Someone inside Microsoft is considering the best way to make a hyper-tailored model of Windows designed to run on Steam Deck-like handheld gadgets. Because, properly, duh—after all that’s occurring.
First, some key particulars. The “Windows Handheld Mode” movies shared by prolific Microsoft leaker WalkingCat are from a pitch created for an inside hackathon, not a correct Microsoft venture. It very properly could by no means see the sunshine of day. It focuses on key includes a Windows-powered Steam Deck rival would wish equivalent to an optimized onboarding expertise, sport launcher, driver dealing with, and extra. The movies, embedded beneath, are positively value watching.
The solely shocking factor about this leak is that it’s from a hackathon.
“We looked at taking some of the first steps in creating a truly optimized Windows experience for the handheld PC market, a market that is really just starting to grow right now thanks to a device called the Steam Deck,” an unnamed voiceover says within the Windows Handheld Mode video.
Valve’s Steam Deck launched early final yr and immediately turned the most well liked factor in PC gaming, promoting over 1,000,000 models regardless of being severely provide constrained with lengthy wait instances for most of 2022. One agency expects it to prime three million gross sales by the top of 2023. Very few singular PC merchandise hit that degree of adoption, a lot much less proper out of the gate. Handheld PCs just like the Aya Neo existed earlier than however the Steam Deck really perfected (and basically created) the market—and a big a part of its success is because of Valve’s homebrew SteamOS.
Valve spent years rigorously constructing and tuning SteamOS and its foundational live-or-die Proton Linux software program as a possible escape hatch after Microsoft’s Windows 8 catastrophe. The whole working system revolves round making your Steam video games run as awesomely as doable on Valve’s inexpensive handheld, on Linux. Sure, you possibly can run Windows on it, however that type of sucks.
Handheld PCs are crimson scorching. Running Windows on them pours chilly water on the enjoyable. And that’s Microsoft’s core downside. Cheaper Steam Deck rivals are on the best way, together with pricier, higher-powered options just like the not too long ago revealed Asus ROG Ally. Since Valve hasn’t made the Deck-optimized model of SteamOS obtainable for different PC producers to put in, these opponents have to run Windows. That delivers an inherently worse expertise than SteamOS proper now, placing potential Windows-powered Steam Deck clones behind proper out of the gate.
So sure, duh, after all Microsoft is engaged on a Windows Handheld Mode. It’s a bit regarding to see the idea solely in hackathon stage as of final September, however hopefully a deeper dive into the venture has been assigned by now. The subsequent wave of handheld gaming PCs relies on it…except Valve releases SteamOS for different gadgets first, which might most likely be disastrous for Microsoft’s ambitions.
But who is aware of? Microsoft doesn’t all the time make the neatest choices on the subject of Windows. On a associated notice, right here’s the best way to make Windows 11 appear to be Windows 10.
Author: Brad Chacos, Executive editor
Brad Chacos spends his days digging by desktop PCs and tweeting an excessive amount of. He focuses on graphics playing cards and gaming, however covers all the things from safety to Windows ideas and all method of PC {hardware}.
…. to be continued
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