Valve's Steam Machine gets its first support update ahead of launch via SteamOS preview 3.8.0 — and it includes one major fix I've been waiting for

Steam Machine might arrive sooner than we thought...

20 Mar 2026, 16:34 · TechRadar

News By Isaiah Williams published 20 March 2026

(Image credit: Valve)

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Valve has released SteamOS 3.8.0 preview for initial Steam Machine support ahead of launch
Its also introduced major fixes, like improved Discord screen share functionality in game mode
The update indicates the Steam Machine's release date or price could be announced soon

Valve is still hard at work behind the scenes for the release of its Steam Machine, after plans were stifled via a delay due to the ongoing RAM crisis. Fortunately, a new update could be a strong indication that its launch date announcement might be closer than we expected.

Announced on Steam, Valve has released SteamOS 3.8.0 preview with 'initial support for the upcoming Steam Machine'. It comes with numerous graphics driver, performance, and stability fixes, and notably, improvements for both the Steam Deck and non-Steam Deck handhelds that use SteamOS.

Unfortunately, the RAM crisis and its impact across the PC hardware market are seemingly ever-present, and an indefinite delay has been looking more likely in recent months (and could arguably be the ideal solution), especially since the Steam Deck OLED, which uses similar memory and storage, has been affected by sudden drops in availability.

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Nonetheless, the patch notes suggest the 3.8.0 preview is a 'small update', but there are a significant number of improvements that may prove to be massively beneficial to the Steam Machine's functionality from day one, once it finally launches.

One of those fixes is the long-anticipated improved support for screen sharing and casting on Discord and OBS while in SteamOS game mode. This should make Discord much easier to use for both handheld and Steam Machine users.

(Image credit: Valve)

More importantly, these updates are indicative of a potential release date or price announcement being imminent, but that doesn't necessarily mean consumers will be able to get their hands on it anytime soon.

It's quite evident that Valve doesn't want to make a mistake by announcing a price that isn't feasible.

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