Valve takes another step toward making SteamOS a true Windows competitor

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

SteamOS, Linux Maturity, and Fragmentation

  • Some see SteamOS as proof that “user-facing Linux” is finally ready: console-like UX, better than traditional consoles, open-source base.
  • Others counter that SteamOS sidesteps normal desktop Linux: custom window manager, curated hardware/kernel/drivers, immutable image, no standard package manager. This doesn’t demonstrate the maturity of KDE/GNOME etc.
  • Fragmentation is criticized: too many distros/DEs/libs complicate support and dilute effort. Counterarguments: choice isn’t a problem in practice, Flatpak mitigates differences, and each distro defines its own supported stack.
  • Repeated reminder that “Linux” is just a kernel; actual Windows competitors are full distros (Fedora, Ubuntu, SteamOS, etc.).

Windows Experience and Gamer Sentiment

  • Many gamers want to leave Windows: complaints include mandatory Microsoft accounts, ads/recommendations in the OS, Copilot nagging, bundled “bloat”, and dark patterns.
  • Others defend Windows: accounts are framed as security features, app suggestions aren’t seen as ads, and preinstalled apps help non‑expert users.
  • Some developers and users perceive Microsoft as focused on AI/Copilot and cost-cutting in Xbox, despite big gaming acquisitions; others say the acquisition spree proves gaming is still strategic.
  • Several participants say if you want “just works” and no tinkering, a console is still more reliable than a Windows HTPC.

Mac, Apple, and Valve

  • Strong sense that Valve has effectively written off macOS: Apple’s frequent deprecations, lack of Vulkan/OpenGL, 32‑bit removal, and small Steam share make it unattractive.
  • Some argue Apple cares deeply about iOS gaming revenue but has long neglected serious Mac gaming; others note Macs could be great gaming devices but both Apple and Valve seem unmotivated.
  • Volunteers reportedly got far running Steam/games on Apple Silicon (and via Asahi Linux), but efforts lack serious Valve backing.

Proton, Anti‑Cheat, and Compatibility

  • Proton is praised as a “trojan horse” making Linux gaming viable by running Windows titles; hope is that success will eventually incentivize native Linux ports.
  • Competitive multiplayer games with kernel‑level anti‑cheat remain a major blocker; these often refuse to run under Linux, keeping many gamers on Windows.
  • Experiences with ProtonDB are mixed: for some, everything they play “just works”; others report hardware‑specific breakage, crashes, and updates that regress compatibility.

SteamOS, Bazzite, and Distro Choices

  • Some users want an official, generic SteamOS installer or Steam‑powered “Steambooks”/living‑room consoles, with console‑like simplicity and guaranteed compatibility.
  • Others argue there’s “nothing special” about SteamOS for desktops: any mainstream distro plus Steam (often via Flatpak) gives essentially the same experience.
  • Bazzite (a Fedora Atomic spin with SteamOS‑style UX) gets both praise as the closest console‑like Linux for HTPCs and criticism as a niche layer that adds maintenance risk over just using Fedora.

Ads, Canonical, and Trust

  • Windows is widely criticized as “adware”; some contrast this with Linux distros that avoid such practices.
  • Counterpoint: Ubuntu previously shipped Amazon-linked ads and promotional MOTD content, so ad‑free behavior isn’t guaranteed by principle, only by current choices.
  • Canonical’s history (ads, Snap push, LXD issues) makes some wary; others say they’ve learned and that the Ubuntu community would reject Windows‑style advertising.

Market Outlook

  • Some believe web-centric workflows, plus Linux’s adequacy for browsing/communication, erode Windows’ lock-in, especially for non‑gamers.
  • Many think Valve can meaningfully erode Windows’ de facto dominance for gaming—but not fully dethrone it until anti‑cheat and multi‑launcher fragmentation are solved.