The Nintendo Switch may have a new rival: Steam's parent company is developing a pocket-sized gaming PC that could challenge Nintendo's hybrid handheld dominance The "SteamPal" won't be the first portable gaming PC but with Valve's clear endorsement, it will be the only PC that lets you enjoy high-end PC gaming on the go.

Ars Technica revealed the SteamPal in an exclusive report citing "multiple sources familiar with the matter," Steam's own database code, and a speech given by Valve co-founder Gabe Newell in early May. While we don't know if what is being described as a Steam handheld will ever make it into consumers' hands, it seems safe to say that something is definitely in the works.

First things first: we know nothing about the purported Valve handheld console; even "SteamPal" is just a placeholder name (albeit a rather catchy one). However, we do know that it is a handheld PC similar to similar projects from Alienware, Aya Neo, and Onexplayer. With Valve at the helm, it's not unreasonable to assume that SteamPal could run on SteamOS or a similar Linux platform. It is not unreasonable to assume that SteamPal could run on SteamOS or a similar Linux platform.

According to Ars Technica, SteamPal will likely use an Intel or AMD chip and use face buttons and joysticks rather than a full keyboard; it is unknown if SteamPal will have a D-pad; screen size, resolution, storage, battery life, and other specs are also unknown. Nothing is known yet about the processor, GPU (integrated or otherwise), or memory.

One thing we do know is that the SteamPal will likely be a hybrid, similar to the Switch, with a USB-C cable that will allow gamers to connect their devices to a larger screen; will Valve provide a dock? It is unclear if Valve will provide a dock or just let players wire directly between devices.

Valve appears to be preparing a prototype SteamPal device, but it is unclear when this product will be available for consumers; as an Ars Technica report points out, Valve has had something of a rocky relationship with hardware in the past; Steam Controller and Steam Link devices have appeared and disappeared, and the Steam Machine gaming rig never quite materialized; Valve has always seemed more comfortable in the software realm.

However, it is not out of the realm of possibility that Valve is planning something similar here. Once the infrastructure is in place to support handheld gaming PCs, they don't necessarily need to build their own devices. They could license the technology or simply make Steam the download platform of choice for other handheld gaming PCs.

One thing is certain: if a portable console PC is on the horizon, Nintendo will probably want to release a more powerful Switch as soon as possible.