Just got the Steam Deck and have everything set up, but I found out that Nobara has a Steam Deck version of their distro. My question is: is it worth switching to Nobara SteamDeck Version or stay on SteamOS? Are there any other big differences other than Arch vs Fedora? Also, does it use KDE?
Pretty much everything will work better with the system specifically design for that particular hardware. The only reason you might want to remove steamos is if you have high privacy/security concerns
I find steam os to be very user friendly
Nobara’s UI is the same in Gaming Mode and if using KDE then also in Desktop Mode (I think)
I would stick with SteamOS personally. If you do want an alternative, check out Bazzite. It aims to be a closer alternative to SteamOS.
Not for a deck but an upcoming laptop I’m currently debating between nobara and bazzite, I keep thinking I’ve made up my mind and have settled on one but then change it again, is there somewhere I could find a good comparison/any glaring downsides I’m missing?
Nobara=mad respect to Glorious Eggroll
Bazzite is fucking cool because it uses the OCI framework. It is designed to be immutable and be run rootless(like SteamOS) so your base system just can’t break. Everything is sandboxed against everything else by default. Using Fleek/Nix you can even run software from the cloud.
https://github.com/castrojo/awesome-immutable This is an excellent resource on immutable OSes.
Cheeky PS: You can overlay an OCI image of Nobara’s enhancements onto Bazzite with something like this https://github.com/VinnyVynce/silvernobara
Saving this for that last link alone, thank you
The testing build of Bazzite should have everything in your bottom link and more ;)
Bazzite is Fedora-based. SteamOS is Arch based because (if I’m not mistaken) they usually have the latest drivers and will support the largest array of hardware.
For that reason I use and recommend ChimeraOS (on alternative hardware).
Not using chimera for no other reason than personally speaking I don’t like gnome, if there was a KDE spin then maybe, it otherwise looks good, but I’m not interested
I use Fedora on my main machine currently though, and know it will be compatible with the hardware I’m getting
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Gnome is just an interface. You can install and use anything else you want.
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Fedora also used Gnome?
I use the kde spin, and while yes I know I could change the DE, I’d prefer something like nobara or bazzite that have it out of the box, especially sense I’m planning on getting my partner to install it (to show it’s easier than they think)
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I love Arch, so SteamOS it is. If I were you, I would just make sure I know how to get SteamOS reinstalled properly. Then just check out the Nobara OS yourself. You’ll never truly know until it is in your hands.
Yep. I’ve tried several others and they’re not for me, but a lot of people are really happy with them.
I like SteamOS so much that I’m using HoloISO on mini PCs around the house to simulate consoles and stream couch games from my gaming rig upstairs. But my experience isn’t everyone’s so get your hands on it and try it out.
Stay on steamOS.
there’s also bazzite. (fedora based on uBlue, uses kde)
But I see no reason for myself to switch away from SteamOS.
I am using bazzite on my gaming desktop PC. It does a good job.
If you switch away from steamOS you may not find as many places with people to chat with for support.
I’ve looked at what’s doable but not tried. I’ve come to the conclusion that as a bespoke bit of gaming hardware I’d rather have the bespoke software to go with it. If nothing else, I like the feeling that the “deck verified” emblem for my steam games applies, and when troubleshooting other games there are lots of people with exactly the same software and hardware as me to find help from.
I like tinkering my steam deck is primarily a gaming device and I like that it just works when I want to use it.
As a chronic tinkerer, I’m shocked that I haven’t loaded another OS on my deck, but I truly see no reason to do so.
Personally I’d stick with SteamOS. It’s tailor made for the hardware. Nobara is cool, but I don’t think you benefit from it much (unless you really don’t want the locked filesystem).
Kubuntu with conical garbage removes.
PopOS and nebora was the worst performing OS I used in my system.
