>Yes, Steam Machine is optimized for gaming, but it's still your PC. Install your own apps, or even another operating system. Who are we to tell you how to use your computer?

In a world of locked bootloaders and ever more locked down device, valve is pushing the envolope with a linux based gaming console.

Reporting indicates one of the use cases they designed for is swapping an SD card between steam deck, steam machine and steam frame to bring your installed games along with you, which is technologically unimpressive, but so far against the grain that it's shocking a company would include that kind of functionality.

This is especially interesting in context of Steam Frame. It's easy to get an unlocked mini-PC, but an unlocked "mainstream" standalone VR device with first-class Linux support would bring something new to the table.