The RAMpocalypse has bought Microsoft valuable time in the fight against SteamOS
Valve's SteamOS has made incremental gains against Windows' dominance in PC gaming, primarily through the success of the Steam Deck and improved Linux compatibility. However, Valve's momentum has stalled due to rising component costs and supply shortages, particularly in memory and storage chips. These market pressures, driven by AI demand and geopolitical factors, have delayed new hardware like the Steam Machine and given Microsoft more time to respond.
- ▪Valve's SteamOS has contributed to Linux gaining over 5% share in the Steam Hardware Survey, up from under 1% in 2021.
- ▪Microsoft's Windows remains dominant with over 92% of the Steam Hardware Survey, though its share has gradually declined.
- ▪A surge in demand for chips driven by generative AI has reduced availability for consumer hardware, increasing costs for manufacturers.
- ▪Valve's Steam Machine launch has been delayed due to component shortages and rising prices, putting its expansion plans on hold.
- ▪Manufacturers like Raspberry Pi, Framework, and even Apple have faced pricing and supply challenges in 2026.
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competition heating up The RAMpocalypse has bought Microsoft valuable time in the fight against SteamOS Op-ed: Valve has made a dent in Windows’ gaming share, but can it keep going? Andrew Cunningham – May 1, 2026 6:00 pm | 21 Valve's Steam Deck OLED. Credit: Valve Valve's Steam Deck OLED. Credit: Valve Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav Valve and its SteamOS operating system have already done what a bunch of companies (including Apple) have been trying to do for decades: make a dent in Windows’ dominance in PC gaming. I mean, sure, according to Valve’s own statistics, Microsoft remains dominant. Over 92 percent of PCs in the Steam Hardware Survey run some version of Windows.
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