There are distributions with a great Steam experience out of the box? It’s SteamOS actually a good choice? Maybe isn’t what you use or prefer.
A good Steam distro for me has a very mininal procedure for perfectly working controllers, client and general user experience.
Your direct test and experience are very appreciated.
Don’t let this guy discourage you from trying it. I’ve been using Linux for over 20 years, and the Steam Deck is the most polished experience I’ve seen for gaming on Linux, even for non-Steam games. If you decide it’s too limiting, you can just switch to something else.
The desktop environment is clunky at best and the default GUI is 100% proprietary. I own a Steam Deck and use it near daily in both modes. If that’s the most polished I shudder to think what you normally use. The other guy linked Nobara I think? From the home page it looks like a pretty decent option.
This is nonsense. The desktop environment is a secondary concern when it comes to building a console-like experience, and it being 100% proprietary does not mean it’s not polished.
As far as I’ve been able to tell, OP is interested in an OS for their desktop or laptop, not steam deck, so desktop is likely a valid concern of theirs.
I agree the Steam Deck’s proprietary interface is decently polished.
