ChromeOS 130 is a secure and user-friendly operating system suitable for general use and productivity, while SteamOS 4 is tailored for gaming enthusiasts seeking compatibility and customization options.
| Attribute | ChromeOS 130 | SteamOS 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Name | ChromeOS 130 | SteamOS 4 |
| Kernel Version | Information on the specific Kernel version of ChromeOS 130 was not found in the search results. | SteamOS 3.7.0 includes Kernel 6.11. SteamOS 3.6.19 has Linux kernel version 6.5. |
| Desktop Environment | ChromeOS uses the Google Chrome web browser as its principal user interface. The userland comprises Aura Shell (Ash) and Ozone (display manager). | KDE Plasma. Specifically, SteamOS 3.7.0 includes KDE Plasma 6.2.5. |
| Package Manager | ChromeOS uses Portage as its package manager. | Pacman (used for building the root filesystem), Flatpak (for user-installed applications), and Nix (through the Nix package manager). |
| Gaming Support (Native) | ChromeOS supports Android games and standard Linux games. | Supports native Linux games. |
| Gaming Support (Proton/Wine) | ChromeOS supports Windows games via Wine or Proton. Steam is available on ChromeOS, utilizing Proton, a modified version of WINE, to run Windows games. | Uses Proton compatibility layer to run Windows games. Over 18,000 titles are compatible. |
| Driver Support | How ChromeOS 130 handles driver updates for various hardware configurations is not clearly detailed in the search results. | Supports Nvidia, Intel, and AMD graphics processors. Mesa drivers are used for AMD and Intel GPUs. |
| Security Features | ChromeOS is designed as a secure OS with Verified Boot, Read-only OS, and a Google Security Chip. Verified Boot: Every time a device running ChromeOS powers on, it completes a self-check called Verified Boot. Read-only OS: ChromeOS is a read-only operating system that automatically blocks executable files like malware from running on the device. The ChromeOS 130 update addresses 20 security vulnerabilities. | Full disk encryption using LUKS2, Steam Guard two-factor authentication. |
| Update Frequency | Chromebooks typically receive automatic updates for about ten years from their release date. ChromeOS has a Long-term Support (LTS) channel that receives cumulative feature updates every 6 months, while still receiving frequent security fixes. | Updates are delivered through SteamOS updates, which include updated Arch Linux base and kernel. |
| Hardware Compatibility | ChromeOS 130 is rolling out to supported Chromebooks. MrChromebox firmware only supports Intel/AMD x86_64 platform devices. Devices which use an ARM-based CPU are not supported. | Officially supports Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion Go S. Improved compatibility with other AMD-powered handhelds. |
| Resource Usage (RAM, CPU) | To check CPU and memory usage, open the Settings app, go to About Chrome OS, and then Diagnostics. | Lower RAM usage compared to Windows. |
| Customization Options | ChromeOS has customization features like the Change Daily wallpaper option. Users can customize keyboard keys. ChromeOS 130 allows users to adjust keyboard and display brightness. | KDE Plasma desktop environment allows extensive customization. |
| Community Support | The largest independent, community-run forum for discussions related to Chromebooks and everything else ChromeOS. | Active community support through Steam Community forums, ProtonDB, and various Linux gaming communities. |
| Price | Not available | Not available |
| Ratings | Not available | Not available |