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 threadMiveyNov 23, 2023
@thenets @gamingonlinux If we compare, like for like, the experience of navigating Desktop mode on the SteamDeck and navigating Windows 11 on the Ally, then SteamDeck is far more usable. I am not talking about software support here even, just things like navigating windows, using the mouse, etc. Using Windows on a 7inch device is pain and KDE is actually really great in recent versions on this. Combined with the touchpad controls of Steam Deck it is a far better handheld PC than the Ally is.
Show threadLuiz CostaNov 23, 2023

@mivey @gamingonlinux yep. I agree with that and I talked about it in the following answer: https://fosstodon.org/@thenets/111459618796169052

I was talking about games only, using other launchers.

Luiz Costa (@[email protected])

@[email protected] 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.

Fosstodon
Show threadMiveyNov 23, 2023

@thenets @gamingonlinux I was looking, but didn't find any response that talked about that bit. Can get a bit hard to follow all threads when there's a lot of replies.

I do hope that the success of SteamDeck will eventually lead to reductions in friction for those other launchers. Either by having more games directly on Steam or maybe it could incentivise more platforms to have native Linux clients and Proton support for non-native titles.

Show threadLuiz CostaNov 23, 2023

@mivey @gamingonlinux oh, I don't know how the link works. I said "The desktop mode on a Steam Deck is great and easy to use. This is a failed point in the article."

And yeah, I hope so. We are seeing major improvements on Lutris and Heroic and this may continue.

If I have to bet, I believe the next big thing would be a layer for all launchers. This way, we would be able to "import an Ubisoft" game. This way we would be able to integrate the UI inside Steam UI, Lutris, KDE, Gnome, etc.

Show threadLuiz Costa
@mivey @gamingonlinux so far, Heroic is doing great with Epic Games Store and GOG. But it would be great to have something like that for all launchers, including features like achievements and cloud saving.
Nov 23, 2023 at 2:38pmWeb