My understanding is that because it’s Linux they can customize it and trim all the fat to make the OS run as efficiently as possible, making it perfect for a portable device where you want as much processing power going to the game. You just can’t get that with Windows.
That’s true. I think pretty well showcased by the ROG Ally. Better hardware than the steamdeck, no doubt, but due to software it ends up not being that much more powerful effectively.
Linux already runs way faster than Windows, they don’t need to trim things down and as you can see by desktop mode it’s your standard OS
if you do a fresh install of a full desktop Linux then you can be looking at 5-10gb of storage and using 300-400 mb ram. Windows uses 30gb of storage and 4gb of ram. It’s just not as good for a gaming or battery operated device
But tbh I, and probably many others, don’t care that much about the Linux. I would’ve been fine if it was Windows with the same price and performance. What I care about, that I can play mobile.
If I just wnated Linux I would install Linus on my PC, no real need to buy an extra device just for that.
Well that’s the thing, I’m very aware that most people don’t know or don’t care. But Microsoft has been using this to their advantage for years. It would be better for the consumer to have somewhat of a choice even if they’re not too aware of it.
SteamOS is almost entirely open source software, except for the handheld’s specific proprietary drivers and Steam itself. Vendors are free to use it via its open source license if they choose.
The hardest parts (i.e. proton) are fully available to anyone who’d like to use it under an approximation of the MIT license, even for commercial use.
the steam deck drivers are being upstream to mesa and the linux kernel, no?, meybe they are using a pre-build before the code get merged, but every steam deck fix is being merged(mesa, radv, even the kernel got a lot of fixes for it)
You can install wine or steam and run games on pretty much any distro. SteamOS is just tailored for the Steam Deck and is open source and under GPLv2, so anyone can fork it or contribute (https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steamos_kernel).
I think the confusion is Proton, people think it’s a some Valve secret that saves Linux but anyone can make their own implementation of Wine (Even Apple made a big announcement for their implementation of Wine)
Love the fact that it’s completely missing the point of the Steam Deck which is to make games running on something else than Windows.
The point of the steam deck is mobile PC gaming. Linux is a bonus.
My understanding is that because it’s Linux they can customize it and trim all the fat to make the OS run as efficiently as possible, making it perfect for a portable device where you want as much processing power going to the game. You just can’t get that with Windows.
That’s true. I think pretty well showcased by the ROG Ally. Better hardware than the steamdeck, no doubt, but due to software it ends up not being that much more powerful effectively.
Linux already runs way faster than Windows, they don’t need to trim things down and as you can see by desktop mode it’s your standard OS
if you do a fresh install of a full desktop Linux then you can be looking at 5-10gb of storage and using 300-400 mb ram. Windows uses 30gb of storage and 4gb of ram. It’s just not as good for a gaming or battery operated device
Freeing gamers from Microsoft is definitely one of Valve’s goals. They contributed so much to wine, proton and Linux in general.
But tbh I, and probably many others, don’t care that much about the Linux. I would’ve been fine if it was Windows with the same price and performance. What I care about, that I can play mobile.
If I just wnated Linux I would install Linus on my PC, no real need to buy an extra device just for that.
Well that’s the thing, I’m very aware that most people don’t know or don’t care. But Microsoft has been using this to their advantage for years. It would be better for the consumer to have somewhat of a choice even if they’re not too aware of it.
No, Linux is definitely a big part of the point of the device.
I think it’s at least partly valve’s fault, they promised to make steamOS open for other manufacturers, but they just haven’t.
Correct me if I’m wrong
SteamOS is almost entirely open source software, except for the handheld’s specific proprietary drivers and Steam itself. Vendors are free to use it via its open source license if they choose.
The hardest parts (i.e. proton) are fully available to anyone who’d like to use it under an approximation of the MIT license, even for commercial use.
the steam deck drivers are being upstream to mesa and the linux kernel, no?, meybe they are using a pre-build before the code get merged, but every steam deck fix is being merged(mesa, radv, even the kernel got a lot of fixes for it)
Here’s a list of the non-free software packages used in an older version of the OS.
Briefly: graphics, wireless drivers, firmware etc. The hardware is non-free although designed for to be user servicable, which is a great first step.
You’re right that open graphics support exists, but they’re using proprietary binary drivers.
You can install wine or steam and run games on pretty much any distro. SteamOS is just tailored for the Steam Deck and is open source and under GPLv2, so anyone can fork it or contribute (https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steamos_kernel).
I think the confusion is Proton, people think it’s a some Valve secret that saves Linux but anyone can make their own implementation of Wine (Even Apple made a big announcement for their implementation of Wine)