Valve preps the Steam Machine and finally tackles Deck battery drain with SteamOS 3.8 preview

Valve has officially released the SteamOS 3.8.0 update to the Preview branch, and while the patch notes are extensive, one line has stood out: “Initial support for upcoming Steam Machine hardware”. This confirmation comes at a critical time, following a wave of release date uncertainty due to memory shortages.

By baking support for the OS directly into the OS, Valve is signalling that, despite the global RAM crisis and supply chain hurdles, the Steam Machine is very much alive. The update even includes improved video memory management for discrete GPUs, a feature unnecessary for the Steam Deck but vital for the high-performance RDNA 3/3.5 silicon powering the Steam Machine.

For existing Steam Deck owners, the update also provides “preliminary support for hibernation” for the original LCD model. For years, Deck users have struggled with a sleep mode that drains the battery at times. This new hibernation state aims to mimic the deep-sleep functionality of a Windows laptop, effectively preserving battery life for weeks rather than days. The feature is currently tucked away in BIOS v133 and may not yet appear as a dedicated UI toggle for all testers. The LCD model is also receiving a “Memory Power Down” option and the return of “Bluetooth Wake”, allowing docked users to wake their device using a wireless remote or controller.

Beyond the Deck, SteamOS 3.8.0 also reduces input latency for handheld controllers from a standard 5 to 8ms to a staggering 100 to 500 microseconds. The update also adds native TDP control and speaker audio support to the Asus ROG Xbox Ally series, as well as full controller support for the Lenovo Legion Go 2 and OneXPlayer F1. By updating the desktop mode to KDE Plasma 6.4.3 and switching to Wayland by default, Valve has also enabled HDR and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support for external displays, ensuring that when the Steam Machine does eventually land in the living room, it will be fully compatible with the latest 8K and high-refresh-rate OLED TVs.

KitGuru says: Seeing the Steam Machine mentioned in the patch notes suggests a launch might be around the corner, but if the current memory situation doesn't improve, then Valve may have a hard time meeting demand, or getting the price as low as consumers expected.

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