this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2023
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Steam Deck
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I replaced an aging laptop with mine, and I have to say, Windows is fine on the Steam Deck. It's obviously not going to have all the same bells and whistles but performance for most games is the same and it is more flexible on compatability since it runs natively instead of via Proton.
I've been using dual boot for this and started since I got my Deck in early July last year, and a lot of the hate is really overblown. It's good if you just want to use the Deck the same way as any other computer or with applications that cannot work in Steam OS and it's a completely fine experience, and applications like Handheld Companion or Steam Deck Tools make it simpler.
I would just say that it's up to preference and need since it does need setup and tweaking, so if all you care about is playing a few games that work fine in Steam OS, there is not much reason to dual boot for Windows and Steam OS is simpler to set up. But if you want more freedom on application choices and compatability or even just to use it for more everyday purposes like any other computer, Windows runs perfectly fine on it. It will be ultimately up to preference and use case.
Is performance really the same under Windows? How do the controller layouts work under Windows? I've been wondering if it would be worth it to try Windows for a few games that have issues with Proton.
By default, controller layouts won't immediately work, but there are multiple fan software that works fine in giving full access/control. Steam Deck Tools will very easily just make it work in that it will allow you to use it as a controller, but I use Handheld Companion because I can map the ... button to keyboard, STEAM to showing the home screen, and the back controls I've mapped to changing mouse modes or even screenshots/recording. You really have tons of flexibility and these software get updates often for more features.
Steam Deck Tools also has options for other Steam OS features like FPS/performance tracking, fan control, etc. so I'd recommend checking them out if you do end up going with them. There's also other software for similar purposes like Glossi and SWICD, but those have a few issues/are a bit outdated versus Handheld Companion and Steam Deck Tools.
TLDR: works pretty well!
Thanks, this was quite informative as to what the state of things are on the Windows side.
That said, I highly dislike the idea of undermining Valve's efforts to get PC gaming less dependent on Windows so certainly will not be using any of this.
@Louise @Saitama @steamdeck
I think it's not really undermining Valve's efforts since both have their own pros and cons. Valve's work is absolutely incredible considering how talking about playing triple A games on Linux would get you laughed at even just a few years ago and now they have a computer that excels at doing so, but like Windows, but it's still got its own weaknesses and I think it's good to look at both for what they can and can't do. Most of my games are installed on the Steam OS side but I spend more time in Windows so I can use all the many tools I need to be able to access for everyday life. Both have their own uses and I think the fact that the device is so easily able to handle them is wonderful and don't undermine but rather compliment each other in filling the pitfalls the others have. Those are my thoughts at least, and why I personally use both (not trying to say you need to use Windows, but just my own thoughts from using them each).
My hate isn't for the performance and game compatibility of windows. It's because they gained a monopoly through illegal business practices and they use that power to snuff innovation and compatibility for anything non windows.
I wouldn't really say they use that power to "snuff innovation," Windows was the operating system which is why everything is built around it most of the time and they worked on making sure XCloud would work with the Steam Deck. It's just how it works with any operating system being different in that you'll need to jump through additional hoops to make something from other operating systems work with other ones. Not saying Windows isn't flawed or that Microsoft doesn't have its own corrupt practices, but I wouldn't say that they attack compatibility for non-Windows things.
They snuff innovation by intentionally making their products use proprietary formats that don't play nice with other software. They also snuff innovation by abusing their monopoly to force users into their software ecosystem.