Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I bought this on a whim when I saw it on sale. I am not a streamer -- not even a gamer. (I had to look up "streamer.") But I am finding the Stream Deck pretty handy. Maybe a little early to be writing a review -- but from what I have already tried, I am pretty sure I am going to love this. If you're a non-gamer, think of this as a way-cooler version of the function keys (or, as we love to call them, Fn Keys, because of the fn key on Apple laptops, and because it's fun to say). Or a poor-man's version of Apple's Touch Bar. What you have here is a customizable grid of keys that can do things for you. Launch a file. Open a folder. Actuate a tool in Photoshop. Trigger a URL. Like the Touch Bar (and unlike the Fn keys), the keys are labeled electronically and change to accommodate multiple functions. The hardware is great. Very solidly built with a metal case, which gives it enough weight to stay solidly in place, whether it's resting on the silicone feet on the back, or placed in the included rack, which tilts to a range of angles. Feels like a premium product. 15 clear buttons are illuminated from behind by a color LCD panel, creating the function labels. The feel of the keys is perfect -- solid, with a great snap, I can see how a gamer would like this -- working at gamer speed, you can hit a button and know it registered. Some reviews complain of a short USB cord; the one on mine is 5 feet (150 cm) so I think they made a hardware change. But the cable is still hard wired (a USB micro jack would mean you can use your own cable of whatever length you want). The software that comes with it is for gamers. It's rich with functions gamers will love but the rest of us will find of no use. But they are customizable. One of the functions is HotKey, which can fire off a key. Combined with the app Keyboard Maestro, I think this will do most of what I want (e.g. trigger Photoshop tools, since all of Photoshop has key commands). But it needs setup so I will not get full use of it right out of the box. Fair enough -- El Gato is focusing on their intended market. Expect to spend a little time with it to learn how to set it up. Fortunately the software is The El Gato website has nicely done tutorials. All are aimed at gaming but I think they cover what I need to so -- start apps, trigger hotkeys, launch files and folders, type text strings, multimedia (play, pause, volume, etc.). You can fully customize the key graphics using El Gato's nicely designed graphics or build your own. Easy to get started. Download the software (Mac or Windows) and install. Plug the Stream Deck into a USB port. Press the Welcome key that is pre-loaded and you are on the El Gato Welcome page on their website. Watch the welcome video and you see how to set up your keys. Their examples are all things gamers will understand but non-gamers will understand well enough.