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SteamOS alternative Bazzite v2.2 out now with lots of enhancements

By - | Views: 40,901

Need something similar to SteamOS for your desktop or handhelds like the Steam Deck? The latest release of Bazzite with version 2.2 sounds like it just keeps getting better.

Technically not a Linux distribution, and they don't call Bazzite a Linux distro. It's more of a community-rebuild based on Fedora Linux using ublue-os/main and ublue-os/nvidia with lots of extras included. It's still not yet something for beginners, with their install experience gradually improving. But for people who love to tinker, this could be a bit of fun.

The 2.2 release includes some big changes like a new modified fsync kernel with enhanced hardware support, HDR and more. You also get Nintendo HID support, a Webapp Manager, Pods as a default feature which is great for managing distrobox/containers, improvements to Steam Deck support, patches to Gamescope pulled in from ChimeraOS and tons of tweaks to both the GNOME and KDE desktop environments available. Plus lots of bug fixes.

So why use this? As they explain:

Bazzite started as a project to resolve some of the issues that plague SteamOS, mainly out of date packages (despite an Arch base) and the lack of a functional package manager.

Despite this project also being image-based, you are able to install any Fedora package straight from the command line. These packages will persist across updates (So go ahead and install that obscure VPN software you spent an hour trying to get working in SteamOS). Additionally, Bazzite is updated multiple times a week with packages from upstream Fedora, giving you the best possible performance and latest features - all on a stable base.

Bazzite ships with the latest Linux kernel and SELinux enabled by default with full support for secure boot (Run ujust enroll-secure-boot-key and enter the password ublue-os if prompted to enroll our key) and disk encryption, making this a sensible solution for general computing. (Yes, you can print from Bazzite)

More is explained in their full FAQ.

See more on the GitHub page.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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18 comments
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massatt212 Jan 23
on regular desktop pc it has a 15w limit to the GPU, idk if the fixed it today but yesterday i had that problem.
Kazevic Jan 23
Bazzite looks really great, I'm almost thinking about replacing Nobara now. I wonder when is someone going to compare the performance of those two; I'm especially curious about things like SELinux Vs. AppArmor and Bazzite's custom Pop!_Os scheduler.
These "issues that plague SteamOS" are not issues at all, they're such by design to provide a stable OS for use on appliance-like hardware.
Nice. I'm currently testing out Nobara, and it's been fine on my hardware... but I just don't need the full mutability. uBlue is just too convenient.
Quoting: rustybroomhandleThese "issues that plague SteamOS" are not issues at all, they're such by design to provide a stable OS for use on appliance-like hardware.
Well, I suppose if you want to both own a Steam Deck and be a tinkerer, they become issues. One use-case's feature is another use-case's bug.
Quoting: Purple Library GuyWell, I suppose if you want to both own a Steam Deck and be a tinkerer, they become issues. One use-case's feature is another use-case's bug.
Which is exactly why the Linux landscape is the way it is, and it's better that way. People should fork or spin software to allow for alternative use and viewpoints, even if there is also a need for centralized way of shipping authoritative official end-user software. And this is why Nix + Flatpak are indeed the superior way of shipping packages
Quoting: fenglengshun... it's better that way. People should ... allow for alternative use and viewpoints ... And this is why Nix + Flatpak are indeed the superior way of shipping packages

You can see the irony here, do you?
RonDamon Jan 24
Quoting: Purple Library Guy
Quoting: rustybroomhandleThese "issues that plague SteamOS" are not issues at all, they're such by design to provide a stable OS for use on appliance-like hardware.
Well, I suppose if you want to both own a Steam Deck and be a tinkerer, they become issues. One use-case's feature is another use-case's bug.
"Tinkerers" are a niche in OSs, that's why Mac and Windows are dominant. Linux will only be popular if everything works out of the box without tinkering, and people that want that will have it in niche external and small distros.
Quoting: Deleted_UserYou can see the irony here, do you?
That's what's the emoji's for
wurschti Jan 24
Does this one have the Game Mode like Chimera OS? Also related question, I just got a GPD Win 4 yesterday and Windows feels sluggish, slow and seems to use too much power even for lighter games. Do you guys have any suggestions regarding a good Linux Gaming OS? Holo is abandonware and seems to have way too many issues. Nobara looks the look, but as far as I read, it is missing the Game Mode and manually setting up everything looks like a pain and I have little time to tinker. Chimera OS looks best atm, but would you suggest it?

Thanks in advance :)
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