Valve has been vocal about their intentions to extend the availability of SteamOS beyond the Steam Deck, their handheld gaming device. Recent beta updates have hinted at the inclusion of support for other gaming devices, such as the Asus ROG Ally. According to The Verge, Valve has confirmed that they are actively working on bringing SteamOS support to non-Steam Deck portables. This move is aimed at providing a wider range of options for gamers who may prefer alternative handheld devices over the Steam Deck.
Valve engineer Lawrence Yang explained that the mention of ROG Ally keys in the beta update is related to third-party device support for SteamOS. The team is dedicated to adding compatibility for additional handhelds on SteamOS, although Yang cautioned that this support is still a work in progress and not yet ready for seamless integration. This development is particularly exciting for users who are looking to experience high-performance gaming on devices like the ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go without having to rely on Windows 11.
While the prospect of running more PC games on non-Steam Deck devices through SteamOS is appealing, there is also a demand for dual booting capabilities. Some Steam Deck owners and enthusiasts are eager to have the option of dual booting their devices with both SteamOS and Windows. This would allow for greater flexibility and access to a wider range of games and applications. However, the implementation of dual boot support appears to be further down the pipeline, with Valve indicating that it remains a priority but has yet to be fully realized.
In the absence of official dual boot support, users have found ways to unofficially install Windows on the Steam Deck using a microSD card. While this workaround allows for a form of dual booting, it is not as seamless or efficient as having both operating systems on the device’s SSD. Valve acknowledges the demand for dual boot functionality and is working on making the necessary Windows drivers available for the Steam Deck OLED, but the timeline for this feature remains uncertain.
Valve’s efforts to expand SteamOS support to non-Steam Deck devices represent a significant step towards providing gamers with more choice and flexibility in their gaming experience. While challenges remain, particularly in the area of dual booting, the commitment to enhancing the capabilities of SteamOS bodes well for the future of gaming on a variety of handheld devices.
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