GPD is apparently working with Valve on getting SteamOS on its upcoming WIN Max 2 portable gaming PC. In an answer to a backer on the WIN Max 2's Indiegogo page (thanks GamingonLinux (opens in new tab)) GPD said that Valve had reached out about a "cooperating proposal" to get SteamOS onto the strong handheld.
Handheld gaming PCs have been around long before the Steam Deck (opens in new tab), yet SteamOS has given Valve's little console an advantage. It lets you easily navigate and play games in your Steam library without too much fuss, and it doesn't incur the Windows tax that can add significantly to the overall cost of the handheld.
GPD's full answer to the backer who asked about SteamOS integration reads: "Appreciate for your support! As earlier of March this year, Valve contacted us about cooperation proposal. However, for this cooperation, Valve needs to match the appropriate Steam OS system for our 6800U handheld. We want to give the gadget to Valve official, and Valve also has to further develop the Steam OS system for the 6800U handheld, this process may take half year."
The WIN Max 2 is a strong little portable gaming PC with an implicit gamepad and keyboard. It runs off your decision of an AMD Ryzen 7 or Intel Core i7 versatile processor, 16GB or 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB or 2TB NVMe SSD starting at $1,297. GPD has raised nearly $2 million through crowdfunding.
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Since a ton of these handheld PCs are running Windows or Linux usually, you could theoretically install SteamOS without anyone else. Be that as it may, it isn't improved for those devices and possible doesn't have drivers for their hardware, meaning you could run into a lot of issues. Having SteamOS inherent and officially supported with Valve's seal of approval would give some legitimacy to these Steam Deck rivals.
GPD later answered in the same thread that Valve contacted it "to consult assuming we are interested in the underlying SteamOS system" and said that "they can advance our products on the Steam official website, we will agree to this cooperation, we think this cooperation will be the best."
Valve told GamingonLinux it is "excited to eventually make SteamOS available for all devices, including handheld PCs manufactured by other companies," yet had no news to announce related to GPD. I've reached out to Valve for more information on its SteamOS plans and will update in the event that I get a response.
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