YouTuber tests SteamOS on an Intel-based MSI Claw 8 AI+ handheld, SteamOS now supports Intel handheld gaming PCs in new beta

Valve is finally adding SteamOS support for Intel-based handhelds, enabling Linux gamers to run Valve's official Linux OS on various Intel-based handhelds without resorting to third-party counterparts such as Bazzite. YouTuber ETA Prime tested SteamOS beta 3.8.7 on a Lunar Lake-based MSI Claw 8 AI+, showing SteamOS functioning well on Intel hardware.

SteamOS beta 3.7 introduced a variety of updates for non-Deck-specific hardware, including improved compatibility with "recent Intel and AMD platforms", initial firmware for upcoming Intel handhelds, and controller support for a variety of handheld devices including the MSI Claw 8 AI+. This is a big deal, as Valve has traditionally focused on AMD support for SteamOS on handhelds, thanks to the Steam Deck running on custom AMD silicon.

Despite one quirk where the menu on the handheld failed to come up using controller inputs, ETA Prime notes that the OS ran well on the Intel-based Claw 8 AI+ and achieved playable performance in several games all the way down to 15 watts. The YouTuber tested Cyberpunk 2077, Spider-Man 2, Forza Horizon 6, Left 4 Dead 2, and The Witcher 3 and found that the Lunar Lake handheld was able to achieve performance better than the Steam Deck. That said, the only performance issue the YouTuber noted was in Cyberpunk 2077, where the game ran worse compared to the same game running on Windows.

Official SteamOS support for Intel-based handheld machines comes just in time as handheld manufacturers announce new devices featuring Intel's brand new G3 and G3 Extreme Panther Lake SoCs aimed specifically at handheld gaming PCs. MSI's new Claw 8 EX AI+ handheld is one such device, featuring an Arc G3 Extreme processor inside paired with an 8-inch 120 Hz VRR screen. Expect manufacturers to begin announcing SteamOS flavors of G3/G3 Extreme-powered handhelds over the coming months.