Framework Desktop and Bazzite Bring PC Gaming to the Living Room

A small box that behaves like a Steam Machine

After experimenting for weeks with the Framework Desktop and Bazzite — a community-driven, SteamOS-style Linux — a reviewer found a real path to PC gaming in the living room. The combo boots into a console-like game mode, wakes from a controller, and is small and quiet enough to sit in a TV stand next to a PlayStation or Switch.

Setup was fast: the reviewer installed Bazzite on a second NVMe drive and had a working system in under an hour. Dual booting with Windows kept work and play separate — Windows for Adobe or titles that demand anti-cheat systems, Bazzite for a streamlined Steam Deck-like experience.

Why this matters

The combination addresses long-standing pain points: noisy gaming laptops, bulky desktops in living rooms, and clunky Windows navigation with a controller. At roughly 4.5 liters, the Framework Desktop is much smaller than typical living-room rigs but offers more power than a home theater PC.

Bazzite brings a user-friendly installer, a desktop mode for productivity, and a Game Mode that mirrors Steam Deck’s Big Picture. For gamers willing to tinker, this is a practical revival of the Steam Machine idea.

Quick setup checklist

• Download the Bazzite ISO and burn it to a USB drive.
• Install Bazzite on a second NVMe for an easy dual-boot.
• Configure boot order and add a ‘reboot into Windows’ Steam shortcut if desired.

Real-world performance

• Cyberpunk 2077: 4K ~60fps on medium with FSR; frame generation pushed mid-80s.
• Helldivers 2: Mostly 60fps+ in 4K on balanced settings; dips in heavy action.
• Monster Hunter Wilds: Needed FSR and frame generation to reach smooth 4K play.

Results vary by game. Some titles (and services like PC Game Pass) remain problematic on Linux because of compatibility or anti-cheat restrictions. Still, many AAA games run well and some even rival Windows performance.

Caveats and tinker traps

Linux still nudges you into rabbit holes: audio routing quirks, occasional terminal fixes, and apps that lack native Linux versions. If your workflow depends on Adobe Creative Cloud or titles with strict anti-cheat, a dual-boot or separate Windows machine remains necessary.

What this means for the future

The Framework Desktop plus Bazzite shows that a compact, quiet, TV-friendly PC is practical today. It’s not a perfect one-box solution for everyone, but for gamers who want upgradeability and a console-like living-room experience, it’s a compelling middle ground between a console and a full desktop.

Organizations and teams exploring living-room PC deployments should weigh compatibility, anti-cheat requirements, and whether a managed dual-boot strategy fits their needs. With the right tests and deployment scripts, small-form-factor PCs can become versatile shared devices for both work and play.