Hardware

Linux gaming depends on more than just software, and the right hardware can make a big difference. At Boiling Steam, we cover gaming hardware from handheld PCs and graphics cards to laptops, single-board computers, and emerging platforms, with a focus on Linux compatibility, performance, and real-world use.

General

• 2026-01-25 : Box64 Expands into Risc-V and LoongArch territory
• 2023-06-16 : Jim Keller on How Risc-V Will Change the World

SBC (Single Board Computers)

• 2026-09-11 : OrangePi Zero 3W Review: Tiny Yet Powerful
• 2026-06-26 : Radxa Orion O6N Review: The Powerful and Silent ARM64 Beast
• 2026-04-15 : OrangePi 4 Pro Review
• 2026-02-02 : Civ6 Running on the OrangePi 6 Plus (with Box64 and Proton), and more!
• 2025-12-27 : OrangePi 6 Plus Review: The New Frontier for ARM64 SBC Performance
• 2025-09-23 : OrangePi 5 Ultra Review: an ARM64 SBC Powerhouse
• 2025-04-13 : OrangePi RV2: The New Reference SBC for RISC-V Enthusiasts
• 2024-01-14 : StarFive VisionFive 2: Finally a RISC-V SBC for the Masses?
• 2023-02-18 : VisionFive 2: A Raspberry Pi Like Moment for RISC-V

Desktops and Laptops

• 2026-04-25 : Framework Laptop 13 Pro: Major Upgrades and Linux Front and Center
• 2025-12-16 : Framework Desktop: How to Expand your Unified Memory For LLM Use
• 2025-08-30 : Gaming on the Framework Desktop: Impressive
• 2025-08-12 : Choosing the Right Wireless Module for Your Framework Desktop
• 2025-08-07 : Framework Desktop Hands-on: First Impressions
• 2025-05-02 : A Quick Fix to Improve the Battery Life of Your AMD Framework 13
• 2025-03-01 : POLL: Framework Desktop: Is it for You?
• 2025-02-27 : Framework: Desktops are Next
• 2024-12-17 : Framework 13 AMD Review on Linux: Almost Perfect
• 2023-03-27 : Liberating the MacBook Air 2013
• 2023-03-24 : Framework Laptop Improves on Every aspect and Announces Laptop with Upgradeable Graphics
• 2023-03-04 : Say Goodbye to the HP Dev One Linux Laptop
• 2023-01-24 : Framework Laptop Review (Intel 12th Gen Laptop)
• 2022-12-04 : Hp Dev One Laptop With Pop Os The Definitive Review
• 2022-05-21 : Sign of the times: Hp's new developer Laptop comes with Pop_OS!
• 2022-04-17 : The Kudu Laptop: What System76 Does Best
• 2022-04-04 : Steam Deck Laptop: Awesome DIY!
• 2021-08-30 : Tuxedo Stellaris: The Meanest Laptop Money Can Buy
• 2021-08-27 : 7 Reasons Why I use Lenovo Thinkpad Laptops (for Linux)
• 2021-08-27 : 7 Reasons Why I use Lenovo Thinkpad Laptops (for Linux)
• 2021-07-22 : Launch from System76 - The Nerdiest Keyboard Around
• 2021-07-22 : Launch: Hands-On With System76's Keyboard
• 2021-05-02 : Galago Pro: The Lightweight Powerhouse from System76
• 2021-03-16 : Pangolin: The All-AMD Laptop from System76
• 2021-03-11 : Introducing the Thelio Mira Desktop from System76
• 2021-02-10 : Polaris: Gaming Laptop from Tuxedo Computers
• 2021-02-07 : Hands-On The Darter Pro Laptop from System76
• 2021-01-23 : A Look At The Serval WS

Handheld systems

• 2026-09-21 : ROG: Xbox Ally X20 at the Tokyo Games Show 2026, Improving Further, but no SteamOS in sight
• 2025-11-30 : The Complete Xbox Ally and Ally X Hands-on Review (Windows and Bazzite)
• 2025-07-14 : Lenovo Legion Go S: Windows 11 vs SteamOS Performance, and General Availability
• 2025-02-13 : SteamOS comes to the Lenovo Legion Go S - Is this Steam Machines 2.0 ?
• 2025-01-13 : POLL: Purchase Intent for the Lenovo Legion Go S running SteamOS
• 2024-10-15 : TGS 2024: The ROG Ally X, Popular in Japan
• 2024-02-25 : GamersNexus Pits the ROG Ally Against the Steam Deck OLED at 15W
• 2024-01-22 : Aya Neo Next Lite Will Use Something Like SteamOS
• 2024-01-15 : MSI Claw - Another E-Waste Handheld?
• 2023-10-02 : Steam Deck's Latest Competitor: Lenovo Opens Preorders for the Legion Go
• 2023-08-12 : Catching up with the Steam Deck and the ROG Ally in Akihabara, Tokyo
• 2023-05-08 : Asus ROG Ally vs Steam Deck? I Bet on the Steam Deck Coming Ahead and Here's Why
• 2022-09-05 : Odroid Announces the Odroid Go Ultra Handheld Gaming Device
• 2021-07-15 : Valve Announces Handheld Linux Gaming with The Steam Deck Launching in 2021
• 2021-02-21 : Aya Neo: A New Challenger for Handheld PC Gaming
• 2021-01-11 : The Pyra Handheld Linux PC is Shipping
• 2018-02-27 : The Smach Z Handheld is Still Alive

Linux on smartphones

• 2022-02-21 : Steam Link: Streaming to Your Smartphone with a Dual Shock 4 Controller
• 2022-01-23 : Half Life 2 Running on the Pinephone Pro: More Details
• 2021-10-24 : Pinephone Pro: Finally, A Tangible Alternative
• 2020-12-01 : How-To: Upgrade PinePhone PCB
• 2020-10-28 : Pro1-X, A New Linux Smartphone Enters the Market
• 2020-08-17 : PinePhone: Community Edition (CE) Review
• 2020-02-16 : The PinePhone -- Can It Replace Your Smartphone?