this post was submitted on 09 Dec 2025
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Why are we saying Linux PCs AND steam deck? The steam deck is just a Linux PC. Unless custom work was done for it?
A lot of custom work was done for it. Custom drivers, custom window manager, most of it upstreamed, if not all. It is not as different as an Android Phone, but I believe we can say it is not primarily a Linux PC, but rather an handheld that comes with an integrated Linux PC.
No, it's a Linux PC. You just never leave steam big picture mode if you're basic.
So is any Android phone in such case. Form factor matters.
The Deck is a Linux handheld, that can be converted to a Linux PC depending on the accessories used. But by itself, with no accessories whatsoever, good luck using it as a PC.
A laptop can be considered as a PC, as it has all the peripheral integrated into his chassis, a desktop too (as it cannot be used without peripherals, they can be counted as part of it), but a Deck primary use is handheld gaming, not personal computing. Its included peripherals cannot allow it use as such.
It's... Not a desktop?
It is a personal computer, it runs Linux, I recognize KDE, I can fuck around in terminal. In what ways is it not a personal computer? I don't understand.
Also, are you a llm from like 2021?
I'm a human with an opinion you may not share, for whom English is not his primary language. So grammatical error are to be expected. Now if you can come down of your high horse and not assume anyone with whom you do not agree is a LLM, that'd be great.
Try to do a spreadsheet on the deck without any accessory. It is possible, but very fastidious. It isn't an hardware made to do personal computing (aka, a PC), it is an hardware to play game.
A PC isn't just a software, it is also a hardware specifically made to allow various computing tasks. Calculus, graphical work of various kinds, sometimes games (which have to adapt to peripherals that weren't made for games in mind).
A Deck is made for games first, and the various other task you may want to do have to work around its limitation. From my point of view, this cannot be called a PC.
But that's my opinion, I won't force anyone else to agree with me, or call them a LLM out of spite.
I mean, try to do a spreadsheet on a PC without any accessories. You can't, because there's no monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc... All accessories. By this logic, only laptops can really be called PCs.
Replace any desktop tower with a Steam Deck and you'll find it's perfectly capable of doing the same job.
A desktop computer cannot be used without peripheral (unless you use it as a server). They where separated from the chassis for flexibility sake, not because they were optional.
There was a time where everything was integrated into the chassis, screen included. Those were hefty beasts, loud, and hard to maintain, because when a peripheral broke, you had to service the whole unit instead of swapping the keyboard to a new one.
As for the Deck, you have everything you need for its intended use, no peripheral needed. Of course, you can add some to make it work like a PC, but in such case, is it still only a Deck ?
We could argue for ages around that, but I think it boils down to philosophy. Some prefers maximalist definition, other prefer minimalist definition. I'm obviously of the later school, and you of the former.
So, how about we agree to have different opinions on the matter, and go on our respective way, instead of throwing oil on the fire of a sterile debate ?
Think this might be a language issue then.
Bad form, dude. Tisk.
I can usually tell 'second language' use patterns.
Still not a valid argument in this case. It's basically an ad hominem, or on that level of argumentation.
It was a weird pattern. I grew up talking to second language speakers as often as first.
Maybe it's an llm bullshitting us, maybe they learned in some weird way like 'Mandarin, Python, English'. Maybe your mom is not a valid argument? Who can say?
Are you actively trying to pick fights now?
Oh, so your mom is a valid argument? I need to explore the ramifications of this.
You're acting like an obnoxious teen. We try to be nice to each other on Lemmy, could you try to play along? Makes for a nicer environment. Thanks.
Your mom?
Testing this out. Lemme know if I'm doing it wrong. First comment since finding out.
You can usually file people into two crowds when pointing out to them that they're not behaving very nicely.
You've got your A crowd, where they go "Ah shit, you're right, mb. Just having a little banter, I'm sorry."
Then you've got your B crowd which consists of people who when confronted in a calm and nice manner will just double down on being an asshole. I guess because of weak and fragile ego?
It's never too late to disassociate yourself from the wrong crowd, buddy.
So I'm not using it properly? Can you show me proper use in a sentence?
Just stop.
Why?
Will you look back at yourself in decades' time and you're gonna be like, "yeah, I'm proud of how I acted during that week"?
Is this the type of person you aim to be? This is your ambition in life? 😐
Actually yeah. I've been pretty awesome this week. I hope it doesn't stand out that much, but it's a pretty solid normal.
And yes, sorta. Being a petty bitch on the internet is kind of what I aspire to. I dream of a world where I, sucking no more than I do now, am the absolute worst piece of shit anyone can imagine. That world would be fucking amazing.
You're on the wrong platform then. Maybe go back to Reddit where this is more the norm? You'll be among peers.
Before I block you forever with an... appropriate user tag, I just have one question:
Why is this something you aspire to be?
I suppose it shall remain forever a mystery. Unless you read the comment you're replying to. But otherwise? Mystery.
Willing to bet you don't even know. Willing to bet you're full of shit about it, in fact. Because it just makes no sense. Then it's probably not true.
Anyway, bye.
If you never leave Big Picture mode, then you probably don't run Discord.
Everyone else in this comments section didn't read the article lmao, it's because they did steam deck specific fixes.
Yea you're right. I read the article after commenting and realised my mistake lol. Some of the replies have been entertaining though.
For the common Joe who has a Steam Deck and doesn't really care if it's powered by Linux or BSD or whatever
It may be a kind of Linux PC, but it’s not just a Linux PC. (Also not a fan of the American language…)