The point is that the Steam Deck is as “Linux” as ChromeOS or Android are.
In other words, Linux means absolutely nothing to the end user on these systems because they’re so clamped down as to be useless beyond the provided playground. The Steam Deck is a bit different but even then what percentage of users actually use Linux directly rather than the provided Deck interface?
No, they’re not. Not anymore than someone using Android is “using Linux” or you’re “using OS/2” when you find an ancient ATM. This is just more goalpost moving by Linux apologists to make themselves feel better about the “year of the Linux desktop” still being at least 6-8 months away.
I’m still not quite sure what you think the Steam Deck runs on if it isn’t Linux. I can connect a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to it and use it as a computer. A computer that runs Linux.
It’d say ChromeOS and Steam Deck are important less for whether the are “real” linux and more because by increasing the number of users using a linux base you get better stability in gaming on linux.
I use linux as a daily driver, but I couldn’t care less if others do. But if it leads to a better gaming experience then that’s something I can get behind.
Totally agreed. I’m just seeing far too many people here and elsewhere hailing this as some kind of massive win “FOR LINUX” when in reality it’s a massive win for “THE STEAM DECK.”
I mean, it IS a huge win for Linux. I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that iffy gaming support is the sole reason I’ve yet to switch to Linux. If things continue to improve at the rate they have been recently the next time I’m in for a fresh OS install it might finally be a linux distro.
The point is that the Steam Deck is as “Linux” as ChromeOS or Android are.
In other words, Linux means absolutely nothing to the end user on these systems because they’re so clamped down as to be useless beyond the provided playground. The Steam Deck is a bit different but even then what percentage of users actually use Linux directly rather than the provided Deck interface?
If a user is using a Steam Deck then they are using Linux though.
No, they’re not. Not anymore than someone using Android is “using Linux” or you’re “using OS/2” when you find an ancient ATM. This is just more goalpost moving by Linux apologists to make themselves feel better about the “year of the Linux desktop” still being at least 6-8 months away.
I’m still not quite sure what you think the Steam Deck runs on if it isn’t Linux. I can connect a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to it and use it as a computer. A computer that runs Linux.
It’d say ChromeOS and Steam Deck are important less for whether the are “real” linux and more because by increasing the number of users using a linux base you get better stability in gaming on linux.
I use linux as a daily driver, but I couldn’t care less if others do. But if it leads to a better gaming experience then that’s something I can get behind.
Totally agreed. I’m just seeing far too many people here and elsewhere hailing this as some kind of massive win “FOR LINUX” when in reality it’s a massive win for “THE STEAM DECK.”
I mean, it IS a huge win for Linux. I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that iffy gaming support is the sole reason I’ve yet to switch to Linux. If things continue to improve at the rate they have been recently the next time I’m in for a fresh OS install it might finally be a linux distro.
SteamOS is real enough distro. AFAIK it even has KDE preinstalled.