KadarusMar 3
Chris Trottier

This is the funniest Steam Deck accessory I’ve ever seen!

Don’t get me wrong. I understand why this keyboard/stand exists. It has a practical function.

But imagine sitting down at Starbucks. The room is full of normal laptops. Clean lines. Thin aluminum. Civilized.

You unzip a case that looks like it contains military hardware. Out comes a handheld gaming console.

Then a keyboard.

Then a clamp.

You assemble it in stages like you’re preparing to launch a small satellite.

Click. Lock. Adjust angle. Tighten mount.

The joysticks loom over your Word document like twin anti-aircraft turrets. The ABXY buttons shimmer with the promise of violence.

You begin typing your gentle coming-of-age novel.

Every paragraph is written beneath a D-pad.

Someone glances over, expecting Elden Ring. Instead they see you carefully crafting a metaphor about autumn leaves.

You nod solemnly and continue Chapter 3.

When the barista calls your name, you detach the entire contraption in reverse order like a NASA rollback procedure.

You pack away the clamp. You holster the console. You slide the keyboard into its sheath.

You leave behind only confusion.

No one knows if you were coding, gaming, or coordinating a drone strike.

You were writing poetry.

Mar 3 at 6:02amWeb
Show threadLinh PhamMar 3

@atomicpoet I know someone who uses a Steam Deck with a dock as their primary system after their desktop failed.

Love the flexibility of being able to do that and to load different Linux distros or even FreeBSD on the thing just for grins and giggles.

Speaking of which, I have a spare LCD model that I should give the latest version of FreeBSD a try. I played around with it not too long ago, but definitely had some issues with the wireless adapter.

Show threadwikiyuMar 3

@qlp @atomicpoet
I would be pretty sure that person in any cave using steamdeck with keyboard and a stand... would at least deploy some sattelites into orbit or something even more spectacular.
This shit is not for some excel or word n00bs. Its for a real PR0 written in capital letters and with zero instead of O.

btw I have made a misspell earlier and i think that is funnier to write caVe instead of caFe in this context.

Show threadGrant_HMar 3
@atomicpoet Love the imagery.
Show threadWulfy—Speaker to the machinesMar 3

@atomicpoet

You need to write tech reviews
Lovely language

Show threadShawnT 🔧🐀Mar 3
@atomicpoet Like my buddies lugging Frankenputers to dive cafes of old, we've seen weirder. Welcome, son.
Show threadGaëtan PerraultMar 3

@atomicpoet I have definitely heard several stories of people using the steam deck as their primary computer. Simply by hooking up a dock.

I also own a NexDock, which makes this seem even more reasonable. Keyboard + Touchpad + Screen + Battery.

This thing you're showing us doesn't have the Screen or the Battery.

So I guess the real question is what the price difference is between those two things? How much is this portable pad?

Show threadChris TrottierMar 3
@gatesvp Have a look for yourself.

https://a.co/d/0444Ai1s
Invensic DeckTop - Steam Deck Keyboard and Bluetooth Trackpad Mouse with Multicolor LED Laptop Accessories for Valve Linux PC Gaming Accessories : Amazon.ca: Electronics

Invensic DeckTop - Steam Deck Keyboard and Bluetooth Trackpad Mouse with Multicolor LED Laptop Accessories for Valve Linux PC Gaming Accessories : Amazon.ca: Electronics

Show threadGaëtan PerraultMar 3

@atomicpoet so in CAD, the "stand" is about $160 and the NexDock or EleCrow competitors start at $200 and go up as high as $400.

So the price point is relatively reasonable. It is less stuff but also less cost. Somebody out there is using this for keyboard and mouse games at that cafe 🤣

Show threadMaestra FénixMar 3

@atomicpoet not gonna lie, is tempting

Not a fan of the touchpad ( we already have two on the Deck itself ), and I wish the braces were hold in a different way ( by being central, it would in my case hide most of the stickers I have on the back ), but the idea is solid

Show threadZło To 🏴‍☠️ ᵗʰʳᵉᵉᶠᶦᵈᵈʸMar 3

@atomicpoet haxorr vibes!

No officer, I'm not a hacker, it's a gaming pad. Oh, the keyboard? Keeping it for a friend.

Show threadFlameMar 3
@atomicpoet Genuinely I kind of need a stand like this. But yeah, not something I would use in public.
Show threadMarkAssPandiMar 3
@atomicpoet I didn't know this existed and I always thought I need this
Show threadlina isidoraMar 3
@atomicpoet a ttrpg friend of mine uses a steam deck to hold all their campaign notes. last time i saw the setup they had obsidian in split screen with a browser on the tiny display..
Show threadKadarusMar 3
@atomicpoet I respect Valve for releasing a game console that can be used in multiple ways due to having actual Arch Linux on the board.
Show threadJojo Mar 3

@atomicpoet

But the steam deck fits into my bag (sorta) and a laptop won't. But honestly I'd rather have a 8" laptop with a game controller than a steam deck with a keyboard.

Show thread✨メッツォ✨  Mar 3
@atomicpoet I cannot express how much I enjoyed reading this post. Thank you 
Show threadNiMar 3
@atomicpoet @Aznorth  
Show threadThe Glass BingMar 3

@atomicpoet >The room is full of normal laptops. Clean lines. Thin aluminum. Civilized.

you mean those filthy peasants /j

Show threadpyro gamingMar 3

i would so get that just to be able to properly use desktop mode outside of my desk

where can i find this

Show threadRipp_ Mar 3
@atomicpoet I do though half want a laptop that sets up like this now though, but it's all random bespoke hand made gadets
Show threadkaeMar 3

@atomicpoet I actually use this to make my steam deck my laptop! The deck was cheaper and more powerful than the used Microsoft Surface I recently got and regretted.

There are only 3 issues with this approach:
- you can't use a bluetooth keyboard to enter a password for full-disk encryption, so I bring a small wired keyboard with me too.
- The screen is a little small for some tasks.
- The fn key is where ctrl should be, and Fn+C puts it back into pairing mode. Incredibly bad design choice.

Show threadkaeMar 3
(waiting for linux nerds to try and prove point 1 wrong)
(Yes, I looked into unl0kr, and yes I'm running arch. I'm a little uneasy about trusting passwords to something in the AUR, although the PKGBUILD looks pretty reasonable)
(honestly I might just be lazy)
(it should be something supported by the ecosystem writ large dangit)
Show threadLP🔸Light up the nightMar 3

@kae_bytheocean it continues to be unfortunate that the deck doesn't have its USB port on the *bottom*, so adapters like this *could* just easily slot on and be wired keyboards

and also because the little cable on their own official dock to wrap round to the top is just so ridiculous

Show threadkaeMar 3

@LionsPhil I didn't even know there was an official dock, wow.

The bottom of the steam deck is also where they added the SD card guillotine, so the layout down there must have been too much of a mess to add another port.

Show threadLP🔸Light up the nightMar 3

@kae_bytheocean Yeah, it's more of a "stays fixed at your desk" breakout kind of design.

Despite the store page showing someone grabbing their Deck quick, mid-arm-swing walking past...you can't *do* that, because of the need to plug it in at the top 

Show threadEdTheDevMar 3

@atomicpoet haha! Yes! That is my favorite thing about the SteamDeck!

Because it is Linux, it just does whatever it's owner tells it to. Compose poetry? Sure, there's Arch packages for that.

The SteamDeck has caused young people I know to believe that their devices should obey them and be multi-purpose.

It has even led to their installing Linux to reclaim less responsive hardware, as well.

#steamdeck #linux

Show threadBrahvimMar 3
What? Uhh, I'm the kid in college class who brings a full-size keyboard in the laptop bag everyday...
Show threadjoëlMar 3
@atomicpoet please post this in /r/writerdeck, they will lose their minds
Show thread/usr/local/goth @ homeMar 3
@atomicpoet huh this accessory night be for me. I bring my personal laptop on work trips for a Linux system but I bring my deck for gaming. Keyboard would let me just bring the deck for my Linux needs
Show threadTak!Mar 3
@atomicpoet it would be a great bit to code on one of these at the office, too bad there are infinite better uses for $150
Show threadKroc CamenMar 3

@atomicpoet Slides into the seat next to you and opens my Psion 5mx with its award-winning smooth hinge mechanism. Its 48MHz ARM chip is both powerful and power efficient, the whole device can run for 20 hours on just two AA batteries. The keyboard is full-travel and despite its size, it provides the best typing experience for a palmtop computer, bar none. The screen is a stunningly high density 640x240 pixels with 16 shades of grey and an electroluminescent backlight sandwiched along with the touchscreen. I press the side of the device and the stylus cooly springs out from its integrated spring-lock storage. This is a portable writing and calendaring battlestation and it has never been beaten in 25 years.

#psion #writingcommunity

Show threadBenjohnMar 3
@Kroc @atomicpoet that is lovely. I’d like a laptop like that. No touch pad. Widescreen format equal to the size of the keyboard. Fine with 16 greys LCD if the OS can clock down as well for weeks of battery. … maybe a LORA module too :-)
Show threadRobMar 3
@Kroc @atomicpoet Psion were ahead of their time. Prefer your 5mx to the MC 400 my father had in 1989. That was still cool though
Show threadMike Prior-JonesMar 3
@Kroc @atomicpoet I had one of these when it was new, saved up for a year to buy it. Incredible in 1997, still pretty amazing now. I’m sad that I got rid of it in the mid-00s.
Show threadMike Prior-JonesMar 3
@Kroc @atomicpoet (mine was a 5, I realise - the 5mx fixed all the annoying bits on it)
Show threadKroc CamenMar 3
@drmikepj The 5 Series does have better contrast though
Show threadThomas BeagleMar 3

@Kroc @atomicpoet "An elegant weapon for a more civilized age"

(Sorry, couldn't help it.)

Show threadSaoirse DulipMar 3
@Kroc @atomicpoet I MUST HAVE IT.
Show threadNovaMar 3
@Kroc @atomicpoet Beautiful keyboard.
Show threadSeth MillikenMar 3
@Kroc @GamesMissed @atomicpoet And in the next seat down, I unfold my BOOX Palma, fire up vim in Termux, and start typing furiously away on my Corne-ish Zen.
Show threadKroc CamenMar 3
@SethMilliken @GamesMissed @atomicpoet ❤️ (and yes, I say this as a Linux user now)
Show threadNazoMar 4
@Kroc @atomicpoet There really truly is just something about this class of device that is appealing beyond its actual features. I can't say what it is. What I ultimately really want is, say, a Raspberry Pi or something more capable of running a wider range of software like this, yet... Despite that I still want one of these because holy heck they're neat.
Show threadKroc CamenMar 4
@nazokiyoubinbou Software will always be the sticking point which is why any Android device with a keyboard will always be a terrible writing experience when none of the software is designed with this in mind. The software on the Psion is basic but very well designed and the word-processor and spreadsheet are surprisingly capable; everything was designed specifically for the device unlike WinCE which was a desktop interface shoehorned into a small screen where the taskbar made no sense taking up that much room on a wide-aspect screen. Nowadays the hardware is the easier bit, but it'll be a long time before better software exists because if a device doesn't have a web-browser these days then what good is it for/?
Show threadNazoMar 4

@Kroc I don't know. There's a lot of different software for Android. Heck, if I wanted I could open up Termux and use [preferred CLI editor] in it. There's some pretty good software even when one prefers simple out there and F-Droid likely has plenty of simpler stuff.

I'd say it's just the overall experience more than anything else. However, there's also just a certain "neatness" factor here. The Psion devices were truly unique and mold-breaking in their time. They really did something amazing. But modern tablets have made everything as generic and meaningless as possible. Worse, even added a touch of evil in there. Half the stuff in the official app stores (yes including Apple!) have a bunch of trackers and such.

In other words it's UX, not UI.

Show threaddiffie :3 (bindiff)Mar 5
@Kroc I would love to see (and use) something like this, but built using current technology.
Show threadKroc CamenMar 6

@jwo There have been *many* attempts and all appear to fall short because they keep targeting vibes rather than engineering. A modern “digital typewriter” like the Zerowriter (https://zerowriter.ink) is infinitely outclassed by a 90s #Alphasmart DANA (https://mateuszurbanowicz.com/2022/06/29/retro-writing-10-alphasmart-dana) in every measure. Like all things, _we are going backwards_. The #PocketMage (https://pocketmage.org) is interesting as a homebrew device but it’s still light years away from even a #Psion 3

#alphasmart #pocketmage #writingcommunity #retrocomputing #psion

Zerowriter

Learn and shop with Zerowriter: the open source e-paper word processor. Find your next favourite writing tool. Browse keycaps, switches, and other accessories. Learn how to make your own electronic word processor.

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Show threadEfi (nap pet) 🦊💤Mar 6
@Kroc @atomicpoet gimme
Show threadEvelyn EstelleMar 3

@atomicpoet It is indeed a funky looking combination. It looks like the Mars rover Spirit (or maybe a relative of Wall-E) staring at you the whole time.

I half-expected you to finish with "you were typing this post". 

Show threadcalcifer Mar 3

@atomicpoet I think this would be even funnier if it doesn't get undocked. Just fold the deck down onto the keyboard and put the whole thing into a bag.

(Though unironically, this is neat: I've used my deck as my "personal computer" on work trips to avoid packing a whole second laptop before, and this would be convenient as hell for that purpose.)

Show threadAlexMar 3
@atomicpoet There are games that I don’t even try to play with a controller.
Show threadKestralMar 3
@atomicpoet I LOVE THIS POST SO MUCH
Show threadMaestra FénixMar 3
@atomicpoet meanwhile, the setup my gay ass brings at the local hackspace...
Show threadPete / SyllopsiumMar 3
@atomicpoet If you think that is mildly ridiculous, you should have seen the folding keyboards that could be purchased for a Palmpilot
Show threadChris TrottierMar 3
@syllopsium I had one. Used it for college.
Show threadcleanyclothMar 3

@atomicpoet This is what I essentially did with a Lenovo Legion Go for a few months when my actual laptop decided to blow itself up. It worked well though!

Now I have an ROG Flow which is basically just a gaming Surface Pro :p

Show threadchollingMar 3
@atomicpoet I once saw someone in Starbucks with a full desktop iMac. At another coffee shop I saw someone with an improvised "laptop" consisting of a monitor, Mac mini, and keyboard all built into a briefcase. Nobody would bat an eye at a Steam deck.
Show threadTobias MiggeMar 3
@atomicpoet 👆 @guacamole