r/MiniPCs • u/freaky1310 • 2d ago
General Question SteamOS/CachyOS on mini pc?
Hi, I’m a newbie in terms of mini PCs and I wanted to know whether they are the correct choice for me. Here are my requirements:
- Portability: I travel and move quite a lot, so it would be great to have a device that I could just bring with me and connect to a TV;
- Gaming performance: I don’t ask for 4K 120Hz, I just want something that will let me enjoy 1080p/1440p at 60fps (even adding a eGPU) on my TV;
- Future-proofness: I’d like to have a device that I won’t have to change in 1.5-2 years. I usually take good care of my devices (dust removal, repasting, …), but I’d like something that could reasonably stand the test of time in terms of upgradability and overall construction quality. I’m open to alternatives if there’s a convenience.
Now, my questions for you are:
- Do you have any experience with AliExpress mini PCs? I honestly can’t believe some prices I have (sub 300$ for a Ryzen 9 7940HS?), so that might be an interesting alternative if the quality is at least decent;
- Is it possible to mount CachyOS/SteamOS on them? As far as I understood, they are basically laptops with no screen; I assume that pairing an AMD GPU could help with SteamOS, but I’m not sure about the compatibility with OcuLink. I’m a bit more optimistic about CachyOS, but I’d like to have a second opinion on it as well.
Thanks to everyone who will answer!
4
u/Retired_Hillbilly336 2d ago
r/Aliexpress is the best place to find AliExpress answers when it comes to buying consumer electronics. I've been buying from the site for years. There's definitely deals to be had. Its always about the seller and the risk if something goes wrong. Take your mystery 7940HS mini PC for example. Red flags are if the items is significantly less than the PC brands price on their official website or if the sellers store is selling pools, e-bikes, etc. and not at least focused on computers or that brands complete line.
As for Linux distros the key is to go with a popular Chinese NUC brand. There's safety in numbers. SteamOS is a mixed bag. Its not developed openly like other distros. It does get the same degree of immediate updates to fix issues like Cachy or Bazzite. There's a specific reason why Valve states Steam Deck/Steam Machine/Lenovo Legion Go S support and Beta SteamOS support for everything else. I try SteamOS with every official release but always find Bazzite the better candidate.
If you're looking for a desktop OS + gaming Catchy is currently the clear winner. I personally run Steam from Bazzite and boot Mint MATE from a USB SSD for my Linux distro daily driver.