest I've personally tested among the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Steam Deck Docks. It's not got the greatest build quality but otherwise offers a pr♒emium experience and a few sweet extras that heighten the overall appeal. Plus, it's dinky, unobtrusive, aꦉnd easy to use, so there's plenty to like here.
The Syntech 6-in-1 Steam Deck Docking Station mimics the design of the official Steam Deck Dock in that it's effectively a shelf to hold up your Steam Deck without obstructing the display - unlike the Switch Dock for example. It's not the only unofficial model to do this, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:iVoler 5-in-1 Steam Deck Dock is the same, but Syntech's do🌼es have a bit of custom flair to make it stand out from the competition 🔯- it's curved.
It has a little puck-esque body with one flat edge where there's the aforementioned shelf you rest your Steam Deck in. It's small enough to ensure neither of the vents on the back of your Steam Deck are obstructed, which anyone that's used to playing on one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming PCs will appreciate - airflow is essential after all. Syntech's dock is also lightweight enough to be chucked into a backpack without even thinking about it. However, t𒁃his does result in it feeling a little cheap and hollow. At this price point though, and for what you really need it to do, this isn't a huge consideration.
The lip itself is really discrete and slimline, making sure it doesn't impact your view of the touchscreen if needed, but also keeping your desktop or TV unit as neat as it can be visually. The lip is lined on the bottom and front with a t🔜exturized rubber for holding your Steam Deck securely while holstered, although I'd have liked to see the back part treated with the same material fo🎃r additional protection against any damage to your Deck. It is a wide enough lip to allow space for any case you may have on your Deck too. The bottom of the overall Docking Station also has silicone lining, which is useful for stability.
Around the back, along the curve in the body, are all your connectivity ports. As you'd probably guess from the name, the Syntech 6-in-1 Steam Deck Docking Station has six of them, starting at one edge with a single USB 3.0 port, followed by HDMI 2.0 (support for 4K 60fps with an HDMI 2.0 cable), USB-C, ethernet, and finally another two USB 3.0 ports. The fact that it is curved provides much easier access to all the ports without having to rummage around the back, which is particularly handy if you're wanting to keep everything neat while still having the option to plug in a controller or one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboards. There's also the 90-degree USB-C cable for reaching over the top of your Steam Deck and connecting it to the dock itself - again mimicking the official Valve option nicely.
It's worth noting that, as you'd expect for this price point, the Syntech 6-in-1 Steam Deck Docking Station doesn't come with its own power cable or HD✤MI, so you'll have to use your existing Steam Deck charger and provide your own connections. The instructions are also very fierce about using HDMI-to-DisplayPort cables, as well as some other caveats, so be sure to double-check your specific wiring needs before purchasing. It's a shame it doesn't have its own bespoke DisplayPort option, or at least play nice with adapters. I tested this dock connected to my TV via HDMI and it worked wonderful🔴ly in this scenario. The Syntech Docking Station does come with a pair of orange thumb grips though, which was a pleasant surprise addition.
Because there are so many ports, it makes it really easy to turn your Steam Deck into a portable gaming PC. I wired up an 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Xbox One controller and my old reliable 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Turret wireless keyboard and mouse duo. It's easy to use and everything worked well, especiaꦇlly💛 since the USB is positioned on the curved edge, letting the cable work around the front of the dock more easily. There are no awkward angles whatsoever with the Syntech dock.
When it comes to performanceಞ, I had no issues when using the Syntech 6-in-1 Steam Deck Docking Station. It's exactly the kind of plug-and-play experience you'd hope for with a dock like this.
We tested the dock with a variety of games, ranging from high-action games like God of War and Have a Nice Death, to titles like Roots of Pacha and Dorfromantik. We didn't experience any lag or connectivity issues at any point in our two-week testing period, which is a great sign. Using an HDMI 2.0 cable, getting games to run at 4K 60fps where available was a breeze, ensuring everything looked great on my 55-inch LG OLED 4K TV.
If you're happy to use your own cables, the Syntech 6-in-1 ♈Steam Deck Docking Station is a brilliant option for taking your St🌠eam Deck to the biggest screens in your home.
This deck is well-built and well-designed, and it's proof that you should show off your curves. It's certainly going to give ✱Valve's own dock some competition, p꧟articularly because of the price and functionality.
We spent two weeks testing the Syntech 6-in-1 Steam Deck Docking Station, utilizing multiple games from our Steam library using our 512GB Steam Deck. We spent several weeks testi🙈ng the iVoler Steam Deck Dock before this, comparing it to Syntech's model closely. Games were playꦑed using a wired Xbox One controller and a wireless keyboard and mouse.
Leveling up your docked Steam Deck gear? Check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming monitors, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse, and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best PC controllers.
Sam Loveridge is the Brand Director and former Global Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar. She joined the team in August 2017. Sam came to GamesRadar after working at TrustedReviews, Digital Spy, and Fandom, following the completion of an MA in Journalism. In her time, she's also had appearances on The Guardian, BBC, and more. Her experience has seen her cover console and PC games, along with gaming hardware, for a decade, and for GamesRadar, she's in charge of the site's overall direction, managing the team, and making sure it's the best it can b🍨e. Her gaming passions lie with weird simulation games, big open-world RPGs, and beautifully crafted indies. She plays across all platforms, and specializes in titles like Pokemon, Assassin's Creed, The Sims, and more. Basically, she loves all games that aren't sports or fighting titles! In her spare time, Sam likes to live like Stardew Valley by cooking and baking, growing vegetables, and enjoying life in the countryside.
