

Additionally, using Windows means that if you're a subscriber to Xbox Game Pass, you'll be able to play games from that service on the Steam Deck. Those games should be just as compatible as they are on the best gaming PCs, albeit with the Steam Deck's limited specs in mind. Additionally, installing Windows means that you won't have any Proton compatibility issues for Windows-native games. If you want to run your Steam games and also play those from other stores, Windows may be your best option. Additionally, SteamOS also doesn't support non-Steam games, like those from the Epic Games Store.īut the Steam Deck is a PC, which means that there's nothing stopping you from installing alternative operating systems. Some games designed for Windows don't yet play well with Steam's Proton compatibility layer for Linux. It allows for a simplified, almost console-style experience that's easily navigated with the handheld's controllers.ĭespite Valve's efforts, not every game runs smoothly on the Deck yet. It starts at $399 in the U.S., and it can cost more - depending on the specifications you pick.Valve's Steam Deck runs SteamOS out of the box, which is based on Arch Linux. It offers an AMD APU processor, 16GB of RAM, up to 512GB of storage, and much more. So while we don't actually expect people out there to actively use macOS on their Steam Decks, installing macOS Mojave could be a complex workaround to run 32-bit games that have no 64-bit versions.įor those unfamiliar with the matter, Valve's Steam Deck is a 7-inch handheld gaming device. MacOS Catalina drops support for 32-bit apps - a compatibility that some users still rely on to run outdated software. Nonetheless, it's an impressive execution that only reflects how lenient the technologies we use can be. The user highlights that some animations are laggy and that it takes 2-4 minutes to boot the system. The end result is a functional (at least partially) macOS on the portable gaming platform. The user resorted to SteamOS VirtualBox to execute it. As the photo in the above embed reveals, Redditor u/Lampa183 has been able to utilize macOS Catalina on their Steam Deck.
