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Valve is reportedly extending SteamOS support to rival handheld gaming devices like the Asus ROG Ally. Currently, SteamOS powers Valve’s own Steam Deck, a gaming handheld optimized for a “living room experience” with its Linux-based operating system. Most modern handhelds, such as the Asus ROG Ally, use Windows, which offers flexibility and wider compatibility with third-party game launchers. However, Windows handhelds have been criticized for a less-than-ideal user experience compared to SteamOS.
Valve confirmed to *The Verge* that it plans to bring SteamOS to other Windows-based handhelds, including the Asus ROG Ally. Currently, these devices can run the Steam desktop app on Windows, but Valve is working on full SteamOS support. Recent release notes for the SteamOS 3.6.9 Beta mentioned support for additional ROG Ally keys, fueling speculation about the OS’s expansion to other devices. Valve designer Lawrence Yang confirmed this, explaining that the team is working on adding support for more third-party handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw.
Despite this, don’t expect these handhelds to start shipping with SteamOS pre-installed. Asus, for example, continues to prefer Windows, as it offers broader hardware compatibility and other advantages. While Valve is making progress, the SteamOS is not yet ready to run out-of-the-box on non-Steam Deck devices.
The Steam Deck, along with the newer Steam Deck OLED models, comes with SteamOS, providing a console-like interface for accessing Steam’s digital storefront. While other handhelds can run the Steam client through Windows, they don’t offer the same seamless experience.
Windows-based handhelds like the ROG Ally benefit from wider support for game launchers, such as the Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Connect, and Xbox. However, the Windows OS experience on these devices often falls short, with issues like frequent updates, bugs, and performance bottlenecks. In contrast, SteamOS on the Steam Deck offers a smoother, more console-like interface that makes browsing and playing games from the Steam library easier.
SteamOS, built on the Debian Linux platform, is specifically designed for gaming and brings an optimized, streamlined experience that comes pre-installed on all Steam Deck models.
