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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Borealis is Google’s Steam-on-ChromeOS project, also known as the Steam VM. It provided the ChromeOS integration that powered Steam for Chromebook (Beta), letting people install and run some Steam games locally on selected Chromebooks. The Beta was reported to have ended on January 1, 2026, although Google’s Help page still displays its old setup instructions.
What Borealis is—and what it is not
The ChromiumOS project repository describes Borealis as “Steam on ChromeOS, aka the Steam VM.” It says the project provides first-party support for gaming on ChromeOS devices using Steam, which is developed by Valve. ChromiumOS project repository
In practical terms, Borealis was the ChromeOS-side software and virtual-machine environment behind Steam for Chromebook (Beta). It was not a Chromebook model, a separate Steam product, or a game. Valve developed Steam; Borealis connected that platform to supported ChromeOS devices.
Is Steam for Chromebook still available?
The Beta was reported to end on January 1, 2026. A June 2026 response from a volunteer Product Expert in the Google Chromebook Help Community says Google and Valve officially ended it on that date. Tom’s Hardware also reported in 2025 that users saw a notice saying the program would conclude then and that installed Beta games would no longer be playable afterward. Google Chromebook Help Community response; Tom’s Hardware report
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There is a documentation mismatch: Google’s Chromebook Help page still describes Steam for Chromebook (Beta), including its requirements and installation route. That page does not announce the reported closure. The sources establish the reported end date, but not whether the former installer or games still work on any particular Chromebook today.
Who could use the former Chromebook Beta?
Google’s support page listed these minimum hardware requirements for the Beta:
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- Storage: 16GB Flash Memory
- OS: Chrome OS
- Screen Size: 11.6"
- Intel i3 or Ryzen 3 CPU or better.
- At least 8 GB of RAM.
- At least 128 GB of storage.
Those were Beta eligibility requirements, not current access guarantees or a buying recommendation. Google’s supported-device list named selected models from Acer, Asus, Dell, Framework, HP, and Lenovo, and noted that the list could change as more qualifying devices were enabled. Check the Google Help page for the historical model list; being listed there does not establish that Steam access works now.
How the old installation instructions worked
Google’s documented setup route was specific to the Beta. Given the reported closure, treat it as historical guidance—not as a promise that installation remains possible.
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- Intel Processor Up to 2.80GHz, 4GB DDR4, 128GB Storage
- 15" FHD IPS Display, Intel UHD Graphics
- 1x USB Type C, 1 x USB Type A, 1x Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack, HDMI
- Fast WiFi and Bluetooth, Integrated Webcam
- Chrome OS, AC Charger Included, Pastel Silver
- Open the Chromebook Launcher.
- Search for Steam installer.
- If the installer appeared under Apps, select it and follow the on-screen setup steps.
Google said that if the installer did not appear, the Chromebook did not meet the Beta requirements. The same support page advised against installing Steam or Steam Link from the Play Store because they could cause performance issues. These notes describe Google’s former Beta guidance, not a route to restore access after the reported end date. Google Chromebook Help: Steam for Chromebook (Beta)
What the Beta could—and could not—do
Steam on a supported Chromebook did not mean every Steam game would work well. Google’s page warned of known bugs, gameplay and performance issues, and limits on which titles were available. Its compatible-games list identified games that had performed well in tests on Chromebooks meeting the minimum requirements; it was not a guarantee for the full Steam catalog. Google Chromebook Help
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- TAKE HITS KEEP MOVING – Sleek, light, and built to last- the Chromebook 2-in-1 is just 0.69” thick and 3.3lbs. Enjoy long-lasting battery life, fast charging, and military-grade durability for nonstop productivity wherever life takes you.
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Google’s archived Alpha documentation also recorded memory concerns for some 8 GB devices running games that required 6 GB or more, as well as performance or scaling issues on displays above 1080p. Those are historical Alpha caveats, not a verified current list of problems with the Beta or with Chromebooks generally. Google Chromebook Help
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you buy a Chromebook for Borealis?
No. The old model list and hardware minimums do not establish that a Chromebook bought today can access Steam through Borealis. With the Beta reported to have ended and current device-by-device behavior unsettled, do not purchase a Chromebook solely for this feature.
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