The Steam Deck is the most popular Linux PC ever, but what makes it special is the SteamOS software and the Proton compatibility layer. This layer allows games made for Windows to run on Linux without any issues. Now, Valve is testing a version of the Proton layer for ARM hardware.
The new version, called Proton-arm64ec-5, was spotted in the SteamDB.info database. The “arm64” label indicates that this version is designed specifically for ARM-based devices. ARM hardware is commonly used in mobile devices, including phones and tablets. Apple also uses ARM-based processors in their Macbook laptops.
A version of the Proton layer optimized for ARM hardware could open up many possibilities. One possibility is that SteamOS could run on Steam Deck-style devices with ARM hardware. There are already many handheld gaming devices that use ARM-based chips, and Valve is working on bringing SteamOS to other handheld devices.
Another possibility is that Valve is looking into creating an ARM-based Steam Deck. The original model is getting old, and an ARM-based model could be smaller, more efficient, and cheaper. Valve could also be looking into improving the performance of Steam running on Linux devices using ARM chips.
While Valve hasn’t made any official announcements, the prospect of a new Steam Deck model running on ARM hardware is exciting. With the rise of handheld gaming devices and the popularity of the Steam Deck, this could be a significant development in the gaming world.