Designer Justinas Jakubovskis has developed a 3D printed case that converts the popular Steam Deck handheld games console into a tiny functioning laptop.
If you’re a gamer, you’ve almost certainly tried to play AAA titles on a home PC. With their invention, Jakubovskis has flipped this dynamic on its head, taking a small console built for gaming and turning it into a computer you can use for everyday tasks.
Essentially a casing with kickstand, ventilation, and slots for a Pebble 2 keyboard and mouse, the design is perfect for those wanting to work on the go. It may be relatively old compared to modern PCs, but the Steam Deck can still run Windows or Linux, connect to Wi-Fi, and operate for up to 8 hours on a single charge. So there should be no problems on the hardware front.
You can even continue using the console’s ports to connect PC accessories, as the case features cut-outs for cables, and deploy its trackpad as a sort of built-in mouse.
Of course, seeing what you’ve typed on the device’s 7.4-inch display is not going to be straightforward, nor is its kickstand likely to balance easily on your lap. But the design is an interesting solution for those tired of carrying around a laptop and handheld console all day.
Simple to 3D print from PETG and TPU, Jakubovskis has made the files behind the casing publicly available. Now anyone can download, 3D print, and customize their own Steam Deck case. Fair play to the designer – what a great example of the maker community in-action!
You can find out more about the Steam Deck laptop casing and get the 3D printing files here.
