Whenever my main pc is running some heavy game that requires all resources, I throw my handheld on the 2nd monitor, just swapping inputs between bluetooth and wireless to go back and forth when necessary. Works great for multitasking. Think it’s nice when my handheld is being used for gaming, my pc is in productivity mode, and when I want to play something heavier my handheld becomes the productivity pc (I sometimes do remote work and keep games running on my main pc for when I take breaks so I don’t have to reload the game.)
Obviously a benefit that can come from any mini pc, backup laptop, etc. but in the case of handhelds, mine is never just sitting around collecting dust, if I’m gaming on my PC, it is doing my regular pc tasks like webbrowsing, streaming, etc. and if I’m using my main pc for productivity it becomes my gaming break device again. Just not something I considered as I was worried if I got back into heavier gaming on my pc it would become a waste of money.
I throw my handheld on the 2nd monitor, just swapping inputs between bluetooth and wireless to go back and forth when necessary.
I love how we all have access to computers and the internet, and we all have different workflows.
[Relevant XKCD] is up there as one of my favourites
I love seeing ppl’s unique setups and the different directions they go based off their hobbies and needs
I love reading how people use their Steam Deck for things other than gaming.
I recently had to travel for family obligations and had to work during the 3-week trip. Rather than carry both my work and personal laptops, I used the Steam Deck + slim Bluetooth keyboard + a travel mouse as my personal laptop. I travel with a second 4K portable monitor for work anyway, so the increase in bulk was minimal. I also always carry my Deck for flights and other travel more than 1 hour. The Deck has been such an additive bit of gear, and not just for portable gaming. I’d go so far as to say it’s more than additive; it’s transformative.
I just spent 6 months using it as my main work station. It was flawless. Everything i do is browser based other than learning godot so it’s was an easy task but it’s more than capable.
Flashing microcontrollers with the steam deck is fun and always turns heads
I’d recommend Barrier over wireless/Bluetooth switching.
https://github.com/debauchee/barrier
It’s in the package manager too. You just glide your mouse across to the decks display as though it were a second screen and your keyboard and mouse work seamlessly there. Alternatively you can switch with a keyboard shortcut.
The barrier repo is basically dead, input-leap is a fork from two of the previous maintainers and still actively developed: https://github.com/input-leap/input-leap/issues/1414 So unless you’re using an apt based distro (which don’t seem to have it packaged yet), I’d recommend using that instead.
Thanks! I might have already known this, it does ring a bell, but last I dabbled Barrier was maintained.
That’s awesome, didn’t know that existed.