bdonvr

For Linux, you find out if there is a package. If not you go to a website and see if there is an app image or zip file. You then need to know where to place the downloaded file, how to get it running (making it executable), knowing how to chmod and chown (it is better to have to do it like in Linux, but it is an extra step), and how to add it to your desktop (there is no right+click and add to desktop/create shortcut option in Arch based distros like there is on Windows). If there is a service component you may need to go into command line and systemctl to enable it.

I don't think I've ever followed that workflow to be honest. Except for when doing something niche and way above and beyond something a casual user would do.

Open the software center, search what you want. Click install. Done. I use the terminal to the same effect but that's by preference. Installing packages as you described is not at all recommended... They won't update with the system.

The "add to desktop" thing really depends on your Desktop Environment too. GNOME not really, KDE and most others yeah.

I don't think the learning curve is any harder than someone who's learning Windows for the first time.

It's just different. Honestly in some ways simpler IMO. But if you were a life long Mac user and touched Windows for the first time today you'd probably have a rougher time I think.

Bypassing the battery?

Yeah I mean push through as in they don't keep trying

I think it's just an accessibility thing. VR is expensive, and it takes people pushing through some disorientation/nausea to really enjoy it. Many will simply feel sick the first few times they try it, decide it's not for them and leave it.

They've released a version of every one of these before. Steam Controller, Valve Index VR set, a line of Steam Machines some time ago....

Given their history with input devices and the fact that it runs an ARM version of SteamOS I would bet that controller support will be good

Yep

Although the real budget option is just to buy last year's models. The iPhones have actually really powerful processors - having one a year or two old that you can get new for really cheap is really not much of a drawback.

I had Microsoft Copilot rewrite this in the style of a LinkedIn in post for you:

Yeah but why would you do that. Nobody wants that.

I won't argue that. But they're not like, uniquely expensive.

Compared to other flagships they're not outrageously expensive

I have a couple in my Bitwarden (Vaultwarden)

But I already have issues with Android trying to force me to use the system Passkey provider, and companies like Apple only supporting their own device's built in manager for Apple accounts.