The hardware argument makes even less sense though. People in these circles complain so much about native performance, why would they want to install Linux on a Nintendo Switch like the PS3 days?
Even if they could, it wouldn't let them play switch games better. It doesn't solve the clear problem here that is the super technically minded people wanting to play Mario and Zelda in 4k/60.
I was talking about the Steam Deck. When the original is the Switch, the Steam Deck is the most logical comparison. "Steam" is just an app running on top of the Steam Deck, and that app isn't even privileged on the system. The user could remove it if they wanted to.
"Open" doesn't mean "open source" although in the case of the Steam Deck, it is both (not including the Steam application, but as I mentioned you can use the Steam Deck for whatever you want including removing the Steam application, so it's not a requirement or a blocker. I know someone who installed their own Bazzite flavor that has Steam removed and only uses Lutris to install GOG games).
Also Steam Store's requirements are only for games listed in their store. As has been mentioned, this is not a requirement for running on the Steam Deck. This is in sharp contrast to Nintendo.
Even if they could, it wouldn't let them play switch games better. It doesn't solve the clear problem here that is the super technically minded people wanting to play Mario and Zelda in 4k/60.