Valve's SteamOS Now Ready to Download
The SteamOS beta is ready to download.
As promised, SteamOS is now locked and loaded for your downloading pleasure. Downloaders are encouraged to use a download manager, as there are reports of downloads dying randomly. Here are the links:
- SteamOS (zip 960 MB)
- Unofficial torrent
- Official FAQ
- GitHub issue tracker
- SteamOS EULA
- List of installed packages
- Repository
According to the FAQ, SteamOS is a fork of Debian GNU/Linux. The first version (SteamOS 1.0) is called 'alchemist' and it is based on the Debian 'wheezy' (stable 7.1) distribution. Here are the system requirements:
- Intel or AMD 64-bit capable processor
- 4 GB or more memory
- 500 GB or larger disk
- Nvidia graphics card (AMD and Intel graphics support coming soon)
- UEFI boot support
- USB port for installation
The FAQ also shows that users can get to the SteamOS desktop by enabling it in the Steam Settings menu. Select Settings (the gear icon in the top right) then select Interface and check the "Enable access to the Linux desktop" box. Now the Exit button will have an additional option, "Return to Desktop" that will switch to the SteamOS desktop.
"We will push out security fixes and critical bugfixes as soon as we are comfortable shipping them," reads the FAQ. "The beta update channel will receive regular fixes and improvements on a daily or weekly basis and every few months we will roll up these updates into the released channel. We are just starting to evaluate what the best process is and the release cadence might vary in the future."
Currently SteamOS is in beta, so those without Linux knowledge may want to wait until next year for a more polished version.
If you want to wait for the final hardware, we'll see it all in January at CES. So far we've seen two Steam Machines:
- Digital Storm Steam Machine Will Dual Boot SteamOS, Windows
- Steam Machine Prototype Previewed from iBuyPower
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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LORD_ORION Ahh I see, you linked SteamOS to the repositoryReply
You should link Steam OS here
http://store.steampowered.com/steamos/buildyourown
Please delete posts after making the suggested change -
DarkSable 500GB hard drive? You've got to be kidding. This thing's point is that it can go on a tiny little SSD and stream from your main computer.Reply
That better be recommended not required. -
clonazepam The new consoles have 500 GB of storage. I'm sure they put it there for marketing reasons.Reply -
DarkSable Reply12176097 said:I want a link to the game list before I expel this effort.
Go to the main steam store page, put your mouse over games, click on linux.
...or is that too much effort?
Also remember that when this thing isn't a BETA operating system anymore, it will support streaming, so you can play every single game on steam if you have another computer running it.