Hey folks! I've been hearing a lot of buzz about switching to Linux for gaming, especially with SteamOS kicking in. I'm mainly a solo gamer but also use my PC for other things. So, I'm curious: does SteamOS let you run Windows applications besides just games, like Autodesk Fusion360 for instance?
3 Answers
As for Fusion360 specifically, it works, but not perfectly. You can check out its compatibility on WineHQ—just keep in mind it's not the smoothest experience. So, if you need it for serious tasks, you might run into some issues.
There are tools like Wine and Winetricks, or you might want to look into Bottles if Wine doesn't cut it. Just a heads-up, I switched to Linux to ditch Microsoft for good, and I find a lot of Windows programs run better on Linux than they did on Windows!
Exactly, there's so much great native software out there that does a fantastic job without the Windows hassle.
You can use Wine to run many Windows applications on Linux, but it's worth noting that not all software is compatible. It really depends on what you're trying to run, so definitely check out the WineHQ website for compatibility info! Just keep in mind that SteamOS isn't actually designed for desktop use, so if you're using it for more than just gaming, it might be safer to go with a more general-purpose Linux distribution like Ubuntu or Fedora.
True, WineHQ has loads of details! And I agree, trying to find Linux-native alternatives is usually a better route.
Also, when it comes to gaming, Steam has great support for Linux, but remember not every game runs smoothly.

But seriously, if you left Windows for valid reasons, why go back to using Windows software on Linux?