this post was submitted on 13 Jan 2025

124 points (98.4% liked)

Steam Deck

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124

Microsoft should be terrified of SteamOS (www.pcworld.com)

submitted 4 days ago by cm0002@lemmy.world to c/steamdeck@sopuli.xyz

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[–] SpikesOtherDog@ani.social 31 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Microsoft attempted to address this with Windows 8, but by forcing touch interface styling to a desktop user they created a massive flop. Adding Windows Mobile trying to do it's own thing in 2015, and failing to gain market share by not investing enough early enough, and they were solidly outclassed. If they had hot the right points, we might have seen smooth Mobile Microsoft gaming 10 years ago.

What might be the real killer feature of SteamOS is the ability to run a Linux desktop. For $400 one can have both a mobile gaming console that can dock with their television and also dock with a traditional PC for other traditional uses.

[–] genes215@lemmy.world 10 points 4 days ago (2 children)

SteamOS already runs Linux desktop, at least on the steamdeck (it's just "switch to desktop" in the power menu). The default desktop environment is KDE plasma. Paired with a USBC laptop dock, you have an easily switchable desktop experience too.

Hopefully they don't plan to change this!

[–] SpikesOtherDog@ani.social 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

My bad. I read that it had to be enabled on the console.

[–] genes215@lemmy.world 6 points 4 days ago

No worries! I agree it's a killer feature - hoping to pass the word along. Sorry if it came off as a correction, I meant it more as a "wait til you hear this too!"

[–] tautalas@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Just need a fucking printer support

[–] pathief@lemmy.world 4 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

From what I've read, you just need to start the CUPS service.

sudo systemctl start cups.service

Start on boot:

sudo systemctl enable cups.service

[–] rotopenguin@infosec.pub 1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

For such a "stripped down" OS to fit in a 5GB / partition, it is very funny that they included printing but just left it turned off.

[–] soulsource@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 3 days ago

5 GiB is plenty of space for a Linux root filesystem, at least if you move all writeable parts (logs, temporary files, etc.) to different filesystems. Unless you want to install LaTeX, then you probably need 15 GiB or so.

However, CUPS has had a fair share of security issues (for instance https://www.evilsocket.net/2024/09/26/Attacking-UNIX-systems-via-CUPS-Part-I/), so it is probably a good idea to have it disabled by default, unless the user needs printer support.

[–] CTDummy@lemm.ee 3 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Man I bought one of those windows phones, the Lumia 920 and boy did it suck. Had bugger all apps. I feel like I had it for nearly a year before I got sick of it. YouTube app was constantly borked and would crash frequently. The fb app once they got it going just felt like a shitty web app disguised as an app. And that was it, like they just released the phone OS and the Lumia series and just hoped devs would come across to the platform. One of the few times I tried to get off iOS and boy did it burn me hard. Hey at least the screen was strong enough to hammer in nails. So free hammer?

[–] SpikesOtherDog@ani.social 7 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I heard that the gesture navigation was amazing. Relying on you brand to coerce developers for nothin for them.

[–] Ugurcan@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Ah, it was. I’m still very fond of it’s UX and integrity.

[–] rotopenguin@infosec.pub 6 points 4 days ago

I picked up a cheap Lumia as the whole WinPhone thing was winding up. They were actually quite nice. The whole winphone project must have been too low-key for the usual Microsoft Management to stick their noses into, and left competent people running the show.

If WinPhone had actually caught on, I'm sure that some asshole manager would have taken over and turned it into yet another Windows 11. But for a brief moment, MS made a good OS. With no apps.

[–] Vincente@lemmy.world 16 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (2 children)

Steam deck changed my life.

I have used Arch Linux as the main OS of my PC since 6 years ago, but I always need to use Windows to play games. I never used Windows again after I got a Steam deck

iPhone + iPad/Mac + Steam Deck can meet all my daily needs.

I like it, want the Steam Deck 2, and also want the Steam console or Steam machine series.

[–] pathief@lemmy.world 4 points 4 days ago (1 children)

You should be able to play just fine with Arch Linux... The SteamOS is based on arch after all.

[–] Vincente@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Yes. I can and I did. But it costs much extra time to download, install, and adjust. Using the Steam deck is convenient because the default settings have already done everything, I just need to pick it up and play games.

[–] sanpo@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 days ago

It really doesn't. Since a few years it's basically plug and play.

[–] Suprabiscuit@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 4 days ago

You might just be able to play most games with Proton or Wine on a Linux desktop, it's pretty straight forward. Especially when using Lutris. I switched to Linux not too long ago and the only games I can't play are those with easy anticheat like Gta online. I also got Genshin Impact to work perfectly, despite claims of it not being possible due to anticheat.

[–] pathief@lemmy.world 13 points 4 days ago (2 children)

I understand that people are hyped about a Linux distribution developed by a company they really care about. However, please be aware that SteamOS is focused at being an (almost) exclusive gaming OS with very limited hardware support. It doesn't support NVIDIA video cards, for instance.

Steam already runs perfectly fine in most generalist distributions and you'll have a wonderful time if you install them.

[–] hemko@lemmy.dbzer0.com 16 points 4 days ago (2 children)

It doesn't support NVIDIA video cards, for instance.

Rather NoVideo doesn't support their video cards on Linux

[–] pathief@lemmy.world 4 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (3 children)

~~No, their Micro-compositor was written exclusively for AMD cards.~~ The SteamOS setup just borks if you try to install it with nvidia. People coming from Windows won't really care who is to blame, they'll just be baffled it doesn't work.

It makes sense since steam deck only has AMD cards. SteamOS is targeted at gaming devices, not as a generalistic distribution.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 11 points 4 days ago (1 children)

No, their Micro-compositor was written exclusively for AMD cards.

Because NVIDIA drivers suck. That's on Nvidia, not Linux or Valve.

[–] pathief@lemmy.world 4 points 4 days ago

Sure, nvidia drivers suck and I haven't had the best experience migrating to Wayland. However, it's important that people know this "limitation" in using SteamOS, especially since many other Linux distributions run both steam and Nvidia video cards just right.

SteamOS is a distribution that is great for a gaming device but I see people believing this is going to be a generalist Linux distribution and it's not. Having a clear idea of what SteamOS is, what is good for and what are the current limitations is very important. Linux is amazing, Valve is amazing but SteamOS is not replacing Windows. Which is fine, that's not the goal. I can recommend a bunch of distros that do replace windows if you want...

[–] hemko@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

This thing?

https://github.com/ValveSoftware/gamescope

It runs on Mesa + AMD or Intel, and could be made to run on other Mesa/DRM drivers with minimal work. AMD requires Mesa 20.3+, Intel requires Mesa 21.2+. For NVIDIA's proprietary driver, version 515.43.04+ is required (make sure the nvidia-drm.modeset=1 kernel parameter is set).

[–] pathief@lemmy.world 3 points 4 days ago

It borks when you try to install SteamOS. It does not work. Bazzite just added beta support for nvidia, so check that out if out really want something as close to SteamOS as possible.

Or just use a generalist distribution because gaming on Linux is in an amazing state right now. Install steam, boot games.

[–] frazorth 1 points 4 days ago

It works on Intel.

Are you sure about your statement?

[–] AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

That's odd. They've always worked fine for me.

[–] atrielienz@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/dlss-3-added-proton/

You may want to update what you said because they will soon do so.

[–] pathief@lemmy.world 4 points 4 days ago

When it happens I will. Currently, installing SteamOS with a nvidia card just borks.

[–] Eggyhead@lemmings.world 10 points 4 days ago

Most windows users I know focus-build their PCs for games, then use them as they need to for other stuff. I can imagine having an OS that’s also focus-built for games as well being enticing.

If I ever built my own gaming rig, it’ll be to run SteamOS.

[–] notaviking@lemmy.world 7 points 4 days ago

I do not think Microsoft is afraid, I think they are just not that focused on the gaming market, yes they have a console and a bunch of game studios, but I believe that is right now a secondary focus.

No Microsoft is focused on the tech heroine called AI, trying to inject it wherever they can. They see this as the new frontier. So even though I would have loved seeing Microsoft scream in pain as they realise another competitor has actually a more enriching product that will eat their lunch, unfortunately they are in another boardroom discussing how they can get more AI, does anyone know where they can get more AI

[+] Mrkawfee@lemmy.world -11 points 4 days ago (3 children)

I like the Steam Deck but Steam don't allow more than One account to be on at a time which is stupid because i want the option of playing while my kid is on the PC or vice versa. That's why I opted for the ROG so I could at least install Xbox and be able to play titles on that platform if Steam is being used.

I agree that windows is really fiddly on a handheld. Would much prefer a more seamless experience like on Steam if possible.

[–] cowfodder@lemmy.world 45 points 4 days ago (1 children)

My kid can use his steam account on my computer or his deck while I'm on my deck and use our shared library. The only limitation is we can't both play the same game.

[–] iAmTheTot@sh.itjust.works 23 points 4 days ago (1 children)

This is somewhat new with the release of the revamped families. Previously, you could not even play different games across a shared library.

[–] cowfodder@lemmy.world 15 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I'm aware. That doesn't negate the fact that the comment I replied to is incorrect.

[–] iAmTheTot@sh.itjust.works 12 points 4 days ago (1 children)

No, it doesn't, I was simply adding context, not trying to contradict you.

[–] cowfodder@lemmy.world 11 points 4 days ago

Ahh. Sorry, sometimes it's hard to catch the tone of a comment. Thank you.

[–] supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz 12 points 4 days ago (1 children)

You can just use the Steam Deck like a Linux computer and ignore the steam part?

[–] pathief@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

What's the point of having a gaming handheld and not game? Get a laptop instead

[–] supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz 1 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

The form factor of laptops as portable computers sucks.

The laptop desperately wants to replicate the experience of a desktop and unless you have the money to spend on a luxury item version of laptop (which computer people seem to forget because they and all their friends have $2000 to drop on a toy) laptops fail miserably to do so.

My steam deck is superior in every imaginable way to a $500 laptop except for it isn't stuffed with a uselessly terrible keyboard and touchpad.

[–] pathief@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago

I guess it depends on what you're going to do with it. I own a Steam deck and love it, but the screen is too small to work.

I would rather buy a small laptop, install arch and go wild. To each their own.

[–] Fubarberry@sopuli.xyz 1 points 3 days ago

AS others have said, the key is making your son a separate steam account, and then adding him to your steam family so he can access your games. That will let you both play your games at the same time, as long as you aren't trying to play the exact same copy of a game (1 game copy = 1 player at a time).

This also will give you access to some parental controls and let you limit what games he can access. I don't want to share some games like Cyberpunk or Baldur's gate with my younger kids for example.