The Asus ROG Ally X performs better on SteamOS than Windows 11, but gamers think it's not worth it
Being on Windows 11 has its own set of perks.
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The Asus ROG Ally X can be turned into a Steam Deck, which works better. However, Windows 11 is not the best friend of the former handheld console when it comes to power and battery life.
According to Tom’s Hardware, using a custom Linux image to run the Steam Deck’s OS decreases frame rates by 15% in games such as Cyberpunk 2077, Tetris Effect, and Forza Horizon 5. It increases battery life by 22% compared to a standard Linux image. This stark difference in performance and efficiency highlights a critical issue with Windows 11 in portable gaming.
Setting up a dual boot with the Steam Deck’s OS is not easy, but using the ROG Ally X with SteamOS could be the better choice despite the challenges. It seems that the change not only offers a user-friendly interface designed for gaming, but the SteamOS offers a streamlined experience, focusing on what’s essential for gamers: system customization, a comprehensive game library, and an integrated game store.
While the Windows 11’s standby battery drain is a well-known issue, for the ROG Ally X, switching to SteamOS significantly reduced this drain, many gamers don’t seem impressed by the 15% increase in frame rates and longer battery life.
The drawbacks are the lack of freedom, the lack of Game Pass, and the SteamOS’s sturdy and hard interface, which could be frustrating for Windows users, and many seem to agree and adhere to this.
I mean duh? I still prefer Windows over SteamOS because most of my gaming is on GamePass and a little bit of Steam on the side. Dual boot would be good for those who go in between enough.
Why would you buy an Ally over a Steam Deck if you’re OK with being restricted to just your Steam library? I bought the Ally because of Windows, not in spite of it.
i dont understand why people glaze steamos so much, my time with the steam deck was spent googling how to get half the games I wanted to play and running sudo codes. in windows I just download and click.
Ultimately, the choice between Windows and SteamOS for the ROG Ally X is up to the gamers. SteamOS’s performance, battery life, and user interface might be hard to ignore, but Windows 11 has its fair share of benefits.
