Razer Handheld Dock Chroma review: Full Steam ahead

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For several years, Razer has ventured beyond its traditional hardware boundaries, as evidenced by this year’s Consumer Electronics Show where they showcased new laptops, accessories, and lifestyle items. However, what particularly piqued my interest was the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma, designed to move handheld games onto larger screens. The product is now available and it lives up to its promise with just a few concessions.

The Razer Handheld Dock Chroma is a compact, portable aluminum and plastic docking station, perfect for carrying on trips. Despite the fact that PC gaming handhelds can be quite substantial, this small device comes in a box barely larger than a coaster, making it convenient to transport. Setting it up is straightforward thanks to its intuitive, foldable design which includes a 100W passthrough port, a 5Gbps Gigabit Ethernet port, three USB-A connectors, and a standard HDMI 2.0 port.

A point to consider is that it’s compact due to lacking an included power cable or power supply for both the dock and the handheld device. Users are required to supply their own cord. The only cable provided is a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 connector, which extends from the dock like a dongle, connecting to the user’s device to assist with video output.

The design of this accessory is quite simple yet efficient. The top section can be extended to serve as a robust stand for handheld gadgets. Once expanded, it accommodates devices such as the Steam Deck and ROG Ally perfectly, with their respective connectors fitting snugly into the top ports of these devices effortlessly. It’s compatible with most contemporary devices, but there’s an important exception to note: due to the Nintendo Switch’s USB-C connector being positioned at its base, it only fits correctly when used in reverse (upside down) with Razer’s dock. While functional, it may appear a bit awkward in this configuration.

Ignoring its playful design, the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma is a robust and functional accessory that operates effortlessly as a plug-and-play device for larger screens. It offers numerous ports to accommodate additional peripherals such as gamepads or keyboards, and in some cases, it can even serve as a desktop substitute. Users of Windows-compatible devices like the ROG Ally or MSI Claw can optimize its features using the proprietary Razer Synapse software, particularly for Chroma RGB customization. However, I’ve primarily evaluated this model with Valve’s Steam Deck, which runs a different operating system. Fortunately, it has a side button offering various pre-set lighting patterns for adjustment.

Another important aspect to consider when using the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma is the placement of your handheld device. Although its portable design is beneficial, it’s crucial to be mindful of the location of your handheld’s cooling fans to avoid blocking them by the dock. This can pose a challenge with devices like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch, as they have their exhaust fans positioned differently – the former on the back and the latter along the top.

While it’s delightful to enjoy handheld gaming on a larger screen using this device, remember that the risk of overheating your handheld is something to be mindful of at all times.

The Razer Handheld Dock Chroma may have a few design flaws, but excels in portability. It’s compact enough for travel, doesn’t require much storage space, and is compatible with many contemporary handheld devices. Its appearance might not always be striking, and it needs to be mindful of overheating issues in certain situations. However, as a means to utilize your Steam Deck with your television, it stands out as one of the better and more economical options available.

The following assessment is grounded in a device supplied by the manufacturer itself. As of now, you can purchase the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma directly from the Razer website, RazerStore outlets, and various partner retailers for $79.99 USD.

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2025-02-20 19:28