SteamOS Now Open for Installation – Offers Better Gaming Experience Than Windows 11
SteamOS Now Open for Installation – Offers Better Gaming Experience Than Windows 11
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SteamOS Now Open for Installation – Offers Better Gaming Experience Than Windows 11
Valve has officially opened up SteamOS for installation on a wider range of handheld gaming devices, offering an alternative to Windows 11 with an enhanced gaming experience.
The newly released SteamOS version 3.7.8 now supports devices from manufacturers like Lenovo, provided they run on AMD hardware and use NVMe SSD storage.
Lenovo is also preparing to launch its Legion Go S handheld preloaded with SteamOS in the coming weeks.
Valve has long been working to expand SteamOS compatibility beyond its own Steam Deck. Now, with installation officially available, handheld gaming PCs from brands like Lenovo and ASUS can run SteamOS instead of relying on Microsoft’s Windows 11. The latest update, version 3.7.8, includes official support for the Lenovo Legion Go S and improved compatibility with other popular devices like the ASUS ROG Ally, significantly enhancing overall gaming performance on these platforms.
Initially, SteamOS was exclusive to the Steam Deck, while competing handhelds from Lenovo, ASUS, and MSI used Windows 11 with a gaming mode. However, in terms of pure gaming experience, SteamOS consistently outperforms Windows 11 on handheld devices.
Built on the updated Arch Linux base, SteamOS 3.7.8 features the Linux Kernel 6.11 and uses the Plasma 6.2.5 desktop environment in desktop mode. Valve has released a recovery image along with installation guides, though for now, SteamOS supports only AMD-based systems with NVMe SSDs. Future updates are expected to expand hardware support, potentially including non-AMD devices as well—thanks to SteamOS’s Linux foundation and flexibility.
Version 3.7.8 also introduces several new features, such as the ability to cap battery charging at 80% to extend battery lifespan, frame rate limiting for internal and external VRR displays, and the ability to wake the system from sleep using a Bluetooth controller on LCD-based Steam Deck models.
Lenovo’s upcoming Legion Go S model with SteamOS is expected to be priced significantly lower than its Windows 11 counterpart. For those considering a handheld gaming PC, it may be worth waiting for reviews of these new third-party SteamOS devices that aren’t part of the Steam Deck lineup.
