I’ve had my deck for 2 years now and it’s been my main gaming device since the day I got it. I take it on trips and use my 3rd party dock and controller to hook it up to whichever TV is at my location.
My only regret is that this way I’m limited to controller-only games, and I really want to play some of the keyboard + mouse games in my library.
Whichever kb + mouse I buy needs to be as portable and lightweight as possible, but still functional with near full-size keycaps (chiclet keys are ok).
I have a folding Bluetooth keyboard, but the build quality is absolute trash.
Any recommendations will be gratefully added to my research list!
While I don’t have a Steamdeck or similar, I made myself a relatively portable Mac Mini setup with a wireless mouse and keyboard and a usb-c portable monitor.
Razer Atheris laptop mouse keychron k7 65% wireless/bluetooth keyboard.
The keychron has mac/win mode and came with a few extra keycaps for windows/mac use if it matters. Can be used over bluetooth or by cable. That one has slim profile keycaps. I really enjoy using it. I’ve seen a similar sized keyboard somewhere on amazon that also folds in half longwise to take up less space. Will probably grab one to play with.
The portable one was one I took a chance on Temu. 15” 144hz OLED that I snagged for cheap. Can be powered just on the usbc cable but also had mini hdmi and an extra usbc port. Also has a micro usb port for power if needed too.
The mouse I’ve had forever and is on the smaller side. If I’m feeling for a bigger mouse and plan ahead I also have a MX Master3 for work and a G502 Hero that I normally use at my desktop.
Hear me out, you don’t want portable, you want transportable. I made this. It’s a lap tray with cushion underneath and a handle, and everything attaches to it.
This is really cool, do you have a high level guide on what you used to make it?
Unfortunately no, at least not that I can still find. It was really just a lap tray and I used industrial Velcro with adhesive on the back, along with an adhesive mousepad. The mouse holder is just from the box it came in.
The challenge was the lack of wireless for the single-handed hardware keyboard at the time, so a USB2BT module was needed, and those knobs I added at the top were for wrapping a wire from a tiny USB2.0 Hub for if I wanted to be wired.
Doing it again it would be 100% wireless with magnetic quick charge connectors on all the elements. (I got a million of them of different angles off Aliexpress and have them on all my travel items).
Looks very neat! Not sure I could fit it in my backpack though 🤔
Ahhh yea. If I were to do this with a backpack I’d probably make something folding. Having the tray is super nice for couch visits.
I like this. It fits a lot of the solutions I create around the Steam deck. Thanks for sharing!
Admittedly I did this years ago, and had to use USB to BT adapters which was janky. Wireless keyboards are much better now 😉
Here’s a couple of suggestions for your keeb: (LMK if you have questions. This is one of my hobbies; I can talk about it all day lol)
https://rkgamingstore.com/collections/65-keyboards?filter.tag=connectivity:wireless
https://www.gloriousgaming.com/collections/wireless-keyboards
Although these are great mechanical keyboards, I don’t think they are ideal for portability. The Keychron one you linked is 0.7Kg (1.6lbs) which is quite a lot if you want to carry it around. I have a Keychron TKL and it’s really heavy with the aluminium frame.
Yeah, OP should NOT get one with an aluminum case. The K12 I linked has the option, unless I am mistaken.
I’ve got the Keychron K7, it has low profile switches and keycaps and works pretty alright. Since I use my Deck as a dev machine and do my general computer stuff on it as well, In almost always bring it with me.
The downside to the K7 I’d say is the battery life. I often have it plugged in when at home and it lasts me when I’m out but the Bluetooth dies quickly on it when I forget to do so.
They have a re-programmable version of it as well and while I don’t have that one to save a bit of cash I’d wager it works a bit nicer.
There’s also different switches available to purchase. I have the keychron browns but hope to upgrade to the Gateron Banana or equivalent one day.
Nice, thanks
For the mouse, I recommend G305. It’s wireless, but it lasts a truly stupid amount of time on a single AA. Just keep a spare in your bag and you will literally never have to think about charging it.
It has a fantastic sensor, and doesn’t break the bank. As long as the shape fits you, it should be good.
For keyboards, look for “tenkeyless” or even smaller. Tenkeyless can come with full size keys, while being smaller by dropping the numpad. Even smaller keyboards might drop the columns of keys with the arrow keys and home/end/page keys, the function row, or even the number row. Somewhere along the spectrum you should get down to something that’s about the size of a SteamDeck, or smaller, without making the keys you’ll actually use while gaming, smaller.
If you want to save on thickness and weight, consider LP switches. Low profile mechanical keyboards have become more available. These’ll be thinner and have shorter travel, but without going as flat as most laptops. They can be really nice, while also being way more portable than boards with full-height key switches.
I like them myself just for the ergonomics. A keyboard that lays flatter on my desk means less bending upwards and then back down in my hands and fingers when using it.
I use a G915 TKL, but that may still be a tad big next to the Deck. (And expensive)
Edit: I remember hearing good things about keychron. I don’t have personal experience so do some research, but that K3 and this K7 seem potentially ideal. They also have a bunch of other models.
Thanks for the comprehensive rundown, adding LP switch keyboards to my search
What’s your definition of portable? A small mechanical keyboard might be a good fit.
Good question. Too large would be something larger than the deck itself. I need it to fit into a regular day backpack with other stuff.
Too small would be one of those Rii style keyboards with built in trackpad that you need to hold in your hands and type with your thumbs.
Look at maybe a game pad + portable mouse? I use a Planck ortholonear kb for my steam deck, but you probably don’t need a 45%kb.
Back in the day I used a nostromo game pad. This looks similar? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B84QHPDW
I’d not considered that, thanks
I don’t have a cool kb&mouse combination for the deck. I just use the K380+Pebble, it’s not cool, but it works well for both my Deck and my iPad.
I use this same setup. Definitely recommend.
Thanks for the recommendation, I’ll look into these.
I actually got quite used to using the gyro as a mouse for aiming. It might not be as simple as a real mouse but it’s funner than just a joystick.
Probably not what you’re looking for, but I recently picked up a cheap bluetooth trackball mouse for my Deck. I already have good controllers, so I was looking for something that would let me play mouse heavy games while the deck was docked.
I use a trackball regularly. What’s the make + model and how well does it work for you?
Tbh I only bought this trackball because it was super cheap, and I wanted to evaluate if I could get used to a trackball. I can check the brand/model when I get home, but it’s a thumb-ball. Main nice feature with it is that it supports both bluetooth and usb wireless.
I’d like to try a fingerball as well sometimes, I find thumb ball plenty useable, but I don’t think I could do nearly as well at FPS games with it vs a traditional mouse (I might just need more learning time though). I think a fingerball might be better for me.
Love my arteck gear, it’s cheap AF, but I can buy 5 or 6 for the price of 1 nice setup, and I don’t worry at all about it being trashed in transit.
The small keyboard fits just about any pocket my deck will fit into (yeah I travel in loose baggy clothes), and I have a really small collapsible kick stand for the deck as well.
I’ve not come across Arteck, thanks for the tip.
I have a full size and multiple 60%'s, they’re all very reliable, not the heartiest, but I had the first one for over 5 years, all of the screws stripped out of the back (from being repeatedly walked on by the dogs, rolled upon by myself), and it still worked. But using it became a chore so I caved and bought another to replace it.
For keyboards, 60% layouts can be bought prebuilt. If you want something smaller than that then you’re likely looking at DIY build territory or maybe a one handed gaming keyboard.
For a mouse, you can get really tiny portable mice that are low weight. If you want something that doesn’t tie you down to finding desk space, then you can look at trackball mice (fine for strategy games, not great for FPS).
