Key Takeaways
1. The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X features a gaming-optimized version of Windows 11, marking a significant upgrade from the previous model.
2. SteamOS’s growing popularity has prompted Microsoft to enhance Windows 11 for better gaming performance, as seen with the launch of similar devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S.
3. Initial attempts to install the Linux distribution Bazzite on the Ally X faced technical issues, including BitLocker encryption preventing SSD formatting.
4. While Bazzite improved responsiveness and navigation, some hardware features and controls were unresponsive, indicating the need for further optimization.
5. Performance tests showed that while Linux provided a smoother interface, it did not significantly outperform Windows 11 in raw gaming performance.
We just got our hands on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X for a review, and it clearly looks like a big step up from the previous model, the ROG Ally X. This latest handheld, which is Xbox-branded, comes with Windows 11 already installed—more specifically, a version that’s tweaked for gaming. However, some users still lean towards Linux-based systems like SteamOS for a smoother, more console-like feel.
A Shift in Focus
You could say that SteamOS has jolted Microsoft into action. It might even explain why Windows 11 got such a gaming-centric update, especially since SteamOS is gaining popularity among original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). For example, Lenovo recently teamed up with Valve to launch the Lenovo Legion Go S, which comes equipped with SteamOS.
Testing the Waters
To check if the ROG Xbox Ally X could match that experience, YouTuber Dawid Does Tech Stuff tried installing Bazzite, a Linux distribution inspired by Fedora and closely resembling SteamOS. Their aim was to see if Asus’s new handheld could provide a smoother interface and better performance without depending on Windows.
They grabbed the Bazzite image for the Ally series from the official site and used Rufus to create a bootable USB. The first installation attempt hit a snag with an “unknown error.” After some investigation, they realized that BitLocker encryption was stopping the SSD from being formatted. After turning off the encryption and dividing the SSD into two partitions for dual-booting, they moved on to install Bazzite.
Initial Challenges
When the ROG Xbox Ally X first booted into Bazzite, none of the controller inputs worked. After a few moments, the system started recognizing them, although several buttons, including the menu keys, remained unresponsive. They manually reassigned inputs through Steam’s interface, which gave them partial control back.
Even with these troubles, the YouTuber quickly noticed a major boost in responsiveness. “It almost feels like I’ve decalcified its brain,” they remarked, explaining how menus opened instantly, inputs felt quick, and navigation was way smoother than on Windows 11. Still, some essential hardware features—like RGB lighting around the thumbsticks, power mode controls, and Armoury Crate integration—completely stopped working.
Performance Testing
Dawid conducted performance tests in Cyberpunk 2077 and Shadow of Mordor. In Cyberpunk, he struggled to get the performance overlay to show up until he installed MangoHUD, later switching to Steam’s tool. Initially, the game displayed a blank resolution field, but he figured it was running at 1080p. Overall, gameplay felt smoother, with slightly better frame rates and lower input lag compared to Windows 11.
Shadow of Mordor acted as a more dependable benchmark, accurately detecting the display resolution. Frame rates were almost identical on both operating systems, indicating that while Linux enhanced interface fluidity, it didn’t provide a considerable edge in raw performance.
After switching back to Windows and rebooting into Bazzite again, Dawid discovered that the controls had stopped working once again, only to miraculously function normally the next day, with RGB lighting oddly back on.
Conclusion
At this point, based on the YouTuber’s experience, installing a Linux gaming distro like Bazzite on the ROG Xbox Ally X doesn’t seem like a wise move. The video clearly shows that Bazzite still requires a lot of optimization for the latest Xbox-branded handheld to work well. If you’re considering trying it out yourself, it’s probably best to hold off for a bit, given that these new handheld devices have only just been released.
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