Valve Working on SteamOS Support for Non-Steam Deck Portables

Valve’s recent beta update mentioned the addition of support for the Asus ROG Ally’s inputs, confirming their plans to make SteamOS available to other handheld gaming devices. Lawrence Yang, a Valve engineer, stated that the team is actively working on adding support for additional handhelds on SteamOS. This development is aimed at providing users with a wider range of options beyond the Steam Deck.

While the idea of running SteamOS on non-Steam Deck portables may sound appealing, Yang cautioned that the third-party support is not yet fully functional and may require additional tweaking before it can be used effectively. This indicates that there are still challenges to overcome before users can seamlessly transition their gaming experience to devices like the ROG Ally or Lenovo Legion Go.

Despite the interest from users in dual-booting their Steam Deck with both SteamOS and Windows, Valve’s focus seems to be primarily on expanding SteamOS support to other handheld devices. Yang mentioned that dual-boot support for the Steam Deck is still a priority, but the timeline for its implementation remains uncertain. This leaves users who wish to enjoy the benefits of both operating systems waiting for a definitive solution.

In the meantime, users have found alternative ways to achieve dual-booting on the Steam Deck, such as installing Windows on a microSD card for temporary use. However, the ultimate goal of keeping both operating systems on the device’s SSD will require further development and optimization. Valve’s commitment to addressing this feature in the future shows that they are aware of the user demand for dual-boot capabilities.

Overall, Valve’s efforts to expand SteamOS support to non-Steam Deck portables signal a positive direction for the gaming community. By providing options for a wider range of devices, Valve aims to cater to the diverse needs of gamers who may prefer devices other than the Steam Deck. While challenges remain in terms of compatibility and dual-booting capabilities, Valve’s commitment to addressing these issues shows promise for the future of gaming on portable devices.