It looks like the handheld gaming PC market could see even more competition, and it’s all down to the success of the Steam Deck. HP is reportedly interested in creating a gaming handheld, but only if it can use SteamOS to do so, with a HP executive claiming that they “struggle” with the Windows alternative on these small-screen gaming devices.
A HP handheld would compete with the best handheld gaming PCs out there, including the Steam Deck, while using the same Linux operating system as Valve’s handheld. Valve has only recently opened up SteamOS to third-party manufacturers, with Lenovo Legion Go S pre-orders making that handheld the first third-party SteamOS handheld to be ready for sale, but with others expected to follow.
In comments made in an interview with XDA Developers, HP executive Josephine Tan explained that her own struggles with Windows on handhelds has informed the company’s decision to swerve the possibility of developing a handheld until now, going on to say that “if I don’t like it, I don’t know how to do a product for it.”
Tan also explains that if she was buying a handheld, she would want a “very simple setup” which, no matter how Microsoft might spin it, isn’t the case on Windows. With third-party SteamOS handhelds now becoming a possibility, Tan was asked if HP would be interested in making such a device, replying with a simple “yes” to confirm that it would.
While Windows handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally X are certainly powerful, the Windows experience is often a letdown. Indeed, as our Asus ROG Ally X review explains, Windows was one of the few sticking points on this otherwise impressive device – it just isn’t a platform that is built with handhelds in mind. That isn’t the case for SteamOS, with Valve putting significant time and resources into developing the platform as a viable option for handheld gamers since the Steam Deck first launched in 2022.
A HP handheld would be an interesting product to try out, especially given the company’s long history in the PC and laptop market. Although registering interest doesn’t necessarily mean that the company will launch an actual product, we’ll be keeping a close eye on what HP cooks up in the future.
Until then, check out our Steam Deck OLED review to see just why the Valve OG with an improved screen is still the best option for most gamers, at least for the moment.
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