How to Play Steam games on a Chromebook: 2 methods

You can play Steam on a Chromebook, sort of

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Playing Steam games on a Chromebook has become a reality, offering a new dimension to these versatile laptops. While Chromebooks were traditionally known for their web-centric and lightweight nature, the integration of Steam, particularly through its ongoing beta, has transformed them into surprisingly capable gaming machines for a growing library of titles.

Requirements for Playing Steam Games on Chromebooks

To jump into the world of PC gaming on your Chromebook, your device needs to meet specific hardware requirements. Steam on ChromeOS is still in beta, so performance can vary, and it’s best to aim for the recommended specifications for a smoother experience.

Minimum Hardware Requirements for Steam on ChromeOS (Beta):

• CPU: At least an Intel i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor.
• RAM: 8GB RAM or more.
• Storage: 128GB of internal storage or more.

Recommended Specifications for Optimal Performance:

For a better gaming experience, especially with more demanding titles, Google and Valve recommend Chromebooks with:

• CPU: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 (or higher).
• RAM: 16GB RAM (or more).

It’s crucial to understand that Steam on ChromeOS is currently supported on x86-based processors (Intel and AMD). ARM-powered Chromebooks are not compatible with the official Steam for Chromebook beta.

To check your Chromebook’s specifications, you can press Ctrl + Search + Esc to find CPU and RAM information. For storage, navigate to Settings > Device > Storage Management.

How to Play Steam Games on Chromebook (Official Beta)

If your Chromebook meets the requirements, enabling Steam is a straightforward process:

1. Switch to the Beta Channel: Steam on ChromeOS is available through the Beta channel. To switch, go to your Chromebook’s Settings, search for “Channels,” and select “Beta.” Your Chromebook will download and install the beta version of ChromeOS (version 108 or later). Restart your device after the update.
2. Download and Install Steam: Once on the Beta channel, open your Chromebook’s Launcher (bottom-left corner). Search for “Steam installer.” If your device meets the requirements, you’ll see the “Steam installer” under the “Apps” section. Select it and follow the on-screen prompts to download and install Steam. You can also find installation instructions on the official Steam website.
3. Log In and Play: After installation, launch the Steam application, log in with your Steam account, and start downloading your games.

It’s important to note that Valve and Google don’t recommend installing Steam or Steam Link from the Play Store, as they can lead to performance issues.

Chromebooks That Support Steam Beta

As of recent updates, the official Steam for Chromebook beta supports a growing list of devices. This list primarily includes Chromebooks with Intel 12th-gen Core processors and AMD Ryzen 5000 C-series processors, meeting the minimum CPU and RAM requirements.

Here is a list of some Chromebook models known to support the Steam Beta:

Acer:

• Acer Chromebook 514 (CB514-1W)
• Acer Chromebook 515 (CB515-1W)
• Acer Chromebook 516 GE
• Acer Chromebook Spin 514 (CP514-3H, CP514-3HH, CP514-3WH)
• Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (CP713-3W)
• Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (CP714-1WN)
• Acer Chromebook Vero 514

ASUS:

• ASUS Chromebook CX9 (CX9400)
• ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5500)
• ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5601)
• ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip

Framework:

• Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

HP:

• HP Elite c640 14 inch G3 Chromebook
• HP Elite c645 G2 Chromebook
• HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook
• HP Pro c640 G2 Chromebook

Lenovo:

• Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook 16
• Lenovo 5i 14 Chromebook
• Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook 14
• Lenovo ThinkPad C14

This list is subject to change as the Steam on ChromeOS beta progresses and more devices are added. Always check Google’s official support pages or the Chromium.org forums for the most up-to-date list of supported Chromebooks.

Playing Steam Games with Linux as an Alternative

Even if your Chromebook doesn’t officially support the Steam Beta, you might still be able to play some Steam games using the Linux development environment (Crostini) on ChromeOS. This method is generally more complex and less optimized than the official beta, but it provides an alternative for many users.

Here’s a general overview of the steps:

1. Enable Linux Development Environment: Go to your Chromebook’s Settings, search for “Linux,” and turn on the “Linux development environment.” This will set up a Debian-based virtual machine on your Chromebook.
2. Install Steam via Linux Terminal: Once Linux is enabled, open the Terminal app. You’ll need to use specific Linux commands to install Steam. A common command to install Steam on Debian-based systems is sudo apt install steam -y. You might also need to enable 32-bit architecture support first with sudo dpkg –add-architecture i386.
3. Configure Proton (for Windows games): Many PC games on Steam are designed for Windows. To run these on Linux (and therefore on your Chromebook’s Linux environment), you’ll need to enable Steam Play and configure Proton. Proton is a compatibility layer developed by Valve that allows Windows games to run on Linux. Within Steam’s settings, go to “Steam Play” and enable “Enable Steam Play for all other titles,” then select a Proton version (e.g., Proton Experimental).

Important Considerations for Linux Method:

• Performance: Performance will vary greatly depending on your Chromebook’s hardware. Games will run through an additional layer of virtualization, which can impact performance compared to the official beta or a dedicated Windows PC.
• Compatibility: Not all games will run perfectly, or at all, through Linux. You may encounter bugs, crashes, or graphical issues.
• Troubleshooting: The Linux method often requires more troubleshooting and technical knowledge to get games running smoothly.

Can I Play Steam Games on the Google Pixelbook Go?

The Google Pixelbook Go is a well-regarded Chromebook, but its compatibility with the official Steam for Chromebook beta is limited. The Pixelbook Go models primarily feature 8th-gen Intel Core processors (Y-series), which do not meet the current minimum requirement of an 11th-gen Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 for the official Steam beta.

Therefore, you cannot officially play Steam games on the Google Pixelbook Go using the direct Steam for Chromebook beta.

However, you might be able to run some lighter Steam games on the Google Pixelbook Go by installing Steam through its Linux development environment (Crostini), as described in the alternative method above. Due to the Pixelbook Go’s U-series processors, which are designed for efficiency rather than raw power, and the lack of a dedicated GPU, performance for most demanding Steam games would be severely limited. It would likely only be suitable for very old or less graphically intensive indie titles.

For serious gaming on a Pixelbook Go, cloud gaming services like NVIDIA GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming are much better options, as they stream the game directly to your device, leveraging powerful remote servers.

In conclusion, playing Steam games on a Chromebook is an exciting development, offering a new avenue for gaming on these portable devices. While the official beta provides the most optimized experience on supported hardware, the Linux environment offers a more experimental path for a wider range of Chromebooks, though with performance limitations.