No touchpad
The heavens weep
The report also mentions that the larger model does not feature the Steam button, implying that SteamOS will be exclusive to the Legion Go S model in the new series
IMO, this is a logical move and not a “We ❤ Linux” moment. Lenovo probably saw that Windows was performing abysmally on the lower powered device and it would offer a horrible experience to the users. But I would consider this a small win since this is the first time a big player has officially embraced Linux. This device would be perfect for playing indies and retro gaming and I hope shows people how easy Linux gaming has become.
It kind of makes sense - Lenovo are testing the water with one device rather than going all in. It’ll be interesting what happens next year - do they give up or does it sell well and they push on further.
My feeling is SteamOS is so much better in terms of a user interface and experience than the custom interfaces of each manufacturer on Windows that it’ll probably win out, even though native Windows should have an advantage in performance. Microsoft is dropping the ball on making windows work well in this category, and Asus and Lenovo really aren’t great at software. And let’s face it, they’re largely just launchers for Steam on Windows anyway.
I suspect part of it is also going to come down to whether maintaining their own software and paying a license to Microsoft for Windows for each device is felt to be worth it versus SteamOS.
Lenovo are testing the water with one device rather than going all in.
Exactly! I just might buy this one to give Linux a slight boost.
I’m really interested in how a different OEM handles SteamOS. Will the OS be locked down right from Valve? Or will Valve allow some OEM bloat (MyAsus) to be running on the device?
There is one issue where I want Valve to become a bit flexible; easy installation of 3rd party launchers. I know it’s against their interests to do so (even though the community has come up with alternatives and thankfully Valve is not stopping them). However, majority of people get confused and state that it’s not possible to play Epic/GoG games. Maybe Valve will take a small hit in sales because of this but Linux gaming will improve in the long run.
Yeah I agree with you. A steam deck “app store” to more easily add in plugins or third party launchers would be ideal.
It almost seems essential if SteamOS is going to run on other manufacturers platforms. Decky loader and other similar plugins are part of the way there, but a route for installing a curated selection of Linux based tools and apps seems ideal. It’s certainly easily in their power.
I do wonder though if they don’t want Steam Deck to drift too far from the Windows and Linux apps, but I think it would be in their interest to open up the gyroscope interface in this way on steam deck and make it easier for less technically savy people (or just convenient to bypass the desktop mode). Although the Steam Deck app feels like the windows and Linux apps, it is basically the main interface for the whole OS for most people.
