Valve has continued its push to broaden SteamOS compatibility, with its latest update adding preliminary support for several handheld gaming PCs beyond the Steam Deck. The update introduces initial gamepad support for the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, and improved support for the MSI Claw handhelds generally. Additionally, the Ayaneo Pocket S2 and the Konkr Fit have received initial gamepad support.
The inclusion of these devices marks a significant step in Valve's effort to support hardware beyond AMD chipsets. While the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ utilizes an x86 architecture similar to the Steam Deck, the Ayaneo Pocket S2 and Konkr Fit are ARM-based devices. Valve has been working on SteamOS support for ARM architectures, a development that could see these Android-focused handhelds running Valve's custom Linux distribution.
This expansion beyond AMD processors is a direct continuation of Valve's stated goals. Following the launch of the Steam Machine, the company indicated plans to extend SteamOS support to a wider range of hardware. The current updates suggest these efforts are beginning to bear fruit, particularly for Intel-powered handhelds like the MSI Claw, which has been noted for its powerful performance hindered by its native Windows operating system.
Despite these advancements, a key platform remains absent from SteamOS compatibility: Nvidia graphics cards. With an estimated 72% of gaming PCs utilizing Nvidia GPUs, according to the Steam Hardware Survey, the lack of official support presents a significant barrier to SteamOS's widespread adoption. While Linux can be configured to run on Nvidia hardware through alternative distributions, the process is more involved than with AMD-based systems.
Valve has previously acknowledged the desire for Nvidia support, with suggestions that it may arrive in the future. However, until official confirmation or patch notes are released by Valve, the integration of Nvidia GPUs into SteamOS remains an anticipated, rather than confirmed, development. The successful integration of Nvidia hardware would be a major catalyst in making SteamOS a viable alternative to Windows for a much larger audience of PC gamers.