Valve has confirmed that its Linux-based SteamOS will soon be compatible with the ASUS ROG Ally and other third-party handheld gaming devices. This announcement marks a significant step in Valve’s long-standing vision of creating a widespread “Steam Machine” ecosystem.
Steady Progress Towards SteamOS Compatibility
Lawrence Yang, a designer at Valve, told The Verge that the company is actively working on expanding SteamOS support beyond its Steam Deck console. This effort was highlighted in the latest SteamOS 3.6.9 Beta release notes, which mentioned “support for extra ROG Ally keys.” While the development is ongoing, Yang assured that the team is making “steady progress.”
However, this does not imply that manufacturers like ASUS will ship devices with SteamOS pre-installed. ASUS and other companies have favored Windows due to its broad compatibility and dedicated support teams from Microsoft. Still, the potential for SteamOS on these devices could offer gamers a new level of flexibility, allowing them to switch between operating systems based on their needs.
Valve is also focusing on enabling dual-booting capabilities for its Steam Deck, allowing users to alternate between SteamOS and Windows. Although there’s no official timeline, this feature remains a priority.
