I use Ubuntu for my gaming PC. I use it like a PS5 or XBox- I turn the PC on, it auto logs in, auto runs Steam in Big Picture Mode. I use my Xbox controller to select and launch the games I play. I really have not turned on my PS5 in months. And games I was considering buying for the PS5, I will get for my Linux PC. I even add non steam games to my Steam library and play them with Proton/steam.
Currently playing Baldur’s Gate 3 and Lords of the Fallen. Both on maxed settings. Looks and plays great.
If you want minimal effort to get a good Linux setup for Steam, just buy a SteamDeck. Get the dock if you want to use it like a regular computer or console with a wireless gamepad. I did that – hooked it up to my monitor, headphones, plugged in a mouse, keyboard, and my old XBox360 USB wireless dongle and it all just worked. I’ve got a few ideas for fun projects I want to try with it as a handheld and have written some software on it using desktop mode (little Python utility scripts for shuffling data around) but mostly I just use it like a gaming console; it works well for that.
Don’t let this guy discourage you from trying it. I’ve been using Linux for over 20 years, and the Steam Deck is the most polished experience I’ve seen for gaming on Linux, even for non-Steam games. If you decide it’s too limiting, you can just switch to something else.
The desktop environment is clunky at best and the default GUI is 100% proprietary. I own a Steam Deck and use it near daily in both modes. If that’s the most polished I shudder to think what you normally use. The other guy linked Nobara I think? From the home page it looks like a pretty decent option.
This is nonsense. The desktop environment is a secondary concern when it comes to building a console-like experience, and it being 100% proprietary does not mean it’s not polished.
As far as I’ve been able to tell, OP is interested in an OS for their desktop or laptop, not steam deck, so desktop is likely a valid concern of theirs.
I agree the Steam Deck’s proprietary interface is decently polished.
No need to apologize, but thank you all the same. I remember back when compiz first came out and had a rotating cube desktop (virtual desktops). I kind of wish that stuff would make a comeback.
Or hear me out, Op is building something that would need ease of use or plug and play experience. A homemade Steam Machine would benefit from a Steam focused OS. You are just being an asshole.
u want your whole os around steam and I’m the 13 year old? stop projecting bro. and your eyes hurt from rolling? may I suggest some sunlight, gaben enthusiast?
HoloISO if you -REALLY- want to have a “steamdeck-like” experience. Unless if you mean “steam focused” as in “gaming focused”…? Then (pretty much) any distro you want – as long as its a minimal install. Tweak it to your needs, make steam run when you log in. And thats it.
Nobara Linux. The official website is WIP but it’s essentially a distro aimed for gaming, with the important things like Steam and Lutris pre-installed.
I’m currently using it and it’s pretty good and reliable. It defaults to wayland though, you may want to go back to Xorg if you’re using an Nvidia gpu.
Newer GPUs are fine in Wayland. I have a 3090 and Wayland is the only way I can get full refresh rates on all my monitors because X locks you to the lowest value. Only thing is that the translucency on themes doesn’t render super well and sometimes the system clock and taskbars will freeze up. That aside, it’s been a good gaming experience overall.
I tried Nobara and really liked it. Some games didn’t like my the hybrid graphics on my laptop tho and I ended up swapping to Pop. But I actually like Nobara better than Pop and would be using it if I could.
I use Ubuntu for my gaming PC. I use it like a PS5 or XBox- I turn the PC on, it auto logs in, auto runs Steam in Big Picture Mode. I use my Xbox controller to select and launch the games I play. I really have not turned on my PS5 in months. And games I was considering buying for the PS5, I will get for my Linux PC. I even add non steam games to my Steam library and play them with Proton/steam.
Currently playing Baldur’s Gate 3 and Lords of the Fallen. Both on maxed settings. Looks and plays great.
Steam has really helped Linux gaming become easy.
If you want minimal effort to get a good Linux setup for Steam, just buy a SteamDeck. Get the dock if you want to use it like a regular computer or console with a wireless gamepad. I did that – hooked it up to my monitor, headphones, plugged in a mouse, keyboard, and my old XBox360 USB wireless dongle and it all just worked. I’ve got a few ideas for fun projects I want to try with it as a handheld and have written some software on it using desktop mode (little Python utility scripts for shuffling data around) but mostly I just use it like a gaming console; it works well for that.
Bazzite is a SteamOS-like image on top of Fedora Silverblue.
The Linux Experiment did a video on how he managed to turn a PC to a console with HoloOS (its not a step by step guide though)
You want your whole computer around a private company’s platform? Wow this is some next level bootlicking
Actually no. I’m very sensitive to this theme but for what I know Steam is what makes gaming on Linux good. What do you use to play?
Don’t let this guy discourage you from trying it. I’ve been using Linux for over 20 years, and the Steam Deck is the most polished experience I’ve seen for gaming on Linux, even for non-Steam games. If you decide it’s too limiting, you can just switch to something else.
The desktop environment is clunky at best and the default GUI is 100% proprietary. I own a Steam Deck and use it near daily in both modes. If that’s the most polished I shudder to think what you normally use. The other guy linked Nobara I think? From the home page it looks like a pretty decent option.
This is nonsense. The desktop environment is a secondary concern when it comes to building a console-like experience, and it being 100% proprietary does not mean it’s not polished.
As far as I’ve been able to tell, OP is interested in an OS for their desktop or laptop, not steam deck, so desktop is likely a valid concern of theirs.
I agree the Steam Deck’s proprietary interface is decently polished.
Actually, you’re right, I apologize. I had it in my head that it was for a console. For general PC gaming at a desk I agree with Nobara.
No need to apologize, but thank you all the same. I remember back when compiz first came out and had a rotating cube desktop (virtual desktops). I kind of wish that stuff would make a comeback.
if u just want games to work here https://nobaraproject.org/
Or hear me out, Op is building something that would need ease of use or plug and play experience. A homemade Steam Machine would benefit from a Steam focused OS. You are just being an asshole.
corporations need love too I guess, keep glazing
🤣 ok bud, enjoy being a dick I guess.
🤣 ok bud, enjoy licking gaben’s dick I guess.
Ow, I just rolled my eyes so hard it hurt. You sound 13.
u want your whole os around steam and I’m the 13 year old? stop projecting bro. and your eyes hurt from rolling? may I suggest some sunlight, gaben enthusiast?
It’s clearly a computer aimed at gaming, so where’s the problem? It’s not like the Steam Deck is something that doesn’t exist.
I need computer for office work, any excelOS distros? That’s how u sound, install excel and move on
Lol…
or maybe they just like having fun while playing games. Did that occur to you?
I have fun like that too and I don’t need my whole os around steam, weird 🤔
HoloISO if you -REALLY- want to have a “steamdeck-like” experience. Unless if you mean “steam focused” as in “gaming focused”…? Then (pretty much) any distro you want – as long as its a minimal install. Tweak it to your needs, make steam run when you log in. And thats it.
Big picture mode has been updated to match the steam deck UX, too. You can pretty easily launch straight into big picture mode.
I’m not sure the process to bypass a login like I used to for my dedicated gaming desktop, though.
Copying from the old thread:
Nobara Linux. The official website is WIP but it’s essentially a distro aimed for gaming, with the important things like Steam and Lutris pre-installed.
I’m currently using it and it’s pretty good and reliable. It defaults to wayland though, you may want to go back to Xorg if you’re using an Nvidia gpu.
Newer GPUs are fine in Wayland. I have a 3090 and Wayland is the only way I can get full refresh rates on all my monitors because X locks you to the lowest value. Only thing is that the translucency on themes doesn’t render super well and sometimes the system clock and taskbars will freeze up. That aside, it’s been a good gaming experience overall.
I tried Nobara and really liked it. Some games didn’t like my the hybrid graphics on my laptop tho and I ended up swapping to Pop. But I actually like Nobara better than Pop and would be using it if I could.
Or if you use Steam Link. Still borked in Wayland
I havent used any myself but from what im aware of,
ChimeraOS and HoloISO would be the cloest to a console like experience
Nobara and Garuda is a step away from that and focuses more on being a gaming pc rather than a full console experience.