SteamOS might see a common distribution launch, work with different handheld gaming PCs quickly

Briefly: One of many Steam Deck’s main benefits over extra highly effective handheld gaming PCs is its working system, which is designed to imitate a recreation console interface inside a Linux PC setting. Valve has lengthy deliberate to deliver the OS to different gadgets, however a current Steam Deck software program replace consists of the primary point out of a rival handheld.

A point out on this week’s Steam Deck firmware patch notes has some observers speculating that Valve is making ready to launch its well-regarded Linux construct for third-party {hardware}. The transfer might considerably impression the rising PC handheld area.

The notes for the SteamOS 3.6.9 beta principally encompass bug fixes and help for extra exterior controllers. Nonetheless, a line towards the tip confirms that the firmware now helps “further ROG Ally keys,” probably referring to the buttons on Asus’s ROG Ally handheld PC.

The point out aligns with Valve’s prior feedback on its plans to make SteamOS appropriate with a broader vary of programs. Late final 12 months, the corporate told PC Gamer that it considers a common SteamOS launch a excessive precedence. The OS would first seem on different handhelds and PCs that use gamepads, then grow to be accessible for set up on any PC.

Rival handhelds just like the ROG Ally, MSI Claw, Lenovo Legion Go, Ayaneo, and GPD Win all use Home windows, which helps extra software program than SteamOS. Nonetheless, being designed for giant screens and keyboards, Home windows can really feel cumbersome on small gadgets that solely use gamepad buttons. The choice to put in SteamOS on quite a few moveable PCs may dramatically enhance the person expertise.

Valve’s Lawrence Yang defined that work on the Steam Deck OLED diverted assets from the undertaking (let’s not overlook Valve’s teams and employee count should not that large), and that driver optimization is the primary problem. Many video games seemingly carry out effectively on Steam deck as a result of Valve can optimize SteamOS graphics drivers and shaders for a identified, static {hardware} configuration. Bringing gadgets from different producers into the equation would seemingly complicate the method.

Hobbyists have launched SteamOS clones like Bazzite and HoloISO that help arbitrary {hardware}, however the complicated course of of putting in them may run counter to a handheld PC’s pick-up-and-play design targets.

Moreover, HoloISO does not formally help Nvidia GPUs. Permitting OEMs like Asus to ship gadgets with SteamOS out of the field would seemingly speed up the unfold of Valve’s software program.