ASUS explains why it’s likely sticking to Windows on upcoming ROG Ally handhelds
Table of Contents
ASUS launched its answer to the Steam Deck, the ROG Ally, back in June 2023. One of the first things you’ll notice about the handheld is that it runs on Windows 11 – not Valve’s purpose-built SteamOS based on Linux. Just over a year later, ASUS then released the ROG Ally X with some valuable upgrades to RAM, ergonomics, and battery life. However, it uses the exact same operating system.
Many people are looking at alternatives to Windows, the most notable being Bazzite and SteamFork. The latter in particular has been advertised as a great addition to the ROG Ally. However, despite the push for Linux handheld gaming, ASUS seems comfortable sticking to Windows based on a recent Q&A we held with its ROG division.
ASUS says Windows offers the “most variety for gamers”
We’ve recently been in touch with ASUS ROG to gather its thoughts on the handheld landscape and gain better insight into its next Ally handheld. So far, we know that the team has at least considered developing an ROG Ally OLED model, but let’s move on to the issue of the operating system. SteamOS is slowly becoming accessible on more devices with Lenovo set to release the first third-party SteamOS handheld in May this year with a variant of its new Legion Go S.
When questioned on whether we’ll be getting a SteamOS version of the ROG Ally in the future, here’s what ASUS had to say:
“We are committed to keeping our gaming platforms open and responsive to the needs of all gamers. We have been closely following the ROG Ally community’s experience with different operating systems. The ROG Ally lineup is paired with Windows, the global standard for gaming, offering the most comprehensive library of games.
This extensive library has been built over decades of development and backward compatibility. We would like to provide as many choices as possible to gamers when it comes to the types of PC games they can play on the ROG Ally, and Windows is the OS that allows the most variety for gamers.
With that said, because it is Windows OS users are not restricted to installing alternative OS onto the device. We're aware that ROG Ally X users have commented about the interface on the handheld, but we believe that the compromise to buy and run games from a huge variety of markets, that they already own can be installed directly onto the device in addition to communication platforms like Discord. The system also allows for game modding and of course the Xbox Games Pass offer with purchase.”
ASUS ROG
As per the response above, ASUS believes that “Windows is the OS that allows the most variety for gamers” and this is one of the biggest reasons why it hasn’t opted for SteamOS right now. We already know the Linux-based operating system doesn’t play too nicely with some anti-cheat solutions. Last year we saw GTA Online cut support for Steam Deck, and a recent statistic from Apex Legends developers, Respawn Entertainment, reveals that blocking Linux users led to a “meaningful reduction” in cheaters.
However, this doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get SteamOS on your ROG Ally at some point in the future. Valve has already revealed that it will be “shipping a beta of SteamOS which should improve the experience on other handhelds” as it opens up support outside the Steam Deck. As ASUS points out, “users are not restricted to installing alternative OS onto the device”. So, while ASUS ROG likely won’t be shipping its new handhelds with SteamOS pre-installed, you’ll probably be able to do it yourself without much effort.
About the Author