Here’s the Deal

SteamOS vs PureOS

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When comparing SteamOS vs PureOS, the Slant community recommends PureOS for most people. In the question“What are the best Linux distributions for desktops?” PureOS is ranked 18th while SteamOS is ranked 79th. The most important reason people chose PureOS is:

PureBrowser is a modified version of Firefox that comes with security focused plugins. There is also a copy of TOR installed in the OS by default.

Specs

Based OnArch Linux

Default Desktop EnvironmentSteam Big Picture, Kde Plasma

Init-SystemSystemd

Main UsageGaming

Available Onmultiple devices (amd64 based PCs)

DeveloperValve

LicenseProprietary on top of Linux

OS FamilyGNU/Linux

Official Supported Architecturesamd64/x86_64

OriginUSA

Package ManagerPacman Arch Package Manager, Steam

Based OnDebian Testing

Default Desktop EnvironmentGNOME

Init-Systemsystemd

Main UsageDesktop

Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking

Common Questions

What are the best Linux distributions for desktops?

What is the best laptop OS?

Pros

Pro
Native graphics processor support

The OS natively supports Nvidia, Intel, and AMD graphics processors.

Pro
Streaming service integration (under development)

Valve is in talks with streaming companies such as Spotify and Netflix to bring their features to SteamOS.

Pro
For entertainment, it just works

What media center software do for videos, it does for games (and later videos).

Pro
PureBrowser and TOR

PureBrowser is a modified version of Firefox that comes with security focused plugins. There is also a copy of TOR installed in the OS by default.

Pro
You can download and install it, without the need to purchase their laptop

PureOS is available from their site for free for anyone to use, no need to purchase any of their laptops in order to check out the OS which is a tweaked build of the Trisquel distro.

Pro
Default install on a free, open source laptop

PureOS is the default OS installed on the Purism Librem laptops.

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Cons

Con
Hard to install

If you've installed Arch you're probably fine, but for those used to simple installs like (Ubuntu to name just one) you should prepare some patience, determination, and painkillers. Good news is, it's getting better (it's very young).

Con
Not built around the desktop experience

SteamOS is, first and foremost, meant to act as a gaming console - it doesn't ship with even some of the most basic applications, such as a file manager or image viewer. As a result, using SteamOS as your primary operating system would require a fair bit of work.