SteamOS on Asus ROG Ally X: Hardware Power Meets Software Challenges

SteamOS promised a streamlined, console-like experience for PC gaming handhelds, yet installing it on a device not designed from the ground up to support it can lead to more headaches than hoped-for improvements. One early adopter recently shared their experience running SteamOS on the Asus ROG Ally X—a machine that outperforms the Steam Deck on paper with its beefier APU, faster and brighter display, and impressively large 80Wh battery. However, despite these tantalizing hardware perks, the experiment ended in mixed results and a reaffirmed love for the native Steam Deck experience.

Experimenting with SteamOS on Non-Native Hardware​

Testing early versions of any operating system on hardware that wasn’t specifically designed to support it is a classic case of optimism colliding with reality. Early builds of SteamOS, such as version 3.7.x and the emerging 3.8.0 previews, are designed with the Steam Deck in mind. The ROG Ally X, being a powerhouse Windows machine with different firmware hooks and control schemes, simply isn’t a natural fit for these early software iterations.

• Users quickly discovered that even a powerful device like the ROG Ally X isn’t immune to the challenges posed when core hardware integrations are missing.
• When compared to the seamless integration on the Steam Deck, certain actions such as firmware-dependent functionalities (e.g., instant sleep using the power button) are notably absent.
• Peripheral buttons, like the dedicated Armoury Crate key and various extra controls on the device, remain unresponsive under SteamOS due to missing driver support.

This experiment underlines a critical point: even when hardware specs are superior, the overall experience can suffer if the software isn’t perfectly tuned to leverage those specs.

Installation Hurdles and Reimage Woes​

The process to flip the OS switch on a device like the ROG Ally X may seem straightforward—download a bootable image, run the installer, and let the magic happen. But when it doesn’t, frustration can quickly mount. In this case, the installation journey was fraught with pitfalls from start to finish.

• Bootable Media Challenges:
  Early testers encountered sluggish USB-C drives that either slowed down image loading or outright produced errors. Those using legacy drives experienced frustrating delays, leading to the eventual recommendation of switching to a faster, more reliable USB-A flash drive via a USB 4 dock.
• BitLocker Troubles:
  Overlooking common pitfalls like leaving BitLocker active led to script errors during the installation process. The oversight served as a reminder of how crucial basic system preparation is before diving into alternative OS installations.
• Inconsistent OS Versioning:
  The initial installation managed to boot into a recovery image, only to run into an update clash shortly after. With the system checking for updates and inadvertently triggering a mismatched version install (a 3.7.x update on a system already running a 3.8.0 preview), the resultant freeze on the boot screen was both puzzling and disappointing.
• Workarounds and Reinstallation:
  The only remedy in these circumstances was to revert to the Live USB and manually reinstall SteamOS. This episode serves as a cautionary tale regarding early software builds and the necessity for users to be prepared with multiple fallback options.

Hardware Integration Pitfalls​

Beyond installation, the ongoing challenges of running SteamOS on the ROG Ally X highlight a broader issue associated with divergent hardware ecosystems.

• Power Button Functionality:
  The power button on the ROG Ally X doesn’t yet offer the seamless sleep-and-wake integration that users enjoy on the Steam Deck. Although invoking sleep via the software menu works, activating sleep directly through the hardware button remains a feature waiting on the update backlog.
• Peripheral Button Support:
  Buttons that seem essential—whether they’re the Armoury Crate key or the extra controls on the device’s chassis—don’t perform under SteamOS. The absence of integration hooks in the firmware means that what should be versatile gaming shortcuts remain dormant.
• Missing Touchpad & Desktop Mode Shortcuts:
  The ROG Ally X, though packed with potential, lacks the touchpad integration present on the Steam Deck. This oversight forces users to revert to a traditional desktop mode, connecting external keyboards and mice to achieve the expected control flexibility. For many, this detracts from the handheld console experience that Valve envisions with SteamOS.
• Driver Deficiencies:
  Critical features such as TDP (Thermal Design Power) settings and functionalities for the fingerprint reader remain unimplemented in early builds. These omissions, while possibly minor to some, serve as significant hurdles for enthusiasts who routinely adjust system performance parameters to match their usage scenarios.

Performance Evaluation: Faster but not Flawless​

At its core, the ROG Ally X outperforms the Steam Deck in raw speed and display quality. The chat between hardware superiority and software optimization is where the conflict becomes evident.

• Enhanced Frame Rates:
  Users impressed by the higher frames per second across various games underscore the potential of the ROG Ally X when operating under optimal conditions. The powerful APU certainly offers a significant performance edge, making games run smoother in many instances even with early OS hiccups.
• Display Quality:
  Supporting a higher refresh rate (120Hz in some cases) and boasting a brighter display, the ROG Ally X is designed to capture the eye and provide gaming that feels more fluid. FreeSync support is another nod in the right direction for those sensitive to screen tearing, even though the rapid on-screen controls’s overlay experience might lag behind expectations.
• Battery Life Promises:
  With an 80Wh battery in its arsenal, the ROG Ally X promises extended gaming sessions, potentially outlasting the Steam Deck in endurance tests. However, extended performance isn’t solely down to battery capacity—a stable and fully integrated OS experience plays an equally crucial role.
• Gaming Ecosystem Fragmentation:
  Despite the hardware’s promise, the reality for many gamers is painted in shades of frustration regarding compatibility. Valve’s strategic focus on ensuring Steam Deck’s optimized experience means that anti-cheat games (such as popular titles like Destiny 2) often don’t run seamlessly—or at all—on non-native systems running SteamOS. For competitive gamers, this is more than just a minor inconvenience; it’s a deal-breaker.

Reflections on the Steam Deck’s Advantage​

The experiment on the ROG Ally X inevitably casts a long shadow on the Steam Deck’s curated hardware-software integration. Valve’s holistic approach—where the operating system, firmware, and hardware are designed to work in concert—makes for a smooth and cohesive experience that’s difficult to replicate on third-party hardware.

• Tailored Experience:
  The tight integration chain that Valve maintains allows the Steam Deck to offer a user experience fine-tuned to every aspect of its design. For users who have experienced both sides, this means that even when the hardware in a device like the ROG Ally X could theoretically deliver better performance, the overall usability and ease-of-access control remains superior on the Steam Deck.
• Beta Limitations as Learning Opportunities:
  Early testers note that while the uncomfortable bumps on the road are significant, they provide essential insights. The experimental journey with SteamOS on Windows-based handhelds like the ROG Ally X highlights both the potential and the current limitations of a cross-platform approach. Valve’s ongoing development, including the release of updates and potential firmware revisions, may address these critical issues in time for a broader public beta.
• The Future is Promising (With Reservations):
  For enthusiasts willing to brave experimental software builds, the promise of a unified SteamOS supporting multiple handhelds is alluring. However, until Valve secures full firmware access or substantially rewrites the compatibility layers, opting for the tried-and-tested Windows experience remains the safe bet for gamers who require immediate compatibility with anti-cheat measures and other critical functionality.

Key Takeaways and Broader Implications​

The experiment with SteamOS on the ROG Ally X offers several lessons that extend beyond the mere observation of a single handheld’s performance:

• Integration Over Raw Performance:
  As the saying goes, more power doesn’t automatically translate to a better overall experience. The inability to fully leverage hardware potential due to software integration gaps dampens high-end performance advantages. This underscores the importance of cohesive hardware-software ecosystems.
• Preparation is Key for Enthusiasts:
  Early adopters must evaluate the trade-offs between experimental software builds and stability. Before venturing into a reimaging or alternative OS installation, ensuring system preparations—like deactivating BitLocker or attempting boot from optimized storage devices—can save considerable time and hassle.
• The Role of Beta Software in Innovation:
  While beta versions are prone to errors and missing functionalities, they often serve as the crucible for innovation. Feedback from experiments on devices like the ROG Ally X is likely to drive improvements in future SteamOS iterations that could one day blur the lines between Windows-based and native operating systems on handheld consoles.
• Windows and Gaming Handhelds:
  Even as Windows continues to power a vast majority of handheld and gaming devices, it’s clear that a platform optimized from the ground up—like SteamOS on the Steam Deck—remains unmatched in terms of specific use-case performance. The experiment reaffirms that Windows, while versatile and ubiquitous, isn’t inherently tailored for the unique control schemes and power management priorities that portable gaming demands.

Conclusion: A Tale of Two Experiences​

The journey into SteamOS on the Asus ROG Ally X is emblematic of the broader challenges in bridging the gap between experimental software and non-native hardware. It’s a clear demonstration that hardware prowess only goes so far when the software isn’t fully in sync. For now, the vision Valve has for a versatile, multi-handheld supported SteamOS is still a work in progress, one that will need to iron out firmware control and driver nuances before it truly rivals the native Steam Deck experience.
For those following the evolving landscape of gaming handhelds, several insights emerge:

• Embrace early reports as fodder for a dynamic, ever-changing tech battlefield.
• Recognize that while Windows remains the fallback for compatibility with the latest titles and anti-cheat systems, dedicated platforms like the Steam Deck offer a streamlined, well-integrated alternative.
• Understand that each experimental build provides valuable feedback that informs future iterations, potentially leading to a fully unified software environment across multiple high-performance devices.

In the end, while the Asus ROG Ally X shines bright on paper with hardware advantages, the journey into SteamOS reveals that the magic of seamless integration happens only when every cog—hardware, firmware, and software—works in perfect harmony. Until Valve achieves this equilibrium on non-native devices, Windows remains the stalwart guardian of gaming compatibility for the discerning gamer.

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Source: XDA I already installed SteamOS on the Asus ROG Ally X, and I regret it