Key Takeaways
1. Linux Gaming Performance: The AIM MAX+ laptop showcases strong gaming performance with the Bazzite Linux distribution, achieving impressive frame rates in titles like Spider-Man 2 and The Witcher 3.
2. Hardware Compatibility: There are compatibility challenges with SteamOS on the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chipset, leading to the choice of Bazzite for better performance and stability.
3. Game Testing Insights: The laptop performs well across various games, with notable frame rates: 74 FPS in Spider-Man 2, 80-100 FPS in Borderlands 3, and over 80 FPS in The Witcher 3 at 1440p settings.
4. Launch and Pricing: The AIM MAX+ laptop is set to launch in early October 2025, priced under $1000, specifically targeting $999.99.
5. Community Feedback: There is a mix of excitement and suggestions from the community, with some users wanting a cheaper model and others appreciating the current offering’s capabilities and Linux flexibility.
Last time we discussed the AIM MAX+ laptop, we covered its specs, features, and performance in gaming with Windows 11, the default operating system that the upcoming AMD Strix Halo laptop will have, priced below $1000. In a recent video, YouTuber ETA PRIME took a different approach by installing one of the most well-liked Linux gaming distributions on the AIM MAX+ laptop powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, showcasing gameplay from titles like The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
Hardware Compatibility Issues
ETA PRIME pointed out that there are some hardware compatibility challenges with SteamOS on this chipset, leading them to opt for Bazzite instead. They customized it using Decky and CSS Loader, checked hardware features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and TDP control, and confirmed that the operating system runs effectively on the laptop. Interestingly, the YouTuber recently managed to install SteamOS on an older iMac from 2019 and was able to play a few games on it.
Performance Tests with Bazzite
Focusing back on the AIM MAX+ running Bazzite, the YouTuber began testing with Spider-Man 2, noting that this game typically has difficulty on lower-end integrated GPUs. However, the Radeon 8060S iGPU in the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 handled it impressively, achieving around 74 FPS at high settings with FSR set to Quality at the laptop’s native 1600p resolution.
In a previous video, ETA PRIME also tested Spider-Man 2 on the same laptop but with Windows 11. In that case, the game suffered from stuttering, which was attributed to a shader cache issue. They ran the game at the same 1600p high settings but had FSR Frame Generation enabled.
More Game Performance Insights
Following that, the YouTuber tried out Borderlands 3, adjusting the resolution to 1440p for their external capture setup. They started with the highest graphics preset but encountered noticeable stuttering, so they reverted to the Ultra preset. Keeping the resolution scaling at 100%, the game ran much more smoothly, averaging between 80-100 FPS, though it occasionally dropped to around 70 FPS during intense action.
The third title tested was The Witcher 3, which ran at 1440p Ultra settings, achieving an average of over 80 FPS, and it performed well overall. For the fourth game, Japanese Drift Master also ran smoothly at 1440p High settings, averaging 80-95 FPS. Shadow of the Tomb Raider followed suit, averaging 83 FPS at the 1440p Highest setting.
Cyberpunk 2077 was examined at 1440p High with FSR 2.1 Quality, producing around 66 FPS, with the potential to exceed 70 FPS on balanced FSR, according to the YouTuber. Lastly, Doom: The Dark Ages experienced a crash at the menu, being the only game that failed to operate under Bazzite during this testing.
Launch Plans and Community Reactions
The AIM MAX+ laptop is set to launch in early October 2025, aiming for a price under $1000, which, according to both ETA PRIME and my insight, typically lands at $999.99. In the comments, the YouTuber’s followers displayed excitement about the laptop.
While some viewers think the laptop is a great deal at $999, others expressed a preference for a cheaper model with fewer cores if one becomes available. ETA PRIME mentioned that AIM intends to offer just a single 32GB RAM version of the laptop, with no details about other chip configurations at this time.
The combination of an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 Strix Halo chip, equipped with one of the strongest integrated GPUs available, in a laptop operating a gaming-oriented Linux distro like Bazzite, appears to be exactly what many users desire in a daily use device. Not only does the laptop run efficiently, requiring only 65W for smooth operation, but it also offers something arguably even more appealing: the freedom of Linux.
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