Hi everyone,

I’m a Playstation gamer and a Linux user for my administrative tasks.

Since my computers (Microsoft Surface Go 1 and upgraded MacBook Pro 2012, both running Fedora Workstation) aren’t powerful enough to run some 7-8 years old games unavalaible on Playstation 5, I’ll probably get a (maybe used) Steam Deck by the end of 2025. It could be another handheld, but the Steam Deck is my favorite for now as reparability and Linux compatibility are high on my list.

I’d be using the Deck to run some games, but also to work when docked to my Philips 273B through USB-C, also using a USB mouse and keyboard. I’d be keeping the Playstation 5 to run demanding games and do sim racing as I don’t even think a Steam Deck 2 would be powerful enough.

Here are a few questions: -I love Gnome, but I’d be willing to give KDE a shot. If I don’t like it, how difficult would it be to have Gnome while keeping the normal Steam OS? -I know that I could wipe Steam OS and get Bazzite with Gnome. Except getting Gnome, what are the advantages of getting Bazzite over Steam OS? What are the inconvenients? -I think that KDE is now in version 6.3 or 6.4. What is the version that you now have on Steam OS? For an obscure reason, I coudn’t find the info on the web. -What can you easily upgrade on a used Steam Deck (probably not Oled)?

Thanks in advance for your answers!

  • RmDebArc_5@sh.itjust.works
    6·
    13 hours ago

    Just FYI while it uses X11 in desktop mode, in game mode it uses Wayland. It’s probably still on 5.X because for the main use case of the deck plasma 6 isn’t really that much of an upgrade and they probably prefer having a stable system than having some new stuff most users won’t actually use

    • Björn Tantau@swg-empire.de
      1·
      12 hours ago

      The Deck is weird in terms of Wayland/X11 usage. Gamemode runs on Wayland, but the Steam client runs through XWayland and for the games another XWayland session is started.