Valve Confirms SteamOS Support Coming to ROG Ally and Other Handhelds
In a surprising move, Valve has confirmed that it is working on bringing SteamOS support to rival handheld gaming PCs, including the popular Asus ROG Ally. This development could potentially reshape the landscape of portable PC gaming.
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| Asus ROG Ally handheld gaming device showcasing its advanced gaming design |
Key Points:
- Valve is actively working on adding SteamOS support for third-party handheld devices
- The Asus ROG Ally is specifically mentioned as a target device
- SteamOS is not yet ready for out-of-the-box use on non-Steam Deck hardware
- Dual-boot support for Windows and SteamOS on Steam Deck is still in development
The Road to Third-Party Support
Valve designer Lawrence Yang revealed to The Verge that the company is continuing to work on adding support for additional handhelds on SteamOS. This confirmation came after eagle-eyed users spotted a curious line in recent SteamOS patch notes: Added support for extra ROG Ally keys.
While this news is exciting for handheld gaming enthusiasts, Yang cautioned that SteamOS isn't ready to run out of the box yet on devices like the ROG Ally. The team is making steady progress, but there's no specific timeline for when we might see a public release.
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| The ROG Ally console displaying the SteamOS interface, showcasing its game-focused features |
Why SteamOS Matters
SteamOS has been a key differentiator for the Steam Deck, offering several advantages over Windows-based competitors:
- Streamlined interface optimized for controller input
- Quick access to game libraries and system settings
- Efficient performance tuning for handheld form factors
Bringing these benefits to other devices could level the playing field and give consumers more choice in the handheld PC market.
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| The Asus ROG Ally highlighting the sleek design and benefits of the SteamOS interface |
Dual-Boot Dreams
Valve hasn't forgotten about Steam Deck owners either. Yang confirmed that dual-boot support, allowing users to switch between SteamOS and Windows, remains a priority. However, like the third-party SteamOS release, there's no firm timeline for this feature.
The Bigger Picture
This move by Valve aligns with the company's original vision of Steam Machines – a diverse ecosystem of gaming PCs running SteamOS. While that concept didn't take off initially, the success of the Steam Deck has seemingly reinvigorated Valve's ambitions in this space.
As the handheld PC market continues to grow, Valve's willingness to share its software could foster innovation and competition. However, it remains to be seen how this will impact Steam Deck sales and Valve's hardware strategy in the long term.
For now, PC gaming enthusiasts can look forward to potentially having the best of both worlds – powerful hardware options combined with Valve's refined gaming-focused operating system.
Update: Friday August 16 11:30
In a significant price reduction, Asus has temporarily slashed the cost of its ROG Ally handheld gaming PC. The Z1 Extreme model is now available for $499.99, down from $699.99, while the standard Z1 model is priced at $379.99, reduced from $499.99. This limited-time offer, running until August 18, includes a carry case and one month of Xbox Game Pass. The price drop positions the ROG Ally as a more competitive option in the handheld gaming market, potentially influencing consumer choices and market dynamics as Valve works on bringing SteamOS support to these devices.
Update: Friday August 16 11:15
In a related development, Valve has officially released Windows drivers for the Steam Deck OLED, allowing users to install and run Windows on the device. This move expands the Steam Deck OLED's capabilities, giving users access to a wider range of games, including those incompatible with SteamOS or requiring Windows-specific anti-cheat systems. The release includes drivers for various components such as API, SD card reader, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and audio. This development further demonstrates Valve's commitment to providing flexibility and choice in the handheld gaming PC market, aligning with their efforts to bring SteamOS to other devices while also supporting alternative operating systems on their own hardware.