Valve is reportedly making a handheld gaming PC that has been likened to Switch

Valve is reportedly creating a portable gaming PC that has been likened to Nintendo Switch.

According to Ars Technica, the hardware will play a large selection of games on Steam via Linux and could launch this year, depending on the supply chain situation.

As reported earlier on Tuesday, references to a potential “SteamPal” device in Valve’s latest Steam update led to speculation that the company could be planning to release console-like hardware.

Steam’s latest client beta references both “SteamPal” and “SteamPal Games” in relation to a previously discovered codename, “Neptune”.

Multiple sources told Ars Technica that SteamPal—or whatever the device ends up being called should it come to market—is an all-in-one PC with gamepad controls and a touchscreen.

The hardware, which is said to be in the prototype stage, will reportedly include the option to “dock” to larger monitors via a USB Type-C port, but doesn’t include detachable controllers like Switch.

One prototype is said to have standard gamepad buttons and triggers, a pair of joysticks and a thumb-sized touchpad.

Ars Technica claims SteamPal is expected to include a system on a chip from either Intel or AMD.

Further reading

Steam’s latest update could hint at Valve plans for a console-like device

Update files seemingly reference 'SteamPal' device

Valve CEO Gabe Newell may have been referring to the device earlier this month when he hinted at plans to bring Steam games to console.

Newell, who has been living and working in New Zealand since early 2020, teased the possibility during a visit to Sancta Maria College, where he was a guest speaker for digital studies students.

Asked if Steam would be appearing on consoles in the future, Newell replied: “You will get a better idea of that by the end of this year… and it won’t be the answer you expect.”