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5 reasons Linux is better than Windows for gaming handhelds
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this post was submitted on 08 Dec 2023
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I love how XDA have this article 2 days ago
4 reasons Windows is a better OS for gaming handhelds than Linux
Their take aways are crap:
Windows offers complete compatibility with all games. I get what they are driving at, but I am amused that I have older games running on Linux that do not run on windows. They should have said most games run on windows, and if you dont mind root kits installed on your computer anti cheat ones do too.
Xbox PC Game Pass provides access to a wide range of games. If you want a subscription. And a Microsoft account. Or in their case friends. And if you are going to share your pass with a friend, why not just sail the seas and call it a day?
Windows is more versatile than Linux, allowing your gaming handheld to also serve as a primary desktop PC with the ability to connect peripherals and a monitor, providing a full-fledged computing experience. This adds value to a Windows-based handheld. This one pissed me off. No it is not more versatile. I use the steamdeck as my work computer when I am out of town and I use Linux on the desktop exclusively. I have a full fledged computing experience, thank you very much.
And this is the number one reason I don't use Windows. I don't feel like I control Windows, and the fact that game devs do really rubs me the wrong way. If I wanted that experience, I'd buy a console.
I never saw the appeal. I guess it's cheaper if you like trying lots of games, but surely not knowing when the game will leave the service would be really annoying. I've been in the middle of Netflix shows when it leaves the service, and I tend to binge those, whereas many games can take me weeks or months to get through.
I guess it's cool when it was $1 or whatever for the intro period, but I really don't see myself subscribing long term, especially not at the full price. I might do it if I could pick nearly any game on Steam, but that's not how it works.
Eh, I actually mostly agree with that one. More stuff works on Windows than Linux, that's a simple fact of the current state of software.
That said, I have never used my Steam Deck to get work done, I've only used it for gaming. I have a laptop for work (much bigger screen, included keyboard, etc), and having to bring enough extra stuff with me to make the Deck work well (monitor, keyboard, mouse) would take up way more space than just bringing a laptop and the Deck separately.
So either way, I think it's a crappy example. If you're going to bring all of the accessories for a work setup, you'd pick based on the software you need. I can't work effectively on Windows, so it's a no-go for me, but I'm absolutely in the minority. Most would feel more comfortable on Windows than Linux.
In terms of what your workflow is it really is versatile, although you can get add on software in windows to kind of rig it. Your workflow can be your own - tiling, activities, traditional windows like desktop, or more focused with something like say Gnome.
As for the Steamdeck, I had a USB-C hub for my Pinephone and started using it with the Steamdeck. I found that when I traveled there was almost always a TV or monitor at the destination. Worst case I can use my tablet with steamlink as a monitor. I had always carried a portable mouse for my laptop anyways, so that left me only needing a keyboard. I got a light and small portable keyboard.
I found that a laptop of the same capability to actually play games was big and heavy. My travel laptop was smaller, but I found myself bringing the steam deck along too anyways.
So in the end: Flying, I just play games on the steam deck. When I get where I am going, the keyboard (stored in the luggage, not on me) comes out and I can set up as a workstation either in a hotel or at a clients office, or a remote office quickly. In the case of a remote office I just use their monitors and keyboard - seems like everyone has a spare workstation these days. I put applications that I need to use, sometimes full desktops, into Azure so the deck acts as an RDP client for any windows software. Or remote into the clients provided workstations if they want to provide one - also with the steamdeck.
Perhaps if you always stay at hotels, but if you usually stay with family or friends, your options will be quite limited. It's also obviously not available in transit (airplanes, trains, etc). I almost never stay in a hotel room for more than an hour or two (aside from sleeping), because I'm either on location or staying with friends/family.
So I honestly never had a situation where I could've gotten away without a laptop. Then again, the nature of my work requires a lot of typing, so YMMV.
And yeah, a gaming laptop is a nonstarter for me. It's too bulky, tends to have crappy battery life, and the ergonomics of actually playing suck. So that's why I bring a thin-ish laptop and a Steam Deck, the laptop slips in my bag for the day's work, and the Steam Deck stays in my room for games later (sometimes I sneak it in my bag if I know there will be downtime).
That said, if I'm traveling, I'm not working in an office, it'll be at a conference desk or a family member's house, and it's really hit or miss what amenities I'll have access to.
XDA’s article is quite a bit of garbage too. Outside of game compatibility their other reasons are reaching.
Linux has a desktop and can be used as a desktop PC as well and works with a ton of peripherals driver free. That being said Linux has an issue with too many hands in the cookie jar for window managers so you get 2 really bulky fleshed out ones and a whole bunch of others that just don’t hold up without considerable customization by the user which tends to add more bulk and a steep learning curve.
Xbox Gamepass, as great as it is, has a ton of issues with installing/uninstalling software in Windows and the cloud gaming part of Gamepass Ultimate works quite well on the Steam Deck too. Technically you can also dual boot Windows but it’s no at all worth it and has much worse performance.
And then they just kind of silently say that many people don’t know Linux and are familiar with Windows. I feel like anyone coming to Windows 11 from 10 or even 7 might have some idea but they’re going to be just as confused considering the obfuscation Microsoft included in 11. And Steam OS has an easy to use and understand interface that just about anyone can figure out in a few minutes.
I’m just not seeing the huge benefit that XDA claims. Worse performance and battery life, generally a higher cost (Windows licensing), and support is going to be a grab bag for all these Windows based handhelds.
I don't even see the point in comparing OS, just compare product experience. For example:
The fact that it runs Linux is largely an implementation detail, until you get to desktop mode.
Compatibility is always touted as the primary reason why Windows trumps Linux for PC handheld gaming, but I'd say that the Steam Deck is probably more compatible with the types of games that I play than handhelds like the ROG Ally. Sure, more games may run outright on the Ally, but how many of those are genuinely playable if they rely on a mouse for control? These are supposed to be handheld PCs but for most of them you'd need to plug an external mouse in and sit at a desk to get the most out of a large number of PC games. Touchscreen control is often awkward at best for management games and games with similar mouse-driven interfaces.
I think the Lenovo handheld has a touchpad from the looks of a few photos, so at least they've understood the problem. If you play the sort of games where you'd mostly use a controller anyway you've got a lot of good handhelds to choose from. If your game library looks a lot like mine though, your choice is limited.