Mint, Ubuntu or SteamOS

[Vamirlol]

Hi all,

As an Ubuntu user and Linux enthousiast I checked the specs of the Linux OS needed for certain games. Why is there a differentiation between mint, Ubuntu and SteamOS. Mint and Ubuntu are pretty much the same, all three mentioned distro's are Debian based. And all Linux games should run fine on SteamOS right?

[Brother MEX]

EACH distro has its own minimum hardware requirements because they use diiferent software packages … the KERNEL and the packages for the core of Linux may be the same, but they use different Graphical User Interfaces, Browsers, … just look for a distribution you like most ( Lubuntu, elementary, DEBIAN, Bodhi, Arch, … ) and install it, you can always install missing software from other sources.

[skinnyraf]

I'm a great fan of SteamOS, but it's so outdated, that not all games will run anymore. Fugl doesn't run, Ruiner either, a few Proton games have issues due to old drivers.

[dirk.dierickx]

right now, i would suggest to go with ubuntu, because more up to date. if you want, you can kind of change it into a steamos knock-off using a script on github.

[Player]

I have played games for Steam on my outdated PC (I only have upgraded the RAM and the video adapter) on Ubuntu, Mint, Steam OS (SteamOS was interesting but the support of old hardware stopped) and Windows XP then 7. Now I play on Mint 18.2 Xfce and Windows 7. I like a lot Mint but as my PC is old some games (to not say - most) run slower than on M$ Windows.
If your hardware is good enough you can run any Linux. Ubuntu and Mint flavors and Steam OS are for those who don't like or cannot "customize" a lot, but Arch and Gentoo are mostly faster and lighter and if you are familiar with them you'll have a good system for Linux gaming.

[gibblets]

If it's a desktop or laptop PC your best bet for ease of use is Ubuntu. They update faster and have better software support than Mint (so drivers, kernel updates, distro updates and such will come sooner).

SteamOS is made for a console replacement. It would be a good choice if your system does not have a keyboard or mouse and you plan on hooking it up to a TV and using a game controller for all interaction.

[jar]

Originally posted by skinnyraf:

I'm a great fan of SteamOS, but it's so outdated, that not all games will run anymore. Fugl doesn't run, Ruiner either, a few Proton games have issues due to old drivers.

I played Ruiner on SteamOS, but true is graphical drivers are outdated even on beta. Best feature for me is simple user switch in SteamDE (perfect for console and kids). But true is that Im using mainly gnome even in steamos.

[Vamirlol]

Originally posted by Brother MEX:

EACH distro has its own minimum hardware requirements because they use diiferent software packages … the KERNEL and the packages for the core of Linux may be the same, but they use different Graphical User Interfaces, Browsers, … just look for a distribution you like most ( Lubuntu, elementary, DEBIAN, Bodhi, Arch, … ) and install it, you can always install missing software from other sources.

I understand this, for compatibility sake they should just mention Ubuntu 18.04 LTS or something.

[Brother MEX]

Originally posted by Biokemikal:

... for compatibility sake they should just mention Ubuntu 18.04 LTS or something.

As Ubuntu is based on DEBIAN, it would be better if everyone uses the current DEBIAN stable distro for testing the performance of their games and which minimum hardware is required

[Pesebrero]

In my own experience: Mint > Ubuntu >>>> Steam OS.

I don't understand why Steam OS is still so bad. It should be at least as decent as Mint, but it's not.

[gibblets]

Originally posted by Pesebrero:

In my own experience: Mint > Ubuntu >>>> Steam OS.

I don't understand why Steam OS is still so bad. It should be at least as decent as Mint, but it's not.

Can you use Mint on a system connected to a TV without ever touching a keyboard or a mouse, even for system and driver updates?

[Brother MEX]

Originally posted by gibblets:

Can you use Mint on a system connected to a TV without ever touching a keyboard or a mouse, even for system and driver updates?

For that I would recomenf a SMART HOME or MEDIA CENTER distro !

Best check KODI Media Center based ditros first:
https://www.addictivetips.com/ubuntu-linux-tips/best-kodi-linux-distros/

[gibblets]

Originally posted by Brother MEX:

Originally posted by gibblets:

Can you use Mint on a system connected to a TV without ever touching a keyboard or a mouse, even for system and driver updates?

For that I would recomenf a SMART HOME or MEDIA CENTER distro !

Best check KODI Media Center based ditros first:
https://www.addictivetips.com/ubuntu-linux-tips/best-kodi-linux-distros/

If you're looking for a media center, absolutely. SteamOS is supposed to be more like a PS4 or Xbox though, boots straight into a pretty UI that is completely usable with only a game controller and has the correct kernel and driver setup for various gaming controllers, video cards, etc. to handle gaming.

[Brother MEX]

Originally posted by gibblets:

Originally posted by Brother MEX:

For that I would recomenf a SMART HOME or MEDIA CENTER distro !

Best check KODI Media Center based ditros first:
https://www.addictivetips.com/ubuntu-linux-tips/best-kodi-linux-distros/

If you're looking for a media center, absolutely. SteamOS is supposed to be more like a PS4 or Xbox though, boots straight into a pretty UI that is completely usable with only a game controller and has the correct kernel and driver setup for various gaming controllers, video cards, etc. to handle gaming.

Most media center distros also use a BIG PICTURE mode and support gaming controlers ( or at least TV remotes ) for a user experience similar to that of gaming consoles

[gibblets]

Originally posted by Brother MEX:

Originally posted by gibblets:

If you're looking for a media center, absolutely. SteamOS is supposed to be more like a PS4 or Xbox though, boots straight into a pretty UI that is completely usable with only a game controller and has the correct kernel and driver setup for various gaming controllers, video cards, etc. to handle gaming.

Most media center distros also use a BIG PICTURE mode and support gaming controlers ( or at least TV remotes ) for a user experience similar to that of gaming consoles

Yeah, but most of them don't have proper Nvidia and Mesa drivers to keep up with the latest games. Or udev rules for stuff like gaming wheels, VR devices and input, etc. Emphasis on gaming, not just input.

[Brother MEX]

Originally posted by gibblets:

Originally posted by Brother MEX:

Most media center distros also use a BIG PICTURE mode and support gaming controlers ( or at least TV remotes ) for a user experience similar to that of gaming consoles

Yeah, but most of them don't have proper Nvidia and Mesa drivers to keep up with the latest games. Or udev rules for stuff like gaming wheels, VR devices and input, etc. Emphasis on gaming, not just input.

Just READ THIS if you are Looking for a Linux GAMING distro :
https://techviral.net/best-linux-gaming-distributions/