While the device has been criticized for its relatively sluggish UI and somewhat unfinished operating system, theSteam Deckhas been privy to substantial updates thanks to Valve’s rapid development pace. Simply using the device today is a different experience than it was just a few months back, and users can enjoy rather innovative new features, such as the 40Hz screen refresh mode, which allows for improved balancing between good battery life and solid game performance.
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The beta release of SteamOS 3.4 brings the operating system one step closer to thefull and free release of SteamOSitself. Valve has rebased SteamOS on the newest version of Arch Linux, which means users can expect substantial stability and performance improvements across the board, including improvements to KDE Plasma, the Deck’s basic desktop interface. This means new themes, wallpapers, widget updates, touchscreen gestures, and a wealth of other additions, as well as better security.
One of the most interesting new features is one that CryoByte33 used as part of his guide onboosting Steam Deck’s performance by up to 25%not too long ago. Specifically, CryoByte 33 was unsure why Valve hadn’t enabled TRIM functionality, which improves the health of the on-board SSD and the inserted SD cards. It appears that someone at Valve has been keeping an eye on this tweak, as SteamOS 3.4 beta comes with TRIM fully enabled, though the remainder of CryoByte33’s performance tweaks hasn’t been commented upon just yet.
SinceValve wants to make Steam Deck 2sometime in the future, it’s all but certain that SteamOS itself would make the transition over to the new device, as well. This means that any and all improvements the team makes to the device’s current operating system will remain relevant for times to come, making them even more crucial for the long-term health of Valve’s seminal handheld gaming PC.
It may also be worth pointing out that users will no longer be trappedwatchingShrekwhile Steam Deck is booting up. One of the earlier beta updates added an option to skip the boot screen, should the user so desire. A useful feature in its own right, though Valve is seemingly looking at ways to include official alternative boot animations, too, with the Steam points marketplace getting a category that’s especially dedicated to this type of customization.
