Valve rolls out SteamOS for more devices, offering a fresh alternative to Windows

[zohaibahd]

Highly anticipated: It's finally happening. We've long heard about the general release of SteamOS, but Valve has now made it official with the launch of a new version of the operating system. The patch notes for SteamOS 3.7.0 Preview mention "Beginnings of support for non-Steam Deck handhelds" as one of the key additions.

The line is vague but it officially confirms Valve's intent to open up its Linux-based gaming OS to a wider ecosystem of mobile gaming hardware beyond the Steam Deck. The release also features a newer Arch Linux base.

If you've been keeping track of developments, you probably already know that this has been an open secret for a while. Valve representatives previously hinted at plans to broaden SteamOS availability.

Moreover, Sadlyitsdadley on X fanned the flames late last week with an "It's almost here" post showcasing the SteamOS logo boot screen on an unspecified device.

I didn't make the image I posted above. It's the official generic splash screen for SteamOS general release (non-Steam Deck devices) pic.twitter.com/Q8fwmBe1S4

– SadlyItsDadley (@SadlyItsBradley) March 14, 2025

As for what exactly this move means for the handheld gaming landscape, well, in short, it could shake things up considerably for the Windows dominance we've seen so far. The Lenovo Legion Go S is currently the sole globally available device that boots SteamOS.

The key selling point of SteamOS has been its optimization for gaming performance compared to Windows. However, by stripping away bloat and overhead, Valve has crafted an OS that can squeeze maximum power from portable hardware. That kind of gaming prowess could be especially beneficial on underpowered hardware.

Of course, the other big potential upside is opening up new frontiers for running SteamOS on unexpected devices and form factors. We've already seen industrious tinkerers managing to load the OS on everything from old laptops to smartphones.

That said, SteamOS still has some catching up to do versus the robust software ecosystem around Windows. While gaming is the priority, other apps and utilities will still be playing catchup compared to what's available on Microsoft's platform. There are also potential compatibility headaches as developers work to adapt games and apps to SteamOS and Linux.

Even so, the prospect is exciting. Windows has had a hold on portable gaming outside of Nintendo's domain, but Valve is set to offer a compelling alternative soon, hogging the spotlight.

You can find the announcement and the lengthy patch notes on Steam's official website.

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Valve rolls out SteamOS for more devices, offering a fresh alternative to Windows

 

[ScottSoapbox]

Here's hoping SteamOS is offered on many devices leading to better anti-cheat support. As that is one of the last things holding back steamos/linux from playing all the games.

 

[Billybobjoey]

As soon as SteamOS is offered on desktop (with Nvidia support) I'll be dualbooting it and Windows and try to make SteamOS my main OS. I'd like to get rid of Windows altogether but of course software and hardware compatibility isn't 100% there yet unfortunately. With the general release of SteamOS I believe there will be a bit of an exodus from Windows. Will Microsoft notice it? Probably not in the grand scheme of things. Will developers and publishers notice it? I think so.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

As soon as SteamOS is offered on desktop (with Nvidia support) I'll be dualbooting it and Windows and try to make SteamOS my main OS. I'd like to get rid of Windows altogether but of course software and hardware compatibility isn't 100% there yet unfortunately. With the general release of SteamOS I believe there will be a bit of an exodus from Windows. Will Microsoft notice it? Probably not in the grand scheme of things. Will developers and publishers notice it? I think so.

Why would you make SteamOS your main OS? Unless you never do anything but play games, just install Linux already. SteamOS is just an arch distro with a lot of stuff stripped out.

Here's hoping SteamOS is offered on many devices leading to better anti-cheat support. As that is one of the last things holding back steamos/linux from playing all the games.

Most of the big anti cheats like EAC have support for linux and proton. It's the developers that are being stubborn now.

 

[Billybobjoey]

Why would you make SteamOS your main OS? Unless you never do anything but play games, just install Linux already. SteamOS is just an arch distro with a lot of stuff stripped out.

I already dualboot PopOS as my non-main OS, just to mess around with when I'm bored. I'm mostly waiting for SteamOS because I do primarily play games on my PC, and I have more trust in Valve to not push updates that would unintentionally break game compatibility. Bazzite is cool and I'm glad it exists, but personally since I know it's coming eventually, I'm fine just waiting for the official SteamOS release.

 

[jrtt0]

I've bought a ROG Ally Z1 last week, and was planning to play a little with the out-of-the-box offer, despite it shipping with Windows 11 (I hate the new taskbar "exprience" and lack of settings), before considering to try a GNU-Linux distro.
When I saw it was mandatory to use a Microsoft account, and that using a fake email didn't work (I want to have use a local account), I changed my mind and immediately switch it to Bazzite without even reaching the Windows 11 desktop.
It's working like a charm and I love it.
The work behind this distro is really impressive.

 

[ScottSoapbox]

Most of the big anti cheats like EAC have support for linux and proton. It's the developers that are being stubborn now.

I stand corrected. I was misremembering does not play Fortnite as does not play Epic Games. Below is a handy summary I found regarding this:

Worth noting that Epic's Easy Anti-Cheat does support Linux (including Steam Deck with SteamOS Linux), and there's many games that are supported (check out our dedicated anti-cheat section). However, EAC doesn't support the kernel-level side of it on Linux, which has resulted in a number of games actually removing support like Apex Legends.

Tim Sweeney of Epic Games previously said back in late 2023 that it wouldn't make sense to support Fortnite on Steam Deck until it has "tens of millions of users". I still have my doubts Epic will ever do it, even if the amount of Steam Deck users and SteamOS devices (with a public SteamOS Beta coming) continue to increase, since Epic firmly see Valve as a competitor with their Epic Games Store.

 

[maxxcool7421]

Why would you make SteamOS your main OS? Unless you never do anything but play games, just install Linux already.

Because some of us have to work, and that work is still very much windows only.. for now.. and NO, im not running windows in a VM. Dualboot is better.

 

[mbrowne5061]

Why would you make SteamOS your main OS? Unless you never do anything but play games, just install Linux already. SteamOS is just an arch distro with a lot of stuff stripped out.

Yeah, the "a lot of stuff stripped out" is the attractive part. Frankly, most Linux distros are too much of a PITA to use unless your a developer who needs that level of control over your system, or your a hobbyist who treats their computer the same way a gearhead treats a classic car rebuild.

Having Valve offer a "just works" gaming OS for Linux is very attractive, and then put Windows either in a dual-boot or VM for when you absolutely need it for something that cannot/should not be done via a native app or browser app (e.g. mechanical CAD work if you're into 3D printing; you're still married to Windows for that).

 

[acrossthestars]

Here's hoping SteamOS is offered on many devices leading to better anti-cheat support. As that is one of the last things holding back steamos/linux from playing all the games.

As Respawn Entertainment pointed out, when they dropped support for the Steam Deck from Apex Legends, it's not enough for anti-cheat support to be available. It needs to work "properly". It's embedded in the kernel on Windows, but it's not on Linux and 'nix users wouldn't even want it there. So, just having anti-cheat support at all isn't the answer.

What needs to happen is for anti-cheat support to not be kernel-level, period--regardless of platform, so that it not being part of the core OS is a moot point. The CloudStrike fiasco was proof that protection affecting core operating processes is a bad idea. So, in theory, future versions of Windows either won't feature kernel-level anything or be better at balancing between the safety of the file structure and management of the operating system. Until then, however, developers aren't super inclined to allow non-kernel anti cheat, if they believe it creates negative incentives or the numbers prove that cheaters are "gaming" the system.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Yeah, the "a lot of stuff stripped out" is the attractive part. Frankly, most Linux distros are too much of a PITA to use unless your a developer who needs that level of control over your system, or your a hobbyist who treats their computer the same way a gearhead treats a classic car rebuild.

It's not 2000 anymore. Most linux distros are easier to set up then SteamOS is. If putting an ISO on a USB and hitting "next" are developer level actions you're not going to be able to handle SteamOS either.

Having Valve offer a "just works" gaming OS for Linux is very attractive, and then put Windows either in a dual-boot or VM for when you absolutely need it for something that cannot/should not be done via a native app or browser app (e.g. mechanical CAD work if you're into 3D printing; you're still married to Windows for that).

So installing linux mint or manjaro is too much of a PITA for you, but installing SteamOS and Windows and setting up dual booting isnt? ROFL.

As Respawn Entertainment pointed out, when they dropped support for the Steam Deck from Apex Legends, it's not enough for anti-cheat support to be available. It needs to work "properly". It's embedded in the kernel on Windows, but it's not on Linux and 'nix users wouldn't even want it there. So, just having anti-cheat support at all isn't the answer.

What needs to happen is for anti-cheat support to not be kernel-level, period--regardless of platform, so that it not being part of the core OS is a moot point. The CloudStrike fiasco was proof that protection affecting core operating processes is a bad idea. So, in theory, future versions of Windows either won't feature kernel-level anything or be better at balancing between the safety of the file structure and management of the operating system. Until then, however, developers aren't super inclined to allow non-kernel anti cheat, if they believe it creates negative incentives or the numbers prove that cheaters are "gaming" the system.

This may shock you, but ReSpawn is LYING. Apex Legends uses Easy Anti Cheat, which supports not just linux but also proton, and other games (Halo Infinite) use EAC via Proton without issue.

EAC isnt going to release a statement that they support linux if their linux implementation doesnt work. That would just be silly. EAC supports, and WORKS PROPERLY, in linux and proton, if ReSpawn cant figure it out that's on them and their EA overlords who would NEVER lie to avoid supporting the community........

Do I even need to put the /s on the end there?

 

[airbornex]

This could be a game-changer—literally. More devices running SteamOS means less reliance on Windows, and if Valve keeps improving Proton, we might get to a point where Linux gaming is no longer a niche.

 

[adisoftcafe]

I stand corrected. I was misremembering does not play Fortnite as does not play Epic Games. Below is a handy summary I found regarding this:

I stand corrected. I was misremembering does not play Fortnite as does not play Epic Games. Below is a handy summary I found regarding this:

It doesn't play Fortnite or a lot of games that use anti-cheat. But you can play games from Epic Games Store. Just install a KDE Linux distribution like Fedora, add flatpak,install Steam and Lutris.You don't need Steam OS.

 

[mbrowne5061]

It's not 2000 anymore. Most linux distros are easier to set up then SteamOS is. If putting an ISO on a USB and hitting "next" are developer level actions you're not going to be able to handle SteamOS either.

So installing linux mint or manjaro is too much of a PITA for you, but installing SteamOS and Windows and setting up dual booting isnt? ROFL.

The issue is 'getting all the other software to work'

I never had an issue getting any Linux distro to work. But I also lost count of how many times I had to reinstall those same distros because something in the OS would get messed up during the installation, upgrade, or removal of a piece of software, and my problem would be so niche that it was faster to just reinstall the whole OS either from scratch or a backup.

You also conveniently ignored the point about some entire classes of software just straight up being unavailable on Linux. Go ahead. Go look for a mechanical CAD software that runs natively on Linux, I'll wait. You'll only find FreeCAD and OpenSCAD. OpenSCAD has a very limited use case, and FreeCAD is the "GIMP" of CAD softwares (and I don't mean that as a compliment). And both are available for Windows, as well, if I do have need of them when I only have Windows. Electrical CAD is a similar story, but at least KiCAD is good so long as you don't need to do anything involving wiring harnesses.

 

[LimyG]

As soon as SteamOS is offered on desktop (with Nvidia support) I'll be dualbooting it and Windows and try to make SteamOS my main OS. I'd like to get rid of Windows altogether but of course software and hardware compatibility isn't 100% there yet unfortunately. With the general release of SteamOS I believe there will be a bit of an exodus from Windows. Will Microsoft notice it? Probably not in the grand scheme of things. Will developers and publishers notice it? I think so.

Yeah, I hope it happens. As I have two desktops one would remain windows for everything except gaming, and the other with the best CPU/GPU combo would become a dedicated gaming machine.

Not really a fan of linux, but that's just me.

Thing is if it does ever come to desktop, it will never come close to replacing Windows, Mac, or Linux. As far as I know it is purely gaming centric. Correct me if I'm wrong about that.

 

[Watzupken]

If the priority is only gaming, I think Steam OS is probably the easiest way to get most gaming required software installed and configured. I do think that the likes of Linux Mint is a great all rounder and replacement for Windows. But unlike Steam OS, some level of meddling in terminal may be required to get software installed for best gaming experience on Linux. So for my work laptop, I am happy to just run Linux Mint, while I may migrate my gaming only desktop to Steam OS. I don't play any competitive games, so anti cheat limitations don't bother me.