A Linux community member shared on Steam, noting a drop of 2% due to the Steam Deck.
A Linux community member shared on Steam, noting a drop of 2% due to the Steam Deck.
Only access is limited to the game section, store, etc.; the other side feels more PC-oriented and seems to rely on SteamOS's Proton layer while OrbisOS plays games more naturally. You won’t even be able to run most kernel-level anti-cheat protected titles like Mw2.
OrbisOS is built on BSD but adapted specifically for their hardware and software, often ignoring broader ecosystem compatibility. Within the category of Linux/BSD-based systems, OrbisOS aligns more with Android or macOS than with standard Linux/BSD environments. The only reason it's labeled BSD-compatible is because contributing to the larger project reduces their own development effort. On the other hand, SteamOS, though generally restrictive, lets users override those limits using pacman and function like any other Arch-based distro. In short, you gain extensive freedoms that could let you transform SteamOS into a regular Arch desktop.
SteamOS lets you start in desktop mode, eliminating most console limitations. For other systems, you'd typically need to modify the OS. From the start, it functions just as intended—offering your game collection and a purchasing platform. You don’t have to engage with desktop mode unless you choose to. It’s a straightforward method to bypass restrictions and perform actions not supported otherwise. From my view, the default interface is designed for the device, similar to how features like instant resume match hardware capabilities. You can easily switch the experience to feel like a pure console if desired. This approach handles implementation details users usually ignore. It also shifts some responsibility away from the OS, placing it on the game developers to ensure compatibility. Steam Deck runs apps meant for Windows; if games were built specifically for SteamOS, it would be unnecessary. Valve might need to supply more tailored APIs, but only a few developers would likely do that. Building a compatibility layer to run existing titles is probably the wiser path. Still, I believe games that aren’t natively optimized for their hardware don’t diminish the console feel of the device.
there’s no obligation to; - switch to another browser than edge - never set up any 'classic' or non-app store app on Windows you can treat your laptop as a "pure browser only" device like early Chromebooks, but it’s not because you can make that change, that it instantly turns into a Chromebook. EDIT; since game installers don’t push unnecessary prompts at first launch or choose to bundle their own launchers under Steam, you can turn on advanced settings at startup and set up auto-login... in your view, this would mean converting Windows into a console OS (?)
Reminder: Windows 8 concealed the desktop by hiding it behind a menu choice instead of starting it directly.
The main idea is that the Steam Deck functions like a traditional console, operating without requiring users to understand its underlying architecture or the specifics of its OS. It can be used just like any other gaming device, making it accessible for players regardless of their familiarity with Linux or Windows. The focus should be on its gaming-friendly design rather than its technical constraints.
I believe our main point of contention lies here. I don't think unlocking the Steam Deck involves accessing the desktop—it's clearly visible in the menu, not hidden in developer or advanced settings. It's directly in the Power menu. You don't need to rely on it for installing dependencies or modifying configuration files. Perhaps you're looking for a web browser or just want a standard computer experience. The Discover store is pre-installed and installs apps with a single click, but these are generic Linux applications, not tailored specifically for the Steam Deck.
Our perspectives differ here. It doesn't matter how straightforward it is to change its default settings. For me, the device stands out because it was designed specifically for gaming. The main reason to choose a Steam Deck is for gaming. When someone new to PCs and mostly plays on consoles comes across it, would you warn them against buying it? Probably not—you'd likely say it's not suited for them.
The Kronos Group (early Vulkan development), AMD (supporting Vulkan and open source broadly), Wine Devs (key contributors), Feral Interactive (Vulkan and Linux support, though their current projects may be less relevant), Valve (known for OGL compatibility and recent updates like Proton and the Steam Deck), doitsujin (the creator of DXVK, a notable figure in the field).