A surge of interest in handheld gaming PCs has prompted fierce debate over which operating system best unleashes their true capabilities. In a head-to-head comparison, YouTuber Dave2D put Valve’s Linux-based SteamOS and Microsoft’s Windows 11 through their paces on Lenovo’s Legion Go S handheld. Both systems featured identical hardware: the same APU, memory, storage, and cooling profiles. Yet, the results caught many off guard, with SteamOS routinely outshining Windows in several critical performance metrics. Dave2D’s findings have fueled discussions across gaming forums about Linux in gaming, battery efficiency, cost-of-ownership, and the future of portable PC experiences.
To assess how each OS handled popular titles, Dave2D tested Cyberpunk 2077, Doom Eternal, Helldivers 2, Spider-Man 2, and The Witcher 3 on the Legion Go S. A quick glance at the numbers illustrates the uphill battle Windows faces:
Except for a marginal dip in Spider-Man 2, SteamOS delivered between a 5% and 15% boost in frame rate, echoing reports from other early reviewers and corroborated by performance logs posted in several tech communities. The gap was even more pronounced in demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, where SteamOS squeezed out 13 extra frames per second. The practical effect? Smoother gameplay, especially in graphically intense scenarios where every frame counts.
This efficiency stems in part from how Linux schedules processes and manages background tasks. SteamOS, built on a tailored Linux kernel, runs only what’s necessary when gaming. Meanwhile, Windows 11 is notorious for running several processes in the background, including telemetry, updates, Defender security scans, and services for its broader PC ecosystem. This brings an energy cost that Linux, at least in its gaming-tuned variants, sidesteps.
For a portable console-like experience, this UX advantage matters. Everything from game resumption to system suspend behaves as users expect from a handheld in 2025, while Windows devices still struggle with unreliable sleep states and battery drainage overnight.
For existing Steam libraries and popular single-player titles, most users will see little difference. However, for multiplayer games (such as Destiny 2, which has long struggled with Linux’s security model and Proton integration), Linux is rarely a seamless solution. Savvy users may dual boot or set up Windows in a virtual machine for edge cases, but that’s an extra step—hardly plug-and-play.
Moreover, SteamOS’s open-source nature appeals to tinkerers and ethicists keen to avoid proprietary lock-in. The thriving Linux community means rapid bug fixing, open driver support, and grassroots tweaks that sometimes outpace official Windows support in handheld gaming forums.
Microsoft has publicly acknowledged these issues and, for years, promised to optimize Windows for smaller, ARM-based, or custom APU devices. While some strides have been made (notably with Surface devices and recent Windows on ARM launches), genuine handheld optimization remains lackluster. Valve’s Laser focus on the “living room console” experience for PC gaming simply trumps the broader, unfocused ambitions of Windows’ one-size-fits-all approach.
However, this narrative does come with caveats:
If the trend continues, more OEMs may ship Linux-powered handhelds by default. This would force both engine developers and middleware providers to accelerate game compatibility for Linux. Given Steam Deck’s commercial success and now the Legion Go S as a proof-of-concept, the pressure is on.
From a market perspective, the $130 price delta between Windows and SteamOS devices may compel consumers to reconsider what, exactly, they need from their portable gaming PC. When the tradeoff boils down to a handful of Windows-only titles versus fundamentally better performance and usability, the old Windows advantage begins to evaporate—especially for buyers shopping in the Steam sales ecosystem.
For now, unless you need universal game compatibility, advanced Windows-centric features, or best-in-class peripheral support, the SteamOS variant of devices like the Legion Go S offers a robust alternative. Its biggest obstacle remains the inertia of Windows’ install base and the small but meaningful set of games and workflows that just refuse to budge from Microsoft’s playground.
It is still too soon to declare Linux the new king of portable PC gaming—Windows’ dominance in software compatibility, productivity, and raw ecosystem scale is not disappearing overnight. But in sheer playability, usability, and value for hand-helds, SteamOS has laid down a formidable challenge. As the landscape shifts, Microsoft must either adapt its flagship OS for the new era or risk ceding ground to a rival operating system it once dismissed. The months ahead will show whether this challenge has lit a genuine fire under Redmond—or if Valve, the open-source community, and hardware makers like Lenovo will set the gold standard for portable PC gaming.
Source: IGN India SteamOS: Analysis From a YouTuber Outlines That the Linux-Based Operating System Can Outperform Windows 11 on the Same Hardware
To assess how each OS handled popular titles, Dave2D tested Cyberpunk 2077, Doom Eternal, Helldivers 2, Spider-Man 2, and The Witcher 3 on the Legion Go S. A quick glance at the numbers illustrates the uphill battle Windows faces:| Game | SteamOS FPS | Windows 11 FPS |
|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 59 | 46 |
| Doom Eternal | 75 | 66 |
| Helldivers 2 | 70 | 65 |
| Spider-Man 2 | 63 | 64 |
| The Witcher 3 | 76 | 66 |
Battery Life: Linux Efficiency on Display
Gaming on the go is meaningless if battery life falls flat. In lighter workloads such as Dead Cells, SteamOS extended playtime to over six hours, while the Windows device barely crossed two hours and 47 minutes. Under the strain of Cyberpunk 2077, often criticized for how quickly it drains handheld batteries, SteamOS again emerged victorious—lasting 1 hour and 54 minutes to Windows’ 1 hour and 31 minutes.This efficiency stems in part from how Linux schedules processes and manages background tasks. SteamOS, built on a tailored Linux kernel, runs only what’s necessary when gaming. Meanwhile, Windows 11 is notorious for running several processes in the background, including telemetry, updates, Defender security scans, and services for its broader PC ecosystem. This brings an energy cost that Linux, at least in its gaming-tuned variants, sidesteps.
Startup Experience and User Interface: Console Simplicity Wins
Anyone who’s wrestled with game launchers, update pop-ups, and driver nags on a Windows device knows the frustration. Dave2D’s comparison highlighted SteamOS’s “instant boot into the Steam library”—a feature lauded by reviewers since the original Steam Deck’s debut. With SteamOS, the interface is singularly focused: power on the Legion Go S and you’re in your Steam library, ready to play. There's no cascade of pop-ups, nor the distraction of multiple third-party launchers competing for attention or updates.For a portable console-like experience, this UX advantage matters. Everything from game resumption to system suspend behaves as users expect from a handheld in 2025, while Windows devices still struggle with unreliable sleep states and battery drainage overnight.
Compatibility: The Proton Divide
Despite these strengths, SteamOS faces an enduring hurdle: game compatibility. While its Proton compatibility layer lets many Windows titles run seamlessly on Linux, it’s not flawless. Some games, especially those with aggressive DRM or anti-cheat systems, either refuse to run or require workarounds. Windows, by comparison, boasts universal compatibility for all Windows-based games as well as ease of access to non-Steam launchers like Epic, GOG, or Origin.For existing Steam libraries and popular single-player titles, most users will see little difference. However, for multiplayer games (such as Destiny 2, which has long struggled with Linux’s security model and Proton integration), Linux is rarely a seamless solution. Savvy users may dual boot or set up Windows in a virtual machine for edge cases, but that’s an extra step—hardly plug-and-play.
Cost Analysis: Windows Tax and Open Source Appeal
A significant part of the Legion Go S price difference comes down to licensing fees. Windows devices—according to Dave2D’s breakdown—include a $50 license cost in a $729 base price, while the SteamOS variant ships without a licensing fee at $599. For the cost-conscious, that’s a compelling $130 difference, especially considering the hardware is otherwise identical.Moreover, SteamOS’s open-source nature appeals to tinkerers and ethicists keen to avoid proprietary lock-in. The thriving Linux community means rapid bug fixing, open driver support, and grassroots tweaks that sometimes outpace official Windows support in handheld gaming forums.
System Suspension, Background Updating, and Reliability
Dave2D stressed that “you can suspend the game, put the device to sleep, and pick up right where you left off” with SteamOS. By contrast, Windows still drains battery overnight or risks crashing upon resumption from sleep. This is not only a matter of convenience but of reliability and device longevity—overly aggressive battery drain in sleep destroys the illusion of portability, as users need to recharge frequently (and unexpectedly).Microsoft has publicly acknowledged these issues and, for years, promised to optimize Windows for smaller, ARM-based, or custom APU devices. While some strides have been made (notably with Surface devices and recent Windows on ARM launches), genuine handheld optimization remains lackluster. Valve’s Laser focus on the “living room console” experience for PC gaming simply trumps the broader, unfocused ambitions of Windows’ one-size-fits-all approach.
Critical Analysis: Is SteamOS Truly Superior?
The practical results speak for themselves: better frame rates, longer battery life, and less hassle for users who treat their Legion Go S as a portable console. The instant-on experience, lower price tag, and more reliable sleep/suspend management give SteamOS the edge for pure gaming.However, this narrative does come with caveats:
- Game Library Limitations: Not all Windows games run perfectly on SteamOS. Specific multiplayer and niche titles may be unplayable or unstable.
- Modding and Productivity: Many mods and non-gaming applications expect Windows APIs. Creative workflows, streaming setups, or retro-archival projects might require Windows.
- Peripheral and Driver Support: Windows’ hardware support—especially for peripherals, printers, or niche devices—is still best-in-class. Linux drivers sometimes lag behind, relying on reverse engineering or community patches.
- User Familiarity: For less tech-savvy users, troubleshooting Proton issues or digging into Linux config files can feel daunting compared to Windows’ established UI conventions.
The Windows Response and Industry Implications
Dave2D’s blunt critique—“Microsoft has had years to optimise Windows for this form factor, but they haven’t. It’s surprising how much better the device becomes when Windows is removed”—captures the growing frustration among portable gaming enthusiasts. Microsoft faces a dilemma: either double down on the flexible, universal capabilities of Windows or finally launch a handheld-optimized fork (perhaps built upon Windows 11’s modular codebase or future iterations like Windows Core OS).If the trend continues, more OEMs may ship Linux-powered handhelds by default. This would force both engine developers and middleware providers to accelerate game compatibility for Linux. Given Steam Deck’s commercial success and now the Legion Go S as a proof-of-concept, the pressure is on.
From a market perspective, the $130 price delta between Windows and SteamOS devices may compel consumers to reconsider what, exactly, they need from their portable gaming PC. When the tradeoff boils down to a handful of Windows-only titles versus fundamentally better performance and usability, the old Windows advantage begins to evaporate—especially for buyers shopping in the Steam sales ecosystem.
The Road Ahead: Can SteamOS Maintain the Lead?
The Linux gaming renaissance, once the dream of a tiny open-source faction, is now a palpable reality for handheld gamers. SteamOS is not without its quirks, but it has proven capable of extracting extra performance from commodity PC hardware, optimizing battery drain, and delivering a focused interface that feels purpose-built for gaming on the go.For now, unless you need universal game compatibility, advanced Windows-centric features, or best-in-class peripheral support, the SteamOS variant of devices like the Legion Go S offers a robust alternative. Its biggest obstacle remains the inertia of Windows’ install base and the small but meaningful set of games and workflows that just refuse to budge from Microsoft’s playground.
It is still too soon to declare Linux the new king of portable PC gaming—Windows’ dominance in software compatibility, productivity, and raw ecosystem scale is not disappearing overnight. But in sheer playability, usability, and value for hand-helds, SteamOS has laid down a formidable challenge. As the landscape shifts, Microsoft must either adapt its flagship OS for the new era or risk ceding ground to a rival operating system it once dismissed. The months ahead will show whether this challenge has lit a genuine fire under Redmond—or if Valve, the open-source community, and hardware makers like Lenovo will set the gold standard for portable PC gaming.
Source: IGN India SteamOS: Analysis From a YouTuber Outlines That the Linux-Based Operating System Can Outperform Windows 11 on the Same Hardware