iVoler Introduces Coveted Pro Version Steam Deck Dock

[TheLostSwede]

Video game accessories company iVoler today announced a Pro version of its Steam Deck docking station. Compatible with Valve Steam Deck handheld gaming device, the dock provides an immediate solution for users who have been shut out by Valve indefinitely delaying their own proprietary docking station due to production issues. This Steam Deck dock pro will be available on September 5 in 7 Amazon marketplaces; US, CA, UK, DE, FR, IT, and ES with prime shipping service. iVoler also provides a 15% discount for social media pre-order.

iVoler Steam Deck Dock Pro is a 6-in-1 docking station that is specifically designed to work with Valve's handheld device. It also features three USB 3.0 ports with up to 5 Gbps data transmission, and one angled USB-C cable fitting angled connection for the Steam Deck device. Priced at $49.99, iVoler's dock is also a budget-friendly 6-in-1 docking station option that combines a USB hub and kickstand together.




Updates on the Pro version:

• Premium design with aluminium alloy.
• Upgrade to HDMI 2.0 for up to 4K@60 Hz video output.
• Adding a Gigabit Ethernet port.
• USB-C PD3.0 100 W max power delivery, in line with the MAX charging speed of the Steam Deck which is 45 W).
• It also features three USB 3.0 ports with up to 5 Gbps data transmission, and one angled USB-C cable fitting angled connection for the Steam Deck device. Priced at $49.99, iVoler's dock is also a budget-friendly 6-in-1 docking station option that combines a USB hub and kickstand together.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[Nordic]

• Adding a Gigabit Ethernet port.
• USB-C PD3.0 100 W max power delivery, in line with the MAX charging speed of the Steam Deck which is 45 W).

I have been reading elsewhere that many "docks" don't provide enough power to charge the Steam Deck and play games at the same time. Those ones aren't usually advertised as being Steam Deck compatible, but some people didn't want to wait for purpose built products.

The first JSAUX dock lacked gigabit internet. They quickly released a 2.0 version with gigabit that is priced similarly to this one. Seems to be some competition.

Meanwhile VALVE has yet to even release any sort of information on their dock.

 

[Renald]

I don't even understand why you would buy such a thing ?

A Steam Deck main purpose is to have your habitual games you have on your computer, available on a portable device, giving up some performance.
So, if you already have a PC, and playing on it, why on Earth would you buy something like that ?

Sorry I don't understand the purpose of this product, since the hardware of a Steam Deck is very limited and is easily matched by a Laptop computer.


I'm docking my Switch, because I don't want to play my Switch games on a small screen, but they aren't available elsewhere. This is not the case for the Steam Deck.

 

[Lianna]

three USB 3.0 ports with up to 5 Gbps data transmission

The port on Steam Deck is USB 3.2 Gen 2. For a device made for Steam Deck, I would expect it to have Gen 2 (10 Gbps) downstream ports; and probably one of them should be type C. Why are so many docks/hubs going cheap for USB?
Nice dock could have additional DisplayPort and maybe card readers, too.

I don't even understand why you would buy such a thing ?

To dock it for anything outside games?

 

[Renald]

To dock it for anything outside games?

Ok, why not.

But do you know a lot of people having a gaming computer, a Steam Deck, and no laptop to work on, so they use their Steam Deck instead ?
It's more than a niche.

 

[HisDivineOrder]

I don't even understand why you would buy such a thing ?

A Steam Deck main purpose is to have your habitual games you have on your computer, available on a portable device, giving up some performance.
So, if you already have a PC, and playing on it, why on Earth would you buy something like that ?

Sorry I don't understand the purpose of this product, since the hardware of a Steam Deck is very limited and is easily matched by a Laptop computer.


I'm docking my Switch, because I don't want to play my Switch games on a small screen, but they aren't available elsewhere. This is not the case for the Steam Deck.

Steam Deck's cleverest trick is it has multiple goals: to create a cheaper entry point for people who want to be PC gaming, to address all those people (like me) complaining about having to buy the same game twice just to play it on the go, and to offer people a relatively high power PC portable experience for whatever purpose you like.

The dock lets someone use the SD on their TV/monitor as a stand-in for a PC. Sure, it's not HIGH performance, but plenty of people don't need that. I see the use-case. I don't see myself using it that way though. I just wouldn't discount the number of people saying they're using the Steam Deck as an entry point. $400 for a portable PC that can game seems like a good deal. Imagine if Microsoft let the Xbox Series S become a full-on gaming PC at $250-300. That's the kind of impact we're talking about.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

The port on Steam Deck is USB 3.2 Gen 2. For a device made for Steam Deck, I would expect it to have Gen 2 (10 Gbps) downstream ports; and probably one of them should be type C. Why are so many docks/hubs going cheap for USB?
Nice dock could have additional DisplayPort and maybe card readers, too.

To dock it for anything outside games?

Yeah and no rj45 useless.

 

[Lianna]

Yeah and no rj45 useless.

There is RJ45 in the pictures and GbE in the description.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

There is RJ45 in the pictures and GbE in the description.

Damn my eye's, now I needs it.

 

[Renald]

Steam Deck's cleverest trick is it has multiple goals: to create a cheaper entry point for people who want to be PC gaming, to address all those people (like me) complaining about having to buy the same game twice just to play it on the go, and to offer people a relatively high power PC portable experience for whatever purpose you like.

The dock lets someone use the SD on their TV/monitor as a stand-in for a PC. Sure, it's not HIGH performance, but plenty of people don't need that. I see the use-case. I don't see myself using it that way though. I just wouldn't discount the number of people saying they're using the Steam Deck as an entry point. $400 for a portable PC that can game seems like a good deal. Imagine if Microsoft let the Xbox Series S become a full-on gaming PC at $250-300. That's the kind of impact we're talking about.

Thanks for the complete answer !

Make more sense if you don't have any decent PC to play on indeed. But it means you have no Desktop or Laptop that can handle a few 1080p games. Affordable 1080p GPU are around 150$...
Still, my choice wouldn't be to buy a Steam Deck, but that's my choice

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

Thanks for the complete answer !

Make more sense if you don't have any decent PC to play on indeed. But it means you have no Desktop or Laptop that can handle a few 1080p games. Affordable 1080p GPU are around 150$...
Still, my choice wouldn't be to buy a Steam Deck, but that's my choice

I think you would be surprised what would run on it well tbh but it wouldn't be better on a 1080p then a Gaming laptop or desktop.
I'm pleasantly surprised.

 

[Nordic]

Ok, why not.

But do you know a lot of people having a gaming computer, a Steam Deck, and no laptop to work on, so they use their Steam Deck instead ?
It's more than a niche.

This describes me. I have a gaming pc, a steam deck, and no laptop.

I plan to eventually get a dock so that I can bring my Deck to friends and family's houses and play cooperative games. I have several cooperative games already and will be emulating Nintendo's best. People do this with their Nintendo switch. I plan to have the same capability with my Deck.

If this market segment was too niche, then why have two separate companies made products for it? At least there are two that I know of so far. They clearly believe they can make a profit.

I think you would be surprised what would run on it well tbh but it wouldn't be better on a 1080p then a Gaming laptop or desktop.
I'm pleasantly surprised.

Even performance intensive games like Cyberpunk and Control run well with lowered settings. I really did not think either of those games would be playable.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

Also, some people

• Like the Deck's control inputs but want a bigger screen
• Need GbE to download a game/achieve playable online multiplayer
• Want to play a game on their Deck that they haven't downloaded on their computer
• Play games that use local save files only
• Etc

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

Also, some people

• Like the Deck's control inputs but want a bigger screen
• Need GbE to download a game/achieve playable online multiplayer
• Want to play a game on their Deck that they haven't downloaded on their computer
• Play games that use local save files only
• Etc

Also some people don't game?!.

I mean there's lots of some people, doesn't make one's happy day better than anyone elses.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

Also some people don't game?!.

I mean there's lots of some people, doesn't make one's happy day better than anyone elses.

A steam deck for someone who does not game? I guess it is possible...

 

[Nordic]

A steam deck for someone who does not game? I guess it is possible...

I have seen some people using it as a laptop replacement. Honestly, that seems masochistic even if it can fully function that way.

 

[low]

This usb hub is some kind of luxury addon for an luxury.

But you can use it with any smartphone and laptop to be more productive.

These steam addons are at least newest technology and you will get what you pay for. Most of the older usb hubs cant do 60hz at 4k and only deliver 100mbit via lanport.