Liam @ GamingOnLinux 🐧🎮Nov 23, 2023

It's hilarious to still see takes like this - Windows Central

"Don't buy a Steam Deck, if you want a gaming handheld buy an ROG Ally — here's why"

There's so many problems with that article it's just funny, and sad.

While yes, Windows 11 out of the box can do some things SteamOS can't - entirely fair.

It makes out like SteamOS can't do things a PC can. Like word processing, web browsing, installing other stores etc.

Show threadLuiz CostaNov 23, 2023

@gamingonlinux I just read that post and... I agree with Windows Central.

I don't think the point is that "Linux" can't do that. For an average user, it's hard to leave the Steam interface and understand how to install anything but Steam games.

I do agree they exaggerate in some arguments, like "Since ROG Ally runs Windows 11, it can do anything a gaming laptop can". But in general, I agree with them.

The user must be a nerd like us to install anything but Steam games on a Steam Deck.

Show threadLiam @ GamingOnLinux 🐧🎮Nov 23, 2023
@thenets If you think operating a simple menu, to hit a button that says "Switch to Desktop" and gives you a very Windows style layout with KDE Plasma is hard for the average user - humanity is doomed
Show threadLuiz Costa

@gamingonlinux I agree with you. The desktop mode on a Steam Deck is great and easy to use. This is a failed point in the article.

But what I'm saying is: reading their entire post, the desktop mode is the smallest point. They are mostly saying that if you want to install games outside the Steam library, the Ally is better. And this is true.

I love my Steam Deck, but handling it with other launchers is always a pain.

Nov 23, 2023 at 11:26amWeb
Show threadlime!Nov 23, 2023
@thenets @gamingonlinux the ally is better *if you know how to do that on windows*. the out of the box experience on the deck allows installation of alternative stores without even opening the browser since most of them exist as flatpaks.
Show threadLuiz CostaNov 23, 2023

@lime @gamingonlinux if the game is not on the Steam library, this is not true.

Any launcher would require Lutris or Bottles, then create a custom shortcut for the Steam Deck. And it does not always work.

Also, there's no Game Pass outside Windows.

Show threadlime!Nov 23, 2023
@thenets @gamingonlinux I wasn't really thinking of game pass, more like gog or epic or itch, which all have flatpaks that come with wine configs. the only annoying thing is adding games from there to the steam UI, and that's a single run of a flatpak tool (boilr) as well.
Show threadLuiz CostaNov 23, 2023

@lime @gamingonlinux yeah. I agree the experience is great for GOG and Epic for most games. But even in this case, for a kid who wants to play Fortnite, isn't that simple.

And that's the usual take for me: I hate those custom launchers but they do work great on Windows for those who don't have experience.

We reached a point where, in my opinion, Linux is better for Steam games and of course Valve is the reason why we got it. But for anything else, it is a hit or miss. Like Fortnite, LoL, etc.

Show threadlime!Nov 23, 2023
@thenets @gamingonlinux i keep forgetting about fortnite
Show threadTripopNov 23, 2023
@thenets @gamingonlinux Hum. No. Windows doesn't have interface, steamos do. SteamOs have tools, launchers, LOTS of "all in one" solution. Have some stuffs like lutris, bottles that have MULTIPLE program in one.

Windows have .exe, that's all. That's all it have. And it's NOT more easy. In steamOS you have a install button, that's all. Lutris, Heroic, Bottles : SteamOs more user friendly. Having a dual boot and install .exe download from internet is NOT user firendly
Show threadLuiz CostaNov 23, 2023

@tripop @gamingonlinux man... The Windows Central guys are Windows fanboys who don't know how to use the SteamOS desktop mode. But the Linux people are being fanboy here too.

Saying that Lutris or Bottles is better than installing the EA, Ubisoft, Riot, Game Pass, Battle.net, GOG launchers is... Unbelievable.

I'll drop the discussion.

Show threadnicole mikołajczyk 🔜 sesja linuksowa ➡️ piwo ➡️ gpnNov 23, 2023
@thenets @tripop @gamingonlinux The thing is, the Windows Central article doesn't acknowledge the fact the Desktop Mode even exists and assumes it's not even possible to install anything outside Steam library.

It's not that unofficial launchers are objectively better, but some users might actually prefer having Epic, GOG and Amazon all in Heroic Launcher.
Show threadAlexander The 1stNov 23, 2023

@thenets @gamingonlinux Haven't used either the Steam Deck nor the ROG Ally, but my understanding of what you're saying is that it's hard to switch over to EA Desktop, or Ubisoft's launcher, or the EGS, on a Steam Deck?

Not in that you can't break out of the Steam sandbox, but that it's harder to get those things installed, running, and launching games on the Steam Deck?

Show threadLuiz CostaNov 23, 2023

@AT1ST @gamingonlinux yes. And this is for Linux in general, not only on Steam Deck.

Right now, if the game is available on the Steam library, usually the experience is awesome. But when this is not the case, Lutris may not install the right dependency, etc. And btw, Lutris is doing a fantastic job here.

There are scenarios that are hard or impossible to handle, like the CoD Warzone, Fortnite, Game Pass games, etc. For those, Windows is the way and this is the next frontier for Linux gaming.