All PC Handhelds Now Support SteamOS Like the Steam Deck
In a move to broaden the reach of Steam gaming, Valve has announced plans to extend SteamOS compatibility to MSI's upcoming Claw handheld PCs. This includes the MSI Claw A8, which is expected to feature an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor.
Valve's strategy involves regular updates to SteamOS and the Proton software stack, designed to improve system performance, fix bugs, and add features beneficial to handheld users. These updates ensure better compatibility and smoother operation not just on the Steam Deck but also on other devices running SteamOS variants.
The Proton compatibility layer, essential for running Windows games on Linux-based systems like SteamOS, receives optimizations that enhance performance on Intel and AMD handhelds. For instance, recent Proton-related updates include DXVK improvements that boost performance on Intel-based devices such as the MSI Claw series.
Valve has made it clear that SteamOS is not restricted to proprietary hardware. The MSI Claw 7 and Claw 8 AI handheld PCs, equipped with advanced processors, are benefiting from these software advances. This includes better Steam integration and performance tuning to leverage their specific hardware capabilities.
With the SteamOS version 3.7.8 now available for use on handheld PCs, Valve is set to release a general installer for SteamOS for other manufacturers. This move indicates a broader strategy to bring Steam gaming to diverse hardware environments, hinting at SteamOS becoming a more universal gaming OS beyond Valve’s own devices.
This cross-platform approach is evident in SteamOS 3.6, the same version running on Steam Deck, also being used in other platforms such as Tesla vehicles. This suggests that Valve is aiming to proliferate the Steam marketplace on all gaming machines, including handhelds.
Microsoft is also making strides in the handheld gaming market, with reports indicating that it is working on a handheld mode for its operating system and is reportedly in talks with Asus to launch an officially licensed Xbox handheld PC. However, Microsoft's Game Pass is still struggling to match Valve's dominance on PC.
In the meantime, SteamOS supports around 18,000 titles that should be compatible with handhelds running SteamOS. However, the "SteamOS Compatible" label doesn't guarantee a small screen or playable framerate.
The SteamOS version of the Lenovo Legion Go S, priced at $600, is set to launch on May 25. This makes it an attractive alternative to the Windows 11 version, offering a more user-friendly experience for gamers on the go.
While navigating Microsoft's OS may be less user-friendly compared to SteamOS, Valve's commitment to expanding SteamOS compatibility offers gamers more choices and flexibility in their handheld gaming experiences.
- Gizmodo might cover the future of handheld gaming, as Valve's expansive strategy for SteamOS includes improving tech and performance on tech gadgets like smartphones and innovative devices such as the MSI Claw series.
- In the realm of technology, we can expect the MSI Claw A8, with its AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, to benefit from Valve's ongoing updates to SteamOS and Proton software, ensuring better smartphone and gadget compatibility.
- With Valve's commitment to extending SteamOS compatibility to various gadgets and handhelds, tech enthusiasts might soon see a SteamOS-powered revolution in the tech world, bringing diverse gaming experiences to a broader range of tech devices.
