5 reasons Bazzite will still be better than SteamOS (at least at first)

Valve has finally taken a big step toward making SteamOS available on more handheld gaming PCs, with Lenovo’s upcoming Legion Go 2 set to support the OS. This is a huge deal, considering how poorly Windows 11 handles the handheld form factor. However, Bazzite will still be the better option for most handhelds.

The custom Linux build offers a SteamOS-like experience for popular Windows handhelds like the ROG Ally and Legion Go. It delivers a console-like interface, smooth controller navigation, and even working suspend/resume functionality.

5

Better software and updates

Bazzite follows Fedora’s update cycle

One of Bazzite’s biggest advantages over SteamOS is its superior software and update support. While Valve tightly controls SteamOS, Bazzite offers a more flexible experience by shipping with newer software versions right out of the box. Bazzite also follows Fedora’s update cycle, meaning it receives frequent updates directly from upstream. This means you get access to the latest graphics drivers, Linux kernels, and desktop environments like KDE Plasma much earlier than SteamOS users.

Bazzite also allows for easier software installation beyond just gaming-related applications. Unlike SteamOS, which locks down the root filesystem, Bazzite lets users install additional software without workarounds. On SteamOS, making such modifications requires unlocking the root filesystem, which not only introduces risks but also gets reset every time SteamOS updates. Bazzite also has something called “Fearless Updates,” which lets you roll back to a previous OS state with a single command if an update causes issues.

4

Wider handheld support

At least for now

Bazzite goes beyond SteamOS by offering better support for handheld gaming PCs, thanks to its built-in Handheld Daemon (HHD). While SteamOS is primarily designed for the Steam Deck, Bazzite enhances the experience for a wider range of handheld devices for users who prefer gaming on non-Steam Deck hardware.

One of the key advantages of HHD is its extensive game controller support. Plus, HHD provides hardware controls for power management, which means you can tweak settings like TDP, GPU settings, CPU boost, and power governors. For select devices, Bazzite even enables RGB lighting customization, a feature completely absent from SteamOS. Moreover, you can enjoy swipe gestures within Steam Gaming Mode, which makes navigation easy.

Bazzite makes life easier for developers

Bazzite makes life easier for developers by offering a mix of handy features and practical tools. You get access to several package managers and repositories running in containers, so you can experiment without worrying about breaking your system. Plus, Homebrew comes pre-installed, meaning you have command-line packages ready to roll right away.

Another cool aspect is that Bazzite layers Fedora packages onto your system in a way that they stick around even after updates. That means your key development tools stay intact, saving you time and hassle. And if you need to run services or background software, Quadlet lets you host them easily.

2

Bazzite comes with security improvements

You won’t find these features in SteamOS

Bazzite takes security seriously with features like LUKS Disk Encryption, Secure Boot, and even TPM unlock for the encrypted disk — none of which you’ll find on SteamOS. While disk encryption on Bazzite is a manual setup during installation, it’s totally worth it for the extra layer of protection. You’ll need to create an encryption password that you can reliably remember. If you’re tired of typing that password every time you reboot, you can easily set up TPM unlock using the handy command: ujust setup-luks-tpm-unlock.

Plus, Bazzite comes with the Security Enhanced Linux (SELinux) kernel module enabled and pre-configured by default. This means your system gets an extra security boost right out of the box.

1

It’s feature-packed

Has almost all the features you need

Bazzite is a fully loaded, feature-packed OS designed to get the most out of handheld gaming PCs. For ROG Ally users, Bazzite includes a dedicated menu for device-specific features like TDP modes and lighting controls.

Performance improvements have also been a big focus. Early versions had some limitations, but Bazzite now supports low frame rate compensation with VRR, which helps make better use of the ROG Ally’s 120Hz display. There is also a frame rate slider similar to the Steam Deck’s, but with finer control down to 10fps, giving users more flexibility in performance tuning.

Another major advantage is Fossilize, which significantly reduces shader compilation stutters compared to Windows. As a result, games like Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Ghostrunner run much smoother. Bazzite also includes Waydroid, which allows users to run Android applications. This feature is not found in SteamOS.

Bazzite is the best option so far

Valve is preparing an official SteamOS release for Windows handhelds, which is certainly intriguing. But for now, Bazzite is the OS you can actually use, especially since the alternative is Windows, which is notoriously frustrating. You might even consider using Bazzite on your gaming PC instead of Windows.

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