Install and Setup Bazzite on the GPD Win 4

This isn't meant to be a technical how-to, more so, a suggested path from an old Win 4 to a rejuvenated one. Plus, there isn't enough content about Bazzite on the GPD Win 4.

This device is entering it's forth year of existance. I ordered it December 25, 2022, apparently an expensive Christmas gift to myself. I have had great experiences using it on trips, hooking it up to the GPD G1 for desktop gaming and just sitting on the couch at home to play some of the games I like. As time has gone on, I have used it less and less. I have focused my time elsewhere or simply just brought my laptop with me if I was looking to game. Now, I am getting back to a state where I don't want to lug around my "desktop replacement" and simply would love to carry a tablet and a small gaming device. Re-enter the Win 4.

It needed a fresh start. AI is getting baked into everything and bloat being added by traditional operating system vendors. Bazzite has become my daily driver as an operating system. I have been using it as my daily driver on my laptop and former desktop for around a year and a half. It is based on Fedora Silverblue. It is the fresh start my old Win 4 needs.

Select an Image

The images are built in a few different combinations. You can see them all here.

Select GPD for the hardware and Gnome for the desktop environment. Gnome is my preferred desktop environment, KDE is also available.

Next, select the Legacy ISO. It will save time during the install process.

Make a bootable image. I use this device. If you like to format machines all the time, highly recommend you get something like this.

Install the Operating System

Hit Fn + F7 to get into the boot menu

NOTE: Accessing these menus can sometimes be a pain on the GPD; from my experience. If you don't wait long enough between boot attempts the device can get hung. So, hold down the power, do a hard power off and sit for 15 seconds if you are having those issues.

Start the installation process...

Don't forget to setup the following:

• Timezone
• Network (I actually usually do it after install)
• User
• Select the appropriate drive
  • This is always ugly, select the right drive!

If you haven't formatted your device in the past, you will have to do the Custom installation route, where you delete the partitions on your old drive and create new ones on this one. (Or you can do more advanced options if you know how)

Wait... wait... Wait some more...

Go check on your device, make sure it is plugged in.

Get back to waiting...

When it is ready. Hit the Reboot button.

Go through the menus and set up the device.

Let's Start Setting It Up!

These are the tweaks and installations I am making on the device.

Allow Downloads While Playing

I don't play many online games, so I enable this on all my devices. I do like staying up to date with the games! In Steam, go to the settings, then Downloads. Toggle Allow Downloads During Gameplay.

Enable Battery Percentage

In Steam options, go to Power then toggle Battery Percentage

Switch to Desktop

In the Deck mode, go to Power then hit Switch to Desktop. This part is substantially easier with an external keyboard, mouse and monitor (see Accessories below).

Run Bazzite Portal Setup

Go to All Apps, under Utilities there will be the Bazzite Portal Setup. It will bring up a local site, via Firefox with a number of applications in it. I suggest going through all the steps to install additional pieces of software.

This is how I installed the following applications:

• Steam Deck Plugin Loader and any Decky addons
• EmuDeck
• Jellyfin

Go to Bazaar and Add More Apps!

I simply replaced Firefox with Brave and instead Feishin for music playback.

Install Certificate (this is for my self hosting)

The services I self host are behind https. This is to make the certificates trusted by adding the self signed certificate authority.

Setup VPN

All my devices connect back to my centralized VPN network to access certain resources like media and self hosted applications. This will be done by importing a wireguard configuration file.

This is done under Settings > Network of the operating system. Hit + on the VPN section, then Import from file....

Accessories

• ShargeDisk - portable SSD; if storage beyond the microsd is not enough.
• Battery Bank - I carry around a 10000mah bank when I travel, that doubles the life.
• Bluetooth Earbuds/Headphones - This is more for the media from my perspective. I like to have a pair of the Lenovo GM2s with me.
• USB-C Hub - This is how you add the keyboard, mouse and monitor.
• USB-C to HDMI Cable - now you have an HTPC.
• Carrying Case - I am assuming if you have had the device this long you already have one!

Conclusion

Now I have a linux based handheld that can steam music and video, play modern day games on Steam (and Gog via Lutris) as well as emulate games as recent as Playstation 3. Hook it up to a TV and host a Jackbox night or simply sit in a corner listening to music playing your favourite classic.

BONUS: GPD Win 4 Mini Review

This device is great. This is my third GPD product and I have never experienced any major hardware issues. The "Win" line of devices are most definitely enthusiast devices that pack a pretty hard punch. Would I buy it again? For sure. Would I buy the 5? Maybe, if I was still in the market. Would I buy another GPD product? Yes, I would. I would take this over the Steam Deck since, well, it is more than a portable gaming device. It is a computer. You can do what you want with it. When it is no longer used, maybe it becomes a member of my k8s cluster with a built in backup.