Hey everyone! I've been diving into Linux distros and I'm trying to find one that mirrors the desktop mode of the Steam Deck, which I adore! I'm especially looking at options that use KDE Plasma, since that's the desktop environment for the Steam Deck. I've checked out Tuxedo and Kubuntu so far, but I'm really curious about Arch Linux too. Some say it might have a similar interface to the Steam Deck. What do you think? Is Arch the closest option to mimic the Steam Deck's desktop mode?
6 Answers
Arch Linux is indeed what Steam Deck runs on, but keep in mind it's heavily customized. Setting it up to look like SteamOS from scratch can be quite a challenge, especially if you're new to this. It might be safer to stick with Bazzite or Nobara instead.
If you want a solid experience and an introduction to Linux, I'd say go for Kubuntu or Fedora, and just add Steam to them. If gaming's your goal, stick with the specialized distros people have mentioned here.
SteamOS's desktop mode is quite standard for KDE setups. Any distro that gives you the default KDE setup should give you a similar experience to what you see on the Steam Deck. Bazzite is mentioned a lot for its closeness; it's so similar that I sometimes forget if I’m on my Deck or Bazzite!
Can I tweak the Tuxedo distro to look like the default KDE style? I really want to customize the taskbar and change the color scheme to blue instead of pink.
Also, Nobara can give you a similar deck mode based on the ISO you pick. It seems pretty easy to get KDE Plasma with them!
It's important to separate the distro from the desktop environment. The desktop environment (DE) decides how the interface looks and interacts, whereas the distro is about the underlying system. If you're a fan of the Steam Deck, you might wanna check out Bazzite; it's designed to have a similar look.
Absolutely, SteamOS is based on Arch! However, remember that Arch itself doesn't come with a default interface—you need to install everything you want. If you're up for the challenge, installing KDE Plasma and aiming for SteamOS's look is doable, but might not be friendly for beginners. I'd suggest Kubuntu for an easier setup.
Manjaro is another great alternative that's based on Arch but offers a more user-friendly experience.
Good point! I can see why Arch might be a steep learning curve for me. Bazzite definitely sounds like a solid option!
Arch is the foundation of SteamOS indeed. But, remember, SteamOS is an immutable version, while most other distros let you customize extensively. If you're after that Steam look, Bazzite is a great choice, designed specifically for Steam Deck-like experiences!
Yeah, Arch does sound a bit overwhelming for a newbie. Thanks for the heads-up!