PC Gaming on the Go: Modifying Steam Deck to Fit Inside a Keyboard-Topped Lunch Box-Like Design
Taking the Steam Deck to New Heights: The Bento Mod
The Steam Deck's Linux foundation and open hardware have made it a dream canvas for modders and creative tinkerers. And one such innovative mod, known as the Bento Steam Deck, is causing a stir among fans. This transformative project turns the Steam Deck into a more versatile device, adopting a form factor reminiscent of a classic Japanese lunch box.
Michael Gutensohn, better known as michaelthatsit on Reddit, is the mastermind behind the Bento Steam Deck mod. The mod takes the Steam Deck's hardware, now feeling slightly dated, and pushes the boundaries of what Valve originally intended.
The original design of the Steam Deck caters primarily to gaming. While adding a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse helps, the small built-in display often leaves users yearning for an external monitor. That's where the Bento mod steps in, offering a refreshing perspective on the device's limitations.
At first glance, the Bento Steam Deck looks like a simple combination of a keyboard and a nondescript box. But upon closer inspection, you'll find that the box snugly houses the Steam Deck's internals, including the battery and cooling solution. The mod's inspiration stems from the humble bento box, with the inside organized into dedicated compartments. One side remains empty to stash accessories or additional tools.
The Bento mod shines when paired with AR glasses, such as the Xreal Air. This setup offers a large, immersive, and private virtual display, maintaining the device's portability. It's true that sacrificing the handheld convenience is necessary, but the reward is a more comfortable typing and computing experience. For gaming sessions, a wireless controller can always be added to the mix.
While there's still room for improvement, like devising ways to store a mouse or refining the box's size for better cooling, the Bento Steam Deck mod prioritizes usability and straightforward design. It stands out as a clever, approachable twist, offering an innovative take on the Steam Deck for users seeking more from their device.
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Bento Mod - A Game Changer for Steam Deck
The Bento mod is a testament to the ingenuity of modders, transforming the Steam Deck into a laptop-like device by integrating its components into a wireless keyboard shell. The modder designed it to be modular, with future add-ons like trackpads or other input devices planned[2].
The Bento mod's compatibility with AR glasses, like the XReal One, offers a unique gaming and content consumption experience. It remains portable, making it an ideal solution for games or work on the go[3]. Future developments include integrating a touchpad or similar mouse control, completing the all-in-one portable experience[3].
The Bento mod exemplifies the versatility of the Steam Deck's design, demonstrating how its hardware can be creatively repurposed for innovative, user-centric devices[1][3]. The mod stands out as a beacon for creative modifications that can reshape the Steam Deck into an adaptable, portable computing solution, compatible with various accessories like AR glasses and wireless controllers.
The Bento mod, inspired by the versatility of the Steam Deck, integrates its components into a wireless keyboard shell to create a laptop-like device, showcasing the potential for creative repurposing of its hardware. Future improvements, such as adding a touchpad or integrating AR glasses, could make it an even more adaptable and portable computing solution (events, inspiration, technology).
By pairing the Bento mod with AR glasses, like the XReal One, users can enjoy a unique gaming and content consumption experience, taking advantage of the mod's portability while still benefiting from immersive, private virtual displays (gadgets, technology). The mod's tools, including a keyboard and potential future add-ons like trackpads, offer a refined computing experience, complementing the handheld convenience of the Steam Deck (tools).
