This newest Elgato Stream Deck is aimed toward a extra price range entry-point, but comes with new options not current in the usual variant
Up to date: Aug 13, 2024 10:26 am
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Desk of Contents
Desk of Contents
Elgato is the model that introduced us the unique Stream Deck and the totally different variants we’ve seen since. These macropad gadgets are focused at streamers and players to provide them further shortcut buttons apart from their keyboard which might be programmable to totally different capabilities/macros, or can be utilized to show totally different information on their LCD screens.
The Stream Deck Neo is the most recent mannequin that the corporate has launched which varieties a part of their Neo vary: a line of merchandise that additionally features a microphone, webcam, recreation seize card, and keylight that provides an inexpensive entry level to streaming or simply basic productiveness. Let’s see if this extra inexpensive mannequin is price a purchase.
Specs
Buttons: 8 x customizable LCD keys, 1x customizable infobar, 2 x contact factors
Foremost options: Backlit, Hotkeys and Media Keys, Built-in Stand, Customizable Show Keys
Working Methods: Home windows 10 (64-bit) or later / macOS Monterey 12 or later
Connectivity : USB-C 2.0 braided cable (90 cm | 35 in)
Dimensions: 107 x 26 x 78 mm / 4.2 x 1.0 x 3.1 in
Weight: 210g | 0.46lb
What We Assume
A compact, inexpensive entry into the Stream Deck household, this machine is a whole lot of enjoyable for streamers, players, and basic productiveness customers should you put a little bit of time into customizing it on your wants.
Though there are a few compromises with its construct which might be symptomatic of its price range building, general there isn’t a lot unfavorable to say about it.
Professionals
8 programmable keys with LCD screens
New infobar mini-display & capacative navigation buttons
Adjustable stand
Elgato market has a variety of further free & priced capabilities
Cons
Non-detachable USB-C cable
Buttons really feel a bit low-cost relative to different stream decks
Pricing
The worth Stream Deck Neo compares favourably to the opposite merchandise within the vary: at $99.99 should you purchase it by itself (you may as well choose it up in a bundle with different Neo merchandise), it’s cheaper than the usual Stream Deck (MK.2) at $149.99 and the $199.99 Stream Deck+. While the latter of those two merchandise comes with a bigger infobar with contact display functionality and 4 programable dials, the usual Stream Deck truly has much less options in that it lacks the 2 capacitive buttons and infobar, although does include 15 LCD buttons as a substitute of simply 8, and two of those could be programmed to operate because the capacitive switches do on the Neo.
The Stream Deck Neo is smaller in dimension than the opposite fashions within the vary, except for the $59.99 Stream Deck Mini; given this lacks an infobar, capacitive switches, and solely has 6 LCD buttons although, the Neo appears a significantly better selection for under $30 extra.
Design, Options & Software program
The Stream Deck Neo is available in one coloration, which is identical white as the remainder of the Neo vary, and like these merchandise has a pleasant clear look to it. The machine sits good and compact on the desktop, so is good for these with restricted house, and has an adjustable peak stand with two ranges of elevation (one thing the Steam Deck MK.2 and Stream Deck Mini lack, however which is current within the Stream Deck+). The bottom is rubberised and does a superb job of stopping slippage. Sadly, the USB-C cable used for each energy and information transference from the Stream Deck Neo is non-detachable, so that you’ll have to take excellent care of it as a result of if it breaks there’s no substitute for it, plus you’ll want a USB-A tailored if these are the one USB ports in your PC.
When it comes to construct high quality it’s first rate for a less expensive product, however doesn’t really feel fairly as sturdy as the opposite gadgets within the Stream Deck vary. The LCD buttons, which function on a membrane change, do additionally really feel barely cheaper than on the usual Stream Deck, having a bit much less stability and crispness while you press them.
The machine has 8 programmable LCD buttons which can be utilized to show information factors (from the climate to CPU/GPU temps on your PC, inventory costs and so forth.), nonetheless pictures, and even easy animated GIFs. The capabilities that you would be able to program the buttons to activate are huge, together with opening functions or internet pages (or a number of of your favourites concurrently, say if you wish to change between your favourite gaming/streaming/working setups with a music playlist for every), switching on ambient lighting in your room, enjoying sound results, enacting instructions or macros when in-game or in a productiveness utility.
The Stream Deck Neo is plug-and-play and works effectively on Home windows or Mac, although you’ll undoubtedly need to customise your setup and add further capabilities apart from the inventory ones inside your individual customized profile. The software program is general a reasonably simple, drag-and-drop expertise, although there have been a few factors once I by chance deleted settings from the default profile and couldn’t work out methods to deliver them again. After you’ve spent a short time tinkering with it although you may make some nice setups that may genuinely make your life much more environment friendly. We’d actually suggest taking a look on the on-line retailer (with many merchandise on there free or pretty low-cost) for methods to maximise the utility of the machine.
Every LCD button could be become a sub-folder, inside which you’ll have a further web page of 8 assigned keys (although one in every of these have to be become an ‘up one stage’ key). You possibly can regularly do that, stacking folders inside folders (we went over 10 ranges deep with out having to cease), although we assume some restrict will finally come into place. The comfort of the machine will clearly diminish if you must navigate by this many folder ranges nevertheless.
The extra characteristic distinctive to the Stream Deck Neo is the 2 capacitative facet buttons that may change forwards and backwards between the top-level ‘pages’ you setup within the software program, which frees up two LCD buttons that will in any other case have for use for this operate. You possibly can add further pages as much as a complete of 10, every with 8 button choices that may embrace sub-folders. Sadly, you possibly can’t use these facet buttons throughout the sub-folders you create to supply further pages of choices inside them (10 pages of emojis throughout the emoji subfolder would have been good as an example); the pages are top-level solely.
All instructed, we had fairly a little bit of enjoyable tinkering with the Stream Deck Neo, discovering what new capabilities we may apply to it. Even should you’re a basic productiveness person, reasonably than a streamer or gamer, there’s loads right here you are able to do to optimize your setup, or simply have a little bit of amusing with it.
