Switching from SteamOS

[saorsa]

Hello everyone,

As I've previously eluded in my past threads, I'm not very happy with SteamOS at the moment and have been wanting to make the switch to Arch Linux for a while now but haven't as a result of some technical issues that would effectively reduce my Steam Deck into a very small PC. I've used Nix with Home Manager and Distrobox as workarounds but both have their drawbacks on SteamOS which only goes on to emphasise the incompleteness of SteamOS as a Linux Distribution for me.

I've been looking around and I have seen some discussions about getting SteamOS' big-picture mode with Gamescope, Manohud and the Neptune kernel working. Though to be honest I'm not sure how to go about getting started doing that myself or know if it is even worth the hassle since the Steam Deck's controls don't seem to get picked up on Arch Linux or can have functions mapped to them.

I can either learn how to properly use Nix or try my luck with Arch Linux. Just wanted to start a thread to see whether I can get some feedback on the matter for how I should proceed.

Cheers.

Related threads.

Guide: Enhancing the desktop experience.
Suggestions and opportunities for future versions of SteamOS.
jupiter-hw-support is borked on non-SteamOS distributions.
Better 'Desktop Mode' intergration with SteamOS.
Enable posting to the "guides" section.
Steam Deck: The handheld of missed opportunities.

[saorsa]

Originally posted by @R+5:

Originally posted by Maholmire:

If you want to try something close enough to SteamOS then I recommend trying out EndevourOS

why not manjaro? whats your opinion about endevour vs manjaro?

Manjarno[manjarno.snorlax.sh] is why. While it is a user-friendly alternative to Arch Linux there is far too much wrong with it for me to really recommend it to anyone.

[saorsa]

Managed to get the SteamOS repositories working on Arch Linux after some troubleshooting with the repository names in Pacman.conf. Just about to install KDE Plasma and log into a graphical environment.

[vanishedchief2021]

That's brilliant well done mate

[saorsa]

Tried installing SteamOS' components to Arch Linux and found the kernel won't even load properly after rebooting. Doesn't seem like the guide I wrote will become obsolete any time soon.

[saorsa]

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to keep you updated on the progress I've made thus far. After several problematic attempts at getting Arch Linux to run on my Steam Deck with the components from SteamOS enabled, gamescope, steamos-session, mangohud and the Neptune kernel for audio and driver support. I ultimately decided to try give NixOS a chance by using Jovian-NixOS.[github.com]

To my surprise, after properly configuring and setting it up it has been pretty smooth so far. There are an odd couple of issues such as entering Gaming Mode can sometimes cause a TTY prompt to show up before booting you back to the account selection screen. But if you don't mind sacrificing some of the polish that SteamOS offers for the freedom that comes with using a standard Linux distribution then you'll find the experience to be pretty comfortable.

The only thing I find to be disappointing is that trying to get everything to work on Arch Linux, the distribution SteamOS is based upon was a nightmare and a half to do. I ultimately had to make the choice of choosing a distribution with a steeper learning curve to use because it was the only one where you could have functioning controls and audio drivers with gaming mode. Unfortunately, the route I took to resolve my SteamOS dysphoria is not something I can recommend to most of the Steam Deck's demographic and is something I feel is a massive failing on Valve for the most part.

It's easier to install Microsoft Windows on a Steam Deck than it is an alternative Linux distribution on a device made explicitly to run them. Let that sink in for just a moment.

At any rate, I'm much happier now running NixOS than I had been previously on SteamOS. Though whether this continues to be the case remains to be seen. Hopefully, my post may prove to be useful for those similarly dissatisfied with SteamOS as a Linux distribution.

[retrogunner]

First, good luck and keep us posted. I personally wish they would have gone with Alpine (vs Arch) for an even thinner and leaner Linux OS. But, I understand those "corporate" decisions for this appliance-like Linux device.

It was mentioned about Manjaro above. If you've not gone over this page you should:
https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/steamdeck/testing
It has all the Manjaro recommendations to use prior to the Steam Deck availability. It's confirms Manjaro/Arch is a first-class OS -- though a little thin on the details.

You should also check on the Deck's sub-reddits. Lots of great info there does not make it here. It's also easier to search & find than the Steam Forums.

IMHO and for my use-case, SteamOS 3 is so much further along than than its predecessors (Yes, I've used SteamOS v1.x & v.2x until I hit their respective walls.) Sure, v3.0 is not perfect, but like you mentioned, I've too have used some work arounds (linux brew - that was painful; distrobox with podman-static fills most of my needs - even SDR & WiFi mapping usage.)

As you mentioned, using a non-Steam OS just makes it an awkward shaped Linux portable due to the physical use-case design -- a casual handheld.

For my next Linux use-case device, I'm going with an up coming Framework Gaming laptop. I still may hold out a smidgen longer. In a recent LTT video, Nirav Patel stated he couldn't comment on a touchscreen with smile on his face to Linus. I use the hell out my 2-n-1 Mint's touchscreen.

So you do you, but please keep us posted. We may follow your footsteps. Be sure to cross post to Reddit.

Cheers, retro.

FYI, I use RHEL for $$, but at home I use:
x64 daily: Mint (Ubuntu derivative), Manjaro/Arch;
Homelab: Alpine, Fedora, CentOS Steam 9
Pi: Raspberry OS, Alpine
Pine64 PinePhone & Pinebook: Manjaro/Arch, PostmarketOS/Alpine, Mobian
and my HardKernel Odroid Handheld's distos :-D

[saorsa]

Doesn't look like we'll be getting SteamOS components working on Arch Linux until Valve fixes the bug with jupiter-hw-support on Arch-based distributions.