Valve’s SteamOS expansion began with Lenovo’s Legion Go S, which Valve named the first rival handheld officially licensed to ship with SteamOS. The picture is broader now: Valve says recent updates improve compatibility with other AMD-powered PCs, and Lenovo announced a second-generation Legion Go with SteamOS. But compatibility and official “Powered by SteamOS” status are not the same. Valve’s current official list names Steam Deck, Steam Machine, and Legion Go S.
What Valve announced about SteamOS on rival handhelds
On January 7, 2025, Valve announced that Lenovo’s Legion Go S “Powered by SteamOS” would be the first handheld officially licensed to ship with the operating system. Valve said it was updating SteamOS to fully support the Legion Go S, and that the work would also improve compatibility with other handhelds. The announcement said users would be able to download and test a beta intended to improve the experience on other handhelds. Valve’s announcement did not mean that every handheld immediately became an officially supported SteamOS device.
Valve described SteamOS as the Linux-based system used on Steam Deck, designed for controller-first gaming while retaining PC flexibility. Its features include quick suspend and resume, system and game updates, Steam Library and Steam Cloud access, and Proton compatibility for many Windows games. Users can also switch to desktop mode and install other launchers or software. Valve’s January 2025 announcement said the “vast majority” of Steam games work, not all of them.
Which devices officially come with SteamOS?
Valve’s current SteamOS page lists Steam Deck, Steam Machine, and Legion Go S as devices officially “Powered by SteamOS.” The page also says recent Steam and SteamOS 3.8 updates improved compatibility with other AMD-powered PCs, including handhelds and desktops. That distinction matters: improved software compatibility does not by itself add a device to Valve’s official licensed-device list.
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Valve says it works with select partners on official licensed SteamOS devices. The base operating-system components are open source, but the Steam Client is proprietary, and the official branding and licensing of a device are separate from whether SteamOS can run on it. Valve’s current page does not say that every AMD PC—or every handheld that can be tested—is an official SteamOS product.
What about Legion Go 2 and other handhelds?
At CES on January 6, 2026, Lenovo announced a second-generation Legion Go model running SteamOS. Lenovo described an 8.8-inch WUXGA OLED display, up to an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, up to 32 GB of LPDDR5X memory, up to 2 TB of SSD storage, and a 74 Wh battery. These are Lenovo’s announced specifications, not independent performance measurements. Lenovo estimated a $1,199 USD starting price and June 2026 availability; those were announcement estimates, not confirmation of current retail price or stock.
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- SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)
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A Valve slide from GDC 2026 names Legion Go S, Legion Go 2, and “other devices people are testing and building themselves” in a SteamOS verification-testing context. This indicates that testing extends beyond the original Legion Go S, but it does not make every named or tested device officially “Powered by SteamOS.” Valve’s current device list remains the better guide to official status.
Can you install SteamOS on a ROG Ally or any other PC?
Valve’s answer is not a blanket yes. Its SteamOS FAQ asks, “Does this mean I can install SteamOS on any device?” and distinguishes broader compatibility work from official devices. Valve says recent updates improve compatibility with other AMD PCs, but the current page does not establish that every model—including every ROG Ally configuration—has full support or an official SteamOS release. Check Valve’s current compatibility information for the exact hardware and software version before treating a device as supported.
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- Operating System: SteamOS 3.0
Even if SteamOS runs on a device, the experience may differ from a purpose-built, licensed product. Compatibility can depend on the handheld’s particular components and controls; official preinstallation and branding are separate questions from whether an enthusiast can install or test the system themselves.
Does SteamOS run every Steam game?
No. SteamOS uses Proton, Valve’s compatibility layer for running many Windows games on Linux, but compatibility is not universal. Valve’s SteamOS page says more than 18,000 titles worked “last we checked”; Valve does not state the year for that count, and it is not a live guarantee for every game or device. Steam’s Verified program identifies games that Valve considers to work well on Steam Deck, while unsupported or unverified titles may require troubleshooting or may not work as expected.
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- Valve is entering the gaming console marketplace with the new Steam Deck, a console geared towards PC gamers. The Steam Deck can be docked to a monitor, and used as a PC, or docked to a TV.
- Players can play a huge variety of games at any time with the comfort of a console and the freedom of a PC. Not anti-glare screen.
- Like the name suggests, the Steam Deck will include upgraded 1TB storage, and will include a carrying case. A micro SD slot will also enable expanded storage.
- Valve partnered with AMD to create a specialized APU optimized for handheld gaming, and Valve says the chip will deliver performance to run AAA gaming titles.
- The Steam Deck is outfitted with a 7-inch touchscreen, and two trackpads under the control sticks that allow gamers to operate games never designed outside of mouse and keyboard capabilities.
What SteamOS expansion means for buyers
If you want a handheld that officially ships with SteamOS, look for a model Valve currently names as “Powered by SteamOS,” rather than assuming a Windows handheld becomes an official SteamOS device because of compatibility updates. The Legion Go S is the rival handheld explicitly on Valve’s current list; Steam Deck and Steam Machine are also listed. Lenovo’s announced Legion Go 2 SteamOS model is a notable expansion, but the available Valve list and Lenovo announcement should be read separately: Lenovo announced the model and specifications, while Valve’s current official-device page has not named it in its list.
For a buyer comparing handhelds, the practical trade-off is the software experience, not a proven performance ranking. SteamOS emphasizes a controller-friendly interface and quick suspend/resume while retaining access to a Linux desktop. Valve’s cited announcements provide no independent head-to-head performance tests for these devices, so they do not establish which handheld is faster or better in actual games.
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Announcement-era price and availability figures
| Device | Announcement-era price and availability | What the figures mean |
|---|---|---|
| Legion Go S SteamOS model | Lenovo stated an expected starting price of $499.99 USD and expected availability in May 2025. | These were Lenovo’s 2025 estimates, not a current offer or inventory check. Lenovo’s announcement. |
| Legion Go Powered by SteamOS (8.8-inch, second generation) | Lenovo estimated a $1,199 USD starting price and expected availability in June 2026. | These were Lenovo’s 2026 estimates, not verified current retail pricing or availability. Lenovo’s announcement. |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
