The conditions are ideal for a perfect portable PC console, but one key element is missing.

At CES 2025, significant advancements in portable gaming computers were showcased, highlighting AMD's dominance with its new Ryzen Z2 processor range. Meanwhile, Intel has also begun to establish itself in this market with devices like the MSI Claw 8 AI+. However, Nvidia, despite its history in the sector, was noticeably absent from the conversation, leading many to question its lack of interest in the handheld console space.

This year saw the unveiling of several innovations, such as the Lenovo Legion Go S, which became the first portable device officially licensed to use SteamOS, designed exclusively for the Steam Deck. Additionally, Valve announced that it would expand SteamOS compatibility in April, allowing its installation on any portable console, although there might be some limitations without the appropriate licensing.

Until now, those who opted for devices like the Steam Deck faced the choice between an almost perfect experience with the old AMD chip or greater power with devices like the ROG Ally X, but with the fragmented experience offered by Windows 11. Some alternatives, like Bazzite, are attempting to solve this dilemma, albeit with certain drawbacks.

SteamOS has evolved significantly compared to a couple of years ago, thanks to improvements in Proton, which have increased its compatibility, allowing most Windows games to run properly on this Linux-based system. Additionally, issues related to anti-cheat software have decreased, although there are still titles that present complications, such as Destiny 2 and Apex Legends.

With an improved Proton, and thanks to a variety of new hardware, as well as the upcoming general public release of SteamOS, a promising landscape is emerging. However, Nvidia's absence is notable, as despite AMD and Intel's successes, the company has considerable potential that is not being tapped.

Nvidia has the opportunity to contribute to the portable gaming space, especially with its DLSS technology, which has been a key factor in the popularity of its graphics cards in recent generations. While AMD and Intel offer alternatives, Nvidia remains superior in terms of quality and performance with its AI-assisted scaling and frame generation. Scaling has been vital in the use of portable devices since the launch of the Steam Deck, raising the question: why hasn’t Nvidia added a portable device to its development?

The lack of adequate driver support on Linux has been a significant obstacle for Nvidia. Although the situation has improved in recent years, the company continues to maintain closed drivers, while AMD has opted for an open-source approach. This has led Linux gamers to prefer AMD's option. The experience with SteamOS on Nvidia hardware remains subpar, as confirmed by various tests and reports.

Valve has collaborated with Nvidia for over a decade to improve driver support for SteamOS, but progress has been slow due to the lack of dedicated hardware for portable gaming with Linux, which delays the urgency to perfect this support.

While there are clear applications for features like DLSS in a portable device, the global implications of effective Linux support for Nvidia cannot be overlooked, especially given its dominance in the desktop graphics card market. However, until the situation improves, Nvidia's future in the handheld gaming world remains uncertain.