Secondly: it's working, SteamOS is so nice. I haven't been this interested in Linux since the XP to 7 transfer. And I think imma' actually do it this time.
It's working, I know people who don't even own a steam deck who are considering swapping to SteamOS once it's available for desktops.
I've told them they don't need to wait and can get a similar or better experience with distros that are already available, but steam's name is gold for a lot of people and it seems like the only option they're really interested in.
Opinion: Games that have "linux support" but explicitly check for Steam Deck hardware should have a disclaimer on the store page or even have their Steam Deck verified status revoked.
For new users that were otherwise scared of changing their daily driver, it does provide a nice little path for them.
Flip it into Desktop mode some times to get a feel for how different the DE is, play around with some command line stuff. Easy to factory reset, so mess it up if you want.
Then install something like CachyOS Handheld edition after a while to get a less restricted Linux experience, while maintaining game mode et all.
Hell, for the price, it's a great device to use as a dev machine if you do Cachy or similar. I use mine as my daily use "laptop" since my other laptop died, and was less powerful any way.
I used my deck as my main computer when I was traveling earlier this year (I don't have a laptop). I brought a small keyboard, no mouse, was able to do everything I needed. It's convinced me I can easily make the switch I'm just waiting to move now and get a laptop when I'm out of tarrif-land
Yup. Fussing around in Desktop mode (aka handheld Arch) got me into it. It was weirdly easy to get Phantasy Star Online Ephinea working with luteix, and that game was easily one of my favorite Deck experiences running on 3W of power lol.
I've loved using Linux on my steamdeck to game, but sadly I cant really switch because of lossless scaling. LSFG is too good to stop using, and there's no Linux equivalent. not even afmf2 works on linux
I got a Steam Deck recently and hadn't dabbled in Linux since the Raspberry Pi 3 like 7 years ago. It's so much easier with a gui instead of command prompts! And now I see what all the fuss over Proton was about - it's amazing how many Windows games just work!