I think the outcomes are pretty similar, for an average user. But I find it a bit easier to search for help about other things I want to do with Debian/Ubuntu.
I say Debian/Ubuntu a bunch of times here because, while I like Debian a bit better, there's tons of help articles out there for Ubuntu, and 99% of them work perfectly on Debian.
Personally, I just like to install Debian or Ubuntu as the OS, and then install the Steam launcher:
Then you don't get Gamescope, which is kind of a big deal.
And less importantly the direct-launch into Big Picture Mode.
You can set up the boot directly into Big Picture, there are a couple of ways depending on your needs/expectations.
Gamescope did not work for me, I have been gaming exclusively in Linux since proton was published but any time I try to get gamescope working it behaves strangely. I blame my Nvidia card but it's hard to say.
Sure, Gamescope is the big one. But part of SteamOS is that all of that comes configured out of the box.
Nvidia is probably the problem.
Good points!
I use my current one as a PC as much as for gaming.
I'll keep that in mind when I build my next dedicated game rig, though!
The whole point of SteamOS is the controller-first interface. If you're not interested then it's not for you.
Yeah. That's why I run the Steam client on Ubuntu. Which works a treat, thanks to the popularity of the SteamDeck.
@helenslunch@MajorHavoc whats gamescope and how does big picture help on a desktop, at least if i have more than one screen and wanna do desktop stuff on the ones that dont have the game on them?
Gamescope is a graphical compositor. It gives you all those neat side menus on Steam Deck.
SteamOS is not for desktops. It's intended to make your PC into a controller-friendly console for the couch.
@helenslunch didnt they work on a desktop version for steam os? Wouldnt it help with getting people to switch from windows to linux?
didnt they work on a desktop version for steam os?
Yes they launched SteamOS as a downloadable originally alongside Steam Machines. But alas the current official Steam version is not available for anything other than Steam Deck.
Wouldnt it help with getting people to switch from windows to linux?
I'd certainly think so, much in the way that Android did.
I'm not sure about GameScope,I didn't even realize I was missing out on it.
Big picture is the full screen controller friendly interface, in case you don't want to connect a mouse and keyboard.
I don't think it's still going strong. SteamOS 2.0, the Debian based one that was on the old steam machines has been discontinued and is no longer supported. SteamOS 3.0, on the deck, is Arch based and is not yet officially supported on anything other than a Steam Deck.
It's still going strong! https://store.steampowered.com/steamos
Personally, I just like to install Debian or Ubuntu as the OS, and then install the Steam launcher:
https://www.linuxcapable.com/how-to-install-steam-on-debian-linux/
I think the outcomes are pretty similar, for an average user. But I find it a bit easier to search for help about other things I want to do with Debian/Ubuntu.
I say Debian/Ubuntu a bunch of times here because, while I like Debian a bit better, there's tons of help articles out there for Ubuntu, and 99% of them work perfectly on Debian.
Then you don't get Gamescope, which is kind of a big deal.
And less importantly the direct-launch into Big Picture Mode.
You can set up the boot directly into Big Picture, there are a couple of ways depending on your needs/expectations.
Gamescope did not work for me, I have been gaming exclusively in Linux since proton was published but any time I try to get gamescope working it behaves strangely. I blame my Nvidia card but it's hard to say.
Sure, Gamescope is the big one. But part of SteamOS is that all of that comes configured out of the box.
Nvidia is probably the problem.
Good points!
I use my current one as a PC as much as for gaming.
I'll keep that in mind when I build my next dedicated game rig, though!
The whole point of SteamOS is the controller-first interface. If you're not interested then it's not for you.
Yeah. That's why I run the Steam client on Ubuntu. Which works a treat, thanks to the popularity of the SteamDeck.
@helenslunch @MajorHavoc whats gamescope and how does big picture help on a desktop, at least if i have more than one screen and wanna do desktop stuff on the ones that dont have the game on them?
Gamescope is a graphical compositor. It gives you all those neat side menus on Steam Deck.
SteamOS is not for desktops. It's intended to make your PC into a controller-friendly console for the couch.
@helenslunch didnt they work on a desktop version for steam os? Wouldnt it help with getting people to switch from windows to linux?
Yes they launched SteamOS as a downloadable originally alongside Steam Machines. But alas the current official Steam version is not available for anything other than Steam Deck.
I'd certainly think so, much in the way that Android did.
I'm not sure about GameScope,I didn't even realize I was missing out on it.
Big picture is the full screen controller friendly interface, in case you don't want to connect a mouse and keyboard.
I don't think it's still going strong. SteamOS 2.0, the Debian based one that was on the old steam machines has been discontinued and is no longer supported. SteamOS 3.0, on the deck, is Arch based and is not yet officially supported on anything other than a Steam Deck.