14 DAY TRIAL // Valve released today a new Steam Client Beta update for all supported platforms adding a few HiDPI improvements for both Windows and Linux systems.
Steam Client always looked bad on high-res monitors, with small text and graphics, but it would appear that Valve finally decided to address these issues and implemented a 2X-scaling mode for Linux-based operating systems, promising high-resolution text and graphics on 4K monitors.
Users can force the 2X-scaling mode by using the "GDK_SCALE=2" environment variable when starting the Steam Client. If it turns out you don't like this scaling mode, you can turn it off by running the Steam Client with the "GDK_SCALE=1" environment variable. For now, Valve didn't mention if a GUI option is coming too.
In addition to the 4K monitor support, the latest Steam Client Beta release improves window-resizing interactions with the window manager and addresses an issue that might have caused the Steam Client to prevent certain desktop sessions from shutting down completely or at all.
Reduced CPU usage, better support for Vulkan-based games
Valve continues to improve support for Vulkan-based games with its upcoming Steam Client stable release, and today's beta addresses an issue with the in-game overlay, which could have crashed or become unresponsive with this type of games. Also, they reduced the CPU usage of the Steam Client when redrawing the user interface.
Other than that, there are some improvements to the mechanism that allow installation of games from backup files or retail discs by avoiding download when possible, and a fix for a bug that might have caused workshop items to be re-downloaded forever.
For Windows systems, the latest Steam Client Beta update adds HiDPI monitor support as well, for Windows 10 Creators Update users, along with better taskbar handling of Steam windows on multi-monitor environments, and new window transition animations when opening, minimizing, or closing Steam windows.
There are also some improvements for macOS users, such as support for restarting or turning off their systems directly from the Big Picture mode, better native macOS integration of the Steam client windows, and improved reliability of the Streaming Audio drivers and Steam Input.
Valve also improved the on-screen keyboard for macOS users by allowing them to type accented characters and added a new "Exit Application" controller action that lets players to more easily quit a game. Some Steam Controller pairing improvements are also coming, and you can try all these goodies today by switching your Steam Client to the Beta channel.