Linux / Unix

Demand for Valve’s new Linux mini PC exceeds supply in Japan and Taiwan. This market may view the Steam Machine price as reasonable enough to invest in the console challenger. Lacking a reservation system before its release date, Komodo Station disappointed customers.

Valve tweaked specs on the fly to assemble enough units of its mini PC. To avoid a larger Steam Machine price increase, one trade-off is using a single 16GB DDR5 RAM module instead of two 8GB sticks. Gamers can’t enable a dual-channel memory configuration, impacting performance in some games.

Valve’s console challenger costs significantly more than the PS5. Even so, a Steam Machine review confirms that the base PlayStation console produces higher frame rates in some games. Overall performance benchmarks are comparable, but the price difference may be too wide for many buyers.

Early testing suggests the Steam Machine can deliver solid 1440p AAA gaming performance, though some demanding titles still require upscaling and occasionally dip below 60 FPS during intensive scenes.

If the Steam Controller launch repeats, the upcoming SteamOS console will be in short supply for months. Valve has told new buyers not to expect the accessory to ship before 2027. High memory prices and a component shortage have already delayed the Steam Machine release date.

Anbernic has released a new Linux update for the RG Vita Pro. The update brings visual changes as well as under-the-hood improvements to the PS Vita-styled handheld.

Juno Computers has refreshed its Linux tablet line with two new models. There's a 10.5-inch version with an LTE modem and a larger 13'' variant that has a more powerful processor and cooling fans. However, both are powered by Intel chips.

Most mini PCs are sealed appliances whose processor dies with the board. The Youyeetoo K1 takes a different route: its Intel N100 brain sits on a small compute module that slots into a carrier board like a stick of RAM, paired with an unusually long list of I/O including dual Gigabit Ethernet, eDP, MIPI and GPIO headers.

TrimUI has revealed that it has two new handhelds on the way. The two devices, which will arrive as the Brick Hammer Pro U and Brick Pro, are the successors to the Brick and Brick Hammer vertical handhelds released in 2024 and 2025 respectively.

Linux Mesa developer Gert Wollny used GitHub Copilot to help refactor the AMD R600 Gallium3D driver, improving shader compiler code for Radeon HD 2000 through HD 6000 GPUs that are long past official support. The work highlights how AI-assisted coding, under human review and open-source accountability rules, is becoming a practical tool for maintaining legacy hardware and software projects.

With new releases now moved to the MocaccinoOS SourceForge page, MocaccinoOS 26.06 is now moving forward with the 6.18.33 LTS kernel, a new COSMIC ISO image, new features and improvements in the Vajo package manager, an additional software installation module in the Calamares installer, and much more.

The pinnacle of 14 years of continuous development, Linux Lite 8.0 brings a brand-new installer, new kernels, end-to-end GTK4 theming, a Game Center tool, and several new in-house apps, as well as "unprecedented translation coverage at every level of the system" alongside the usual set of minor tweaks and fixes.

The Dell XPS 14 2026 is finally available running Ubuntu Linux out of the box. Still available with up to 64 GB RAM, 120 Hz OLED and Arc B390 graphics, the new XPS 14 is cheaper when purchased running Ubuntu, too.

Few parts of the globe have avoided the recent Steam Deck OLED price hike. Buyers in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan must now also pay more for Valve’s hardware. Storage and memory shortages are limiting the affordability of gaming handhelds.

Valve may have always had a higher price in mind for its Linux mini PC. A leaker divulged that prior to the Steam Machine release date delay, one model would have launched at $1000. The newly priced Steam Deck handhelds have raised more concerns about the console alternative’s affordability.

Also tested with CashyOS | We recently reviewed the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 7. As always, we tested it with Windows, but for this device, we also decided to do a quick compatibility test with Linux.

DistroSea, a browser-based platform hosting over 50 Linux distributions and 500 versions, lets users test operating systems online before installing one on their PCs.

Heavily focused on stabilizing the underlying build system, Gnoppix Linux 26.6 drops with a cleaner desktop user experience, highly requested live boot capabilities, and improved security. Other changes include improved multi-language support in GRUB, multiple under-the-hood tweaks and fixes, and more.

Sporting improved security thanks to OpenSSH 9.9, Rocky Linux 9.8 also comes with updated compiler toolsets, refreshed performance tools and debuggers, support for advanced disk partitioning for custom images in the Image Builder, and more. The list of downloadables includes default images, cloud, Docker, WSL, and live images.

Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney believes Valve could have avoided the Steam Deck price increase. A regular critic of Gabe Newell, he claims that the co-founder should pay the higher component costs. Sweeney has condemned the dominant marketplace for exploiting buyers and developers.

Thanks to the integrated "Linux Lab" environment, the Honor MagicPad 4 allows seamless switching between Android and Linux without rebooting. This feature of the OLED tablet could be a reason to buy, especially for developers and fans of Linux.

Following the unavoidable shift in the Linux ecosystem, OviOS 6 drops SysV and moves to systemd. The list of new features includes a browser-based dashboard, S3-compatible object storage, NVMe over Fabrics, auditd security auditing, Cockpit integration, the ability to run entirely from the system memory via PXE network boot, and more.

Launched simultaneously, AlmaLinux 9.8 and 10.2 deliver an enterprise-grade experience to their users once again. Both feature updated compiler toolsets, improved security, and more. While version 9.8 sports the 5.14.0-687.5.3.el9_8 kernel, AlmaLinux 10.2 comes with 6.12.0-211.7.3.el10_2 instead.

The Steam Deck price increase was an ominous sign for Valve’s new mini PC. On the Steam Machine release date, an insider believes that buyers will encounter even higher costs. The storage and memory shortage is likely to also inflate the MSRP of the console alternative.

Dubbed "Infinity" and based on Debian 13.5 "Trixie," MX Linux 25.2 comes with the 6.12.90 Debian kernel across all versions, except the Xfce-ahs flavor, which uses the low-latency Liquorix 7.0.9 core. As usual, multiple tweaks, fixes, and updated packages are also present.

With a focus on stability and lightness, Besgnulinux 4-0 is now available with plenty of updated packages, improvements to the Font Manager tool, DPI settings, and more. Thanks to these improvements, this refreshed Debian-based distro is suitable for both new silicon and older, less potent hardware.

Designed for both PCs and mobile devices, Ubuntu-based Rhino Linux 2026.1 introduces the Lomiri user interface. The generic ISO images now come with the 7.0.9 kernel, while the special editions for Pine and Raspberry Pi hardware feature the 6.18.32 (PinePhone, PinePhone Pro & PineTab), 6.9.0 (PineTab2), and 7.0.0 (Raspberry Pi) kernels.

The Linux on PS5 hack makes the console a tempting platform for the RPCS3 PS3 emulator. Digital Foundry discovered that more GPU-dependent games thrived on the newer hardware. Unfortunately, performance suffered with titles designed to maximize the PlayStation 3’s cell processor.

Half-Life 3 and Steam Machine followers will be watching a series of June showcases. Summer Game Fest 2026 host Geoff Keighley is again piquing their curiosity. His social media post depicting rising smoke is the latest pre-event hint noticed by Valve supporters.

More than 13 years since its birth, Vivaldi hits version 8.0. Described as the "biggest design overhaul ever," this update comes with a new visual approach, sporting six preset layouts, as well as multiple UI refinements across all the browser's areas, such as the auto-hide feature, tab management, and more.

Designed to be the best PureOS yet by Prism, the "Crimson" release replaces "Byzantium," and all devices that came with it will receive the update, including the earliest Librem 13 and 15 computers. This update focuses on fixes and optimizations, without adding any major features.

Based on Ubuntu 26.04 "Resolute Raccoon" and featuring KDE Plasma 6.6 by default, QuarkOS 26.04 will also drop with the Trinity 14.1.6 desktop environment soon. This update comes with support until at least May 2031, just like its Ubuntu LTS base. This distro also comes with Q4OS tools, but without the Debian core.

Unleashed yesterday, Proxmox Virtual Environment 9.2 comes with a Debian 13.5 "Trixie" base and the Linux kernel 7.0 as the new stable default. The list of updated components and new features includes QEMU 11.0, LXC 7.0, and ZFS 2.4 alongside a new dynamic load balancer, HA arm/disarm functionality, and more.

Yesterday, Red Hat Inc. unleashed Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10.2 and 9.8, two updates that push the current and legacy branches of this operating system one step forward. Thanks to them, the users now enjoy simplified hybrid cloud management, improved security capabilities that include protection from quantum computing risks, and more.

Powkiddy has released a new retro handheld globally. Available in a choice of three colours, the Powkiddy P36S is comparatively small despite featuring two joysticks, two USB Type-C ports and a pair of microSD card slots.

Packing new artwork, including screensavers, the latest prerelease build of the upcoming Mageia 10 comes with "hundreds of newer packages" delivering tweaks, security fixes, and updated system components. Mageia 10 RC1 includes Firefox 140.10.1, Samba 4.23.7, Mesa 26.0.6, and more.

The project's 60th release brings OpenBSD to version 7.9 and sports plenty of changes. The highlights include delayed hibernation and improved graphics support alongside better virtualization, as well as firmware, installer, and upgrade enhancements. OpenBSD 7.9 also comes with a kernel scheduler mechanism for certain CPUs.

Dubbed "Sauropod" and unleashed yesterday, TileOS 2.0 is a Debian 13-based Linux release that also comes with the desktop-optimized Liquorix kernel as an option. A Niri and a MiracleWM edition join the Sway, River, and Qtile flavors. TileOS 2.0 also sports multiple package updates and substitutions.

Open-source developers are seeing a sharp increase in AI-generated bug reports appearing in Linux issue trackers and vulnerability systems. Some reports point to real problems, but many are duplicates, inaccurate findings, or low-effort submissions that take maintainers extra time to review.

The low_latency_layer project from Korthos Software allows AMD Anti-Lag 2 and Nvidia Reflex to be used on any GPU, effectively making both technologies hardware-agnostic for Linux users.

The Linux community has made significant progress in terms of gaming, especially when compared to gaming on Windows, and now, the latest Proton-CachyOS release is taking another step forward. It brings built-in OptiScaler integration.

Valve’s backend appears ready to list the Steam Machine for a lofty price. UI code would enable the company to charge more than $1,000 for the console alternative on its launch date. That said, the leak may apply to a bundle with a Steam Controller or the Frame VR headset.

Anbernic has released a Linux-based OS for its RG DS dual-screen handheld which ships with Android. The new OS can be installed on a microSD card, so users don't have to wipe the Android OS.

Around for over two decades, Unraid OS is back with a new update. Labeled 7.3.0, the new release features new licensing options, the ability to boot from an internal drive, a completely redesigned onboarding wizard, several security fixes, smarter networking thanks to the Docker update from 29.3.1 to 29.4.3, and more.

Playground Games has announced that Forza Horizon 6 is Steam Deck verified. Mobile gamers hoping to explore Japanese roadways have greater confidence in handheld compatibility. The system requirements also suggest it will perform adequately on the ROG Xbox Ally.

The privacy- and freedom-respecting mobile OS by UBports is back with a maintenance release for the 24.04-1.x series. Version 24.04.1.3 focuses on fixes and small improvements, touching areas such as desktop apps, docks, and shutdown hanging problems, as well as general bug fixes and security updates.

In addition to the 6.19.13 kernel, which comes with a patch for the "Copy Fail" bug, Parrot OS 7.2 comes with significant updates to parrot-menu and several other tools, as well as an alignment with the Debian project. Thanks to it, this release syncs Parrot with the latest Debian upstream updates.

While sporting a wide range of fixes and tweaks as usual, the latest PrismLinux update, labeled 2026.05.05, also comes with a redesigned installer, GNOME 50 support, version 7.0 of the Linux kernel, xLibre migration, as well as a KDE Plasma-based LiveCD with Wayland and auto-login enabled by default.

Anbernic has refreshed its RG34XX SP handheld with a new model. Apparently more than just a visual refresh, the new Metallic Blue variant also brings a metallic finish to the RG34XX SP that was missing from its existing four colour options.

The Lenovo G02 is a new handheld designed to emulate retro games. Featuring a 4.5-inch IPS display, the Lenovo G02 comes in multiple colours with more than a passing resemblance to the Anbernic RG40XX V.