Why more PC gaming handhelds should ditch Windows for SteamOS - eviltoast
  • Ibaudia@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    Of course Linux is better for custom, purpose-built hardware. That’s like, its main advantage for the commercial sector.

      • Ottomateeverything@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        Now we just need that GFX software from intel / amd / nvidia that is available on windows, taking advantage of that newly supported hardware

        Stop, you’re making me too hard. I might be able to like, ditch Windows if that happens.

      • woelkchen@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        Edit. By software I’m talking about in game features.

        Like FSR and such? That’s available on Linux (FSR 1.x is integrated into SteamOS for compositor-level upscaling). AFAIK AMD does not officially support FSR on Linux but it’s written in a way that it should work with minor integration work. It’s written with cross-platform support in mind, given that it’s targeting PlayStation etc. als well.

  • Snot Flickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    10 months ago

    Because Microsoft ain’t gonna make Windows any better for this form factor until it is way late to the game, as usual.

    Windows is basically a product for corporations now. Consumer Windows is an afterthought most of the time.

    However, I could be wrong with Xbox’s theorized pivot away from hardware.

    • cm0002@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      Consumer Windows is an afterthought most of the time.

      Always has been

      Windows is an enterprise OS with consumer features and macOS is a consumer OS with enterprise features.

      • Hamartiogonic@sopuli.xyz
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        10 months ago

        What about Linux then? A 1337 OS with some noob features sprinkled in for color? Or maybe a server OS with desktop features stapled on the front?

        • cm0002@lemmy.world
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          10 months ago

          Linux is an everything OS with whatever features you want/need. Do you need a hardened enterprise server? Linux got you. Do you need a user friendly OS for even non-technical people? Linux got you. Do you need something that can do a little of everything? Believe it or not, Linux got you.

        • Domi@lemmy.secnd.me
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          10 months ago

          Or maybe a server OS with desktop features stapled on the front?

          That is a very accurate description of Linux considering even X11 and Wayland are display servers. Pipewire and Pulseaudio are also servers.

          • SkyeStarfall@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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            10 months ago

            Don’t misunderstand what a server means, however. Just because something is called a server doesn’t mean it’s not made for the desktop. It’s a technical term that doesn’t necessarily relate to networking, it might just relate to stuff like inter-process communication.

            However, Wayland is designed for the desktop environment. It’s like the main reason why it replaces X11, which was designed for terminals.

            • Domi@lemmy.secnd.me
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              10 months ago

              My comment was mostly meant as a joke. I’m aware most of them use their networking capabilities for IPC and being able to use them remotely is just a cool feature resulting from that (except X11).

        • LeFantome@programming.dev
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          10 months ago

          I know this is a joke comment but Linux is for sure an enterprise kernel first and foremost. It did not start that way but that is how it has been developed and managed for many years now. Maybe the most incorrect thing anybody has ever said on record in the computer industry is when Linus said Linux was “not going to be anything big and professional”.

          Linux distributions, which are conceived and managed totally independently from the kernel are available for every niche. Many of them are desktop and “consumer” oriented. With many Linux distributions, I would say that it is more accurate that they are hobbiest oriented more than what Microsoft would mean be “consumer”.

      • PerogiBoi@lemmy.ca
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        10 months ago

        And I’m a man with boy-like intellect, just in case anyone was wondering.

    • Ottomateeverything@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      I don’t know that Microsoft has any business trying to make Windows support these devices better…

      Windows is entirely built around two pillars:

      1. Enterprise support for corporations, and team machine management
      2. Entirely open compatibility so they can run almost any hardware you put into it, plug into it, and backwards compatibility for all that for as long as possible.

      Portable game machines are not an enterprise product. Nor do you care about broad hardware support or upgradability. Nor do you care about plugging in your parallel port printer from 1985. Nor do you care about running your ancient vb6 code to run your production machines over some random firewire card.

      Windows’ goal is entirely oppositional to portable gaming devices. It makes almost no sense for them to try to support it, as it’d go against their entire model. For things like these, you want a thin, optimized-over-flexible, purpose built OS that does one thing: play games. Linux is already built to solve this problem way better than Windows.

      But, Microsoft will probably be stupid enough to try anyway.

      • TimeSquirrel@kbin.social
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        10 months ago

        Nor do you care about plugging in your parallel port printer from 1985

        You haven’t seen what I’ve been using my Steam Deck for. Gaming was not my primary motivation for buying it.

        It’s basically replaced my laptop. I carry a docking station, mouse, and full size keyboard with me. Eventually I’m gonna be using it for some robotics and remote control projects and other experiments. It’s a full blown PC in a handheld, I mean, why not?

        • Ottomateeverything@lemmy.world
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          10 months ago

          That’s great and I’m glad that works for you.

          But most people buying portable gaming handhelds are not doing that. And the people looking for things like that are likely landing closer to a surface or standard laptop, which Windows already supports well.

        • emax_gomax@lemmy.world
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          10 months ago

          Curious, how is this workflow working for you. I basically did the same thing, at this point the only real blockers are the screensizens is too small and I don’t like carrying separate keyboard and mice from my case.

          • TimeSquirrel@kbin.social
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            10 months ago

            I only use the setup when I’m mobile (like on vacation somewhere) , and everything fits in a backpack. It’s not too annoying, and it’s nice to work on some code while I’m away somewhere and the next minute launch a game to unwind. I’m not going to be sitting there staring at a tiny screen and working for hours though, you’re right about the screen size being something to get used to.

      • Aniki 🌱🌿@lemm.ee
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        10 months ago

        Microsoft has never, since inception, been able to ship an embedded Windows that wasn’t a festering pile of dog shit.

        • Dudewitbow@lemmy.zip
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          10 months ago

          embedded windows in the japanese arcade scene has been working fine so far. for example, most of bandais arcade machines in the past like 7 yaers or so basically run embedded windows.

          it was a benefit to non arcade users because a majority of games that were on those machines eventually got pc versions, or a new game on pc for the first time (e.g Tekken 7, Taiko No Tatsujin), where historically, theyve basically never been on PC officially.

          • Aniki 🌱🌿@lemm.ee
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            10 months ago

            So let me get this straight – your defense of Microsoft, in this instance, is Japanese cabinet makers, making arcade machines, where the user doesn’t interact with the operating system in the slightest bit? A Japan that still faxes even in modernity? That’s your defense of MS? I bet they aren’t even using a special build of windows — just the desktop schlock with some shitty 3rd party app on top.

    • Anna@lemmy.ml
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      10 months ago

      Thank you for making your comment licensed under creative common. I’ll now steal it, repackage it and sell for 9.99$ without even acknowledging your existence

      • Truck_kun@beehaw.org
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        10 months ago

        But… it’s a Non-commercial Attribution license. /s/ns

        I’m joking, but on a more serious note for those that don’t know, not all Creative Commons licenses allow you to monetize, and be sure to actually read which version of license is used if you plan to use a CC work for anything other than personal use.

      • 0x69@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        Christ your comment is the funniest thing I’ve read in a while. Thank you for the laugh

      • Abnorc@lemm.ee
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        10 months ago

        He doesn’t want to let us use his comment for commercial purposes, which is a shame. I don’t know how I’m going to pay for dinner now.

      • dan@upvote.au
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        10 months ago

        My comment is licensed under GPL. If you look at it when you reply, it means your reply is a derivative work and must retain the license. Have fun.

  • Kecessa@sh.itjust.works
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    10 months ago

    My bet is that there’s an Xbox handheld in the work and Microsoft is working on a Windows version just for it.

    • BCsven@lemmy.ca
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      10 months ago

      MS has CBL Mariner, they could release their own linux handheld

    • FangedWyvern42@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      They already have a Windows version for a handheld. The Xbox runs a modified version of Windows 11. All they’d need to do to bring it in line with PC handhelds is allow the install of third party launchers (they probably wouldn’t do this though).

      • XTornado@lemmy.ml
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        10 months ago

        To clarify, not an official Valve version, just in case somebody is wondering.

        It’s HoloISO or a modified version based on it, which is a Linux distro that bring most of SteamOS to other devices (except ones with Nvidia).

        • null@slrpnk.net
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          10 months ago

          Is that reported somewhere? As in, we know for sure they didn’t get it from Valve?

            • null@slrpnk.net
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              10 months ago

              Thanks for the link!

              It’s kinda more interesting that they are leveraging HoloISO rather than it just being a straight-up partnership with Valve.

  • WarmSoda@lemm.ee
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    10 months ago

    How many actual PC handhelds are there?
    The link in the article that promises “plenty” of handheld examples talks about Steam deck, Asus, and… the switch. And that’s it. And obviously the switch is not a PC handheld, so… ?

    • Wren@sopuli.xyz
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      10 months ago

      There’s quite a few. Steam deck and Asus, as you mentioned, but there’s also AyaNeo, GPD, OneXPlayer, Aokzoe, Lenovo, etc. And many of these brands have several different models, if you’re counting individual products.

        • Aniki 🌱🌿@lemm.ee
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          10 months ago

          Valve was essentially LATE to the handheld market, they just had the technical and company will to do it the best.

          • Atemu@lemmy.ml
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            10 months ago

            And, most importantly, money bags to subsidise the hell out of it. Let’s not kid ourselves here, the damn low price is one of the main reasons why people buy the SD rather than the ~2x more expensive alternatives.

          • WarmSoda@lemm.ee
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            10 months ago

            I hear that.

            But how many people actually use all of those other brands listed?

            It’s ok to just say “no one” without downvoting.

            All I’m hearing is crickets

            • Wren@sopuli.xyz
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              10 months ago

              Anecdotally, I have an Aya Neo. I know a few people with a few of the others brands. There’s a decently sized Aya Neo Discord that I’m part of, and I would assume the other brands have something similar. There’s definitely use of non-Steam handhelds, or there wouldn’t be a growing market for them.

  • caesaravgvstvs@feddit.de
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    10 months ago

    As much as I love my steam deck and the os, I do wish it was slightly easier to install third party games.

    I know it’s not hard and I’ve installed plenty, but like it’s so incredibly easy with steam that it’s made me lazy to even install games I already have on gog

    • natsume_shokogami@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      It’s not Linux or SteamOS, but both Epic and CD Projekt don’t support their store client apps and launchers on Linux sadly, such we have to use unofficial ones such as Heroic Game Launcher

  • BlanK0@lemmy.ml
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    10 months ago

    Ideally it would be better to see eventually a variety of OSs based on linux, maybe forks of steamOS.

    But for the time being, definitely adopting steamOS would be better.

  • AutoTL;DR@lemmings.worldB
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    10 months ago

    This is the best summary I could come up with:


    We can only hope this is the start of a trend, as Valve’s gaming-focused operating system brings many advantages over gaming portables (and maybe desktops) that run a full Windows installation.

    In an increasingly competitive portable PC gaming market, being able to cut out that significant cost over Windows-based alternatives could be a big deal.

    Our review of the ROG Ally highlights just how annoying it can be to have to fiddle with Windows settings on a touchscreen running “an awkwardly scaled” version of the OS.

    That comes through in many little ways, like a built-in “suspend” mode, tons of battery-optimization features, and menus that are designed for a small screen and joystick navigation.

    That’s a huge change from the desktop-focused “Steam Machines” era of the mid-'10s, when early versions of SteamOS could only run the relative handful of games that developers bothered to explicitly port to Linux.

    That’s also a huge change from the Steam Machines era, when Ars’ testing showed that many SteamOS games ran significantly worse than their Windows counterparts on the same desktop hardware.


    The original article contains 651 words, the summary contains 178 words. Saved 73%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!

  • kingthrillgore@lemmy.ml
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    10 months ago

    The problem that could occur is: Right now Microsoft doesn’t care about Linux or competitors, every OEM has to buy a Windows key anyways regardless. If SteamOS actually becomes a shippable option, Microsoft’s cavalier attitude is going to change quickly, and a lot sooner than it will take them to get an Xbox Handheld out the door.

      • I_am_10_squirrels@beehaw.org
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        10 months ago

        It’s in their licensing, and how MS-DOS became the de facto operating system of early PCs. If you want to license Windows, you have to pay for every unit you sell - not just units with Windows pre-installed, but every unit.

  • HobbitFoot @thelemmy.club
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    10 months ago

    I wouldn’t ditch Windows entirely, but I could see the business case of making sure your game can run on SteamOS.