What you Need to Know
At the moment, Valve’s Linux-based SteamOS is officially offered only on their own Steam Deck. However, there’s a chance that might change soon. Recent branding updates hint at the possibility of third-party hardware running “Powered by SteamOS.” This could mean that devices like the ROG Ally could eventually be available without Windows 11. But could this really be happening?
I’ve got a lot of love for the Steam Deck. Even after scoring an ROG Ally during the Black Friday sales, I still find myself recommending the Steam Deck to most folks. A big reason for that is the SteamOS software. It’s perfectly tailored for handheld devices, offering a much smoother and intuitive experience compared to Windows 11. It truly feels like a gaming console rather than a shrunken-down PC.
The latest buzz hints at more than just the Steam Deck standing to benefit from SteamOS in the near future. As spotted by Brad Lynch on X, Valve’s new brand guidelines reveal a tantalizing hint. Their branding suggests some forthcoming third-party hardware might just run on SteamOS. Here’s what’s got people talking:
Valve recently unveiled new third-party hardware branding logos/guidelines:
▫️ Powered by SteamOS
▫️ Steam Compatible (Valve approved controller Inputs)
▫️ Steam Included (Steam Client installed)
▫️ Steam Play Here (PC Cafes using Steam)
▫️ Steam Link Compatible (for VR headsets)
Along with these logos, Valve also shared some insights into how this branding should be applied:
“The Powered by SteamOS logo indicates that a hardware device will run the SteamOS and boot into SteamOS upon powering on the device. Partners/manufacturers will ship hardware with a Steam image in the form provided by and/or developed in close collaboration with Valve. Physical alterations should not be made to the logo and it should not be combined with any other branding elements.”
Now, this doesn’t guarantee anything immediate or imply we’re looking at new handheld devices just yet. However, given that the ROG Ally has popped up in previous SteamOS changelogs and is a well-known non-Valve handheld PC, it seems like a natural choice for collaboration.
Could a future version of the ROG Ally come equipped with SteamOS instead of Windows 11? That would certainly be an interesting development. For one thing, a SteamOS device might be more affordable compared to its Windows 11 counterpart. Plus, it would definitely offer a more user-friendly experience, especially since Windows 11’s interface for handhelds could use a major overhaul.
However, there would still be trade-offs. You’d miss out on some features, like access to non-cloud Xbox Game Pass titles, and certain anti-cheat systems that require Windows would limit your ability to play games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Valorant, and Fortnite.
But there’s always the chance that Valve plans something entirely different. Remember the Steam Machines? They didn’t make much of a splash, but with all the positive vibes surrounding the Steam Deck now, could a small PC running SteamOS find success this time?
It’s an exciting prospect to watch unfold, so stay tuned…
