Steam Deck Premade Bootloader (+ Windows Pre-Installed)

[𒐪⎝ Epylector ⎠𒐪]

Summary

I know you can download an operating system onto the device and in turn you should be able to run multiple.

I am requesting a stylish, ideally customizable bootloader for Steam Deck that lets me optionally set the device to show the bootloader every time it boots, and then let me select whether I want to run Steam OS or another installed OS, which in my case I would want Windows.

Bootloader Thoughts

I would like for instance to have the option to turn on the device, be able to see a sleek animated shining touch grid of various pretty icons of operating systems to boot into, and be able to touch an option for Windows, Steam OS, or Linux.

Further, a customizable bootloader would be very nice, such as one I could put my own icons and colors and grid layouts onto.

Windows Thoughts

Yes, this would have to be priced separately if Steam offers a legitimate copy of Windows. However, this could be useful for people who want to game and work off of it, seeing as connecting a keyboard is entirely possible and the device has a uniquely compact form factor compared to normal laptops.

Most people, including most gamers, have no experience installing an operating system onto a computer from scratch, so this would broaden the use cases to normal consumers. For that matter, installing programs on Linux can vary greatly in mileage of how easy it is for someone with no experience with Linux or the command line, from annoying to impossible without experience.

How This Should Impact Steam Deck

Steam Deck should be as much a useful gaming device as it is a useful portable computer, seeing as it is being marketed as a personal computer, not a gaming machine. Thus it only makes sense to make it largely useful to everyone. Thus, people who want to run things like Microsoft Office, Windows programs, and do anything you can already do on a normal Windows computer, should be able to.

Likewise, offering a native nice bootloader for multiple OSes would only be natural so that people can switch between Windows and SteamOS gaming, or default Linux if they are into that.

This way, people who don't like Linux can be happy, and people who want a nice streamlined pretty bootloader for varied OSes on the go, can also be happy.

End

Thoughts on this idea? Any other OS options you all would like offered on-arrival as a purchase option?

Regardless what comes of this suggestion or responses, I want to say I am incredibly happy with this announcement from Valve, and am 100% supportive of this innovative gauntlet being thrown down.

[Mad Scientist]

On top of the storage space already setup for the advertised operating system, on a minimum 64GB model, you want multiple operating systems including windows, so around ~20GB+/- just for windows?

You realize a Windows 10 Home key is $139.00, right?
That means increasing the price of the handheld unit by that amount or more, since this is about profit.

[Brian9824]

Um yeah this doesn't seem like it was given any thought at all.

Steam has to license those copies of windows and pay for them and they aren't going to pay for licenses people might not use and complicate the device even more.

Especially when the device isn't built around it and might not even work properly with windows.

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

Most people, including most gamers, have no experience installing an operating system onto a computer from scratch, so this would broaden the use cases to normal consumers. For that matter, installing programs on Linux can vary greatly in mileage of how easy it is for someone with no experience with Linux or the command line, from annoying to impossible without experience.

Except none of that is needed to use Steam Deck at all.

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

seeing as it is being marketed as a personal computer, not a gaming machine.

That is 100% flat out false, its being marketed as PORTABLE GAMING, not as a personal computer. I mean https://www.steamdeck.com/en/

The most gaming power you have ever held

All-in-one portable PC gaming

Steam Deck brings the Steam games and features you love to a powerful and convenient form factor that you can take wherever you go.

Hardware designed to put real games in real hands

Can't see anywhere where they try to remotely sell it as a personal computer, its sold as a gaming machine.

[Gwarsbane]

Going by what I am watching and reading about the Steam Deck, you can put any OS you want on it, that supports the CPU which is just a regular off the shelf AMD APU.

So if you want windows on it, you go right ahead and put windows on it. If you want a boot loader you go right ahead and see if you can put one on. Its not going to be upto Valve to do that for you.

Quick video talking about it, will no doubt see more videos about it in the near future with more detailed info.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQoYYw1EfxA

[Azure Fang]

Bootloader... on a PC...
I'm assuming you've never multi-booted a PC before.

[𒐪⎝ Epylector ⎠𒐪]

Originally posted by Azure Fang:

Bootloader... on a PC...
I'm assuming you've never multi-booted a PC before.

Then you assumed wrong.

Originally posted by Gwarsbane:

Going by what I am watching and reading about the Steam Deck, you can put any OS you want on it, that supports the CPU which is just a regular off the shelf AMD APU.

So if you want windows on it, you go right ahead and put windows on it. If you want a boot loader you go right ahead and see if you can put one on. Its not going to be upto Valve to do that for you.

Quick video talking about it, will no doubt see more videos about it in the near future with more detailed info.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQoYYw1EfxA

Already explained that in the OP in the first sentence.

Originally posted by brian9824:

Um yeah this doesn't seem like it was given any thought at all.

Steam has to license those copies of windows and pay for them and they aren't going to pay for licenses people might not use and complicate the device even more.

Especially when the device isn't built around it and might not even work properly with windows.

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

Most people, including most gamers, have no experience installing an operating system onto a computer from scratch, so this would broaden the use cases to normal consumers. For that matter, installing programs on Linux can vary greatly in mileage of how easy it is for someone with no experience with Linux or the command line, from annoying to impossible without experience.

Except none of that is needed to use Steam Deck at all.

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

seeing as it is being marketed as a personal computer, not a gaming machine.

That is 100% flat out false, its being marketed as PORTABLE GAMING, not as a personal computer. I mean https://www.steamdeck.com/en/

The most gaming power you have ever held

All-in-one portable PC gaming

Steam Deck brings the Steam games and features you love to a powerful and convenient form factor that you can take wherever you go.

Hardware designed to put real games in real hands

Can't see anywhere where they try to remotely sell it as a personal computer, its sold as a gaming machine.

I don't believe your post was given much thought at all, seeing as I just watched engineers treat it like it's just a PC, and it is widespread practice for computer makers to buy discounted licenses of Windows and then sell them as part of their computer already installed.

3:10 if you're interested. You will nitpick per usual so I merely link this in case other users are interested in seeing the developer perspective. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLtiRGTZvGM

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

as I just watched engineers treat it like it's just a PC

That is a farcry from claiming

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

seeing as it is being marketed as a personal computer, not a gaming machine.

Again, its not being marketed as a personal computer. Please show us where Steam markets it as such. Until you can please stop lying and claiming that steam is marketing it as a personal computer. Its a gaming machine, not a personal PC.

People use soda to de-grease their engines, it doesn't mean that Soda companies are marketing soda as an engine degreaser....

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

, and it is widespread practice for computer makers to buy discounted licenses of Windows and then sell them as part of their computer already installed.

Yep, because a computer needs an OS. They aren't buying licenses to other OS's that might never be used on the off chance someone might want to use the device for something that it's not designed for.

[𒐪⎝ Epylector ⎠𒐪]

Originally posted by brian9824:

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

as I just watched engineers treat it like it's just a PC

That is a farcry from claiming

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

seeing as it is being marketed as a personal computer, not a gaming machine.

Again, its not being marketed as a personal computer. Please show us where Steam markets it as such. Until you can please stop lying and claiming that steam is marketing it as a personal computer. Its a gaming machine, not a personal PC.

People use soda to de-grease their engines, it doesn't mean that Soda companies are marketing soda as an engine degreaser....

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

, and it is widespread practice for computer makers to buy discounted licenses of Windows and then sell them as part of their computer already installed.

Yep, because a computer needs an OS. They aren't buying licenses to other OS's that might never be used on the off chance someone might want to use the device for something that it's not designed for.

What are the odds I'm NOT going to want to at least try to use a mobile device able to run Windows, for Windows? It's not that big a gamble it'd at least be nice as an option. I would wager most users on Steam would at least like to have the option to buy a Windows version of this instead of having to install it their self. A dual-boot to use this device for either SteamOS or Windows, like if it was offered for free, would be used by everyone and loved by everyone I'd wager. So if it costs extra, I think people would likewise be okay with paying for that, or at least a lot of people would. It'd be a nice add-on optional purchase is all I'm saying.

It could be it's a production-side issue of lacking a quick way to install Windows on tons of buyer's devices but otherwise... it does surprise me there isn't a pre-installed Windows option. Maybe Steam is making a business statement against Windows' locked-down ecosystem if they're going out of their way to ignore it -that or maybe Microsoft played too much hard ball on Windows key prices.

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

What are the odds I'm NOT going to want to at least try to use a mobile device able to run Windows, for Windows?

Extremely high. I mean just because a device can theoretically run windows doesn't mean the companies that sell it want to provide that functionality and thus have to support it.

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

It's not that big a gamble it'd at least be nice as an option. I would wager most users on Steam would at least like to have the option to buy a Windows version of this instead of having to install it their self.

It is an option, your free to do it if you wish, but if you want to argue that most users on Steam want to do so then provide some marketing or research to back up your claim.

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

A dual-boot to use this device for either SteamOS or Windows, like if it was offered for free, would be used by everyone and loved by everyone I'd wager. So if it costs extra, I think people would likewise be okay with paying for that, or at least a lot of people would. It'd be a nice add-on optional purchase is all I'm saying.

Except Valve has already confirmed the current price point for the console is already extremely painful which means they are losing money on it. Considering the Steam OS is LINUX based it won't even work on Windows meaning you couldn't use it to play games while running windows without the OS being completely re-designed.

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

Maybe Steam is making a business statement against Windows' locked-down ecosystem if they're going out of their way to ignore it -that or maybe Microsoft played too much hard ball on Windows key prices.

Guess you don't realize that Steam OS is linux based and wouldn't work on Windows so there is no inventive for them at all to pay more money to include windows on it...

Also again, you still haven't shown where the Steam Deck is being marketed as a personal PC. In fact your making a lot of claims without any shred of evidence to back them up so please cite your sources.

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

I would wager most users on Steam would at least like to have the option to buy a Windows version of this instead of having to install it their self.

Why would they even want windows for a handheld device? This device can play windows based games.
Most people use Linux based operating systems for micro form factors, because they're very light in terms of resource demand. Keep in mind that a full copy of windows will eat up to 4GB of RAM

Many versions of linux use next to nothing.

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

A dual-boot to use this device for either SteamOS or Windows, like if it was offered for free,

Dual boots happen when you install more than 1 OS, a copy of Windows will not be free for both parties. You'll pay or Steam will, but Steam is not going to just slap it on there using over 1/3rd of the storage to do so.

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

it does surprise me there isn't a pre-installed Windows option.

It shouldn't surprise you that Steam doesn't want to do what you want, so much as what's best for their business.

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

Maybe Steam is making a business statement against Windows' locked-down ecosystem if they're going out of their way to ignore it -that or maybe Microsoft played too much hard ball on Windows key prices.

Or perhaps it's logically better to use a very lightweight os that can run both environments games that costs nothing compared to a windows license?

[76561198407601200]

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

How This Should Impact Steam Deck

Steam Deck should be as much a useful gaming device as it is a useful portable computer, seeing as it is being marketed as a personal computer, not a gaming machine.

Completely untrue:

https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck

We partnered with AMD to create Steam Deck's custom APU, optimized for handheld gaming. It is a Zen 2 + RDNA 2 powerhouse, delivering more than enough performance to run the latest AAA games in a very efficient power envelope.

Note the "handheld gaming" portion.

Regarding putting windows on it, that is up to those who want to tinker with it after the matter to do so.

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by The Living Tribunal:

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

How This Should Impact Steam Deck

Steam Deck should be as much a useful gaming device as it is a useful portable computer, seeing as it is being marketed as a personal computer, not a gaming machine.

Completely untrue:

https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck

We partnered with AMD to create Steam Deck's custom APU, optimized for handheld gaming. It is a Zen 2 + RDNA 2 powerhouse, delivering more than enough performance to run the latest AAA games in a very efficient power envelope.

Note the "handheld gaming" portion.

Regarding putting windows on it, that is up to those who want to tinker with it after the matter to do so.

OP focused on lawrence yang deciding to say "its a pc" in a cherry picked portion of a video, but we all know it's marketed rightfully as a handheld gaming system, yang just inferred that it has the power of a PC, not that it is one, but he really did a foot-in-mouth with not clarifying that to prevent exactly this sort of thread from existing.

[wuddih]

Originally posted by Mr. Gentlebot:

Originally posted by The Living Tribunal:

Completely untrue:

https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck



Note the "handheld gaming" portion.

Regarding putting windows on it, that is up to those who want to tinker with it after the matter to do so.

OP focused on lawrence yang deciding to say "its a pc" in a cherry picked portion of a video, but we all know it's marketed rightfully as a handheld gaming system, yang just inferred that it has the power of a PC, not that it is one, but he really did a foot-in-mouth with not clarifying that to prevent exactly this sort of thread from existing.

nope, Yang clearly said you can put on it whatever you want because its a PC which it is.

what Valve can not do is, pre-install Windows on it.

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by wuddih:

Originally posted by Mr. Gentlebot:

OP focused on lawrence yang deciding to say "its a pc" in a cherry picked portion of a video, but we all know it's marketed rightfully as a handheld gaming system, yang just inferred that it has the power of a PC, not that it is one, but he really did a foot-in-mouth with not clarifying that to prevent exactly this sort of thread from existing.

nope, Yang clearly said you can put on it whatever you want because its a PC which it is.

which the op turned around to also declaring it a pc for the point of treating it as such, to the point of wanting a windows dual boot for a handheld gaming device, functioning similar to a desktop is a selling point, it's hardly a PC especially when very little can be swapped such as a PC.

It simply has the power of a lower end non dedicated gpu system, which is more feasible for handling graphics due to the display resolution of 1280 x 800px. Calling it a PC is not accurate, it's clearly just a handheld device that can run multiple OS*, and handle at least two environments game types. The op will make anything into a reason to ask for that they want, no matter how absurd it is. Nothing is stopping the op from installing what they want themselves, rather than another "valve, do what I want" thread.

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by wuddih:

Originally posted by Mr. Gentlebot:

OP focused on lawrence yang deciding to say "its a pc" in a cherry picked portion of a video, but we all know it's marketed rightfully as a handheld gaming system, yang just inferred that it has the power of a PC, not that it is one, but he really did a foot-in-mouth with not clarifying that to prevent exactly this sort of thread from existing.

nope, Yang clearly said you can put on it whatever you want because its a PC which it is.

what Valve can not do is, pre-install Windows on it.

Well yeah all PC gaming machines are PC. The steam deck is advertised as being a gaming PC, not something your going to want to put windows on and load microsoft word onto it and do your homework.

I mean even the newest Xbox is basically a PC - https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2019/12/13/21020149/xbox-series-x-pc-specs-analysis

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

So, should I interpret these responses, as you all NOT wanting Windows as an option you can switch to on this device? Weird considering you all are likely using Windows right now.

No, as its been repeatedly said its already an option if we wanted it, but why the hell would you want to put windows on a portable switch like gaming device when the games already run with their OS.

Them shipping it with windows means they need to support it running on windows, and has no control over what windows does that can interfere with their system where as using their own OS they have complete control.

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

How emulation-friendly is this even supposed to be when a lot of emulators rely on Windows? It would make more sense for the Steam Deck to offer a pre-installed Windows copy.

Considering you could just run retroarch on steam, extremely emulation friendly.

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

It radiates a lack of confidence in their hardware's workability with Windows when that is not an option unlike normal PCs. I worry when Windows it put on the machine, games and programs will tank processing-wise.

No lack of confidence, it shows that Windows isn't needed to run the games and maximizes how much space is available. Windows is bloated as hell for the purpose of the console which is to run steam games using their Steam OS.

Originally posted by EpycWyn:

While I would like Windows on Steam Deck pre-installed, I hope Valve isn't quietly hiding processing issues when running Windows until after people try installing it and find out the hard way. If that's the case, it would make more sense to avoid pre-installed Windows as an option.

So yeah, if your going to make questionable claims like that then back it up. Saying that you hope it isn't true, doesn't change the fact that what your saying is complete BS unless you can back it up.