Lenovo will launch a version of last year's high-powered Legion Go 2 handheld with Valve's SteamOS pre-installed starting in June, marking the latest play in SteamOS's ongoing effort to gain ground in the PC gaming arena, currently dominated by Windows. This announcement, made at CES this week, signals a continued, albeit slow, expansion for the Linux-based operating system.

This move isn't entirely unexpected, considering Lenovo's previous foray into SteamOS territory. Almost a year ago, the company became the first hardware manufacturer outside of Valve to adopt the Windows alternative, unveiling a SteamOS-compatible version of the lower-end Legion Go S. When Ars Technica tested that version last spring, it found the SteamOS variant outperformed its Windows counterpart on numerous popular titles, a surprising upset reminiscent of a smaller school team beating a powerhouse in the playoffs.

Valve has been quietly working to broaden SteamOS's reach beyond its own hardware ecosystem. The company has been developing the SteamOS Compatible software lab, hinting at a potential future where SteamOS could run on devices not powered by AMD. This would be a significant shift, akin to a star quarterback transferring to a rival team, potentially disrupting the established order.

The adoption of SteamOS by manufacturers like Lenovo represents a strategic maneuver in the competitive PC gaming handheld market. By offering an alternative to Windows, these companies are appealing to a segment of gamers seeking a more streamlined, gaming-focused experience. This is similar to a coach tailoring a game plan to exploit an opponent's weaknesses.

The performance advantage observed in the earlier Legion Go S model suggests that SteamOS can offer a compelling alternative to Windows, particularly in terms of game optimization and resource management. This could be a game-changer, allowing smaller players to compete with established giants.

The upcoming launch of the SteamOS-powered Legion Go 2 will be a key indicator of SteamOS's continued viability and its potential to disrupt the Windows-dominated PC gaming landscape. The gaming world will be watching closely to see if SteamOS can continue its slow but steady march toward wider adoption.