Having recently experimented with Bazzite, a SteamOS clone, on my Asus ROG Ally, I find myself increasingly inclined to consider its installation on my primary desktop gaming PC. The allure of a console-like user interface, coupled with a range of features tailored for gaming, has piqued my interest. My experience with Microsoft’s Windows 11 has been less than satisfactory, marred by a series of UI bugs and errors that have made me contemplate abandoning my desktop setup altogether.
While I am not entirely convinced that Bazzite will dethrone SteamOS, I envision utilizing it on my handheld device through a dual boot configuration. The situation is particularly favorable for AMD hardware, though Nvidia users face a different reality. The ‘Steam Gaming Mode’ currently supports Nvidia GPUs, but it remains in beta and comes with significant limitations compared to its AMD counterpart.
My testing of Discord on the Asus ROG Ally running Bazzite yielded mixed results. While the voice chat and screen sharing features in Game Mode performed adequately, the overall polish left much to be desired. Streams within servers occasionally ended abruptly or displayed a dark screen with no content. Given that streaming to friends on Discord has become an integral part of my gaming experience, the necessity for full official Nvidia GPU support—and ideally, a stable version of Bazzite—is paramount if I am to transition away from Windows 11 on my desktop.
SteamOS Game Mode on a desktop PC with Discord and better GPU support is like a supercharged PS5 or Xbox Series X console
For many PC gamers, the home TV serves as the gateway to immersive gaming experiences, especially after a long day at work. While handheld gaming PCs offer a portable solution, the physical strain of holding a device for extended periods can be quite taxing. My PS5, while a part of my collection, primarily exists for exclusive titles, particularly with the anticipation of GTA 6 not launching on PC immediately.
Fortunately, my hardware is robust enough to handle 4K gaming at high settings. The prospect of pairing this with an operating system that mimics the user interface of a Nintendo Switch, PS5, or Xbox Series X is undeniably appealing. The ease of hopping in and out of games without the fear of crashes or controller malfunctions transforms the gaming experience. Moreover, the standout feature of Bazzite/SteamOS—Quick Resume—allows players to suspend their systems and seamlessly return to their previous state, a convenience I have yet to experience on my desktop rig.
In essence, the potential integration of Discord’s improved screen sharing capabilities and enhanced GPU support, combined with an already impressive console-like operating system, paints a promising picture for the future of gaming. While Bazzite may not entirely eliminate issues for Nvidia GPU users, I am hopeful that official integration and improved functionality will pave the way for a transition away from Windows 11, allowing Valve’s SteamOS to take the lead.
