Skull & Co SteamDock Pro and Core Drive (Hardware)
Official GBAtemp Review
Product Information:
- Official Store: https://skullnco.com/products/steamdock?variant=44494667645220
I absolutely adore the Steam Deck, its power and portability single handedly revived my love of video games that was taking a steep in decline in recent years. While I love being able to play PC games on the go and emulating tons of retro and even more modern consoles, I primarily use the Steam Deck to stream PS5 games via Chiaki. Having only one PS5 connected to only one TV in the house, I enjoy being able to play all of my games remotely via the Steam Deck while the TV is otherwise in use.
But sometimes I want to play on the big screen even though the main TV is in use. It’s a very serious first world problem that I simply needed a solution to. Enter: The Steam Deck Dock. Amazingly, I would be able to connect my Steam Deck to any monitor via HDMI and steam my PS5 from anywhere in the house without having to worry about battery life or hand cramps! All at the low, low cost of… $89? Wait, that can’t be right. $89 for a simple USB-C dock with 2 USB ports, an ethernet port, a DisplayPort, and an HDMI port? Not to mention the Well, I mean I guess it’s cheaper than buying a whole new console, so I went ahead and purchased it. Was it worth it? Yes. But we’re not here to talk about the Official Steam Deck Dock.
It did not take long for buyer’s remorse to set in when I found out that Skull & Co, the company responsible for many of the best third party Nintendo Switch accessories, came out with their own Pro version of the Steam Deck Dock and set the price at only $34, over 2.5 times cheaper than the official Dock. But hey, I have a living room; a bedroom; a basement; and an office that all need access to my Steam Deck so I can stream my PS5 anywhere. It’s the only way that I can get those little digital trophies that give me just enough of a dopamine boost to keep me going—even if it’s just for a little while. With that goal in mind I thought “neat” and jumped at the opportunity to add the Skull & Co SteamDock Pro to my collection. Now I have the PS5 set up in my living room, the official Steam Deck dock in my bedroom, the PS4 in my basement, and the Skull & Co SteamDock Pro in my office. Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY!
The Skull & Co. SteamDock Pro not only has all of the features of the official dock at a much lower price point, but it actually has more features than the official one. While the official dock can only really be used stationary and with the steam deck, the SteamDock Pro’s core drive is fully detachable from the dock housing, revealing a USB-C hub that’s compatible with your PC, laptop, Switch, or phone.
All of the foregoing aside, the device is not without its faults. The SteamDock Pro is indeed quite a bit longer than the official Steam Deck Dock since it has to hold the enclosed core drive. Further, the cord that connects the Steam Deck to the device is slightly smaller and more stiff than the Steam Deck Dock. Also, while playing for about an hour I did notice the screen flicker for about a second one time. I’m not entirely sure if that was an issue with my monitor or with the SteamDock Pro, but I was unable to replicate the error a second time. Whether the device stands the test of time is a question that can’t be answered right now since the device is so new, but for now it’s working wonderfully.
Tech Specs:
- High-resolution output - supports up to 4K@60Hz.
- Modular design - cable, cover, Core Drive, all detachable.
- One dock, two consoles - detachable Core Drive works with both Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch.
- Incomparable portability - pocket-size Core Drive for on the go.
- Compatible with protective cases - no need to remove the case when docking.
- Hook up most electronic devices - the Core Drive can be used as a USB hub, providing one HDMI 2.0b, and three USB 3.0 ports (only in the Pro version).
- Well-ventilated backrest - does not block airflow, no overheating.
- Controller mode - use your Deck as a controller while enjoying a bigger screen.
Overall, I’m very pleased with the Skull & Co. SteamDock Pro. Not only do I feel that it competes with the official Steam Deck dock, I truly think that it exceeds the official product both in terms of price and utility. While there is an even cheaper option available for $17, I think it’s worth it to spring for the Pro version with all of the bells and whistles. As someone with multiple TVs in multiple rooms who wants access to my precious games wherever I am, I’m very happy to have the SteamDock Pro as an affordable alternative to the official Steam Deck Dock. I recommend it without hesitation.
Verdict
- Compact and portable size
- Compatible with any USB-C device
- Much more affordable than the official Steam Deck Dock
- The perception that a knockoff < official branding
- Quite a bit longer than the official Steam Deck Dock
- The wire connecting the Steam Deck to the dock is smaller and more stiff than the official Dock
