Alt text: Trojan Horse meme, Steam Deck bringing Linux to Windows gamers
this post was submitted on 30 Apr 2025
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That's kinda like saying Android is helping the mass adoption of Linux.
Yes and no. Steam Deck runs a proper Linux distro, with all the typical userland and such. Apart from using OSTree for its rootfs, it's all a typical Linux distro.
The question is, how many regular users actually use desktop mode? The community around here certainly makes it seem like it's more popular than it probably is.
Exactly. People on Lemmy think Lemmy users are representative of the general population when in fact even knowing about Lemmy means you have more technical knowledge than the average person.
I'd be willing to bet the majority of Deck owners don't even know Desktop Mode exists.
Yeah no not at all. SteamOS is full-fledged a Linux distro. That actually uses all the tools and software a normal Linux distro would use. It runs all the applications and binaries you would expect Linux to run.
Android is so completely different
Yes but I don't know if there's anyone out there who would install SteamOS on their desktop, vs just using it on steam deck. I know people in this sub certainly would, but I don't think normies would go out of their way to do so without official buy-in from Valve, and they got out of the steam machine business
Well SteamOS isn't made for a desktop environment, that's not really what they're saying. It's exposing more users to Linux though, and showing that it's not so scary. I am running a debian virtual machine occasionally now for certain tasks, and tinkering with my Steam Deck really eased that transition. I'm seriously considering dual booting my MacBook because I hate Mac OS so much despite using it for multiple years prior to the Steam Deck.
And most importantly, it has catapulted proton/linux gaming support across the the industry. We're seeing indie devs going out of their way to get the little Steam Deck verified badges on their store page. It's at the point now that a majority of the games I want to play run great on Linux, and I'll seriously consider switching my gaming desktop to Linux if I run into Win10 end of life issues.
Prior to the Steam Deck, none of this was even on my radar. I wouldn't even be included in your "people on this sub" remark if it weren't for the deck. It's absolutely a gateway to wider Linux adoption
Most SteamOS users aren't interacting with a bash shell or anything though, they're just running steam in big picture. If it's valid to say that SteamOS introduced people to Linux because the kernel happens to be Linux, then it's equally valid to say that about Android, which has had a much larger impact than SteamOS has
More than you think, apparently. I go into desktop mode nearly every time I use it, whether to install mods, non-steam games, emulators, streaming services, web browser, decky loader, etc. knowing it was open like a PC vs a closed off console was 90% of the reason I got one.
Besides that, is using bash really the metric for Linux user? I did that in Windows. It's fine if people are using the GUI. This is just weirdly gatekeepy
The crossover of PC power users and steam deck owners is going to be relatively high compared to a traditional console, which is exactly the demographic that would be persuaded to Linux via the deck. I speak from experience
Bro, you're on a forum where most people have technical knowledge beyond that of a standard user.
The Lemmy population is by no means representative of the general population.
Neither is the steam deck user base, or would-be Linux converts. What's your point?
My point is that the majority of steam deck owners are likely only vaguely aware of the existence of desktop mode, if they even know about it.
But, it's really easy to assume that the communities that discuss Linux and the steam deck have the same knowledge that the general population does, but the truth is the majority of people just bought a gaming handheld to play games and will likely never leave big picture mode
Just because the deck has a full fledged Linux OS doesn't mean that it is going to speed up Linux adoption. And Desktop mode isn't exactly the best transition OS for laypeople.
Even still, I think it is good that it at least introduces people to Linux, and shows that it is a viable gaming platform which is what a lot of people care about. Plus, it is a reason for game devs to make their games Linux compatible, and will make a cycle of Linux having a road to being mainstream. This isn't the end all be all, but a very solid push in the direction of mainstream Linux.
No. The main diference is that you write a software for Android, it doesn't work in gnu/Linux (without extra layers), but if you write a software for steamOS, literally you are writing a software for gnu/Linux. SteamOS is an arch Linux modified to be immutable with a custom (and free) kernel with extra support that they merge after in mainline, with the steam app oppened by default. SteamOS use all the software stack for gnu Linux. Android develop their own stack and work different.
I gotta disagree. Android isn't really linux. The Steam Deck absolutely ships with Linux.
It ships with Linux, but the majority of users aren't going to be using anything other than steam in big picture mode.
It really is Linux, but not necessarily GNU+Linux
Hence why we really ought to be calling the OS simply "GNU," since using copyleft to enforce user freedom is the important part.
That's a great point. Sadly, inertia will likely overcome any rebranding effort.
Hence no interjections