Apple Magic Keyboard Transformed into a Portable Gaming PC with Steam Deck Internals

Honestly, you won’t believe the wild ride the Steam Deck’s been on since it hit the shelves. I mean, people are doing things you wouldn’t even imagine—or maybe you would if you’re into this kind of tech wizardry. Take this Reddit user, Michaelthatsit. He’s turned the Steam Deck into, get this, a keyboard-thingy, calling it “Bento.” Yeah, Bento, like those Japanese lunch boxes. I don’t know why but it fits, right?

Anyway, this Bento thing is nuts. Imagine ripping out the guts of a Steam Deck and shoving them under an Apple Magic keyboard. That’s basically it. But here’s the twist: instead of plugging it into a regular monitor, you hook it up to these fancy Type-C glasses. I can’t decide if it’s genius or just the coolest form of nerd rebellion. Maybe both?

Michael didn’t just jam the bits in there randomly. He used a 3D printer to make this neat compartment. Two parts, like those houses where you have a main room and then the tiny nook. The left bit holds all the Deck’s good stuff—the brain and battery. It even has vents, like giving your electronics a breath of fresh air (if that makes any sense). The right side is kinda like the junk drawer, but more organized. He tossed a USB hub in there, probably to keep it all tidy.

The fit? It’s like the pieces are hugging. A snug fit with the Magic keyboard’s curves. I gotta admit, it’s pretty satisfying to look at. But, no surprise, it’s not perfect yet. The 3D-printed shell had to be made in two parts. Sigh. And don’t even get me started on the mouse situation—there isn’t one. Yet. Michael’s got plans though. Sounds like he’s cooking up a single-piece shell and maybe even a spot for a mouse. That’s for later, though. Cross your fingers.

Despite the rough edges, this Bento mod shows off what you can do if you’ve got the brainpower and, apparently, a 3D printer. I mean, if you love SteamOS and kinda hate being tethered to a boring monitor, this might just be your dream come true.

Oh, and if you’re as into this kind of stuff as I am—or maybe you just like some casual reading on the side—check out Tom’s Hardware. They toss out all sorts of tech stories, like candy at a parade. Go ahead, follow them on Google News and keep your gadget knowledge sharp.