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Major SteamOS update adds support for Steam Machine, even more third-party hardware

March 21, 2026
•Ars technica
Major SteamOS update adds support for Steam Machine, even more third-party hardware

Here's something that caught my attention — Valve just rolled out a major update to SteamOS, and it’s a big deal. Even with the ongoing chip shortages affecting everything from Steam Machines to the Steam Deck, Valve isn’t slowing down. According to Andrew Cunningham writing in Technology, this new SteamOS 3.8.0 preview actually adds 'initial support' for upcoming Steam Machine hardware and third-party devices. So, even if the hardware’s a bit stuck in limbo right now, Valve is laying the groundwork for future compatibility. The update also brings some solid under-the-hood improvements, like a fresh Arch Linux base, a newer Linux kernel, and an upgrade to KDE Plasma that now runs on Wayland instead of X11. This shows Valve’s focus isn’t just on the hardware but also on making the software more flexible and future-proof. So, get ready — when the hardware finally catches up, SteamOS will be ready to support it all. That’s a smart move for gamers and hardware makers alike.

Valve's Steam Machine desktop is currently in a state of involuntary limbo, driven by historically awful pricing and availability for memory and storage chips. AI data centers are absorbing much of what memory manufacturers can produce, leaving much less for enthusiast and hobbyist hardware like the Steam Machine and the Steam Frame VR headset. Even the years-old Steam Deck is currently out of stock thanks to component shortages.

But that hardware uncertainty hasn't stopped Valve from working on the software, and the company released a major update this week. The SteamOS 3.8.0 preview release comes with a long list of changes for the Steam Deck as well as third-party gaming handhelds and other PC hardware, and it also adds "initial support for upcoming Steam Machine hardware."

Many of the update's improvements come from various upstream Linux components. Valve says the update includes a new Arch Linux base, an updated graphics driver, version 6.16 of the Linux kernel, and a new version of the KDE Plasma desktop environment for Desktop Mode (which now uses Wayland rather than X11).

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Valve's Steam Machine desktop is currently in a state of involuntary limbo, driven by historically awful pricing and availability for memory and storage chips. AI data centers are absorbing much of what memory manufacturers can produce, leaving much less for enthusiast and hobbyist hardware like the Steam Machine and the Steam Frame VR headset. Even the years-old Steam Deck is currently out of stock thanks to component shortages.

But that hardware uncertainty hasn't stopped Valve from working on the software, and the company released a major update this week. The SteamOS 3.8.0 preview release comes with a long list of changes for the Steam Deck as well as third-party gaming handhelds and other PC hardware, and it also adds "initial support for upcoming Steam Machine hardware."

Many of the update's improvements come from various upstream Linux components. Valve says the update includes a new Arch Linux base, an updated graphics driver, version 6.16 of the Linux kernel, and a new version of the KDE Plasma desktop environment for Desktop Mode (which now uses Wayland rather than X11).

Read full article

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