Valve may very well be about to launch SteamOS for any machine, says leaker

Valve launched its Steam Deck handheld again in 2022, and it has confirmed to be a massively influential machine. It helped spawn a wave of gaming PC handhelds, from the ASUS ROG Ally to the Lenovo Legion Go. One of many key variations between the Steam Deck and its alternate options is the working system – SteamOS versus Home windows. Nevertheless, Valve’s Linux-based SteamOS will quickly be out there for units exterior the Deck.

In accordance with well-known leaker Bradley Lynch, who focuses on Steam {hardware} and software program, a basic launch for SteamOS is “nearly right here”. We already know that the primary handheld transport with SteamOS (aside from the Deck) would be the Legion Go S. Lenovo already has a Home windows variant out there, and the SteamOS mannequin is slated for Could this 12 months.

SteamOS basic launch is perhaps coming quickly

At CES 2025 a few months in the past, Valve introduced that SteamOS is increasing past Steam Deck with the aforementioned Legion Go S, indicated by new “Powered by SteamOS” branding. On prime of that, Valve revealed it’s “transport a beta of SteamOS” forward of the Go S launch. Customers will be capable to obtain this and check it themselves. And now, it appears to be like prefer it’s lastly about to occur.

In accordance with Lynch, Valve has “pushed a ton of commits” to organize for a SteamOS basic launch. So, we all know it could possibly’t be too distant, although it’s arduous to say how compatibility and efficiency are shaping up throughout a wider vary of {hardware}. Step one is more likely to get it operating easily on handhelds, and it presumably is all able to go on AMD {hardware}, which the Steam Deck and upcoming SteamOS Legion Go S each use.

Nevertheless, Nvidia {hardware} compatibility with Linux has traditionally been poor, with Valve software program engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais saying “there’s nonetheless plenty of work to be accomplished on that facet” in an interview earlier this 12 months. As per Valve’s unique weblog publish, the primary model of SteamOS will likely be a beta launch, so there’s all the time time to enhance help, and the corporate is actively engaged on Nvidia open supply drivers.

All in all, Valve providing a widespread launch for SteamOS is a good factor for PC players, particularly if you wish to cease gaming on Home windows. Linux-based working methods stay area of interest on Steam, and even Home windows 10 is rising, even though it’s going to hit its end-of-support deadline in October 2025. And who is aware of, perhaps we’ll see a revival of the ill-fated Steam Machines.