It looks like more handhelds will soon be able to run SteamOS if this MSI Claw gameplay test is anything to go by

SteamOS Expansion: Intel Handhelds May Soon Join the Ranks

SteamOS, once exclusive to the Steam Deck, has gradually expanded its reach to other handheld devices. While officially only the Legion Go S is supported, beta versions have already enabled the Asus ROG Xbox Ally and other AMD-powered handhelds. The key factor has long been AMD, as SteamOS support for handhelds relied on AMD processors until recently. Now, a new beta suggests Intel-based devices may soon be able to run SteamOS as well, with a notable test on the MSI Claw offering a glimpse into this potential future.

The SteamOS 3.8.7 beta includes updates such as "Improved compatibility with recent Intel and AMD platforms," and more notably, controller support for MSI Claw devices and "SD card readability improvements" for the same. The MSI Claw, which is typically Intel-based, has long been a candidate for this kind of expansion. While the beta doesn't guarantee smooth performance, it's a step in the right direction for Intel-based handhelds.

Testing the Waters with the MSI Claw

YouTuber ETA Prime put the new beta to the test using a Claw 8 AI+ equipped with a Lunar Lake CPU (Intel Core Ultra 7 258V). During the test, they encountered some hurdles, such as difficulty accessing the menu with the left-side button, which required switching to desktop/mouse mode. Additionally, the inability to adjust TDP (thermal design power) meant they had to rely on a third-party plugin to manage performance settings.

Despite these issues, the rest of the system functioned without problems. However, some games may require optimization for SteamOS. For example, Cyberpunk 2077 ran better on Windows rather than SteamOS on the handheld. This suggests that while the foundation is there, more work is needed to ensure smooth gameplay on Intel-based devices.

A Promising Future for Intel Handhelds

Although this is still a beta, the fact that Valve is actively developing Intel support indicates a possible official release for Intel-based handhelds. This timing is particularly relevant with the upcoming MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, powered by Panther Lake. The device has already impressed many, including Dave from our team, and Valve even mentions new "initial firmware for upcoming Intel handhelds" in the beta notes.

However, the price of the new Claw models remains a concern. Unless the cost becomes more accessible, the expansion of SteamOS to Intel-based handhelds may remain a niche development for now. Still, the progress is promising and could pave the way for a broader range of devices to run SteamOS in the future.