Valve software engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais discussed possibilities for future devices utilizing Arm architecture and the potential for SteamOS to run on a broader range of Arm-based hardware. When asked if there would be additional SteamOS devices with Arm chips, Griffais responded affirmatively and expressed excitement about the prospects.
He noted, “I think that it paves the way for a bunch of different, maybe ultraportables, maybe more powerful laptops being Arm-based,” while mentioning that there is significant potential for handheld devices as well. He acknowledged the possibility of desktop chips emerging within the Arm ecosystem.
Griffais indicated that Valve would work to ensure that SteamOS is compatible with a wider variety of Arm devices, facilitating improved reliability in terms of performance and catalog compatibility. However, he clarified that Valve is not currently discussing a successor to the Steam Deck and suggested that the current capabilities of Arm handheld chips may not yet meet the requirements for a significant generational upgrade without compromising battery life.
He stated, “When you get into lower power, anything lower than Steam Deck, I think you’ll find that there’s an Arm chip that maybe is competitive with x86 offerings in that segment.” This indicates that while current Arm offerings may have potential, there are still challenges to overcome for Valve’s future hardware ambitions.
Overall, Griffais emphasized the company’s commitment to exploring the capabilities of Arm technology, reflecting an interest in future developments without specifying detailed plans or timelines.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/818698/valve-steamos-arm-potential-handhelds-laptops