Valve Adds Intel Support to SteamOS in New Beta

SteamOS, long the exclusive domain of the Steam Deck, is officially expanding its reach. While Valve has previously extended support to the Lenovo Legion Go S and other AMD-powered handhelds, a new beta release signals a major shift: Valve is finally adding support for Intel-based hardware.

The 3.8.7 beta notes explicitly list "improved compatibility with recent Intel and AMD platforms." More specifically, the update adds controller support for MSI Claw devices and implements "SD card readability improvements" for the same hardware. This is a significant development for the MSI Claw, which relies on Intel architecture rather than the AMD chips typically found in competing handhelds.

Testing the Intel Experience

While the update is officially available, it is still in the beta stage. Real-world testing by YouTuber ETA Prime, who installed the OS on a Claw 8 AI+ featuring the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, reveals that there is still work to be done. While the system is functional, navigating the interface can be clunky; the left-side menu button does not trigger the overlay, forcing users to rely on desktop or mouse mode to access settings. Additionally, users currently lack the ability to adjust TDP natively, requiring the use of third-party plugins.

Optimization remains a hurdle, too. ETA Prime noted that demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 currently perform better on the device when running Windows, suggesting that the software requires further refinement before it can be considered a daily driver for Intel users.

Looking Ahead at Future Hardware

Valve appears to be positioning SteamOS for a broader range of devices. Beyond the current MSI Claw, the beta notes mention "initial firmware for upcoming Intel handhelds." This aligns with reports regarding MSI's upcoming Panther Lake-powered Claw 8 EX AI+, a device that has already garnered attention for its potential performance gains.

While Valve has not provided a timeline for a full, stable release of SteamOS for Intel devices, the presence of these specific firmware updates suggests an official rollout is part of the roadmap. For now, early adopters looking to experiment with the OS on Intel silicon can do so via the 3.8.7 beta, provided they are prepared to troubleshoot minor interface and performance issues.

For those looking to see how current hardware stacks up, check out our guide to the best handheld PC 2026.