While I love NixOS and use it personally, IMO it's just too different from standard linux distros to be able to use it in a consumer-facing device, that offers users the ability to look under the hood.

It would've probably lead to massive confusion due to users not getting the "nix-way" and it seems like easy hack-ability is part of the steam-decks value proposition.

While I agree that Nix is not user friendly, Nix would allow more hack-ability than the current Arch approach.

The Steamdeck modifications often get broken in updates, because the Steamdeck software is an image that is managed by Valve. Meanwhile, with Nix I think it would be easier to maintain modifications, as you could layer them on top of each other.

Also, most Steamdeck users:

- Don’t modify their Steamdeck

- Use Flatpak, which works on Nix

- Run an install script from the internet, such as DeckyLoader, Emudeck. Which often break with updates.

The arch used in steam deck is already used as a immutable base. Users typically use flatpak to install custom software. It's possible to remove the read-only lock, but any modifications to base will get overwritten by updates.