this post was submitted on 07 Jan 2025
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Linux Gaming

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[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 22 points 11 months ago (4 children)

In May, the true experiment will begin when gamers can pick between a $499.99 SteamOS version with 16GB / 512GB, a $599.99 Windows version with 16GB / 1TB

Is there any logical reason for the Windows version to have more storage? What is that about?

[–] IrateAnteater@sh.itjust.works 32 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Masking the cost of the Windows license is my guess.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 9 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Why would they want to do that? Like, if I'm Lenovo, I'm genuinely excited about this, and want people to buy it. They can pocket the difference on the Windows license while selling more units because the product is more attractive. They have no reason to actively encourage people to stick with Windows, unless MS is paying them to?

It really just seems like an experiment for them. I hope people buy them...

[–] slimerancher@lemmy.world 9 points 11 months ago

Probably don't want to antagonize MS, but don't know how things work at this level, so just randomly guessing.

[–] Toribor@corndog.social 6 points 11 months ago

Microsoft has weird rules with OEMs about selling the same hardware without a Windows license. This might be a way around it.

[–] EonNShadow@pawb.social 18 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

Storage is cheap, windows licensing is expensive, maybe Lenovo is trying to add value for the people who want to stick to Windows

Probably not, though. Hopefully it's repairable/upgradable.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Lenovo is trying to add value for the people who want to stick to Windows

Why would they do that?

[–] EonNShadow@pawb.social 6 points 11 months ago

No idea, hence my "probably not"

A deal with Microsoft, maybe?

[–] casmael@lemm.ee 1 points 11 months ago

Yeah looks like the drive is one of those smol m.2 sticks so you should be able to swap it out, as long as you can reinstall steam os on the new one. Can’t imagine that would be an issue tbh.

[–] VerilyFemme@lemmy.blahaj.zone 12 points 11 months ago

Must need it to fit all that bloatware lmao

[–] hemko@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

To hide the license cost for Windows.

That extra 512GB storage costs ~$30 or so but I doubt average consumer has any idea about that.
Also there's the thing that Windows alone requires like 100GB space...

[–] Pieisawesome@lemmy.world 0 points 11 months ago (1 children)

No it doesn’t? The minimum spec says 64gb of storage, but windows itself takes 20-30gb.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications

[–] hemko@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

100GB was a decent approximation then, only 50% over the actual minimum spec

[–] heavy@sh.itjust.works 22 points 11 months ago (1 children)

No TouchPad so I'll pass, but a non Windows version is a step in the right direction.

[–] RogueAozame@programming.dev 9 points 11 months ago (2 children)

The little square below the joystick is a touchpad apparently. I think it wouldbe cooler though if they just used the nipple from their laptops. It would be smaller and IMO more usable than such a small touchpad.

[–] stargazingpenguin@lemmy.zip 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I thought it was a fingerprint reader at first glance! I agree that usability could be an issue at that size. Do you think the trackpoint would be much better than a joystick?

[–] RogueAozame@programming.dev 1 points 11 months ago

I dont think itd be much better but it has a small footprint and is more usable at that size than a trackpad. I think those are good qualities to have for a small portable device like this. I like my steam deck but I dont personally use the trackpads often and almost never the one on the left so one small nipple would be amazing for me. I used it a lot on my old lenovos.

[–] mranderson17@infosec.pub 2 points 11 months ago

wow... I hadn't thought of that until you mentioned it but a trackpoint in thumb's reach on a steamdeck-like device is a great idea. And good marketing continuity for Lenovo

[–] Blisterexe@lemmy.zip 13 points 11 months ago

A pricier version of the windows one launches now, and the SteamOS one launches in 4 months.

I get why that's the case but it's still dumb

[–] DontMakeMoreBabies@lemm.ee 10 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Lenovo will never get my money after they were caught installing rootkits on their computers. Fuck 'em, I don't care how cheap they get.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 6 points 11 months ago (1 children)

If you're looking for ethical hardware manufacturers, there are none. Just do a clean install when you get it, like every other computer.

I would assume licensing SteamOS legally prevents them from doing something like that, but who knows.

[–] chronicledmonocle@lemmy.world 6 points 11 months ago

IIRC Lenovo's rootkit fuckery was in UEFI and auto-launched even after a fresh Windows install. It was complete bullshit.

[–] flubba86@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

No Thanks. This is using the new Z2 Go chip. That is the lowest tier of all the new AMD chips. It's for some reason built on the old Zen 3 architecture, and is even slower than the vanilla Z1 (non-extreme) from 2 years ago. And it's using the outdated RDNA2, graphics cores.

This is probably good for best compatibility with SteamOS (close to Steamdeck hardware) but it's not good compared to today's most efficient or most powerful chips.

[–] LostWanderer@lemmynsfw.com 3 points 11 months ago

Honestly, now it's a toss-up between getting a Legion Go or a Steam Deck...As I prefer the control scheme Lenovo is rocking. I never really liked the massive touchpads. However, that could easily be resolved by using the Steam Deck in Docked Mode on my 4K TV. Getting cozy on the couch with a good game or on the go is pretty appealing. It makes me happy that another manufacturer is hesitantly embracing Steam OS, as it if this does go well, we'll see more devices with Steam OS.

[–] LiveLM@lemmy.zip 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

~~It got rid of the touchpad the Legion has ffs~~

[–] hellofriend@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I wonder how much they're saving not having to ship Win with it.

[–] BlameTheAntifa@lemmy.world 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

About $50, though it depends on the edition.

[–] hellofriend@lemmy.world 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Well, that's still $50 that's not passed to the consumer. Not much, but it's a week's groceries.

[–] hemko@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 11 months ago

It is passed to customer. SteamOS version is $100 cheaper than Windows version.

The windows version has 512GB more storage, but that's ~$30 more for hardware

[–] cron@feddit.org 1 points 11 months ago

Looks like Lenovo got a lot right with their Steam OS device. Competetive price and interesting specs.