SteamOS is formally prepared for the Legion Go S and ‘different AMD handhelds’
It appears like we’ve been ready a very long time for an official construct of SteamOS to make its approach past the Steam Deck. Immediately, the newest model of SteamOS formally helps the Lenovo Legion Go SteamOS Version, the primary third-party handheld gaming PC to run Steam proper out of the field. It’s scheduled for a retail launch later this month.
“Added official assist for the Lenovo Legion Go S,” reads the replace notes for SteamOS 3.7.8 Secure. Amongst a protracted record of bug fixes and different changes, Valve additionally lists “Improved assist for different AMD powered handhelds (just like the ROG Ally and authentic Legion Go).” That signifies, with little or no room for doubt, that fully-compatible Linux-based builds for these different units from Asus and Lenovo are on their approach.
It shouldn’t be too exhausting. With the notable exception of the MSI Claw sequence, each handheld PC from a significant producer makes use of an AMD APU as its place to begin… and even MSI is now on the AMD bandwagon. So constructing assist for the smaller variations in these Ryzen-based {hardware} designs, whereas not trivial, is definitely inside the energy of Valve and anybody it needs to companion with. PC players and reviewers have expressed their dissatisfaction with Home windows on this low-powered kind issue, which will be clunky at greatest and dreadful at worst.
Not that Microsoft is ignoring the state of affairs. It’s apparently teaming up with Asus for a brand new model of its Ally {hardware} that has Xbox branding, indicating a extra devoted, streamlined Home windows gaming handheld sooner or later. However that “ROG Ally 2” leak did embrace two units, one in all which conspicuously lacked that Xbox branding. I ponder if the second variant additionally runs Home windows? Or is it making ready for a SteamOS variant?
That’s hypothesis on my half, to be clear. However when you’ve been hoping for a bit extra selection in your gaming PC handhelds, it seems prefer it’s proper across the nook. Sadly, it’s not going to resolve the different huge downside with non-Steam Deck handhelds: worth. Initially pegged for a $500 MSRP, Greatest Purchase is presently exhibiting the most affordable Legion Go S SteamOS Version (sigh) with a $599.99 price ticket. Hooray for commerce wars.
