[Matt Devo]

ahhh..I see the path now. Thank you. So number-of-steps-wise, it's the equivalent of launching Steam from Kodi via an add-on, you're just accessing from the desktop, right?

Since launching either from Linux on startup is doable, is there a good reason to choose SteamOS for these boxes over say a Gallium install? Both say Chrome and Flash can be used, which makes them suitable for the Netflixes/Hulus/Xfinity TV of the world in addition to Kodi and Steam, right? Is it just a preference of the desktop layout or Big Picture (BP) mode or are there some underlying performance issues?

Is there any reason to keep this machine in a dual boot setup for the scenario outlined above?

that's an answer I don't have. I'd expect that there's relatively little performance difference if any, it's just a question of if Linux running Steam/Kodi or Steam/Kodi w/Linux available better fits your needs. SteamOS will definitely have better controller support etc if gaming is a consideration. And given that it's a Chromebox, there's relatively little optimization for it in GalliumOS (relative to Chromebooks) compared to any other Linux distro.

Since I haven't used it in well over a year, I'd probably look at it as an opportunity to revisit SteamOS / play around with it some. But I also have plenty of spare boxes I can use to do so And I def would recommend ditching ChromeOS given your stated needs. As a last resort you could even run Windows + Steam/Kodi I suppose =P