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Should you buy the Jsaux docking station with SSD enclosure?
The best handheld PC gaming devices aren’t upgradable in many ways, but it’s easy to expand the storage of a device like the Steam Deck or Asus ROG Ally. There are configurable storage options available at checkout, built-in microSD card slots for quick and easy expansion, and upgradeable internal SSDs. You can save a ton of money by buying a lower storage configuration and figuring out how to upgrade it later. That’s exactly what I did during this year’s Steam Summer Sale. I bought a 64GB Steam Deck LCD for under $300, planning to work around the storage limitations at some point down the line.
Well, a few weeks later, I still haven’t gotten around to it. I bought a 512GB microSD card as a stopgap measure, and now I’ve spent some time with the Jsaux 6-in-1 Docking Station with an M.2 SSD Enclosure. It’s a USB-C dock that gives you five ports, including an HDMI port and a Gigabit Ethernet port, as well as a stand for your gaming handheld. The docking station’s calling card, however, is certainly its internal M.2 SSD enclosure, which lets you expand the storage of your Steam Deck or ROG Ally without opening it. It’s a great option for people who want to have a large gaming library at home, but it won’t satisfy those looking for a portable Steam Deck dock.
About this review: Jsaux provided a 6-in-1 docking station with M.2 SSD enclosure and a 2TB SSD for this review. The company had no influence on this article and did not see its contents prior to publication.
Versatile dock
JSAUX docking station with M.2 SSD enclosure
A convenient way to expand your handheld’s memory
100 US dollars 130$ Save $30
This 6-in-1 docking station adds five ports to your gaming handheld, but also a convenient M.2 enclosure that works with most common SSD sizes. It’s a fantastic way to expand the storage of your Steam Deck or Asus ROG Ally while adding ports. However, due to the bulky form factor, this isn’t the most portable docking station.
- The M.2 SSD enclosure is fast and works great with the Steam Deck
- The HDMI port with support for up to 4K, 60 Hz or 2K, 120 Hz is ideal for desk setups
- Support for 100W power supply
- Buying Jsaux SSD add-ons will be expensive
- Not the most portable docking station
- Not compatible with Asus ROG Ally X, Ayaneo handhelds or Lenovo Legion Go
Prices, specifications and availability
Jsaux’s 6-in-1 Docking Station with M.2 SSD Enclosure has been available for a while, and you can either buy it directly from the company or pick it up from Amazon. The dock itself retails for $130, but is on sale for $100 at Jsaux and $90 at Amazon. Jsaux also sells bundles with 1TB or 2TB SSDs pre-installed for $150 and $210, respectively. This docking station works with Steam Deck, Steam Deck OLED, and Asus ROG Ally.
What I like
The SSD enclosure is unobtrusive, practical and fast
First, I wanted to test the performance of the M.2 SSD enclosure, which supports SSDs in M.2 2230, 2242, 2260, and 2280 sizes. My review unit was bundled with a 2TB SSD from Jsaux, and it’s not a branded model. This only made me more curious (and skeptical) about how fast the docking station and SSD enclosure would be. So I decided to format the SSD for the Steam Deck using Valve’s quick switch, and that worked perfectly. Then I started downloading Rise of the Tomb Raider from scratch, carefully monitoring network speed and disk activity during the download.
I used the Jsaux dock to connect to both my home Gigabit Ethernet network and the included M.2 SSD, and the drive kept up with my network speeds.
Surprisingly, the entire 25GB download took less than 10 minutes and the dock worked great. I used the Jsaux dock to connect to both my home Gigabit Ethernet network and the included M.2 SSD, and the drive kept up with my network speeds. Often, when a drive or enclosure isn’t fast enough, network usage will slow while the SSD’s write activity tries to catch up. That wasn’t the case here at all, as the Jsaux enclosure and included SSD reached disk usage speeds of over 700Mbps during the download. That’s about as fast as my network, so the accessory wasn’t a bottleneck. Honestly, aside from formatting the drive, the entire experience felt like I was downloading a game to my Steam Deck as normal.
Related
Steam Deck review: Still one of the best on the market
The Steam Deck is a great portable handheld gaming console, but it’s not perfect for everyone.
It also has all the ports you need for a desk setup
The downside of the Jsaux docking station as an expandable storage solution is that it’s not very portable. You’ll only have access to the games stored on the external SSD when it’s docked, most likely at a desk or in a living room. The good news is that the docking station does more than just expand your storage – it also adds five additional ports. It starts with the HDMI port, which supports either 4K, 60Hz or 2K, 120Hz output. So, pairing this accessory with a TV or monitor will give you access to a larger game library and a larger screen when docked.
The good news is that the dock does more than just expand your storage – it also adds five additional ports.
I also love that there’s a Gigabit Ethernet port here, as WiFi is a major bottleneck that can affect your ability to compete in multiplayer games if you’re using a handheld device. The dock also has two USB-A ports and one USB-C port for 100W power delivery. A 65W power adapter is included in the box, so you’ll need to bring your own to take advantage of the full 100W potential. However, the Steam Deck is limited to 45W anyway, so that might not matter. The 65W charger is also enough to power the Asus ROG Ally.
Related
Asus ROG Ally review: Windows makes it hard to recommend
Despite the many Windows issues and quality control flaws, the ROG Ally is a fantastic device that can hardly be recommended at this point.
What I don’t like
It is bulky and only works best with a few gaming handhelds
The only downsides to this docking station are its portability and compatibility. It works great with Steam Deck, Steam Deck OLED, and Asus ROG Ally. However, we tried it with the ROG Ally X and it wasn’t a good fit. It also doesn’t fit the Lenovo Legion Go or Ayaneo handhelds. However, there is a Jsaux 6-in-1 docking station made specifically for the Ally X. Aside from niche compatibility, this docking station is also heavy and bulky. I would only buy it for use at a desk or media center.
The only downsides to this docking station are its portability and compatibility.
Price is another consideration. If you’re looking to upgrade your storage on a budget, either a microSD card or a hardware SSD replacement are more cost-effective solutions. This dock costs about $100, and you still have to add in the cost of an SSD.
Related
We tested 6 gaming handheld docks to see if they are compatible with the Asus ROG Ally X
How does the thickness of the ROG Ally X affect docking station compatibility?
Should you buy the Jsaux docking station with SSD enclosure?
You should buy the Jsaux 6-in-1 Docking Station with M.2 SSD Enclosure if:
- You have a Steam Deck, Steam Deck OLED or Asus ROG Ally
- You need to expand your storage while docked
- You don’t need ports and storage that you can take with you
You should NOT purchase the Jsaux 6-in-1 Docking Station with M.2 SSD Enclosure if:
- You own a ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go or Ayaneo handheld
- You would rather upgrade the SSD in your current handheld
- You need a docking station that is portable enough to take with you on the go
Purchasing a docking station with an SSD enclosure, like this one from Jsaux, is a great way to upgrade storage and ports with an accessory. It’s not the cheapest way to upgrade your ports or storage separately, but the convenience factor can’t be underestimated. Especially when combined with large SSD sizes like 1TB or 2TB, the advantages of the Jsaux docking station over a microSD card become clear. However, you’ll have to accept that you won’t be able to carry your extra games with you on the go.
Versatile dock
JSAUX docking station with M.2 SSD enclosure
A convenient way to expand your handheld’s memory
100 US dollars 130$ Save $30
If you have a Steam Deck or ROG Ally base model and don’t want to take it apart, this docking station is a great way to expand your storage.
