I prefer to use an OS that i don't constantly have to fight with.
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We reach the point, where the optimal windows install will include multiple complicated tinker steps for disabling intrusive features, while many Linux distro installs are nowadays pretty much streamlined and straightforward.
Oh how the turntables...
Yeah, who really wants to play whack-a-mole with their own computer?
Gaming is and will always be the reason for majority of people. There was some incredible progress, but if I can't play everything I own on Linux, I won't switch. This comes from a guy who loves his Steam Deck.
For me, gaming was a requirement, but I had enough of Windows and switched to Bazzite (Gaming centric preloaded Fedora Linux).
It's really only kernel level anti-cheat games (Apex Legends, Valorant, Rainbow 6, etc.) that are incompatible now. If you're a co-op or single player gamer, I haven't had an issue.
Of the current 1000 top played games, 90% are playable ProtonDB. Steam's playable rating is overly cautious in it's assessment.

Proton db is straight up unreliable. Plenty of "compatible" games still require huge amounts of tinkering.
The latest fully compatible game for me PoE2 is missing 4k for me, missing HDR, vrr, and a bunch of other shit.
PoE2
Path of exile 2 just works though? It even has a vulkan renderer.
missing HDR, vrr
That depends on the compositor you're using, support is still relatively new but it works just fine on GNOME and KDE.
I have faith that proton development will continue to rectify these shortfalls. Windows has had dominance for decades allowing game devs and tools to work to Microsoft. Windows games used to require tinkering as well back in the beginning before and shortly after Direct X.
The ProtonDB compatible tier system helps form an assessment of any capabilities that aren't working. I would agree that running at 1080p is compatible for me. For me, those features are not show stoppers and potentially game specific. RE:Village has HDR support for example. And with the database comes a community effort to fix common issues. Example with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and the NVIDIA employee providing the command line argument to solve a driver issue.
Ultimately, proton has enabled me to drop Windows and for that I'm thankful.
Which distro are you using?
Also specific proprietary software people need to use for work. If you’re a design freelancer that cannot properly edit photoshop or illustrator files, customers are likely to go with another freelancer. That’s why many people dual boot for when they have to keep windows around, but this allows them to keep the evil side of their computer at least a little less evil.
It's bad for normal people. The Linux community is still delusional about the desktop state and it's lack of easy use and compatible hardware.
Now, here come 20 nerds to screech at me about how my issues aren't real and 10 years outdated.
Running bazzite deck/desktop (gnome) and still have multiple issues configuring displays, audio, and getting games to work correctly.
Every machine I have tried it on it works flawlessly. Actually it is Windows that now has weird driver issues with older hardware.
Que CallMeAnAI, "I am trying to play COD on 4 monitors on newly released hardware and it doesn't werk!'
🤣 I can't even get the display to work without having unplug it every time or have audio work without a pulse wire script. We're talking about day one bullshit like Bluetooth working inconsistently and with tons of latency. VRR and HDR not working in tons of games.
But I'm sure I'm just doing it wrong 🤣. This is the year of Linux desktop!
Probably running Nvidia with a shit motherboard on a distro that doesn't support it. HDR not working!? It works just fucking fine on the Steam Deck. This is clearly a user problem.
12700k, MSI tomahawk, and yeah Nvidia. But it ain't a shit board it was all upper mid range when purchased. Thank you for proving my point so elegantly. "I'm holding it wrong" - Jobs probably
Bazzite does NOT support Nvidia. They are fucking completely open about this. Thanks for proving my point that you are acting like an idiot.
You're incorrect. They have since earlier this year and it's highly recommended in the blue discord.
But I do love the cognitive disconnect between Linux DE is easy and you've chosen the wrong hardware and haven't done enough compatibility research 🤣. It's fascinating.
They just started their support, Jesus you are acting dumb. Try another distro. Fascinating you haven't done this already.
What distro do you suggest? I've done Debian , similar display and audio issues. As well as mint and Ubuntu. Is it going to fix my Bluetooth and pulse wire issues as well? Does it support deck mode and btrfs?
Try Debian next would be my suggestion.
Edit: This guy is ninja editing, blocked
Bazzite founder here, we've supported Nvidia since 1.0
Can you not lie to potential users? Please?
The official support started in January of 2025 and you guys clearly don't have your crap together so we have people talking shit because of it. Thanks!
"No, Bazzite does not completely lack Nvidia support, but its support is in beta with significant caveats compared to its primary AMD focus. While Bazzite offers hardware compatibility out-of-the-box for AMD GPUs and has specific beta Nvidia images available,"
Incorrect, we've supported Nvidia for the lifespan of the project.
You are pointing to gamemode issues only, which is out of our control. Desktop images work without caveat.
This is not a unique position to Bazzite.
Nice glossing over the fact that Nvidia drivers are in beta and Bazzite specifically supported AMD hardware.
Let's be honest people use Bazzite to play games, it doesn't work right on Nvidia still.
You are correct, Nvidia sucks on Linux nowadays.
Nvidia drivers are not in beta, we use the latest stable for all nvidia releases. Only gamemode images are considered beta for reasons outside of our control.
We never specifically supported only AMD hardware.
I'm not sure why you think you can tell the founder of the project it's history. You might want to rethink what you're doing a bit.
Bazzite had an official beta program for NVIDIA support in early 2025, but it has since been integrated and is considered a major feature, though still noted as having more caveats than AMD support.
You are clearly trying to mislead about Bazzite's ability to work with Nividia. The guy I was discussing this with is feeling the pain. Constantly having to plug and unplug his monitor, no HDR support, etc.
If you want to fix this problem go talk to him not the guy who is pointing out your Nvidia support is not up to par.
After talking with you I am no longer going to recommend Bazzite like I used to. Congratulations!
Incorrect, we never put Nvidia in a beta program other than labeling game mode images as beta for, again, problems outside of our control.
That's fine, if your idea of support is AI hallucinations and actively lying to people I'd appreciate it if you never spoke of the project again.
Thanks
Message from the actual maintainers of Bazzite in Jan 2025.
As of today, bazzite-deck-nvidia is now available as a beta thanks to improvements in the latest Nvidia drivers. While this is very clearly not a stable experience everyone should jump on, this should at least give our users something to play with and a tool to help report the remaining bugs to Nvidia.
Some important caveats:
- Most bugs present here cannot be fixed by us, please do not report them to us if they're already known issues. See our Discord and/or GitHub issue tracker.
- This will not allow Nvidia eGPUs on handhelds. Due to issues caused by installing the Nvidia drivers this support most likely won't come until NVK is ready to replace the proprietary driver.
- Only nvidia-open will be supported by these images. That means no GTX 9xx or 10xx support.
Let us know what you think!
Bazzite founder here, can you stop lying to people?
I'm not trying to shit on you guys, you all are doing great work and I understand why Nvidia sucks.
I just wish the community were more honest about the current state on general purpose hardware.
Bazzite was founded on supporting AMD hardware. Please stop acting like a lying idiot.
Incorrect, Nvidia drivers were present since before 1.0's launch.
I am aware that all Linux distros support basic GPU calls and can work with Nvidia out of the box. This isn't saying much. Without decent 3d acceleration or any of the other specific functions the GPU is capable of.
"Why AMD is a Better Fit for Bazzite:
Open-Source Driver Advantage: AMD's open-source drivers are integrated into the Linux kernel, providing superior compatibility and performance on Bazzite compared to Nvidia's binary drivers.
Console-Like Experience: Bazzite aims for a console-like experience, which is best achieved with AMD GPUs, as they work seamlessly with the Gamescope environment and Steam Gaming Mode.
Performance & Optimization: The Mesa drivers for AMD hardware offer better Vulkan support and thread optimization, often leading to smoother performance and better 1% lows in games compared to Windows. Hardware Compatibility: Bazzite focuses on out-of-the-box compatibility, and AMD hardware benefits from this focus due to the mature, open-source drivers available within the Linux ecosystem.
Specialized AMD Features: Bazzite includes support for AMD-specific optimizations, such as the CCD scheduler for processors with 3D V-Cache, further enhancing performance for relevant workloads. Why Nvidia is Less Ideal for Bazzite (in comparison):
Proprietary Drivers: Nvidia's closed-source drivers can be more complex to manage in a Linux environment, leading to a less seamless experience and potential compatibility issues with features like Steam Gaming Mode.
Limited Console Features: With Nvidia GPUs, Bazzite will typically provide a desktop-only experience because the console-like Gaming Mode does not function properly."
Tbh, nvidia aint much better on windows. Their drivers are just shit.
Exactly this. I've been running Fedora for about 2 years now. I love it, but I'm NOT going to pretend it's "ready" yet. It's getting close, but there are enough edge cases it doesn't handle well that someone is very likely going to trip over at least one of them.
Skill issue. Sorry.
Perfection.
It is both easier and ready for the public and a skill issue.
Peak Linux DE cognitive dissonance.
Stop all the cherry picking, this isn't Reddit. Engage the argument in good faith.
Linux IS easier to install and use than ever before. If you stay within the FOSS ecosystem, the DE does usually work fine for what it's made for.
But people are complaining they can't flawlessly run Windows games in Linux. Come on. Most computer users aren't even gamers.
It is easier than ever before. Still not good enough for the general public. Basic stuff doesn't work consistently or without additional text based configuration and cli tools.
This is not a problem in window or osx.
Fair enough, but one person's "basic" may be another person's fancy tool/workflow. As far as I know most popular distros either come with a browser or install it from a GUI-based "software store" with pretty minimal effort, and then it "just works" to get on the internet. However, did your distro detect your machine's Wi-Fi card correctly? Maybe... so I concede your point.
I think you're confusing my Bluetooth issues. Either way, it's not typical with a Windows machine. And I know a lot of it is out of the community's control. It doesn't change they random shit doesn't work distro to distro and with different CC m hardware configurations.
I can easily connect my PS5 controller to everything flawlessly. Except for my bazzite distro. A gaming focused distro. I have an MSI tomahawk 590 that's popular and was recommended as a nice upper mid end board. I can't get my LG TV to connect consistently or use VRR and HDR. And not that it makes me the smartest person on the planet, but this shit is literally my job. I spend all day in podman, dockerfiles, terraform, and have commits to cncf, Apache, and NGinx.
I understand how to write gameconf.conf files, I can fight the 15 years of display mode crap to specify a new display mode to Wayland.
Who is this person who isn't in tech that magically knows this shit and isn't making 250k a year in tech? I'm us based so maybe this is skewed but I just think most are optimistic at best about Linux DE.
If you wanted a serious response you should have A) written a serious post and 2) not set up any reply to be "nerds" yelling at you.
If you think Win11 has a wider support for hardware than a Fedora based OS no one here's gonna convince you any different because that's so much concentrated bullshit it's not even funny.
Yes, finally someone sane that understand that most linux distro are SUCK !
The only linux distro that very beginner friendly is Garuda Linux, i said that because that distro has garuda ranni package in it that help even the dumbass linux user to fix & tweaking the OS. No one other linux distros has come close what garuda team does, they singlehandedly making Arch easier to use & tweak even for the dumbass user.
They can’t handle Linux and Macs are for the gays
Excuse me, what?
I’m making fun of windows users.
By dunking on gay people, nice. What year is this?
You missed the point. People used to actually say that about Mac users. That comment was made as parody.
Oh, I didn't miss the point or the joke. I'm also gay and I heard it all throughout the 2000s and I found it irritating then.
It was also annoying to be lumped together with Mac users like a monolith of tech illiterate pansies, which couldn't be further from the truth.
Sorry to come off as grumpy. The trope just hits a particular nerve with me, but I've reconsidered with more context from the OP. All good!
Correct. I’m also gay, so I heard it a lot growing up—as a Mac user.
Unfortunately I have a lot of games that are not available on Steam (dlsite, DMM etc) and it's been very hit or miss on the deck so far
Very good news. I'm not completely against AI, but I find Copilot to be worthless.
Been trying to find something on this. It debloats and removes apps. What apps exactly? Does it just pick random apps you haven’t used recently or what?
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