Is SteamOS a future default for handhelds?

graphito@beehaw.org to Steam Deck@sopuli.xyz – 313 points –

Given many new handhelds coming on the scene and general disinterest of Microsoft to support the market, do you think SteamOS will take place of default OS the same way Android did on phones some time ago?

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I'd love to see the return of Steam Machines. I loved the concept back in 2014 but Linux gaming absolutely wasn't ready back then. A first party Valve Steam Machine could be a great entry point for many potential new PC gamers.

I'd be curious what kind of APU they'd cook up for a Steam Machine because putting in a full GPU isnt economically viable right now.

I'd possibly argue a full GPU could be detrimental. Maybe best to aim for Steam Deck performance in a home console but with the potential for a GPU installation later on. Obviously being a home console would allow for a more power hungry but performamt APU. Maybe they could attain Series S performance whilst being a much more open platform.

I agree. Full GPU doesn't seem likely. It'd be great if AMD and Valve could work together to make a decent desktop APU without the usual compromises, maybe one with M2 like performance. Even better if they could later repurpose a variation of that design to make consumer chips that fit into the AM5 socket.

Maybe Valve can also look into shared memory designs where its one unified pool for both CPU and GPU. Pretty sure Linux has support for that.

Also, the more console-like approach could be used to give external GPUs more uses. Sure, not everyone is going to get an eGPU, but it would be a nice option to have, instead of just having to replace the whole thing or offering two or three models of it like the various PS3 models, PS4 and it's Pro model, and the rumored PS5 Pro and the rumoured new base model with a detachable drive...