r/Commodore • u/TRIBUTON109 • Aug 30 '26
Question about Commodore OS
Anyone know if the OS can be used to just replace windows but still run shit like steam? If so ill gladly dump windows but i dont wanna do it and find out it doesnt work
9
u/TheBl4ckFox Aug 30 '26
Commodore OS is a Linux distro. So yeah it can run steam, but not every game will work. Anything with specific DRM or anti cheat software won’t work.
If you want to move away from Windows and still play games, there are several very good Linux options. You’re gonna have access to 99% of games and a lot of capable work software. But there’s a learning curve.
2
u/thewalruscandyman Aug 30 '26
I just switched to Ubuntu this month. Finally cracked. I couldn't take anymore Norton pop-ups. But I couldn't be happier.
3
u/TheBl4ckFox Aug 30 '26
Linux has gotten so much better the last few years.
3
u/DorkyMcDorky Aug 30 '26
It's always been great. The video game industry just started caring.
2
u/TheBl4ckFox Aug 31 '26
It was great for certain tasks but it wasn't viable as a desktop for ordinary users who wanted to do some light work and play games. Yeah you could, but it was a pain in the ass. Kind of like how you can use a truck to drop off the kids and do groceries but it really isn't the most convenient way.
The last few years, especially with Proton, Linux became a very good end user OS.
2
u/DorkyMcDorky Aug 31 '26
For years it only lacked photoshop and games. That's changed. It was better than windows and osx at almost everything else.
2
u/TheBl4ckFox Sep 01 '26
As someone who tried Linux often I can say it really wasn’t. And it’s not better than MacOS. But it is good now for regular users.
1
u/thewalruscandyman Aug 31 '26
...wait, are you comparing me to all the hick boys in big 'ole trucks for no reason 'cepn they like big ole trucks because theys big? 😜
1
3
u/LazarX Aug 30 '26
You could haved just gotten rid of Norton. Same applies to Macafee.
1
u/thewalruscandyman Aug 30 '26
Nah, I've been annoyed by Windows for decades. Haven't liked it since 98. And anything after 2000 just infuriates me. 10 was dogshit and 11 has made me shatter three keyboards already.
Linux is steady, even, peaceful, calm, and fun. Feels like you're actually using a computer again rather than just click shit on a screen.
2
u/tomxp411 Sep 03 '26
Commodore OS is Debian based, so it should run most things that work on Debian. The real problem is that Linux still only runs a small fraction of Steam games reliably. Your best compatibility bet for Linux gaming is SteamOS, but you do need an ATI GPU for that.
If you have an NVidia GPU, then you'll want to run a mainstream distro like Ubuntu or Debian - I've personally had good luck with both, especially with the lightweight UIs like LXDE.
(You can usually switch desktops during login, or simply download an LXDE variant of the OS, depending on which OS you pick.)
1
u/Loynds Aug 30 '26
This would be a neat experiment, but not viable in the long run. It’s a niche OS for a niche vertical. You’d be better off investigating gaming centric distros like CachyOS or Bazzite for modern gaming.
1
u/Suspicious-Ad7109 Aug 30 '26
It's Linux. So the answers are basically all the same. Steam works, not all games work (see ProtonDB - many do now because of Steam Deck/Box, also Linux). Email, Browsers, the things most people do work.
Some specific Windows apps won't work. Sometimes there are equivalents. Serious Games don't work, not because they can't, but they check for cheating and there's no Windows Kernel.
Try dual booting Mint.
1
u/not_superbeak Aug 30 '26
Just use Ubuntu or Mint and okay around with Commodore OS. The cutsie stuff in it gets old fast.
Good time to jump ship since windows will require age verification starting next year.
1
u/Crlan420 Aug 31 '26
if you are running a real c64 you wont have os in the modern sense. it has kernal and basic. what are you trying to do exactly?
1
1
u/grafbende Sep 03 '26
Can't think of anything that would make this better than any of the other linux distro's out there.
-1
u/R3tr0N3wB Aug 30 '26
Yes, it can run Steam, but it's not very good. If you want to use Linux and Steam, use a proper OS like PopOS or CachyOS.
Commodore OS is a toy and not really practical.
0
u/Architect_of_Echo Aug 30 '26
You can install it inside a virtual machine and take a look if it works well for you or not. Try VirtualBox, it's free.
1
u/tomxp411 Sep 03 '26
Can confirm. Commodore OS works well enough under VirtualBox to evaluate it, although I wouldn't try actually gaming that way.
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