New SteamOS Beta Hints at Imminent General Install with ROG Ally Support Added

Every now and then, I find myself wondering about the fate of SteamOS. Sure, it’s prominently featured on Valve’s impressive Steam Deck, but what about other devices? Finally, there’s a glimmer of hope for those of us who want to see SteamOS extend beyond the Steam Deck.

The latest SteamOS beta release has a tantalizing line in its patch notes: “Added support for extra ROG Ally keys.” This seemingly innocuous addition hints at a broader SteamOS installation that could soon be available for non-Decky devices.

The Quest for a General SteamOS Install

Since the original Steam Deck launch, Valve has been teasing the possibility of a general SteamOS installation. Imagine being able to run Valve’s Arch-based Linux distro on other gaming PCs, not just the Steam Deck. Until now, though, that dream remained elusive. SteamOS releases were tailored exclusively for Valve’s handheld device, leaving other gaming PCs out in the cold.

But this recent update suggests a shift. For the first time, the patch notes explicitly mention support for installing SteamOS on a different company’s device. Valve acknowledges that this isn’t quite a standalone SteamOS 3 installation—it might not work perfectly on anything other than a Steam Deck—but it’s a step in the right direction.

ROG Ally and the Future of SteamOS

So, what’s the deal with these “extra ROG Ally keys”? ROG (Republic of Gamers) is ASUS’s gaming brand, and the ROG Ally is a controller designed for gaming on the go. By adding support for it, Valve is signaling its intention to expand SteamOS beyond the Steam Deck. While this won’t replace Windows 11 on your regular gaming desktop anytime soon, it’s a promising development.

As someone who’s played with the ROG Ally X and Ayaneo Kun, I can attest to the satisfaction of using SteamOS on the Steam Deck. It’s a seamless experience, perfectly tailored for handheld gaming. Now, we might see SteamOS 3 on other handheld gaming PCs before it reaches standard desktops with myriad configurations.

In summary, keep an eye out for further SteamOS updates. If you’ve ever felt envious of the Steam Deck’s gaming prowess, this news might just brighten your day. And who knows? Maybe soon, you’ll be running SteamOS on your own handheld gaming rig.

Remember, the future of SteamOS is no longer confined to the Steam Deck—it’s spreading its wings, and the ROG Ally is leading the way.