Have you seen the information? Microsoft has signaled that future Xbox consoles will run Windows, which factors to at least one huge potential future: gaming PCs might quickly be taking the lounge by storm. It seems like the subsequent Xbox will run Steam video games, too.
Meanwhile, at CES 2025, Valve’s Pierre-Loup Griffais told PCWorld that going past handhelds to front room PCs was one in all Valve’s long-term objectives. Remember when Steam Machines launched back in 2015? A decade later, it appears we could also be taking a look at their return—besides in a brand new, extra attention-grabbing method. Thanks to the Steam Deck, Linux-based gaming PCs could also be an even bigger risk to Microsoft this time round.
In brief, the subsequent nice console battle will doubtless go down between Microsoft and Valve. Both corporations have signaled their intentions, with Xbox-themed Windows PCs battling SteamOS-running Linux methods for front room dominance. Which one will come out on prime?
Xbox is neatly merging with Windows
Next-generation Xbox consoles appear like they are going to be working Windows! And they gained’t be locked to a single retailer—it seems like the subsequent Xbox will even run Steam and different PC gaming platforms.
That’s not a giant shock as Microsoft already introduced an Xbox-branded Windows handheld PC named the Asus ROG Xbox Ally. Microsoft hides that it runs Windows, which is sensible as a result of Windows has to this point been a multitude on gaming handhelds. When I reviewed the Lenovo Legion Go S, I discovered that Windows made the complete expertise extra irritating in comparison with a Steam Deck, and SteamOS delivers better performance on the identical {hardware}.
But Microsoft isn’t simply shrugging its shoulders and letting PC producers slap the Xbox title on gaming PCs. Instead, the corporate seems to be merging Xbox and Windows in a wise method, a minimum of based on press bulletins. For instance, Microsoft says present Xbox video games will run on that next-generation console, and Windows is remodeling to run higher on gaming-focused units.
SteamOS is method, method, method higher now
Valve initially launched Steam Machines again in 2015, a line of gaming PCs designed to supply a console-style front room expertise. While Valve didn’t make its personal {hardware} for these PCs—other than the now-discontinued Steam Controller—the corporate did partner with PC makers like Alienware, who made their very own {hardware} that ran Valve’s Linux-based SteamOS.
The preliminary line of Steam Machines—launched just some years after Microsoft freaked Valve out with the launch of Windows 8 and its iPad-style app platform locked to Microsoft’s personal app retailer—didn’t take the world by storm. Those Steam Machines ran video games that had been ported to Linux… and the outcomes weren’t fairly.
Since then, nonetheless, Valve’s Proton software compatibility layer has offered a method for the Steam Deck and different SteamOS-based machines to run Windows video games straight on Linux, typically with higher efficiency than they’ve when working on Windows itself.
The software program is now way more prepared. And Valve is already making strikes to certify SteamOS for different producers’ units. Lenovo’s Legion Go S is the first non-Valve SteamOS device within the fashionable period. Valve doesn’t need to make its personal Steam Machines—all Valve has to do is give the stamp of approval to PC makers who wish to ship their very own experiences. Except this time, Valve’s SteamOS is prepared.
Valve’s Steam Deck is already a front room gaming console
Valve already has a strong front room console. It’s referred to as the Steam Deck! Paired with a dock—like Valve’s personal Steam Deck docking station or a third-party dock like this one—the Steam Deck can simply hook up with and run in your front room TV. Pair a controller of your selection (or perhaps a mouse and a keyboard) and also you’ll be utilizing your “handheld” gaming console docked to your front room TV, identical to you’d with a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 console.
While the Steam Deck doesn’t have the ability to run the most recent PC video games at excessive graphics settings, there are answers. Nvidia’s GeForce Now cloud gaming platform works on the Steam Deck, supplying you with a strong approach to play demanding video games with excessive graphical element in your front room proper in your TV, identical to you may on the go.
Valve’s Steam Deck additionally supports Remote Play, so you may stream video games wirelessly from your individual PC proper to your front room TV. It’s a quick-and-easy-to-set-up front room gaming expertise.
Valve in all probability gained’t launch its personal Steam Box any time quickly…
Near the beginning of 2025, we heard rumors of Valve working by itself Steam Machine-style front room console, and people rumors took the online by storm. Valve gave the impression to be engaged on assist for AMD RDNA4 hardware. But, as Valve developer Pierre-Loup Griffais defined, that’s nothing new. Valve at all times does this type of work, and it’s no signal {that a} correct SteamOS console is imminent.
There’s a minimum of one case of what seems to be a “Valve Steam Box” within the wild, however that machine is a prototype from the 2017 period. Definitely not a current machine to hold our hopes on! Given the rumors circulating on-line, it’s more likely that Valve will release its own “Deckard” VR headset—and I hope they do. The VR gaming business wants the assistance.
…however Valve doesn’t have to launch its personal SteamOS console
iBuyPower’s SBX Steam Machine from 2015.
iBuyPower
Valve doesn’t have to launch its personal {hardware}. If Microsoft is constructing to a Windows-based future for Xbox consoles, many customers will desire a correct SteamOS-based interface for his or her consoles. But why run Steam on a mixture Xbox-plus-Windows-PC when you may run it on SteamOS and have the slick expertise you get on a Steam Deck?
Heck, if the way forward for front room gaming entails PCs, why would Valve let Microsoft run away with that with none competitors? The Steam Deck wanted to exist—and wanted to be a Valve-created product—as a result of it wasn’t simply in regards to the software program. There was no nice handheld gaming PC that delivered what Valve delivered.
When it involves the lounge, issues are completely different. Gaming PC corporations can ship glorious console-style experiences in every little thing from a “mini PC” kind issue to a historically massive gaming PC. The {hardware} is already prepared, so Valve doesn’t need to be the one making the proper front room PC. SteamOS is extra mature than ever, too—and PC makers could also be wanting to get into the lounge and begin competing in opposition to Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo.
It’s about time PCs took over dwelling rooms
This is PCWorld, so I’ll simply say it: I’m comfortable the PC is taking on the lounge. While the simplicity of console gaming is nice, I’ve lengthy hoped for a extra open gaming expertise in the lounge. I need a number of shops, I need consoles that may run homebrew video games from outdoors shops, I need assist for mods, and I need all the opposite cool stuff you may historically get from PC gaming however not console gaming.
Whether Valve decides to place SteamOS up in opposition to Microsoft’s new Xbox-Windows combo working system, I’m simply excited to see the lounge transfer in a extra open, PC-oriented path.
But I do hope SteamOS goes toe to toe with Microsoft in the lounge. If nothing else, competition is better for everyone. Valve’s SteamOS efforts have already made Microsoft take Windows PC gaming way more severely, and that’s good for all PC players.