Switching my ROG Ally X from Windows 11 to SteamOS turned the device from a fiddly, underused handheld into a genuinely enjoyable on‑the‑go gaming machine — the interface is cleaner, the Steam‑first workflow fits the handheld form factor, and in real‑world tests I saw measurable improvements in frame‑time consistency and average FPS for the titles I care about. The tradeoffs are real: you lose native access to some launchers and a handful of multiplayer titles whose anti‑cheat systems don’t play well on Linux, and some OEM features may need extra work or won’t be available at all. Still, for single‑player and Steam‑native libraries, the switch is compelling — and the wider industry movement toward SteamOS‑style handhelds makes the decision easier to justify.
Background / Overview
The ROG Ally X is a high‑end Windows handheld built by ASUS with clear ambition: match laptop‑class hardware in a controller‑first form factor. The Ally X flagship ships with flagship silicon, expanded memory options and a much larger battery than earlier handhelds — the top SKU offers an 80 Wh battery and modern AMD Z‑class APUs, alongside a 7‑inch 1080p, 120 Hz panel and USB4/DisplayPort I/O for docking. These specs give the Ally X the headroom to run demanding PC titles if the software stack cooperates. Valve’s SteamOS (the Linux‑based OS that powers the Steam Deck) is purpose‑built around a game‑first experience: a full‑screen “gaming mode” UI, Proton compatibility for Windows titles, and curated drivers and power profiles tuned to handheld workflows. Valve has been actively expanding SteamOS support beyond the Steam Deck and rolling the Deck’s UI improvements back into the Steam client and Big Picture/Deck UI on other platforms. That momentum means SteamOS is no longer just a Valve exclusivity — it’s an increasingly viable option for third‑party handhelds like the Ally X. The MakeUseOf piece that inspired this analysis captures that practical reality: a user swapped Windows 11 for SteamOS on an Ally X, found the console‑like UI more pleasant, observed smoother gameplay in Steam verified titles, and concluded the device felt like a proper Steam Deck replacement for their needs — while noting key caveats around anti‑cheat and non‑Steam launchers. Those firsthand impressions mirror the broader testing and editorial coverage that appeared as community testers began installing SteamOS and SteamOS‑style distros on Ally hardware.
Why people switch: the case for SteamOS on handhelds
A UI that actually fits handheld use
Windows 11 is a capable desktop OS, but on a 7‑inch screen with gamepad controls it often feels like the wrong tool for the job. SteamOS boots directly into a controller‑friendly interface (the Deck’s gaming mode) that’s optimized for navigation with thumbsticks, touch, and a single “Steam” or system button. That immediately removes friction: fewer menus to navigate, fewer popups and background tasks, and a single input model designed around gaming sessions. Valve has been converging Big Picture into the Deck UI so that desktop Steam also benefits from the same controller‑first improvements.
Lower OS overhead = better sustained gameplay
Handheld gaming is often a lesson in tradeoffs: thermals, power, and the OS scheduler determine whether your device sustains smooth frame‑times or chokes in shader‑heavy scenes. Lean Linux images, including SteamOS and community builds that mimic its stack, remove a lot of desktop overhead and ship tuned Mesa/driver stacks and Proton tweaks. Multiple hands‑on reports and lab‑style comparisons show
directional gains: steadier 1% lows, fewer shader‑compile hitch spikes, and measurable FPS uplifts in mid‑TDP handheld modes. Those improvements are especially visible in shader‑heavy single‑player AAA titles. Community tests reported gains up to ~30% in targeted scenes on the Ally X when comparing a tuned Linux image to the stock Windows experience — though results vary by title, power budget and driver versions.
Game Mode first, desktop when you need it
SteamOS gives you a console‑first flow while still providing a full desktop (KDE Plasma) accessible as "Desktop Mode." That means you can
mostly forget about traditional PC tasks while gaming, and still drop into a Linux desktop with keyboard and mouse for productivity or troubleshooting. For many users who primarily want a better handheld gaming experience, that split model is ideal: gaming‑optimized by default, but not a one‑trick device.
Measurable performance and battery outcomes
What testers have measured
Independent tests using the Ally family and other AMD‑based handhelds show consistent patterns:
- In mid‑range TDP settings (10–20W), tuned Linux images often produced higher average FPS and more consistent frame‑time behavior compared with out‑of‑the‑box Windows 11 configurations.
- The biggest deltas show up in shader‑heavy sections where runtime shader compilation and blocking driver tasks produce hiccups on Windows; Linux shader cache and Proton tweaks often reduce those spikes.
- Battery life results are mixed: some tests show modest battery improvements from reduced background draw, but hardware efficiency differences still dominate the picture. The Steam Deck, for example, remains more efficient in many scenarios because of overall platform tuning — not just the OS.
Practical examples
Real‑world side‑by‑side tests reported by creators and tech outlets measured uplifts in titles such as Kingdom Come: Deliverance II and Hogwarts Legacy, with average gains reported in specific scenes of 15–30% under tuned Linux builds versus Windows at the same power limits. Those gains often came with smoother 1% low behavior and much faster resume from suspend. That’s the kind of improvement that changes the
feel of play, even if peak FPS differences are modest. Still, these are community and editorial tests — not a standardized lab regimen — so expect variance when you try your own library.
Caveat: battery and efficiency are not guaranteed
While SteamOS can reduce OS overhead, it doesn’t fundamentally change physics: raw efficiency is still driven by silicon and power profile choices. Some reviewers note that Windows machines with properly configured power profiles can approach comparable power usage in certain modes; others observed that Linux overall led to better standby and resume characteristics. In short: expect improvements in
playability and
smoothness, and possible battery benefits in light or mid‑power scenarios, but don’t count on dramatic battery doubling across all titles.
The big downsides: compatibility and ecosystem tradeoffs
Anti‑cheat remains the single biggest multiplayer blocker
The Linux / Proton compatibility story has improved dramatically — many anti‑cheat providers now offer Proton/Wine integration — but the landscape is uneven. Titles that rely on kernel‑level anti‑cheat or vendor implementations that don’t support Proton will be blocked or behave unpredictably on SteamOS. Recent high‑profile examples include Grand Theft Auto Online and other multiplayer titles that became unsupported after anti‑cheat changes, despite earlier examples of certain anti‑cheat systems working on Proton when developers coordinate with providers. Expect to lose native access to some multiplayer services unless you run Windows or stream from a Windows host.
Other launchers and storefronts require workarounds
SteamOS is, by design, Steam‑centric. You
can add Epic, GOG, and other launchers via tools like Heroic Launcher, Lutris or by using Desktop Mode, but those workarounds come with UX compromises: you’ll often end up in the desktop shell, lose touch‑first convenience, or need extra configuration for DRM and anti‑cheat. If your library is heavily invested in Game Pass or non‑Steam launchers, preparing to dual‑boot or keep Windows as a fallback is the safer play.
OEM integrations, drivers and warranty considerations
Installing an alternate OS can break vendor‑specific features: Armoury Crate controls, RGB lighting, advanced power toggles or charger heuristics may not be available or may require manual fixes. Official warranty terms vary and, while most vendors don’t void hardware warranty simply for OS changes, you should preserve a clean Windows image and recovery media to avoid support headaches. Community installers often document the steps, but they’re not a substitute for vendor‑backed images.
How to approach the switch safely (recommended workflow)
- Back up your Windows image and create a recovery USB — preserve BitLocker keys and activation info.
- Test with a live USB boot of SteamOS or a SteamOS‑style distro before overwriting the internal drive.
- Consider dual‑booting rather than wiping Windows — this preserves Game Pass and anti‑cheat coverage as a fallback.
- Verify the specific games you play most: run them in a live environment or research their Steam Deck/Proton compatibility ratings.
- Enroll any required Secure Boot/MOK keys carefully if you use custom kernels, and document all steps for reinstallation.
- Keep up with Proton, Mesa, kernel and firmware updates — handheld Linux is an actively evolving stack and updates often fix regressions.
These steps minimize risk and let you evaluate the value of SteamOS for your own library before committing.
Workarounds and middle grounds
- Dual‑boot: The safest path for most users — keep Windows for multiplayer/DRM titles and SteamOS for handheld sessions.
- Cloud streaming: Use Xbox Cloud Gaming / Steam Remote Play to access your Game Pass or Windows‑only titles from SteamOS — a particularly good option if you have a fast connection.
- Heroic / Lutris / Proton‑GE: These tools expand launcher support on Linux and can bridge parts of your non‑Steam library, but they sometimes require manual fixes and don’t solve anti‑cheat issues.
- Wait for vendor‑backed SteamOS images: Valve and other OEM partners have been enabling broader SteamOS support and providing official recovery images for non‑Deck hardware — that makes the transition smoother and less risky when available.
Industry context and why this matters
Valve’s push to expand SteamOS beyond its own hardware matters for two reasons:
- It normalizes a console‑like handheld UX for PC gaming, and that UX is often a better fit for small, controller‑first devices.
- It raises the bar for competitors: OEMs and Microsoft must decide whether to invest deeper in a lighter, handheld‑first Windows experience or embrace SteamOS as a supported path for their hardware.
Valve has begun labeling titles with compatibility details and porting the Deck UI improvements to the wider Steam client. At the same time, Microsoft and some developers remain focused on Windows‑native services (Game Pass, certain anti‑cheat systems), so platform choices will remain a strategic concern for years to come. The MakeUseOf account of switching to SteamOS is not an isolated opinion — it reflects a broader trend in the handheld community where software posture frequently defines whether hardware lives in a drawer or becomes a daily driver.
Strengths and limits — a critical assessment
Strengths (what SteamOS reliably delivers on handhelds)
- Console‑first UX: immediate access to a full‑screen, controller‑optimized interface that matches handheld expectations.
- Smoother perceived gameplay: fewer micro‑stutters and cleaner 1%‑low behavior in many shader‑heavy scenes.
- Lean runtime: reduced background processes and tuned driver stacks that often improve resume times and UI snappiness.
- Growing ecosystem: Valve’s tooling (Proton, Deck verified labels, compatibility metadata) reduces risk for many titles.
Limits and risks (what to plan for)
- Anti‑cheat and multiplayer compatibility: several high‑profile multiplayer titles remain unsupported or are fragile on Proton/SteamOS.
- Loss of native launchers and services: Game Pass and other Windows‑centric ecosystems are not native to SteamOS; third‑party launchers require manual integration.
- Driver / OEM feature gaps: not all vendor tooling or hardware features are guaranteed to work on Linux without additional engineering.
- Variable results: community and editorial tests demonstrate directional improvements; your mileage will vary by game, power mode and driver version.
Where claims are currently unverifiable or still too variable to generalize, they should be treated cautiously: community videos and single‑site tests are valuable signals but do not replace formal, repeatable lab testing across many titles and driver revisions. Expect numbers and status to shift as Proton, anti‑cheat providers and OEM drivers evolve.
Practical recommendation
For most Ally X owners the pragmatic approach is:
- Keep Windows as a fallback image and create a full recovery plan.
- Experiment with SteamOS or a SteamOS‑style distro in a dual‑boot configuration or on an external SSD.
- Test the specific games you care about (paying close attention to multiplayer/anti‑cheat titles).
- Use cloud streaming for Game Pass titles if you want to avoid dual‑booting.
- If you’re primarily a single‑player, Steam‑centric gamer and don’t need Game Pass or certain Windows‑only multiplayers, switching to SteamOS is a low‑friction, high‑value move that can make the Ally X feel like a handheld first, PC second.
Conclusion
The switch from Windows 11 to SteamOS on an ROG Ally X isn’t a purely technical tweak; it’s a shift in philosophy. SteamOS treats the device like a handheld first and a PC second, and for many players that approach delivers a more enjoyable, more reliable portable gaming experience. Real‑world tests and user reports back up the claim that SteamOS (and SteamOS‑style distros) can extract better sustained performance and smoother frame‑times from the same hardware — but they also expose the hard limits: multiplayer anti‑cheat, Game Pass access, and some OEM integrations remain the heavy costs of entry.
If your library is Steam‑centric and you prize a console‑like handheld flow, SteamOS is a strong, increasingly supported option that can turn an underused Ally X into a daily driver. If you rely on Windows‑only services or competitive multiplayer where anti‑cheat matters, dual‑boot, keep the recovery image and approach the transition cautiously. The industry is already moving: Valve’s broader SteamOS support and the continued maturation of Proton mean that, for many users, swapping can be both practical and rewarding — but only if you go in with your backup drives ready and a clear list of the games you
must keep functioning.
Source: MakeUseOf
I made the switch to Steam OS on my ROG Ally X and haven’t looked back