In light of the changes announced for a future SteamOS update, one line stands out. It could well mark a major turning point in the portable console market.
Since Valve revived the trend for portable consoles (not including the Switch) with its Steam Deck, several manufacturers have jumped into the sector. So today, finding a device capable of running the games you own on PC is very simple. But while we're spoiled for choice when it comes to brands, it's much less true if we want to compare the operating systems of the consoles in question. You have SteamOS on one side and a modified version of Windows 11 on the other. That's it.
Valve is very protective at this level. Understand: SteamOS is a closed system like Apple's iOS. But the company is clearly watering down its wine since in early 2025, Lenovo will unveil the Legion Go S, the first portable console outside of Steam Deck to officially offer SteamOS. A way to realize the principle of dual-boot promised a few years ago. Today, it goes even further.
Steam OS lays the foundations for a big change for portable consoles
In the Steam OS version 3.7.0 patch notes, a version still in beta, we find the classic fixes for various bugs and the addition of some features. Looking more closely, a seemingly innocuous line announces something very important: “First steps towards supporting portable devices other than Steam Deck“. It's vague, but clear enough to understand that it's here, SteamOS is starting to open up.
Read also – Valve is reportedly preparing a new device under SteamOS and it won't be the Steam Deck 2
We should therefore see more and more portable consoles natively compatible with Valve's system. It is unknown whether manufacturers will opt for dual-boot with Windows 11 or if they will do without Microsoft altogether. The latter possibility However, this is unlikely, especially if the Redmond company finally decides to release its long-awaited portable Xbox.
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