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Steam Deck Dock delayed, dag nabbit

First the Deck, now the Dock.

Morgan Shaver

February 23, 2022 5:35 PM

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Earlier today, Valve shared launch day details for the Steam Deck, and included in these details is the note that the release of the official Dock for the Steam Deck has been delayed.

Now, Steam Deck owners can expect the release of the Dock sometime in late Spring of this year.

The post regarding the upcoming launch of the Steam Deck didn’t elaborate on why the Dock has been delayed, though we imagine it may be related to an unspecified issue that needs a bit more time to be resolved.

If you pre-ordered a Steam Deck and are wondering if it needs the Dock, the answer to this question seems to be both yes and no. In the FAQ page for Steam Deck, there’s a question regarding whether docking the Deck will improve its performance.

To this, the FAQ answers with “no, docking is more akin to plugging a USB-C hub into a PC. Steam Deck runs at full performance in portable mode” so it sounds like not having the Dock isn’t a make-or-break kind of thing.

Furthermore, the Dock doesn’t come packaged with the Steam Deck, it’s an accessory you have to purchase separately. On the main page for Steam Deck, the Dock is described as follows:

In describing the Dock like this, an alternative option is hinted at with the ability to use a powered USB-C hub, which shouldn’t be too hard to find and purchase. Still, it’d be nice to have the option to purchase the Dock sooner than late Spring given the Steam Deck launch is set for this Friday, February 25.

People won’t be getting Steam Decks at this time, but the first batch of people who reserved one will be given the opportunity to complete their reservation and secure a Steam Deck to be shipped out to them.

Being able to purchase the Dock at the same time as the Deck would be convenient, but again, it doesn’t appear to be absolutely necessary. If you’re among the first batch of people who reserved a Steam Deck and are wondering what to expect on Friday, the post from Valve notes:

So, if you reserved a Steam Deck, you’ll want to keep an eye on the email tied to your Steam account. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for updates regarding the Dock for the Steam Deck if that’s something you’re interested in purchasing.

We’ll be sure to update you once the Dock becomes available for purchase. Until then, be sure to read through some of our previous Steam Deck coverage including this feature where we go over things including price, pre-orders, tech specs, and more.

Morgan Shaver

Senior Editor

Morgan is a writer from the frozen wastelands of Maine who enjoys metal music, kpop, horror, and indie games. They're also a Tetris fanatic who's fiercely competitive in games like Tetris 99... and all games in general. But mostly Tetris. You can follow Morgan on Twitter @Author_MShaver.