The RAMpocalypse has bought Microsoft valuable time in the fight against SteamOS
Summary
The Ars Technica op-ed argues that Valve’s SteamOS and Proton-enabled Linux gaming have chipped away at Windows’ dominance in PC gaming, though Microsoft appears to be narrowing the gap with ongoing improvements and initiatives. The piece highlights rising hardware costs and supply constraints driven by the AI chip boom, which have slowed Valve’s Steam Machine push and affected Steam Deck availability, while Microsoft pursues Windows 11 refinements and Xbox Mode to improve gaming performance on Windows. The author suggests Microsoft has gained time to respond, but notes that Valve’s long-term impact remains uncertain and urges monitoring Steam Hardware Survey trends.