Upstream images vs bazzite: https://github.com/ublue-os/countme/blob/main/growth_upstream_with_bazzite.svg
My prediction: bazzite may have more installs than Fedora KDE by the end of the year.
I still miss the advantages for these cases.
I can understand the kid example, but I feel that's easily solved by not giving them root access.
A htpc in which you just need to launch media
Setup the system and install whatever media software. Update it every once in a while or setup auto updates. I do not see any difference between traditional os and immutable. You're likely not modifying any system files anyway.
A steam Deck like handheld in which you just want your game launcher
The producing company controls software and updates, it should be immutable anyway as users likely do not have root access. Were users to have root access this may make sense. I'm not sure, maybe the immutability would make updates easier for the company?
A PC for your technologically inept family members to just use as an email/browser/word processor
Are they really going to brick their system? That would require opening the terminal. But I mean, fair.
What I do not understand is why there are users swearing by bazzite and other immutable distributions. These examples you make is basically for users who just do the most basic operations with their systems. Fair, if this makes it easier for non technical people to use Linux I'm all for it. What I do not understand is why technically adept people are so excited for these kinds of distributions?