Valve has rolled out a significant update to SteamOS, version 3.7.8, which now includes support for competing handheld devices like Lenovo’s Legion Go and Asus’ ROG Ally series. This update enhances compatibility with these AMD-powered handhelds, resolves an issue that previously hindered the installation of certain apps on the Legion Go S, and introduces a “Steam OS Compatible” library tab specifically for these devices. Additionally, improvements have been made to the SteamOS recovery image, facilitating repairs for Steam Deck and Legion Go S systems.
To run SteamOS on third-party devices, Valve specifies two requirements: the device must be powered by AMD and equipped with an NVMe SSD. Detailed instructions for installing the operating system have been revised and are available.
Prior to this major update, users were reliant on alternatives like Bazzite to achieve a comparable SteamOS experience. This update builds upon Valve’s expansion of the Steam Deck Verified categorization to include “any device running SteamOS that’s not a Steam Deck,” a change introduced in mid-May. Moreover, a SteamOS edition of the Lenovo Legion Go S is set to launch on May 25.
The Steam Deck also benefitted from the update, receiving a new battery-saving feature called the battery charge limit. Users can find this option under the power submenu in settings. Similar to a feature expected in Nintendo Switch 2, this setting allows players to cap their Steam Deck’s charging at a specified limit, with a recommendation to set it at 80% for optimal battery longevity.
Additionally, this SteamOS update enhances the Linux base of the Steam Deck, upgrades the Mesa graphics driver, and updates the desktop environment to Plasma 6.2.5 from 5.27.10, along with various minor bug fixes.
For further details, you can explore the complete SteamOS 3.7.8 update notes.
