I switched my spare PC from Windows 10 to Bazzite and, between the stripped-down gaming flow and surprisingly reliable hardware support, I haven’t felt the itch to go back to Windows for that machine. The experience described in the original Pocket‑lint writeup—fast installation, a console‑style boot directly into a Steam Deck‑like interface, and the practical reality of keeping Windows only where it’s indispensable—captures a specific, increasingly common decision many enthusiasts are making as Windows 10 leaves mainstream support behind.
Background / Overview
Windows 10 reached its official end of support on October 14, 2025; Microsoft no longer issues routine security or feature updates for the platform and recommends upgrading to Windows 11 or enrolling in a short-term Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. That fact created a migration push that pushed some users to explore alternatives rather than buying new hardware or moving to Windows 11. Enter
Bazzite: a Fedora‑based, SteamOS‑style distribution developed and distributed through Universal Blue (the “ublue‑os” project) that targets gaming-first workflows while remaining usable as a desktop. Its GitHub repository and documentation describe an image-based, frequently updated Fedora stack with Proton helpers, tuned Mesa and kernel patches for handheld-friendly performance, and a Steam-first “Game Mode” UI that can boot straight to a controller-friendly home screen. This article summarizes the Pocket‑lint firsthand account of switching a spare PC to Bazzite, verifies the major claims with independent reporting and the project’s own documentation, and analyzes the tradeoffs—technical and practical—that readers should weigh before trying this as a Windows substitute or companion OS.
What the Pocket‑lint account said — a concise summary
- The author left Windows 10 (on a spare machine) and installed Bazzite to build a retro/Steam‑focused gaming PC. Installation was fast and straightforward even for a Linux newcomer.
- On boot, the machine launched directly into a Steam Deck‑style interface (Steam's Big Picture/Deck UI equivalent) that worked well with a gamepad; switching to desktop mode was available via keyboard/mouse. The desktop felt familiar and Windows‑like for basic tasks.
- Some Windows apps (notably the Adobe suite) didn’t run, and the Xbox Game Pass PC app was unavailable—Cloud streaming via browser was implied to be the only Game Pass option. The reviewer dual‑booted Windows for Game Pass and other storefront or anti‑cheat limitations.
- The author reported solid Steam gaming compatibility for single‑player titles, and believed that Bazzite could even outperform Windows in some handheld‑style scenarios, while acknowledging remaining ecosystem gaps.
Those observations are consistent with broader community experiments and early handheld tests that show Bazzite and similar SteamOS‑style images can improve average frame rates and frame‑time consistency in certain shader‑heavy, single‑player workloads—but not without concessions.
Why Bazzite can feel so “right” for gaming
A lean, handheld‑first software posture
Bazzite is intentionally lean compared with a full Windows stack. It boots into a single, light launcher with far fewer background services than a general‑purpose Windows image. That smaller software surface means:
- Less scheduler and I/O “noise” that can create micro‑stutters.
- Faster suspend/resume behavior in many Linux builds and less background contention for the handful of CPU cores thermally constrained handhelds rely on.
- Direct, exposed controls for power/TDP and fan curves that are often more visible and tweakable on Linux images.
These are not theoretical gains—community benchmark videos and hand‑runs on devices such as the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally family report significant improvements in mid‑range power modes (commonly 13–20 W), with higher average FPS and improved 1% low/frame‑time stability in shader‑heavy scenes. Multiple outlets reproduced or analyzed these experiments and reached similar directional conclusions.
Proton, Mesa, and shader caching
A crucial piece of the Linux gaming puzzle is
Proton (Valve’s Windows‑compatibility layer) coupled with Mesa drivers for AMD GPUs. In many real‑world scenes, Linux-based shader caching and Proton’s translation pipeline can reduce or hide runtime shader compile stalls, which shows up as better 1% lows and fewer hitching events—the sort of playability improvement that makes a 55 FPS average actually
feel smoother. The Bazzite image bundles Proton helpers and tuned Mesa/kernel builds to optimize this path.
What doesn’t work (yet): ecosystem and compatibility gaps
No OS is a perfect drop-in for another, and gamers should expect tradeoffs.
Xbox Game Pass and the Microsoft app ecosystem
- The Xbox PC/Game Pass desktop app is a Windows native UWP/Win32 app and does not have a native Linux distribution equivalent. That means the full Game Pass PC experience—downloading and running the PC Game Pass client and its library locally—is not available on a Linux desktop image out of the box. Cloud streaming via a web browser (Xbox Cloud Gaming) is an available workaround on Linux, but it requires a good network, has some controller mapping quirks on certain browsers, and isn’t a local‑install experience. This limitation is a practical blocker for anyone whose library depends on Game Pass PC titles.
- Microsoft has been expanding cloud and streaming features (and adding PC features to the Xbox ecosystem), but native PC app parity on Linux remains absent, making Game Pass a Windows‑only experience for full local installs at scale. That aligns with the Pocket‑lint author’s conclusion to keep Windows available via dual‑boot for Game Pass titles.
Anti‑cheat and multiplayer support remain uneven
- Anti‑cheat systems are improving: Easy Anti‑Cheat and BattlEye now expose Linux support in various forms, and Proton added runtime support to enable many titles to work on Linux when developers enable the Linux runtime variant. However, adoption is opt‑in by game developers; some high‑profile multiplayer titles (and new anti‑cheat stacks like EA’s Javelin) remain incompatible or are actively blocked on Linux due to kernel‑level or secure‑boot dependencies. Expect a mixed bag: some multiplayer games work; some do not.
- In practice, that means some major titles are off the table on Bazzite without Windows. The Pocket‑lint account specifically called this out—Battlefield 6 style anti‑cheat (and others) make certain AAA multiplayer experiences impractical on Linux as of now. That matches public reporting and community tracking.
Storefronts beyond Steam
- GOG and Epic Games Store do not offer native Linux launchers that integrate as cleanly as Steam; the Heroic Launcher provides convenient access to Epic and GOG libraries on Linux and can be run from Bazzite, but it’s a workaround rather than a native equivalent to the Windows storefront experience. If your library spans multiple non‑Steam ecosystems, plan for extra steps.
Proprietary Windows apps and creative software
- Creative professional tools such as the Adobe Creative Cloud suite do not run natively on Linux, and while workarounds exist (VMs, Wine where possible), they are inconvenient for production workflows. The Pocket‑lint author noted they couldn’t run Adobe apps on Bazzite and kept another machine for creative work. That remains the practical reality for most users.
Hardware and driver realities: choose your GPU wisely
AMD is the safer bet on Linux right now
- The Linux graphics ecosystem favors AMD and Intel thanks to mature open‑source drivers in the Mesa stack (RADV for Vulkan and RadeonSI for OpenGL) that integrate with the kernel’s amdgpu driver. Community and testing reports consistently show AMD GPUs often have smoother and more consistent results on modern Linux gaming distributions, and projects like Bazzite deliberately tune Mesa and kernel components for AMD.
- Community experience and recent coverage back this up: enthusiast tests and Bazzite user reports typically recommend AMD for better out‑of‑the‑box support and faster rollouts of Vulkan/driver fixes, especially for handheld scenarios.
NVIDIA is better but more finicky
- NVIDIA’s proprietary drivers have improved, but differences remain. Historically, closed‑source drivers and driver packaging have produced edge cases and regressions on Linux that require manual intervention. New Mesa developments (e.g., NVK / Zink integration) are changing the picture, but the practical advice for Bazzite users remains: if you want the smoothest experience with the least troubleshooting on Linux, prefer AMD. turn5search3
Older GPUs and integrated graphics
- Bazzite supports a wide range of hardware because it layers Fedora tooling and sometimes includes proprietary drivers for Nvidia images, but very old or niche hardware can still require manual work. The Pocket‑lint reviewer used an RX 480 (a mid‑range, older AMD card) and reported acceptable results for Steam gaming, which aligns with the general robustness of AMD’s Linux pipeline.
A practical installation and migration checklist
If you’re considering following the Pocket‑lint route—keeping Windows for essentials while making a spare machine “Bazzite‑first”—here’s a pragmatic, short checklist:
- Back up Windows: create a full disk image and export critical files. Never wipe a recovery partition until you’re sure.
- Try a live image or install to an external SSD first to validate hardware. Bazzite supports live-ish testing and rebase workflows; the GitHub docs detail an image‑based install model.
- Dual‑boot if you rely on Game Pass, specific anti‑cheat multiplayers, or Windows‑only apps. The Pocket‑lint author recommends dual‑booting to keep the option open.
- Install Steam from Bazzite and enable Proton/Proton Experimental as needed per game; use Heroic for non‑Steam storefronts.
- Keep recovery media and a Windows installer at the ready; knowledge of GRUB and UEFI/secure‑boot enrollment helps. Bazzite supports secure boot with a provided key, but UEFI/BIOS changes or firmware updates can complicate dual‑boot setups.
Strengths — why Bazzite is worth trying, especially for tinkerers
- Focused gaming UX: A console‑like boot and an emphasis on “play now” behavior make Bazzite an excellent match for spare machines dedicated to Steam single‑player and retro libraries. The Pocket‑lint experience shows how quickly a newcomer can get comfortable.
- Performance wins in constrained power envelopes: Community tests on handheld hardware consistently show measurable gains (higher average FPS and cleaner 1% lows) in shader‑heavy, open‑world games when running Bazzite versus factory Windows images. These are repeatable enthusiast measurements, not marketing claims.
- Modern, frequently updated base: Built on a Fedora stack with frequent updates and a policy of shipping newer kernels and Mesa, Bazzite can deliver faster driver and stack updates than some vendor images, making it attractive for cutting‑edge handhelds and recent GPUs.
Risks, caveats, and long‑term considerations
- Ecosystem lockouts remain: If you depend on Xbox Game Pass PC, Windows‑only productivity apps, or a catalog of anti‑cheat‑protected multiplayer games, Bazzite will not replace Windows as your single OS today. Dual‑boot is the safe, recommended approach.
- Configuration fragility: Enthusiast images like Bazzite can require occasional manual fixes—secure‑boot keys, driver updates, and kernel tweaks—especially after firmware/BIOS updates on OEM machines. That fragility matters most for casual users who expect near‑zero maintenance. Community threads report successful installs but also some difficult edge cases.
- Anti‑cheat unpredictability: The status of anti‑cheat support is dynamic; while many anti‑cheat runtimes now support Linux via Proton or native runtimes, developers must enable Linux variants and some vendors remain conservative. That means compatibility can change on a title‑by‑title basis, and a game that works today may be blocked after an update—or vice versa. Track compatibility on community lists and ProtonDB/GamingOnLinux before committing.
- Warranty and OEM support: Replacing your factory image might complicate support interactions with OEMs; if a hardware issue arises, expect pushback unless you restore the original factory image. Always keep recovery media.
A balanced verdict: where Bazzite fits on the PC today
For a
secondary or
spare machine intended for Steam single‑player and retro gaming, Bazzite is a tidy, well‑engineered choice. It reduces friction, optimizes the driver and shader path, and can produce tangible improvements in smoothness that matter for handheld and thermal‑constrained hardware. The Pocket‑lint writer’s experience—simple install, Steam‑first UI, and a comfortable desktop when needed—reflects what many hobbyists are seeing. However, Bazzite is not yet a universal Windows replacement for most users. If your workflow or library depends on the Xbox Game Pass desktop client, a suite of Windows‑only professional apps, or consistent multiplayer compatibility for the latest anti‑cheat‑protected titles, you should
not expect to migrate fully without compromise. Dual‑booting or using Bazzite as a dedicated gaming partition is the most pragmatic route.
Recommendations for readers considering the same path
- If you want to experiment without risk: create a bootable external drive with Bazzite and test your primary games, controllers, and display before touching internal partitions.
- If you need Game Pass or reliable multiplayer: dual‑boot and reserve Windows for those titles. Make Windows the default and use Bazzite when you want a dedicated Steam experience.
- If you’re building a new Linux‑first gaming box: prefer AMD GPUs for the best out‑of‑the‑box compatibility and driver maturity on Linux today, and plan to track Mesa/kernel updates.
- Stay community‑informed: compatibility evolves. Use Bazzite’s docs and community channels for secure‑boot enrollment steps and driver notes, and consult centralized trackers (ProtonDB, GamingOnLinux anti‑cheat lists) to confirm game status before committing.
Final thoughts
Bazzite, as experienced in the Pocket‑lint account, represents a compelling example of how a purpose‑built Linux image can deliver a clean, console‑like gaming experience on spare hardware. It exposes how much the OS and driver stack matter once you move into the thermal and power constraints of handheld or mid‑range systems. At the same time, it shows the practical limits of a Linux‑first approach in a Windows‑centric entertainment and productivity ecosystem.
For enthusiasts willing to accept tradeoffs—or who already plan to keep Windows around for the handful of titles and apps that demand it—Bazzite is a nuanced, enjoyable option that can transform an old spare PC into a focused gaming machine. For everyone else, the correct path remains cautious: back up, dual‑boot, test, and keep both ecosystems available until the gaps close or the games you care about are proven to run reliably on Linux.
Source: Pocket-lint
I ditched Windows 10 for Bazzite, and haven't looked back since