The Steam Deck gets a 3D printed ergo keyboard dock thanks to some creative modification and a clever clip-on hinged design

Image of the Steam Deck playing Frostpunk.

(Image credit: Future)

The Steam Deck is good at many things, but a wonderful typing experience it is not. Either you're furiously flipping away at those thumbsticks like some kind of—shock horror—console gamer, or you're jabbing your fingers and thumbs at the touchscreen like—even bigger shock horror—a mobile gamer. Well, thanks to some clever modding, the Steam Deck now has a 3D printable design for a keeb of its very own, and it hinges right off the Deck like it was meant to be there in the first place.

The keeb in question is the split ergonomic design Corne keyboard, a typing device available as a kit that's been given its very own 3D printable frame thanks to custom designs by Thingiverse user [a8ksh4], that in turn allow the keyboard to clip on to the Steam Deck (via Hackaday).

If you're someone like me however, that's content to sit on the side-lines and marvel at someone else's 3D printed creations, it seems like it won't be long before the community takes advantage of that clever clip and iterates off the idea of adding just about anything you can think of to the bottom of a Steam Deck.

Personally I'd like to see some dual screen configurations, or maybe even a portable mini 3D printed wheel for racing games, just for the sheer giggles. Come on now, 3D printing community, don't let me down. You know it'd make for a fun project.

Corne split keyboard — (Image credit: Corne)

More on the Steam Deck

Steam Deck set up as a PC — (Image credit: Future)

Steam Deck OLED review: Our verdict on Valve's handheld.
Best Steam Deck accessories: Get decked out.
Steam Deck battery life: What's the real battery life?
Best handheld gaming PC: What's the best travel buddy?

For those of you more interested in the design than the execution, you can also have a play around with the 3D models right in your browser over on OnShape, and I'd highly recommend it for a closer look. It's a clever and effective use of the form factor, plus you can spin a Steam Deck around in 3D space and yell "wheeee" which I've been doing far too much of while I was supposed to be writing this piece.

Yep, that's why I'm not a designer. Still, I'm looking forward to what the modding community develops next. Feel free to call me if you're looking for suggestions. When it comes to this sort of hackery, I'm more of an ideas kinda guy.

Andy built his first gaming PC at the tender age of 12, when IDE cables were a thing and high resolution wasn't—and he hasn't stopped since. Now working as a hardware writer for PC Gamer, Andy spends his time jumping around the world attending product launches and trade shows, all the while reviewing every bit of PC gaming hardware he can get his hands on. You name it, if it's interesting hardware he'll write words about it, with opinions and everything.