1d ago

Update your Steam Deck! New SteamOS Beta now with KDE Plasma 6.2.5!

https://www.steamdeck.com/en/news

Plasma6 #opensource #freesoftware #gaming #LinuxGaming

@kde@lemmy.kde.social

43 comments

Due to this deviating way off topic and degrading int o flames, this thread is now locked. Frankly disappointing.
Also: remember rule 5:
Avoid comparing and/or disparaging various desktop environments, distros, and/or other FLOSS projects. This instance is for discussing the KDE community and the software it produces, and not about pointless flamewars between open source projects.

@kde@floss.social @kde@lemmy.kde.social It seems to be a beta, so not now...

@kde@floss.social @kde@lemmy.kde.social
Why does a game console need a desktop environment?
If I wanted a desktop, I'd use my pc. If I want to get away from the desktop, I'll consider buying a console.
Maybe a Switch is a better choice?
- I don't feel this is a genuine question. There are literally so many reasons it would take forever to list.. but sure,get a switch if you like paying too much for everything and being locked in a walled garden .
- Its not that complicated: options.
  You are presented with the Steam Deck UI by default. You don't have to use the desktop.
  Installing non-steam games on desktop is handy.
  Some people use the steam deck as more than just a game system.
  If it's not for you, don't use it. Simple as that.
- @leeloo @kde@floss.social @kde@lemmy.kde.social so you can use your Steam deck as a full blown PC with an external monitor, keyboard, if you want .. 2 devices in one.
  
  @lps @kde@floss.social @kde@lemmy.kde.social
  So you're confirming that a Switch would be a better choice?
- You can always just not switch it into desktop mode, but hey you know what you want out of a console more than I do, it just seems odd to pick based between steamdeck and switch for that reason. Usually, I would expect people to make that choice based on the game library they want access to.
- Becauase some people like the idea of a single device that is a pretty good lower resolution gaming handheld, and can also basically be used as a low/mid range laptop/tablet as well.
  The DE mode uses a very nice onscreen keyboard which works either with your two thumbs on the Steam Decks touchpads, or, the whole screen is also touch sensitive, and you can do it that way.
  Or you can just dock it and use an actual Mouse + Keyboard, and/or a distinct monitor, which can handle DE mode at a higher resolution than the Deck's built in screen.
  Also, if you're into modding games or using emulators, you need to go into the desktop mode to tinker with things.
  (I was actually quite surprised to find that a 3DS emulator just... worked, perfectly, with the Deck's touchscreen, without me even having to manually configure anything... so i could actually use the main controls for the main screen, and just poke the other screen that is usually some kind of inventory screen, or something like that.)
  Or if you want to say... check your email.
  Browse the web on a fully functional desktop browser (of your choice), watch youtube, go on lemmy or reddit, buy some stuff off Amazon or w/e.
  Draw something or do some photo editing in Krita or GIMP.
  Do office work style stuff with LibreOffice.
  Use Discord, or record your own gameplay with OBS or something, and then edit and upload a (admittedly low resolution, most likely) video to youtube.
  I've actually compiled from source and run Godot on a Steam Deck.
  You can literally develop a game on a Steam Deck, and then test it in game mode, on a Steam Deck.
  
  @sp3ctr4l
  That sounds an awful lot like things that would be easier to do at a (desktop or laptop) PC. The exact opposite of what I would buy a console for.
- It's a computer....
- I used the desktop mode to install non-Steam games, so it was useful for that.
- @leeloo @kde@floss.social @kde@lemmy.kde.social It doesn't need one, but why hide it when it has one anyway?
  Most Games on Steam are not available on the Switch. That is a pretty good reason
  
  @vamp898 @kde@floss.social @kde@lemmy.kde.social
  To appeal to the console demographics rather than being associated with the "nerds who will hacksaw a PC into something that looks vaguely like a console" minority.
  I would think that there are more games on steam that also can be played on the Switch than there are Nintendo games that can be played on the Steam Deck, so that argument seems backwards.

It's weird they use KDE when GNOME seems more touch friendly with bigger elements.
- KDE is much more intuitive for someone coming from Windows.
  
  And receptive to changes and improvements and proper discussions. Makes it great for external contributors and for a company to put their efforts in.
  
  @anguo @RejZoR I Nevers used Windows as my main computer, but I quitted Gnome about two years ago, tired of their way to remove every bit of customization one after the other, tired of Gnome breaking plugins on each upgrade,... #kde is great and I wouldn't look back. I set it the way I want, which is a mix of Gnome / Unity / MacOS and #Amiga Workbench (for the e place if the title bar buttons :-) )
- KDE is much easier to configure and was more stable last time that I compared.

43 comments