There's such a deep seeded, systemic bias against linux that it actually can never win, to any degree or magnitude, because the moment it starts winning we just move the goal-posts for the flimsiest of reasons to ensure it can't quite claim that victory.
Linux is obviously and clearly the most popular operating system kernel on the planet. Oh, no, that's no good a measure, servers are messy, let's refine it to most popular consumer operating system kernel? Oh... it, could also reasonably claim that title? No no, no Android, that doesn't count. Nope, No Chrome OS either, you can't have that, that's, well, that is linux, but its not. Just nice, pure, desktop linux, yes, perfect, arch linux, kde desktop, that'll never trend up and thus is the perfect new-new definition of desktop linu--wait hold up, I'm getting word this is, not possible, its actually SteamOS? Nope, kill it, that's not desktop linux either, kill it.
put it this way: I have the expenses and know how to simply have 2 native platforms if I need it. If I need to emulate something but don't feel like spinning a second boot, it's usually for a few niche programs I need very occasionally. Otherwise, I can just get that OS ready.
That's how I see the Steam Deck. I simply have a portable windows machine that has Steam on it, so I don't see the incremental value of having these games run through Proton while having a linux machine. Because I have "running windows games" covered. If it was running Linux games natively, I may in fact buy it simply to help say to developers that I want more native games on Linux. But if devs just keep focusing on Windows, I have that set already.
And To be honest I'm not a huge fan of the form factor nor screen to begin with, so it'd be a bigger compromise choosing to play on a Steam Deck than if I could choose other machines.
It is what it is. I would say they will never focus on Linux but it's not so clear anymore. A lot of things are changing fast.
> And To be honest I'm not a huge fan of the form factor nor screen to begin with, so it'd be a bigger compromise choosing to play on a Steam Deck than if I could choose other machines.
Luckily even better handhelds seem to be coming out. Asus ROG Ally (windows) is worth a look, as is Ayn Odin 2 (android..Now we have this too as a potential gaming platform to consider. Maybe not today, but who knows.). I recommend ETA PRIME's youtube channel to keep an eye on these things.