Valve’s rumored portable PC gaming device codenamed ‘SteamPal’ could launch in late 2021

Valve is reportedly taking another major shot at selling a hardware product. The hardware under development will still focus on PC games, except it is designed to be used on the go like Nintendo Switch.

SteamDB creator Pavel Djundik shared his observations on the Steam client beta on Tuesday. The developer noticed that an update once again contained references to a device named “Neptune,” which was first spotted last September. This time, however, “NeptuneName” has been attached to another unknown item called “SteamPal” and “SteamPal Games.”

The following day, a report from Ars Technica cited “multiple sources” have confirmed that Valve has been developing the device called SteamPal for some time. It is described as a portable gaming device that would look like the Nintendo Switch. But based on the information available, the product could run on Linux. That means Proton and Steam Play will come in handy once the device is out in the market.

The same report noted that SteamPal is still in the prototype stage, which means Valve has yet to finalize its technical specifications. But Ars Technica’s sources have provided some information on how the handheld PC gaming hardware would look like.

It is not expected to have removable controllers like Joy-Con, but one of the prototypes reportedly has a wider form factor compared to Switch. Valve is unlikely to put a QWERTY keyboard, but the device would feature a built-in gamepad, triggers, joystick, and a thumb-sized touchpad said to be smaller than the one on the Steam Controller.

Valve is also expected to use a system-on-chip from either Intel or AMD. The company is reportedly planning to add a function that would let gamers connect the device to TV or monitors via a USB-C cable.

There is no official announcement about a Steam-branded handheld PC gaming device yet, but the report mentioned a possibility that it could launch before 2021 ends. It is then worth noting what Valve co-founder Gabe Newell said while speaking at the Sancta Maria College in Auckland, New Zealand, earlier this month. When asked about the possibility of Steam bringing games to console, Newell only said, “You will get a better idea of that by the end of this year. And it won't be the answer you would expect.”