Whether you’re streaming or working on a spreadsheet, a macro pad can help you in more ways than you can imagine. With its launch of the Stream Deck Neo, Elgato is turning its focus to the world of work. The new Neo might just be your perfect productivity companion.

Stream Deck vs Stream Deck Neo

You may beconfused about which Stream Deck model to buy, and the decision’s about to get harder. The Neo is the latest addition to Elgato’s Stream Deck lineup, sitting between the Stream Deck Mini and the regular Stream Deck.

The “Neo” tag comes from the new budget-friendly lineup that the company has launched. These products, which aim to be more accessible to a mass audience, include a key light, mic, and webcam. But the Stream Deck Neo is something new altogether.

A white stream deck neo on black mousepad

The device is larger than the Stream Deck Mini, so it packs in more functionality. But it’s also affordable enough to appeal to new buyers who aren’t full-time Twitch streamers. In my opinion, the Stream Deck Neo hits the spot if you’re looking for a macro pad to boost productivity without having to spend too much money.

How Does It Help Productivity?

At its core, the Stream Deck Neo is very much a regular Stream Deck. You get eight buttons, with individual displays, that you’re able to set to do anything you want. The Deck also lets you create custom profiles for individual programs.

The Neo’s core functionality is supported by Elgato’s Stream Deck application. This means the Stream Deck Neo, the regular Stream Deck, Stream Deck Mini, and Stream Deck XL all work the same way.

The Stream Deck has eight buttons with individual displays showing off their associated action.

Keep in mind that you may still use your regularStream Deck to help your productivity. But the additions that Elgato has made to the Neo may help you even more.

Dedicated Page Buttons

Unlike other Stream Decks, the Neo has capacitive touch buttons to switch between pages. These pages let you create several groups of shortcuts or commands, in case you need more than eight.

On older Stream Decks, you had to dedicate at least one or two of the main buttons to navigate between pages. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but those 15 keys on the regular Stream Deck can run out pretty quickly.

A close-up of the lower half of the Stream Deck focuses on its clock and date display.

The Stream Deck Neo solves this problem by adding two capacitive touch buttons that are mapped to switch between pages. This frees up all eight buttons for actual functionality. Since the navigation buttons are always in the same spot, illuminated by individual lights, they’re quick and easy to use.

More Buttons

Speaking of buttons, the Stream Deck Neo hits the right spot with its eight buttons. If you’re just planning on using a Stream Deck for work macros and general productivity, 15 buttons on the regular Stream Deck can be overkill, while the six buttons on the Stream Deck Mini can be too few.

Considering you don’t have to assign buttons to switch pages, the Stream Deck Neo has just the right number of buttons.

The Stream Deck has two rows of four buttons and a separate display underneath them.

The Info Bar

The Stream Deck Neo comes with a small display called the info bar, between the two page-switching buttons, that shows useful, basic information. If you’re using a regular Stream Deck and want it to tell the time or date, you have to dedicate a button to that task. However, the Neo can display this information in its info bar.

Admittedly, the info bar doesn’t do that much; you can set it to show either a page indicator or the system time. Elgato’s software design does suggest that we’ll see more options in the future, though.

One great use of the info bar would be if it displayed different contents based on the active page. Hopefully, Elgato will add more utilities to the info bar in the future, which will greatly enhance the device’s functionality.

More Work-Focused Design

The design language of the Stream Deck lineup has remained more or less the same since it launched in 2017. For most people, it’s a simple black box with customizable buttons on top. With the Mk 2 iteration, you can get the Stream Deck in a white color with interchangeable faceplates, but that’s about it.

The Neo takes everything good about the Stream Deck’s design and puts it together in a package that will look just as good on an accountant’s desk as it does for a gamer playing Fortnite. The collapsible stand at the rear also gives you two different slant angles and an option to lay the device flat on your desk.

The overall form factor is quite compact, and the rounded edges give it a neat, professional look. So the Stream Deck Neo won’t look out of place on your desk at work. The white color scheme pairs especially well with a Mac, in case you’re looking toup your productivity on a Mac with your Stream Deck.

A Competitive Price

Last but not least, the Stream Deck Neo is selling at a very compelling price tag of $99.99. For comparison, the Stream Deck Mk.2 retails at $149.99, while the smaller Stream Deck Mini comes in at $59.99. The only other options in the lineup are the gigantic Stream Deck XL at $249.99 and the Stream Deck + at $199.99.

The latter two serve very different purposes, but if you’re looking to get a Stream Deck for productivity, the Neo may be your best option. It’s not as expensive as the regular Stream Deck, but retains full functionality and, as far as I’m concerned, a much better design. The Stream Deck Mini is a good alternative if you’re on a tight budget, but the limitations of its six buttons might hamper your productivity instead of enhancing it.