Valve's own operating system "SteamOS", based on a specific Linux distribution called Arch Linux, alongside their own Wine fork titled "Proton", have both opened up the doors for modern and AAA gaming on Linux machines, with their OS being developed specially for their Steam Deck handheld device. Since the release of the Steam Deck and SteamOS, many have wondered if the company could consider releasing their OS for general use as a distributable Linux distro to be installed in other devices and computers outside the Steam Deck.

That could all be a reality very soon, as Valve's designer Lawrence Yang has confirmed in an interview with The Verge that they are planning on bringing SteamOS support for other handheld devices in the market, more specifically, the ROG Ally.

Valve announced a few days ago a new update to the Beta channel of SteamOS, with version 3.6.9 adding a very specific general change which namedropped the ROG ally with the message "Added support for extra ROG Ally keys". While it was possible that Valve was simply adding support for the Steam Client on Windows to support these keys (given that the ROG Ally runs under Windows), The Verge asked directly if this was simply a Big Picture mode change, or if Valve is indeed planning to bring SteamOS to other systems:

The note about ROG Ally keys is related to third-party device support for SteamOS.
The team is continuing to work on adding support for additional handhelds on SteamOS.

Lawrence Yang mentions that work on bringing SteamOS to other devices, and even PCs, is currently "making steady progress", but their work is not ready quite yet, so it could still take some time to see SteamOS in other powerful handhelds and main PCs.

The Verge also asked about the possibility of dual-booting Windows on a Steam Deck, to which Yang replied:

As for Windows, we’re preparing to make the remaining Windows drivers for Steam Deck OLED available (you might have seen that we are prepping firmware for the Bluetooth driver). There’s no update on the timing for dual boot support—it’s still a priority, but we haven’t been able to get to it just yet.

Even though it could take some time to see SteamOS in other systems, the future for Valve's SteamOS, and Linux gaming as a whole, is looking better by the day, with more and more users using Linux and Steam for their gaming needs as days go by.

Source

 

[church_foster]

SteamOS on a modded Switch, anyone?

SteamOS on a modded Switch 2 will be the real deal. Also, the rumored Sony handheld, portable ps4.

 

[raxadian]

Could also be a Nintendo-like approach

That would work if the Steam Deck was a videogame console, it isn't. It is a portable computer with game controllers that can play some of the games in Steam.

 

[Jaxom]

That would work if the Steam Deck was a videogame console, it isn't. It is a portable computer with game controllers that can play some of the games in Steam.

Well, Steam OS is heavily oriented towards gaming and the Switch is the same, but in a more closed ecosystem.
Can the Steam Deck be used for productivity tasks in its default configuration?

 

[linuxares]

Well, Steam OS is heavily oriented towards gaming and the Switch is the same, but in a more closed ecosystem.
Can the Steam Deck be used for productivity tasks in its default configuration?

Yes, in fact it can install most apps via the Discover application since it use default repos as well as Flatpak.

 

[Robert Newbie]

I've always been intrigued by SteamOS, but I've never done any research on it. Are the two key pieces of software Proton and Steam? How does Proton compare to WINE?

One thing I'd consider is swapping out Windows 10 with SteamOS on my gaming PC. If I can do that without missing a beat, I'd be happy.

 

[subcon959]

This is stupid. How about finishing the damn Windows drivers for Steam Deck OLED or updating the Windows GPU drivers for both LED and OLED?!

This is just typical Valve. Luckily, the Deck was at a good enough state early on so the usual lack of following through with support hasn't been a major problem.

 

[Xzi]

This is stupid. How about finishing the damn Windows drivers for Steam Deck OLED or updating the Windows GPU drivers for both LED and OLED?!

Definitely does not need to be a big focus for them, there were already a ton of portable Windows devices on the market with little to no customer base before Steam Deck even launched. SteamOS provides a vastly superior experience in this form factor.

This is just typical Valve. Luckily, the Deck was at a good enough state early on so the usual lack of following through with support hasn't been a major problem.

Huh? SteamOS gets several updates a month. Newest beta branch update was pushed like a day or two ago.

 

[Jaxom]

Yes, in fact it can install most apps via the Discover application since it use default repos as well as Flatpak.

Interesting, I didn't know about that point, thanks for pointing it out.

I'd be curious to see 3D modeling apps like Blender or Plasticity running on it. I know AMD's latest APUs have been doing wonders, so I'm betting the Steam Deck could run such software with decent results.

Anyway, I don't think I'll really think about buying a Steam Deck until its docking station can support eGPU (for the next revamp, hopefully).

 

[subcon959]

Huh? SteamOS gets several updates a month. Newest beta branch update was pushed like a day or two ago.

I think both our grievances are mostly about the Deck support not SteamOS. It was always gonna be the case that they wouldn't go out of their way to fix up the Windows experience though since the whole point of the Steam Deck for them was to push a viable alternative.

 

[raxadian]

Well, Steam OS is heavily oriented towards gaming and the Switch is the same, but in a more closed ecosystem.
Can the Steam Deck be used for productivity tasks in its default configuration?

Can Windows actually be used for something besides watching ads in the default configuration?

 

[Dud]

Would be neat to convert some old PCs to steamOS for an easy console setup for some casual gamers in my family.

Though I really wanna stick with the Steam Deck brand handheld hardware the most, just does what I want more.

It would depend if the devs would want to put effort into supporting older hardware. A plus for those who care for e-waste management and refurbishment with obsolete tech, but the majority care (and companies get more profit) about modern, AAA titles on a handheld.

 

[Spider_Man]

Let's hope more handhelds come with SteamOS instead of Windows!

Why, so you have to mess about with mods and patches to make your games work while valve slowly play catchup to improve its proton.

Just to play games, games in which most if not all are built for Windows.

Windows that already has steam application so you can access steam store and play games without any fuss.

No, this is just so valve can try increase its user base because they know they have a loyal fanbase of dedicated DeckHeads like nintendo fanboys.

Its stupid seeing DeckHeads crying about recent pc games not working or supported and wishing for a steamdeck 2 with better hardware.

Completely blind to the fact that we already have these handheld pc devices with high end hardware that can do exactly what the deck cant.

Yet they remain loyal to valve and refuse to open their eyes and admit the fact that this device is shit.

It only took off thanks to the emulation community, before that, no one gave a shit about a low end machine trying to pass off as a pc gaming device.

And like loyal nintendo fanboys, DeckHeads will try demand you are wrong, that the deck is not a pile of shit and is the best thing.

Hmmm sure thing, considering I can clearly see the massive performance improvements using my OneXplayer 2 Pro, vs the ShitDeck that can barely run anything unless its had mods/patches/updates and still runs at low end.

Sure, a few basic games may run OK, but fact is, regardless of what these DeckHeads try to say, its a known fact that games always perform better on higher end systems.

A weaker system is not going to play pc games better than one that has superior hardware.

Its so amusing to read their bs, funny to wind them up, just like nintendorks.

 

[The Catboy]

Why, so you have to mess about with mods and patches to make your games work while valve slowly play catchup to improve its proton.

Just to play games, games in which most if not all are built for Windows.

Windows that already has steam application so you can access steam store and play games without any fuss.

No, this is just so valve can try increase its user base because they know they have a loyal fanbase of dedicated DeckHeads like nintendo fanboys.

Its stupid seeing DeckHeads crying about recent pc games not working or supported and wishing for a steamdeck 2 with better hardware.

Completely blind to the fact that we already have these handheld pc devices with high end hardware that can do exactly what the deck cant.

Yet they remain loyal to valve and refuse to open their eyes and admit the fact that this device is shit.

It only took off thanks to the emulation community, before that, no one gave a shit about a low end machine trying to pass off as a pc gaming device.

And like loyal nintendo fanboys, DeckHeads will try demand you are wrong, that the deck is not a pile of shit and is the best thing.

Hmmm sure thing, considering I can clearly see the massive performance improvements using my OneXplayer 2 Pro, vs the ShitDeck that can barely run anything unless its had mods/patches/updates and still runs at low end.

Sure, a few basic games may run OK, but fact is, regardless of what these DeckHeads try to say, its a known fact that games always perform better on higher end systems.

A weaker system is not going to play pc games better than one that has superior hardware.

It’s so amusing to read their bs, funny to wind them up, just like nintendorks.

I’m not reading all that. Now to the point, most games work on SteamOS without any tweaking and a few often just need switching the Proton version. Even games outside of Steam are very easy to install and tend to work just fine. Seriously, I can tell you’ve not used SteamOS and your ignorance is painful

 

[Xzi]

A weaker system is not going to play pc games better than one that has superior hardware.

Who has ever made the claim that they expect a portable system to play games at the same frame rate and resolution as a full desktop tower PC? Nobody. Four times the power of Switch and the ability to run games like Elden Ring at all was plenty enough to sell people on the device.

Hmmm sure thing, considering I can clearly see the massive performance improvements using my OneXplayer 2 Pro

Ahh...sunk cost fallacy. Now your ridiculous rant makes sense, that thing is fucking three times the price of a Steam Deck OLED and doesn't even come with an OLED screen itself.

 

[LightyKD]

Definitely does not need to be a big focus for them, there were already a ton of portable Windows devices on the market with little to no customer base before Steam Deck even launched. SteamOS provides a vastly superior experience in this form factor.


Huh? SteamOS gets several updates a month. Newest beta branch update was pushed like a day or two ago.

Steam OS is laughable at best. I know that there are a lot of Linux fanboys grasping for straws and hoping that the Steam Deck will be their golden goose of PC superiority but if I wanted to use Linux programs, I'd do so on my Chromebook. The same Steam UI and sleep mode are also available on Windows. I know because I've been Windows only on my Deck since 2022. File organization and drive swapping is much better in Windows. Hell, for a while, you couldn't even install games to USB storage in Steam OS. A major oversight that should have been dealt with before launch.

 

[Xzi]

The same Steam UI and sleep mode are also available on Windows.

With hours of tinkering and bugs galore, no doubt. SteamOS is immediately better for gaming without ever needing to switch to desktop mode at all. Even console-only gamers would be able to quickly figure it out.

Hell, for a while, you couldn't even install games to USB storage in Steam OS. A major oversight that should have been dealt with before launch.

A minor oversight mostly affecting a niche group of users who feel the need to have 2+ TB of games installed all at once, you mean. I had 1.5TB of total space on my LCD Deck and even that was more than I ever actually used. My OLED Deck with 1TB total has all the best ROMs on it, 80+ indie games installed, and 15-20 AAA games. More than enough.

 

[LightyKD]

With hours of tinkering and bugs galore, no doubt. SteamOS is immediately better for gaming without ever needing to switch to desktop mode at all. Even console-only gamers would be able to quickly figure it out.


A minor oversight mostly affecting a niche group of users who feel the need to have 2+ TB of games installed all at once, you mean. I had 1.5TB of total space on my LCD Deck and even that was more than I ever actually used. My OLED Deck with 1TB total has all the best ROMs on it, 80+ indie games installed, and 15-20 AAA games. More than enough.

I have 500 games in my Steam Library. I want my games local, not constantly relying on Steam's server for the sake of cleaning the fridge. At the moment I have 130+ SD cards with a majority of my Steam games on them. They look lovely in their cases next to my Switch games. I'm a different beast and Steam OS wasn't going to cut it for me.

 

[Xzi]

I have 500 games in my Steam Library. I want my games local, not constantly relying on Steam's server for the sake of cleaning the fridge. At the moment I have 130+ SD cards with a majority of my Steam games on them. They look lovely in their cases next to my Switch games. I'm a different beast and Steam OS wasn't going to cut it for me.

Hot swapping with SD cards was never an issue though, and USB hot swapping isn't any more either.

I have over 2,000 games in my Steam library, so I couldn't store them locally all at the same time even if I wanted to. Compatibility has not been an issue at all, Proton has so far run 100% of the games I've wanted to play on Deck. Some games are of course better suited to portable play than others, a solid chunk of my library I completed long ago, and another chunk is just throwaway titles from bundles over the decades.

I can understand not liking the file/folder structure of Linux, but beyond that I haven't run into any issues in desktop mode, and Steam Deck was my first Linux-based system. Windows is just at the point where it's getting worse and worse with every iteration, while game compatibility with Linux is always improving.

 

[wiindsurf]

Wish Apple and Android ARM chips and software could just run all PC games. PC games are the one thing stopping a true post-PC world, if you're still into PC games.

By PC I guess you mean x86 in general?
I agree x86 REALLY needs to die...

 

[sKoMo]

I'm scared Valve will never develop a "Steam Deck 2". Instead it will only develop OS for other handhelds...