Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallNot in the latest Steam survey. Linux accounted for a reported 3.05% of surveyed Steam customers in September 2026, down 0.85 percentage points from August. That was below the 5.33% reading reported for March, so the figures show sharp month-to-month swings—not a steady rise to a new high.
What share of Steam customers used Linux in September 2026?
GamingOnLinux reported that Valve’s September 2026 survey put Linux at 3.05% of surveyed Steam customers. The same report gave Windows 95.03% and macOS 1.92% for that month. These are reported operating-system shares, not counts of people or a measure of all PC gamers. GamingOnLinux’s October 2, 2026 report says the Linux share fell 0.85 percentage points from August.
| Operating system | Reported share of surveyed Steam customers, September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Windows | 95.03% (reported by GamingOnLinux) |
| Linux | 3.05% (reported by GamingOnLinux) |
| macOS | 1.92% (reported by GamingOnLinux) |
Is Linux gaming more popular than ever on Steam?
The available monthly figures do not support that claim for September. PC Gamer reported a 5.33% Linux share in March 2026, up from 2.13% in February. September’s 3.05% reading was lower than March’s reported high, despite being above February’s figure. The data points show considerable variation; they do not establish a continuous trend or a record high. PC Gamer’s April 2, 2026 report covers the March and February readings.
The change from August to September is reported in percentage points: a 0.85-point decline. That is not the same as a 0.85% decrease. The available sources do not provide a stable denominator or respondent count from which to calculate a change in the number of Linux users or a reliable growth rate.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
- 1TB NVMe SSD
- 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display with premium anti-glare etched glass, 7.4" Diagonal display size up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Wi-Fi 6E
- 50Whr battery; 3-12 hours of gameplay (content-dependent)
- Carrying case with removable liner
What does the Steam Hardware & Software Survey measure?
Valve describes the survey as a monthly collection of information about the hardware and software its customers use. Participation is optional and anonymous, as Valve states: “Participation in the survey is optional, and anonymous.” Valve’s Steam Hardware & Software Survey page does not provide a sample size, response rate, weighting method, or estimate of how representative respondents are. Treat the percentages as survey results among Steam customers, not a census of Linux users, all gamers, or total Steam activity.
There is also a source-version caveat: Valve’s survey page was indexed with September 2026 results, while its opened page showed an older July snapshot. GamingOnLinux’s dated report corroborates the September operating-system shares, but the figures should be understood as reported September results and may be revised. GamingOnLinux also noted recent movement in Simplified Chinese in connection with possible corrections.
Rank #2
- International (UK) Version
- 7.4” diagonal, HDR OLED, 1280 x 800 x RGB, up to 90Hz Refresh rate, High performance touch, <0.1 ms Response time, 1,000 nits peak brightness (HDR), 600 nits (SDR)
- SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)
- 512GB NVMe SSD, 16GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels), microSD UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC
- 6 nm AMD APU, CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32
What the Linux distribution figures do—and do not—mean
Valve’s indexed September result lists CachyOS at 18.12% in its Linux distribution breakdown. That number describes the distribution mix within the Linux subset; it is not Linux’s share of all surveyed Steam customers. The overall Linux figure for September is the separately reported 3.05%.
Neither the operating-system share nor the distribution breakdown says which games run on Linux, how well they perform, whether a game’s anti-cheat works, or why respondents choose Linux. Those questions require game- and setup-specific evidence; the survey figures alone cannot answer them.
What the figures say about Linux gaming
September’s reported share confirms that Linux appears in Steam’s operating-system survey, but its decline from August and its lower level than March’s reported reading make “more popular than ever” an inaccurate description of this month. The most defensible reading is narrower: Linux’s reported share has fluctuated substantially in 2026, and the survey does not establish the cause of those swings.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 512 GB NVMe SSD: Fast storage for quicker game load times and space for larger game libraries.
- OLED Display: 1200x800 resolution with deep contrasts and vibrant colors for a captivating visual experience.
- Custom AMD APU: Power-efficient Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 GPU for desktop-level gaming performance.
- Expandable Storage: Add more space with a microSD card slot, ensuring you can bring even more games with you.
- Versatile Controls: With built-in thumbsticks, trackpads, and touchscreen controls, you have full control over your gaming experience.
Rank #4
- 【Upgraded】We sells product with professionally upgraded to 2TB SSD. Original Seal is opened for upgrade ONLY.
- 【Stunning 7.4" HDR OLED & 90Hz Motion】 Experience striking contrast and brilliant clarity with the all-new 7.4-inch HDR OLED display. Designed from the ground up for gaming, it features a 90Hz refresh rate for smooth motion and pure blacks. This handheld is capable of delivering an immersive visual experience, ensuring your Steam library looks better than ever with vibrant colors and amazing motion rendition.
- 【30-50% More Battery & Efficient Performance】 Play your favorites longer with up to 50% more battery life. By fitting a larger battery and a power-efficient OLED panel, this device provides extended gameplay sessions. It’s the perfect travel companion for long flights or commutes. The updated AMD APU ensures high-speed performance for AAA titles while maintaining incredible energy efficiency.
- 【3X Faster Downloads with Wi-Fi 6E】 Never wait for a game again. Equipped with Wi-Fi 6E, this Steam Deck OLED offers increased bandwidth and lower latency, delivering downloads up to 3 times faster than previous models. This ensures stable online play and rapid updates, making it the most reliable wireless gaming handheld for modern high-speed home networks.
- 【Responsive Touch & Enhanced Connectivity】 Enjoy a vastly improved touchscreen with higher fidelity and faster haptics. We’ve added a dedicated Bluetooth antenna to improve connections for multiple controllers. Whether using the built-in trackpads or the included external controller, this allows for precision play in everything from FPS to complex strategy games.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
