Note that the SteamOS download on that page is NOT the current version of SteamOS used on the Steam Deck, it’s the 2-3 year old version that Valve released a while back and doesn’t have most any of the actual improvements to SteamOS that make it worthwhile. The only way to get the current SteamOS is to download the recovery image for the Steam Deck at https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/1B71-EDF2-EB6D-2BB3 and install from there.
EDIT: As per usual, Linus didn’t do good research and was incorrect about the SteamOS version available at that link, updated to strike the incorrect info.
I’d like to think they provide a useful service. “useful” as in entertaining and a sense of community. They get things wrong but I’d like to think that they try and in the “churn” of making videos and running a company you screw up every now and again.
I haven’t watched an LTT video in a while though. I just hate their thumbnails (I get the algorithm forces them) but over time I think their content just isn’t for me, but I can see why others would.
Interesting, I looked into it about 6 months ago and all the info was not to use the link so maybe they didn’t go on the page because everyone was saying not to 🤷
Yeah 6 months sounds about right from my recollection. It was available for a while after they released the steam deck, and something like 6-8 months ago they started redirecting to the deck os instead.
They were talking about SteamOS 2.0 being Debian and made for general hardware and SteamOS 3.0 being Arch based and really only meant for the Steam Deck, though it’s unclear if there’s drivers enough to put it on other hardware, but we’re looking at Powered By SteamOS devices coming out. So, am I to take it that SteamOS 3.0 is implied to be capable of installing on alternate hardware now?
Like, I’m just going to stick with my Steam Deck but it’s interesting to think you can make Steam Machines again.
To be fair it’s not exactly obvious that the downloaded file is generic enough to be used on something else than the Steam Deck when the file is named steamdeck-repair-20231127.10-3.5.7.img.bz2
That’s still steamos2, based on debian 8 (current is debian 12). What’s on the Steam deck is much more recent, usable and stable.
There’s some user made distros that are basically just like steamos3 though, but at that point you may just as well install a mainstream linux distribution and simply install steam on it.
They really need to update the rest of the page… Big ass banner right above the download link says it’s not compatible for the deck, but then the download link is for the deck image you can’t install on a PC.
Same. They alluded to what I am now assuming is this news a while back and I had thought it meant they were updating the desktop version to parity with the deck one. Now I’m just wondering how they can have it work on other handhelds but not all devices. What is their specific distro doing that it can’t have drivers that exist for Linux in general?
Good things take time. But it seems close enough to ready if you didn’t accidentally by a Nvidia garbage GPU. You can already run the Steam Deck image on most AMD hardware just fine.
Steam needs to drop a whole OS for PC.
https://store.steampowered.com/steamos/buildyourown
You can install it yourself on PC.
deleted by creator
Note that the SteamOS download on that page is NOT the current version of SteamOS used on the Steam Deck, it’s the 2-3 year old version that Valve released a while back and doesn’t have most any of the actual improvements to SteamOS that make it worthwhile. The only way to get the current SteamOS is to download the recovery image for the Steam Deck at https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/1B71-EDF2-EB6D-2BB3 and install from there.Linus from LTT did a video about getting it up and running here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdR-bxvQKN8
EDIT: As per usual, Linus didn’t do good research and was incorrect about the SteamOS version available at that link, updated to strike the incorrect info.
Seems like the instructions are still for SteamOS 2, they mention a file named “SteamOS.zip” while you get a file bzip archive of an img file
Yeah, Linus didn’t actually bother clicking the links. The old OS download links redirect to the arch based steam deck os
Ya know, somehow I’m not surprised to hear LTT didn’t do their research
Why anyone ever watched their garbage videos is beyond me.
I’d like to think they provide a useful service. “useful” as in entertaining and a sense of community. They get things wrong but I’d like to think that they try and in the “churn” of making videos and running a company you screw up every now and again.
I haven’t watched an LTT video in a while though. I just hate their thumbnails (I get the algorithm forces them) but over time I think their content just isn’t for me, but I can see why others would.
It’s entertaining.
Tbf, I only know because I watch too much YouTube and bringus studios mentioned it a couple months ago.
Bringus needs more love around these parts
Or it was filmed before Valve updated the info on the page
Nope, been like that for months.
Eta: it was mentioned in a bringus studios video a couple months ago, iirc installing steam on a cardboard box
Interesting, I looked into it about 6 months ago and all the info was not to use the link so maybe they didn’t go on the page because everyone was saying not to 🤷
Yeah 6 months sounds about right from my recollection. It was available for a while after they released the steam deck, and something like 6-8 months ago they started redirecting to the deck os instead.
They were talking about SteamOS 2.0 being Debian and made for general hardware and SteamOS 3.0 being Arch based and really only meant for the Steam Deck, though it’s unclear if there’s drivers enough to put it on other hardware, but we’re looking at Powered By SteamOS devices coming out. So, am I to take it that SteamOS 3.0 is implied to be capable of installing on alternate hardware now?
Like, I’m just going to stick with my Steam Deck but it’s interesting to think you can make Steam Machines again.
To be fair it’s not exactly obvious that the downloaded file is generic enough to be used on something else than the Steam Deck when the file is named
steamdeck-repair-20231127.10-3.5.7.img.bz2That’s still steamos2, based on debian 8 (current is debian 12). What’s on the Steam deck is much more recent, usable and stable.
There’s some user made distros that are basically just like steamos3 though, but at that point you may just as well install a mainstream linux distribution and simply install steam on it.
Nope, the download link actually redirects to the arch based steam deck os.
They really need to update the rest of the page… Big ass banner right above the download link says it’s not compatible for the deck, but then the download link is for the deck image you can’t install on a PC.
Lol, I’d be fine with them leaving it as is, if only they’d make a general release of OS3
Same. They alluded to what I am now assuming is this news a while back and I had thought it meant they were updating the desktop version to parity with the deck one. Now I’m just wondering how they can have it work on other handhelds but not all devices. What is their specific distro doing that it can’t have drivers that exist for Linux in general?
Oh, I’d be willing to bet the long wait has something to do with Nvidia drivers.
I switched to arch a couple of months ago and the Nvidia drivers were one of the most confusing parts.
SteamOS 3.0 should get out there for generic PCs pretty soon, in the meantime there’s Bazzite.
It’s in the works. Valve is working to develop SteamOS for other devices, including PC.
https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/6/24315098/valve-steam-machines-steamos-steam-deck-vr
It’s been “in the works” for years.
Good things take time. But it seems close enough to ready if you didn’t accidentally by a
Nvidiagarbage GPU. You can already run the Steam Deck image on most AMD hardware just fine.Just install Mint or Bazzite, Steam OS is intentionally locked down more than it needs to be.
If they do it this year, it might finally be the Year of the Linux Desktop!