this post was submitted on 16 Aug 2023
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For those using Deck as your main PC, what OS do you prefer for normal computing? (lemmy.ml)
submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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After I finish up Jedi Survivor, and play Starfield on my vacation next month, I plan to sell my gaming laptop and move over to Deck only. I have a 2TB ssd in the Deck for Steam OS, and a 2TB ssd in my jsaux dock, where I'll install an OS for general computing. I had planned to install Windows, since I use a few bits of software that won't run on Linux. But honestly, Windows has been pissing me off more and more lately, and now I see they are going to force their AI assistant bullshit on us soon. So I'm considering giving up the Windows-only stuff, and go Linux.

So basically, what OS do you prefer on the Deck? And if linux over Windows, which distro? Or do you just use the desktop mode in Steam OS?

I used Garuda(the main/KDE version) for a year or so, and really liked it. Probably my favorite of the many distros I've tried over the years. But maybe there are better options for the Deck?

I'm planning to use the Deck in handheld mode with Steam OS for most gaming, and for regular computer usage, dropping the Deck into the dock with an external monitor and peripherals, and booting off the ssd in the dock. Don't really want to use the desktop mode of Steam OS, myself.

Bonus points if the distro has good working hibernation out of the box. Hibernation has been kinda iffy for me on Linux, in the past. Been a while though, so maybe things have improved. Usually, with Windows, I'll hibernate instead of shutting down, before booting into a different OS. Makes switching back and forth fast and convenient. Has always worked well with Windows, not so much with Linux.

Any other assorted tips for using the Deck as a primary PC?

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I use arch on my main machine and since steamOS is based on arch, that'll probably be your best bet for getting all the stuff you need to work.

But besides that, what's wrong with steamOS? Is using flatpaks instead of a classic package manager really that much of a dealbreaker for you? If not, just keep using it and save yourself the hassle of maintaining another OS.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

But besides that, what’s wrong with steamOS?

As a desktop? The immutable OS is a pretty damn close to insurmountable limitation. Flatpaks are fine for casual stuff, but they're pretty limited overall. Not having the option to genuinely install real software is an issue basically the minute you go from dedicated gaming device to full time PC.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Most things, if not available as flatpak, can be installed inside another distro on distrobox. It runs in containers, so things can access a root filesystem (Just not the main SteamOS one), and is a pretty seamless experience, once installed. I have a bunch of non-flatpak software running that way, and it works great.

See https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2022/09/distrobox-can-open-up-the-steam-deck-to-a-whole-new-world/

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

What are you trying to do that doesn't work with flatpaks? The only issue I ever had was that VSCodium would throw random "not enough space" errors even though there definitely was enough space.