I know its always been a linux handheld computer, but it always felt like that was just an afterthought. even with other docks it felt like a hacky solution, in no small part because I had to turn on my windows desktop to update firmware for the dock. using a whole new device or rebooting into a new os to update a dock is never something ive had to do on a laptop.

The steam dock just makes it feel complete now. I can update firmware from the os the thing ships with, I can use the deck itself as a main display if I want to, I can connect to any display without needing an hdmi -> DP adapter. Heck i can use freesync even now!

It just feels like a real computer to me now not just some toy. i cant explain it, but such is life.