It's been just under 24 hours since Valve announced su Steam deck. At first, it is a portable console with which we can access our Steam catalog, but reading a little more thoroughly we see that it uses a special SteamOS system that is based on Arch Linux and KDE. If we read a little more thoroughly, just as explain At The Verge, calling this device a "console" is an understatement.
On paper, the Steam Deck is a portable console, you just have to take a look at it to realize it. But what's inside is actually a PC, so other operating systems and software can be installed. In the absence of testing that special SteamOS and from what Valve says, you can probably install emulators like RetroArch.
The Steam Deck is a portable PC, says Valve
The problem of Linux with games is evident, and more if we do not want to pull WINE. In Steam itself, almost all of them are available for Windows, there is less for macOS and much less for Linux, so the console would be a bit limited (not sure about the latter). And here we are talking about games, not about working on a fast and stable operating system. Therefore, looking askance at Microsoft's system does not seem like a very serious sin.
The idea would be as follows: install windows on the Steam Deck and is used for the same Steam that can already be used by default, but also with Xbox games that Microsoft promises it will bring to PC as well. In addition, other emulators could also be installed, although I would not ensure that the controls work easily and I would not recommend being an "early adopter" in this regard.
Let's leave it with SteamOS, Windows or any other operating system, the Steam Deck it's a laptop, and there the question of the price that a server had yesterday is explained. So, if you are a gamer, I think you are interested.