This newest Elgato Stream Deck is geared toward a extra finances entry-point, but comes with new options not current in the usual variant Up to date: Aug 13, 2024 10:26 am WePC is reader-supported. Once you purchase by way of hyperlinks on our web site, we could earn an affiliate fee. Costs topic to alter. Study extra 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 units are focused at streamers and players to offer them additional shortcut buttons in addition to 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 newest mannequin that the corporate has launched which kinds a part of their Neo vary: a line of merchandise that additionally features a microphone, webcam, recreation seize card, and keylight that provides an reasonably priced entry level to streaming or simply basic productiveness. Let’s see if this extra reasonably priced mannequin is price a purchase. Specs Buttons: 8 x customizable LCD keys, 1x customizable infobar, 2 x contact factors Major 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 Suppose A compact, reasonably priced entry into the Stream Deck household, this gadget is numerous enjoyable for streamers, players, and basic productiveness customers when you put a little bit of time into customizing it to your wants. Though there are a few compromises with its construct which might be symptomatic of its finances building, general there isn’t a lot unfavourable to say about it. Execs 8 programmable keys with LCD screens New infobar mini-display & capacative navigation buttons Adjustable stand Elgato market has a variety of extra free & priced capabilities Cons Non-detachable USB-C cable Buttons really feel a bit low cost relative to different stream decks Pricing The value Stream Deck Neo compares favourably to the opposite merchandise within the vary: at $99.99 when you purchase it by itself (you may as well decide 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 an alternative of simply 8, and two of those will be programmed to perform because the capacitive switches do on the Neo. The Stream Deck Neo is smaller in measurement than the opposite fashions within the vary, aside from 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 alternative for under $30 extra. Design, Options & Software program The Stream Deck Neo is available in one coloration, which is similar white as the remainder of the Neo vary, and like these merchandise has a pleasant clear look to it. The gadget sits good and compact on the desktop, so is right for these with restricted area, 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 an excellent 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 alternative 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 strong as the opposite objects within the Stream Deck vary. The LCD buttons, which function on a membrane swap, 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 gadget has 8 programmable LCD buttons which can be utilized to show information factors (from the climate to CPU/GPU temps to your PC, inventory costs and many others.), nonetheless photos, and even easy animated GIFs. The capabilities which you can 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 swap between your favourite gaming/streaming/working setups with a music playlist for every), switching on ambient lighting in your room, taking part in sound results, enacting instructions or macros when in-game or in a productiveness software. The Stream Deck Neo is plug-and-play and works effectively on Home windows or Mac, although you’ll positively need to customise your setup and add additional capabilities in addition to the inventory ones inside your personal customized profile. The software program is general a fairly simple, drag-and-drop expertise, although there have been a few factors after I by accident deleted settings from the default profile and couldn’t work out the best way 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 advocate taking a look on the on-line retailer (with many merchandise on there free or pretty low cost) for tactics to maximise the utility of the gadget. Every LCD button will be became a sub-folder, inside which you’ll be able to have a further web page of 8 assigned keys (although certainly one of these should be became an ‘up one stage’ key). You may regularly do that, stacking folders inside folders (we went over 10 ranges deep with out having to cease), although we assume some restrict will ultimately come into place. The comfort of the gadget will clearly diminish if it’s important to navigate by way of this many folder ranges nevertheless. The extra function distinctive to the Stream Deck Neo is the 2 capacitative facet buttons that may swap backwards and forwards 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 perform. You may add extra pages as much as a complete of 10, every with 8 button choices that may embody sub-folders. Sadly, you may’t use these facet buttons throughout the sub-folders you create to offer extra pages of choices inside them (10 pages of emojis throughout the emoji subfolder would have been good as an illustration); 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 might apply to it. Even when you’re a basic productiveness consumer, slightly than a streamer or gamer, there’s quite a bit right here you are able to do to optimize your setup, or simply have a little bit of amusing with it.