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SteamOS is just a Linux distro, it works on any platform that can run Linux; the "closed source" part of SteamOS is just the Steam client, which they build as a
by DiabloD3 3y ago
SteamOS is just a Linux distro, it works on any platform that can run Linux; the "closed source" part of SteamOS is just the Steam client, which they build as a distro-neutral binary for multiple archs (yes, they build it for ARM, too; there are very few sold-on-Steam native Linux games that have ARM binaries, but they exist and its growing).
- pjmlp 3y agoA Linux distro made by Valve to avoid paying Windows licenses, and due to Gabe Newell issues with the Windows Store, while offering mostly Windows games. Something that other OEMs don't care as they are in good business with Microsoft, and don't have a store themselves.
- smoldesu 3y agoOther OEMs in the same price segment (eg. Ayaneo NEXT Lite) are actually being forced to use Linux/Proton stacks to save money on Windows licenses. For consoles that are actually price-competitive with Steam Deck (read: console pricing), the consumer wastes money amortizing a $50-120 Windows license that could otherwise be put towards upgraded internals or lower MSRP. I know people who bought the Steam Deck purely because they were terrified of owning a handheld that ran Microsoft Windows. And who can blame them? You don't need a PC to be a PC gamer anymore.
- pjmlp 3y agoGood luck with the second coming of "OS/2 runs Windows better than Windows", it went down really well.
- DiabloD3 3y agoIronic you say that, because Microsoft is going around telling people Windows runs Linux better than Linux. Linux is the most used OS in the world, Windows exists in this tiny niche where people play games, and that's quickly eroding.
- bencelaszlo 3y agoActually there is an unoffical solution for this, Ayaneo will use it for their new handheld device even: https://github.com/HoloISO/holoiso https://github.com/HoloISO/holoiso