Valve recently announced the Steam Machine, set to launch in early 2026. By definition, it’s a gaming PC, but it aims to provide a more console-like experience – one that we’ve already been enjoying on the Steam Deck handheld. Both devices use SteamOS, Valve’s custom Linux-based operating system, which is by far the most popular Linux distro among Steam users.

The mini cube-shaped PC is to deliver a relatively entry-level system for PC gaming. Still, the company claims it offers “over six times the horsepower of Steam Deck” and the ability to run games at 4K 60 FPS, albeit with help from FSR (upscaling and/or frame generation). Powered by SteamOS, it provides existing and first-time PC gamers an easy way to avoid gaming on Windows.

SteamOS on more hardware will obviously boost Linux numbers

Valve is the number one company really pushing Linux gaming, especially with the development of Proton – a compatibility layer to play Windows games on Linux – and the ongoing development of SteamOS, which has no doubt been spurred on by the overwhelming success of the Steam Deck. The most recent Steam Hardware & Software survey shows that over 3% of users are on Linux, and we can only expect this to get another boost once the Steam Machine arrives. Likewise, Valve’s new VR headset, the Steam Frame, works standalone and also runs on SteamOS.

SteamOS has already proven to be better optimized for gaming than Windows. This was made obvious when the Legion Go S got a SteamOS model, which was called “So much better than the Windows version” for its improved performance and battery life.

SteamOS still doesn’t have a general release version ready to install on any desktop. Alternatives such as Bazzite fill that void for now, but an official desktop operating system from Valve would certainly encourage more people to switch to Linux. We’ve seen this opinion expressed in a user poll we ran a few months ago.

The good news is that Valve coder Pierre-Loup Griffais confirms plans for a wider release in a recent interview with IGN. It remains unknown exactly how far away that is, so for now we have to rely on official hardware from Valve, or anyone it chooses to partner with as part of its ‘Powered by SteamOS’ initiative.

“We definitely want to encourage people to try it out on their own hardware, and we will be working on expanding hardware availability over time as well. Our hardware support for the drivers and the base operating system… we want it to be at the point where, at some point, you can install it on any PC, but there’s still a ton of work to do there.”

Pierre-Loup Griffais, Software developer at Valve

The Steam Machine has been well received, including by those with early hands-on access, but there’s still some mystery surrounding its price tag, and that’s one thing that can make or break it. We expect it to launch at a competitive price. If that’s the case, then the biggest thing holding the Steam Machine back will be anti-cheat support on Linux, which is currently missing in a bunch of popular multiplayer titles. But if we’re lucky, Linux growth on Steam may help sway developers’ opinions on the matter.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.