Absolutely SteamOS, and I say that as someone who vastly prefers Windows over Linux.

But you can’t beat a system designed by the hardware manufacturer for that device. Everything from specific graphics driver patches to the ease of use of the interface.

SteamOS all the way. No way am I gonna install a data harvesting OS or kernel level anticheat.

Na thanks. I’ll never use windows ever again.

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Tried it out for a while and it’s definitely not as smooth of an experience. Went back to steamOS and I don’t see myself changing back for the foreseeable future.

I have not switch over my Steamdeck to Windows 11. But, I did pick up an ROG Ally b/c I apparently lack impulse control. IMO, the experience with Steam OS on Steam deck is far and above Windows 11 on a similar-ish handheld.

Switched, no. Tried, yes.

With how much work Valve has done on SteamOS compatibility and polish the one or two games I might play that aren’t compatible are not a big loss compared to the overhead of maintaining Windows.

Honestly, not really sure what all the talk is about Windows on Steam Deck. I’ve never felt the need to consider booting Windows on it. All the games that I tried just work on SteamOS and they work flawlessly. Maybe there’s some games out there that don’t play nice with SteamOS, but I haven’t found it yet.

I would stick with steamOS, it’s designed for the hardware. Windows will only hinder the device IMO. I plan on getting one soon and everyone I’ve known that has one sticks to the stock config in regards to the software.

I fled Windows to Linux 4 years ago, I got SO tired of the BS and annoyances. Have not regretted that decision one iota ever.

So if Windows ever gets installed on my Deck, you can just assume someone stole it from me.

I replaced an aging laptop with mine, and I have to say, Windows is fine on the Steam Deck. It’s obviously not going to have all the same bells and whistles but performance for most games is the same and it is more flexible on compatability since it runs natively instead of via Proton.

I’ve been using dual boot for this and started since I got my Deck in early July last year, and a lot of the hate is really overblown. It’s good if you just want to use the Deck the same way as any other computer or with applications that cannot work in Steam OS and it’s a completely fine experience, and applications like Handheld Companion or Steam Deck Tools make it simpler.

I would just say that it’s up to preference and need since it does need setup and tweaking, so if all you care about is playing a few games that work fine in Steam OS, there is not much reason to dual boot for Windows and Steam OS is simpler to set up. But if you want more freedom on application choices and compatability or even just to use it for more everyday purposes like any other computer, Windows runs perfectly fine on it. It will be ultimately up to preference and use case.