Some people, myself included until I saw this news, may not have known that AMD seemingly revealed FSR4 for older Radeon graphics cards last month. Now, just a month later, it appears Valve appears to be adding a version of AMD's FSR4 technology to Steam and Proton, which could theoretically allow Steam Machine and potentially Steam Deck users to effectively upgrade FSR3-supported games to FSR4.

For those unfamiliar, FSR is AMD's answer to Nvidia's DLSS. It's an upscaling technology that allows games to be rendered at a lower resolution, such as 720p, before being upscaled to a higher resolution like 1080p. The goal is to deliver a sharper image while reducing the workload on the GPU.

It's not just about image quality, either. Because the game is being rendered at a lower internal resolution, FSR can also improve frame rates, making demanding games run more smoothly without requiring more powerful hardware.

What's particularly exciting about the prospect of FSR4 coming to Steam Machine and, hopefully, Steam Deck is that it could address some of the most common complaints surrounding FSR3, including ghosting, shimmering, and visual artifacts, while still delivering the performance benefits that make upscaling technologies so appealing in the first place.

Additionally, according to Brad Lynch on X (formerly Twitter), this version of FSR4 has been tweaked by Valve and differs from AMD's own implementation. What exactly Valve has changed remains a mystery for now, at least until users can get their hands on it and start digging through the details themselves.

I have to admit, I've always been a little wary of the industry's growing reliance on upscaling technologies. Ideally, I'd prefer games to be optimized well enough to run smoothly on weaker hardware straight out of the box. That said, the reality is that modern games are becoming increasingly demanding, and tools like FSR can provide a meaningful boost to both image quality and performance.

Of all the ways AI is being integrated into gaming, upscaling is probably one of the easiest for me to get behind. If this implementation really can bring FSR4 improvements to a wider range of hardware, that's a win for players. Hopefully, it also finds its way to Steam Deck and isn't reserved solely for Valve's upcoming Steam Machine.

As always, let me know what you think in the comments below, and don't forget to take part in our poll!

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I’m not sure whether gamers should consider themselves lucky or not, but Valve has confirmed that, yes, the Steam Machine and Steam Frame are still shipping this summer. In a new blog post, Valve provided some additional details:

“Today we are expanding the Verified program to include Steam Machine and Steam Frame, both of which are shipping this summer. As with Steam Deck Verified, the goal is to help customers understand the out-of-box experience for a given title on these new devices, and how smoothly a game will run with no user work or configuration required.”

Unfortunately, that’s about all we know. Valve is still being rather coy about the pricing of both the Steam Machine and Steam Frame. With the recent Steam Deck price increases, I think many of us, myself included, aren't expecting the Steam Machine to come in at anything less than over $1,000. The Steam Frame may be a little easier on the wallet, but at this point, it’s hard to even guess.

It’s genuinely tough to see how challenging the hardware market has become right now. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma recently spoke about rising memory costs in an interview with Bloomberg, where she said: “Well with AI memory and storage costs are going up 2.75x rather than 50% down.”

That highlights just how widespread the issue has become across the industry. As a gamer, it’s honestly a little depressing. I remember when you could pick up an Xbox 360 or PS3 for significantly less than their launch prices a few years into their lifecycle. These days, you’re lucky to find a modern console selling for the same price it launched at.

I still hope Valve can find ways to keep the cost of its upcoming hardware as reasonable as possible, but the broader market trends suggest that won’t be easy. With all that said, let me know your thoughts.

Are you excited about Valve’s upcoming hardware, or are potential price concerns putting you off? Let me know in the comments, and be sure to take part in our poll!

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I'd challenge you to find a PC gamer who doesn't know Valve and its contributions to the hobby, and I'm confident you'd struggle. While it has made the most significant splash on the software side with Steam, it has dabbled in hardware with the high successes of the Steam Deck and the subterranean missteps of its first Steam Controller.

Now, it's trying again, and gamers are lining up in droves for a chance to buy Valve's revised Steam Controller in 2026. That includes me, because I knew I was going to spend my own cash on this new attempt, based solely on its early images and descriptions. So, is it good, bad, or somewhere in between? Here's what I think of mine after a week's worth of gameplay.

How much does the Steam Controller cost?

Valve's Steam Controller launched at $99 via Steam, and, so far, remains the same price. In the United Kingdom, that amounts to £85, including sales tax. At launch, the controller was available on a first-come, first-served basis until it sold out. Now, in May 2026, you'll need a Steam account to place a reservation before you have a chance to buy one.

Delivery times vary by region and the time of the order. I placed my Steam Controller order in the UK on May 4, when it became available, and it arrived from its European shipping source in the Netherlands after 6 working days. Valve's initial delivery estimate was 3–5 working days, increasing to 6–10 a few hours after its release.

Is the Steam Controller any good?

My initial hands-on impressions of the Steam Controller were good, as it sits comfortably in my hands with a familiar weight of 0.64 lbs (292 g). I usually play with Microsoft's official Xbox controllers that were bundled with my Series X|S consoles, each weighing 0.63 lbs (287 g) with AA batteries or 0.52 lbs (240 g) without them if I'm using a permanently connected USB-C cable.

Despite the placement of the prominent touchpads, my palms don't accidentally graze them when I use the analog sticks or face buttons. It's admittedly something I was concerned about when I first saw this design in the Steam Controller's official reveal, so it's a relief to discover there's no issue for me here.

Otherwise, my middle and ring fingers naturally rest on the rear buttons, which feel better in this bended circular form than the rectangular equivalents on Valve's still-excellent Steam Deck handheld. The Steam Controller's d-pad is less "clicky" than that of an Xbox Series X|S controller, but there's still a firm response in its more muted pushes.

The Steam Controller's face buttons all feel about the same as the Xbox controller that I'm used to, but they have a quieter response. That's a recurring theme throughout the unit, and only the rear buttons produce a distinct sound when used. Both shoulder bumpers offer slightly weaker resistance than on the Xbox side, but they're quiet and responsive enough.

It's a similar story with the triggers, which feel slightly shallower and less resistant than my Xbox controller, but not to the point where they seem lackluster or detrimental to gameplay. Even the analog sticks follow this pattern, pushed around with marginally less resistance but offset with smoother movement, no doubt helped by the drift-proof TMR technology underneath.

Matte plastic coats the Steam Controller with a consistent pattern, which feels familiar (again) to the Xbox joypad's front side. However, Microsoft arguably takes the lead with the rougher finish on the rear of its modern first-party controller. It's only my pinky fingers that rest against these bare sections, but it's a noticeable difference.

The standout feature for the Steam Controller is the "puck", which serves dual responsibilities as a wireless receiver and charging station for the joypad. It's detachable from the 5 ft (1.5 m) USB-C cable that Valve includes in the box, meaning I could leave it attached to my PC and have it act as a wired controller if I wanted to (but I never do).

Updating the firmware via the Steam desktop app for both parts of the controller is as straightforward as it gets, and the Steam button itself takes me into "Big Picture Mode" from there. If you've ever used SteamOS before, whether on a Steam Deck or an alternative like Lenovo's Legion Go S, this mode will be instantly familiar and won't require a learning curve.

Games launched from Steam generally activate the app's overlay, accessible again with the Steam button. From here, I can tweak the controller's button bindings, download community-made layouts, or adjust the sensitivity of functions like the built-in gyro for motion-controlled aiming. The trackpads also respond to touch with haptic feedback, and I find myself using them quite often.

Does the Steam Controller have any issues?

The majority of the Steam Controller's genuine downsides are found in the software experience, rather than its hardware. Screw holes on the rear side are quite prevalent, and while they aren't usually visible, my middle fingers regularly brush against a pair mounted on its grips. I wouldn't describe it as uncomfortable, but it's a perceptible difference from my Xbox controller.

For software, this controller relies heavily on the Steam app and Valve's "Steam Input" feature within, which handles button mapping for each of my games. If I stick to launching modern titles from my Steam library, the experience is practically perfect. However, games that rely on older graphics APIs can cause issues with the Steam overlay, leading to controller detection issues.

Using the Steam Controller with non-Steam games is possible, as my experiment with importing Dying Light from the Epic Games Store proves. Unfortunately, it's far from a straightforward process, and the necessary tinkering with launch options and launcher manipulation will likely turn off some PC gamers who want a more "console-like" experience with this joypad.

The obnoxious elephant in the room is that titles from the Xbox app will not work with the Steam Controller on Windows without third-party software. There's some nuance to the issue, and progression in the SDL library hints at future improvements. For now, though, entries like Forza Horizon 6 installed with PC Game Pass are not compatible.

Should you buy the Steam Controller?

You should buy this if ...

✅ You play most of your games on Steam

✅ You're willing to tinker with button layouts

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You want to play Game Pass titles on Xbox PC

For each accusation I've seen about Valve creating a "walled garden" in the PC gaming community with the Steam Controller, there are counterpoints to most of them. It's a feature-rich joypad that justifies its price point, with the charging puck being both a genuine convenience and a unique quirk. The only complaint I can't refute is the lack of compatibility with the Xbox PC app and UWP apps provided by Game Pass.

SDL library support is helping, and the emulators I've used recently are working perfectly with this controller. Whether that triggers a change from Valve to fully support its new joypad on Windows without requiring the Steam desktop app is up for debate, but I'd argue that the Steam Deck's evolution suggests it could happen. If you're lucky enough to see one in stock, it's worth buying.

Once a month, the PC gaming mega-giant Valve opens an optional hardware and software survey for its Steam users to gauge trends and ultimately spotlight the world's most common components. Much of it is predictable and follows obvious patterns, such as the average amount of memory (RAM) increasing over time and discontinued parts falling off the graphs.

Still, some tidbits offer insight into buying habits and product adoption. In particular, the Steam Hardware & Software Survey for April 2026 shows that NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 3060 with 8GB of VRAM remains the most common discrete graphics card this year. For context, that GPU is now three and a half years old, and many gamers already debate the viability of 8GB cards in 2026.

It's a similar story for operating systems, as Windows holds an utterly dominant 93.47% adoption amongst Steam users, though it's divided between its two (technically) active versions. Windows 10 is in its End-of-Life phase, but Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program offers an extension through October 13, and it looks like 25% of Windows users have opted for it.

Linux and macOS fluctuated into ever-so-slight negatives, but the values were less than 1 percentage point and shouldn't be considered alarming. At the very least, Valve reports Arch Linux as the most-used "distro", which is the foundation for its in-house SteamOS rival to Windows 11, pre-installed on its four-year-old Steam Deck handheld and the upcoming Steam Machine PC.

Windows Central's take: Unaffordability is forcing a new norm for PC gamers

Again, it's the natural order of things for incremental hardware and software upgrades to be reflected in Steam's survey, but seeing a quarter of users holding on to Windows 10 is telling. While activists worldwide are staging mock funerals for Microsoft's OS, many PC gamers seemingly aren't willing to budge until the bitter end, possibly due to their device's incompatibility-led obsolescence.

That, and seeing the RTX 3060 clinging on for dear life, helps justify my frustrations with a lack of optimization in modern AAA games. This isn't even the 12GB version that's still going strong in my wife's PC; this is the entry-level 8GB model in NVIDIA's RTX 30 Series that lacks native FP8 support for cutting-edge DLSS tech. Your average gaming rig is two generations old.

And against Microsoft's assurance that 32GB of RAM is the "no worries" count in a world of hilariously expensive DDR5 memory, there still hasn't been a significant shift away from 16GB as the most common count in Valve's latest survey. All of this keeps my hopes alive for the Steam Machine to come with "affordable" pricing.

That, and I'm suddenly checking up on friends and relatives who are stuck on Windows 10. We can always bypass the TPM 2.0 check and upgrade an unsupported computer to Windows 11 with a bit of extra work, but it's starting to feel tense for those who still outright refuse to move over. Are you still using Windows 10? What are your plans for October? Not long now.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

According to Valve's yearly Steam review, the PC gaming juggernaut delivered 100 exabytes of data to its customers in 2025. That's an increase of 20 exabytes compared to 2024, and while "20" might seem small, the "exabytes" portion is where things really get out of control.

An exabyte is equal to one quintillion (10¹⁸) bytes, a number comprised of 18 zeroes. That's 1,000 petabytes. That's one million terabytes. That's one billion gigabytes. That's one trillion megabytes. That's ... an insane number.

Averaging out the 100 exabytes across all Steam users for the entirety of 2025, it comes to about 274 petabytes of data per day heading out of Steam's database and into our PCs. That's roughly 11.42 petabytes every hour, or about 190,000 gigabytes every minute.

I'm no mathematician, and it's proving truly difficult to get my head around these enormous numbers. Say you've been buying 10TB hard drives for the past several years. Were you able to purchase 10 million of them? That's how much storage you'd need to hold 100 exabytes.

Assuming you did get your hands on 10 million 10TB hard drives, you'd be able to comfortably store your music collection, comprised of about 12 trillion songs. I'm shaking my head in disbelief as I write this.

Valve puts an emphasis on the growth of its Steam user base as a reason for its massive data delivery expansion. The PC gaming platform hit, for the first time, 25 million concurrent users in 2020, and it has grown by about 3.4 million users each year to arrive at a peak of 42 million concurrent users in 2025.

As Steam has grown so spectacularly, it has increasingly come under fire for its perceived positioning as anti-competitive and greedy, not to mention pushing gambling on minors with loot boxes.

One major class-action lawsuit originating in the UK accuses Steam of using its market dominance to retain users while also rigging prices. It's alleged that Steam's actions limit the potential of competing platforms like Epic Games and GOG.

It's worth pointing out that a 30% commission rate is quite standard in the industry, and Steam doesn't exactly force you to buy games on its platform. It just happens to be the best place to do so.

It's also worth pointing out that Steam introduced higher 75% and 80% revenue share tiers all the way back in 2018, which, as far as I know, is unmatched by any other major platforms. In 2025, this led to the average payout to developers being 76% of revenue.

(via PCGamer)

Windows Central's take on Steam's 2025 Year in Review

Steam isn't perfect, but it sure is a convenient way to find, compare, buy, and mod games to play solo or with friends. It's clear from the astronomical numbers that Valve shared that I'm not alone in these opinions.

Valve being attacked from several angles is not unexpected, and some of these lawsuits do hold water. Loot boxes certainly do feel like gambling. But going after Steam for providing a generally great experience for gamers and developers seems a bit far-fetched.

Valve continues to be a private company under founder and CEO Gabe Newell, allowing it to run without pressure from investors and shareholders. What the company will look like after Newell's departure is anyone's guess, but I know I'm not the only one hoping it retains its core values.

I want to know what you think about Steam's Year in Review 2025!

Did Steam's 100-exabyte tally for data delivery in 2025 surprise you? Were you expecting it to be smaller? Larger?

I'd also like to know your opinion on Valve and its ongoing lawsuits. Do you think they're fair? Why or why not? Please let me know in the comments section!

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

For those unfamiliar, Decky Loader is a plugin management tool for SteamOS and Bazzite handhelds. It is easy to install and significantly expands what your Steam Deck, or any Bazzite-powered handheld, can do.

Once installed, Decky Loader lets you add system tweaks, performance tools, and quality-of-life features directly into SteamOS. It runs quietly in the background and does not require deep system knowledge to use.

Bazzite is compatible with most, if not all, Windows-based handheld PCs. However, installing it will replace your existing Windows installation unless you choose to set up a dual-boot configuration.

If you prefer to dual boot, we have a full guide you can follow. It walks through the entire process on an Xbox Ally X, but the same steps should apply to most Windows handheld devices.

To install Decky Loader, follow the steps in this guide. The guide will work on both SteamOS and Bazzite.

Installing Plugins for Decky Loader

Installing plugins is fairly straightforward once Decky Loader is installed. Press the three dots button on your Steam Deck to open the Options menu.

Scroll to the bottom of the menu until you reach Decky Loader, then select the marketplace icon. From here, you can browse, install, and manage plugins directly.

Honorable mentions

Before digging into what I consider essential plugins for your Steam Deck or Bazzite device, it is worth starting with a few honorable mentions. These plugins did not quite make my final list, but they are still well worth checking out depending on how you use your handheld.

First up is XIVOmega, a plugin designed specifically for Final Fantasy XIV Online. It is a must-have for anyone who regularly plays the MMORPG on Steam Deck or Bazzite, offering useful tools that make the experience far more comfortable on a handheld screen.

Next is Decky Lookup, a simple but effective plugin that lets you quickly access information about the game you are currently playing. It is ideal for checking a short guide or looking something up without needing to leave SteamOS entirely.

The final honorable mention is Picture in Picture. This plugin is perfect for slower-paced or more relaxing games, letting you watch videos in the background while you play. I have personally found it works especially well with titles like Slay the Spire, which is also the game featured on the plugin’s download page.

Number 5: PlayCount

First off, we have PlayCount, a plugin that shows how many people are currently playing the game you have selected on Steam, updating in real time. It is not an essential add-on by any means, but it is a surprisingly fun way to see how active a game’s community is.

There is something oddly satisfying about knowing that tens of thousands of other players are jumping into something like Resident Evil 4 Remake at the same time as me, especially when playing on a handheld.

Number 4: HLTB for Deck

This one feels far more essential. HLTB, short for How Long to Beat, shows you how long it typically takes to finish a game, which is exactly what the name suggests.

That information has become increasingly useful as backlogs continue to grow, especially with Steam sales adding more games every year. On a handheld, being able to quickly see whether a game fits into a short session or a longer playthrough can make choosing what to play much easier.

Number 3: SteamGridDB

SteamGridDB adds a surprising amount of polish to your Steam library by filling in missing artwork like hero images, logos, and grid art. It is especially useful for non-Steam games, helping everything look consistent alongside native Steam titles.

This makes a noticeable difference on handhelds, where clean visuals and clear library layouts matter more on smaller screens. Games that would otherwise look out of place blend in naturally once their artwork is applied.

SteamGridDB is also available as a Game Bar widget on the Xbox Ally X, where it helps non-Xbox games look far better within that interface. While this article focuses specifically on Steam Deck and Bazzite, it is worth noting how flexible the plugin is across devices.

If a dedicated guide to the best Game Bar apps is something readers would be interested in, that is something I would be happy to explore further.

Number 2: NonSteamLaunchers and Unifideck

At the time of writing, neither of these plugins is fully integrated into Decky Loader by default. You can still install and use both, but the process requires switching to desktop mode first.

For NonSteamLaunchers, the setup is straightforward. You download the NSLPlugin.desktop file and remove the .desktop part of the filename, then double-click it to begin installation.

Once installed, the plugin becomes accessible through Decky Loader as normal. While this extra step may sound intimidating, it only takes a few minutes and is well worth it if you regularly play games outside of Steam.

Unifideck goes a step further by bringing games from different launchers into one place. Instead of opening Epic Games Store or GOG separately, it pulls your owned titles into a single searchable list within SteamOS.

To install Unifideck, visit the project page on your Steam Deck or Bazzite device in desktop mode and download the unifideck.prod.vXXX.zip file. In Decky’s Developer options, choose Install plugin from ZIP file, navigate to where the ZIP file is saved, and install it.

The two plugins do somewhat compliment each other, with NonSteamLaunchers handling launcher installation and Unifideck keeping everything neatly contained within Steam’s user interface. At the moment, Unifideck only supports Epic Games Store, GOG, and Amazon Games, with plans to expand support in the future.

Number 1: Decky LSFG VX

Decky LSFG VX enables Lossless Scaling on Steam Deck and Bazzite and is designed to help you get more out of your handheld in terms of performance.

For those unfamiliar, Lossless Scaling is a fairly cheap paid tool available on Steam that enables frame generation in supported games. This can help squeeze out extra performance, which is especially valuable on devices like the Steam Deck or Xbox Ally.

Thanks to this plugin, frame generation can be controlled directly from the Decky menu, making setup quick and painless. It removes much of the usual friction and makes advanced performance features far more approachable on handheld hardware.

Frame generation works best when a game already runs at a stable base frame rate, as it builds on existing performance rather than replacing it. It is not a magic fix for poorly running games, and results will vary depending on the title and the settings you use.

Your favorite plugins for Steam Deck and Bazzite

Which Decky Loader plugin has made the biggest difference to how you use your Steam Deck or Bazzite handheld? Let us know by commenting and taking part in our poll below:

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Over the past few years, age verification has increasingly become prevalent across industries and platforms. Just last month, Discord announced plans to roll out age verification measures globally to, as it claims, protect users from harmful or inappropriate content.

And now, the move is trickling down to operating systems. Well, at least in California. In October 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed California’s Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043), requiring operating system providers in the state to collect users’ age information during setup (via PCGamer).

The bill was passed by the Assembly and Senate unanimously, and is expected to take effect on January 1, 2027, affecting Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux distros like SteamOS, and more.

According to AB 1043, an OS developer will be required to:

"1) Provide an accessible interface at account setup that requires an account holder to indicate the birth date, age, or both, of the user of that device for the purpose of providing a signal regarding the user’s age bracket to applications available in a covered application store.

(2) Provide a developer who has requested a signal with respect to a particular user with a digital signal via a reasonably consistent real-time application programming interface that identifies, at a minimum, which of the following categories pertains to the user.

The categories are broken into four sections: users under 13 years of age, over 13 years of age under 16, at least 16 years of age and under 18, and "at least 18 years of age."

While the law doesn't enforce outrageous forms of age verification like a facial scan, OS developers will be required to collect age verification during the account setup process. The information can then be shared with app developers upon request.

App developers will now have access to their users' ages, consequently shifting legal liability for age-appropriate content decisions to them. For context, app developers could face steep penalties: up to $2,500 per affected child for negligent violations and $7,500 for intentional ones.

Despite signing the bill into law, Governor Gavin Newsom has urged the legislature to amend it, citing concerns from streaming services and game developers over “complexities such as multi-user accounts shared within families and user profiles spread across multiple devices.”

Age verification probably won't work for Linux

While this might not be a major change for Windows since the operating system already requires users to provide their date of birth during the Microsoft Account setup process, it seems like an uphill task for Linux distros.

This is because they don’t have centralized accounts, and users can download ISOs from global mirrors and freely modify the source code.

"This is basically impossible for California to enforce," CatoDomine indicated on Reddit. "Even if Linux Mint decides to add some kind of age verification, to comply with CA law, there's no reason anyone would choose that version."

The user further indicated that even if the find a way to get age verification to work on Linux, "It's more likely they will put a disclaimer on their website: "not for use in California."

Do you support California’s new law requiring age verification in all operating systems? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Valve could have celebrated another birthday of its iconic, still beloved Steam Deck yesterday, as the Linux-based PC gaming handheld turned 4 years old on February 25. However, ongoing storage and RAM shortages have affected Steam Deck OLED production, and there are no significant signs that the issue is easing for you (or me) as average PC gamers.

One of the original Steam Deck LCD models, with 256GB of storage, has already been removed from sale. To be fair, it hardly appealed to modern audiences for its comparatively tiny storage capacity for installing games, and its removal seemed to be part of Valve's plan — one I'd agree with.

However, future strategies for the upcoming Steam Machine, Valve's gaming PC, have been disrupted by surging prices for critical memory and storage parts, reportedly driven by the gargantuan rise of enterprise-driven generative AI. As a regular Steam Deck user and general fan of Valve, it's hard to feel as optimistic as when we ran a speculative Steam Machine price analysis last year.

I already had reservations about whether the upcoming Steam Machine would handle graphically intensive modern games with its 8GB of VRAM, despite Valve's claims that it targets a 4K resolution running at 60 FPS by relying on AMD's FSR upscaling technology. If it's on a lower GPU limit and we end up paying over the odds for the hardware, then I could predict a negative backlash.

Is Valve's Steam Machine in trouble or not?

Interestingly, AMD's CEO claims Valve is still on track to release the Steam Machine on its original, yet publicly obscured, launch date. We already know that a "semi-custom" Zen 4 processor from AMD is inside it, so it's reasonable to expect that mass production of that chip started months ago (via PC Gamer).

What that doesn't reveal is what's happening with plans for pricing the Steam Machine, and whether Valve will (or can) subsidize the rising costs. I've personally watched the price of popular desktop memory (RAM) rise from around $98 to $250 for 16GB of DDR5-6000, and I can't imagine it would be easy for Valve to offset the cost of memory chiplets inside AMD's processors.

🗨️ So, what about SteamOS vs. Windows?

The age-old "Year of the Linux desktop" discussion oozes back into popular culture every few months — like a gas leak — though I still firmly believe dual-booting gives you the best of both worlds anyway. Linux and Windows play well together, but the topic of a new distro dethroning Microsoft's PC gaming rule never goes away.

Then again, I'm still bothered by the bickering that happens with some open-source options. Essay-length explanations of developer drama leave me uninterested in booting into otherwise exciting gaming distros like Bazzite, and it feels like I'm back to waiting for Valve to better support SteamOS on any PC — while I stick with Fedora KDE for low-power productivity.

Valve is the only recognized brand that has a chance of making Linux appeal to the average crowd, using the Steam Machine as the Trojan Horse that sneaks it in. Still, if this cube-shaped gaming PC launches with a couple of hundred dollars over what I expect, then kiss those aspirations goodbye. At least SteamOS will stay a boon to the Steam Deck (if you can still buy one in six months).

Are you waiting for the Steam Machine, or are you happy with a Steam Deck? Perhaps neither? Let me know, I'm interested to see how many in our community are eagerly awaiting Valve's next move.

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NVIDIA's new job listings suggest it's looking to strengthen its Linux efforts, including roles focused on Vulkan graphics optimization and Linux graphics engineering in general. You may have also heard Vulkan pretty recently, as Mojang is switching from OpenGL to Vulkan for the Java edition of Minecraft.

Basically, Vulkan is a modern graphics API that acts as the backbone of most advanced graphics work on PC games, just like Microsoft's DirectX. It allows games to communicate efficiently with your graphics card, giving developers more direct control over performance.

It's also a key reason Proton works as well as it does. Proton translates Windows game instructions into Vulkan so they can run on Linux. SteamOS relies on this same process, which makes Vulkan central to its viability.

In simple terms, without Vulkan, Windows games would not run nearly as smoothly on Linux, and Proton would not be nearly as effective.

Linux gaming is no longer a niche experiment

What was once seen as a niche experiment does feel like it is starting to take shape. Valve chose Linux as the foundation for SteamOS, and now NVIDIA appears interested in strengthening its position there too, with two open roles tied directly to Linux graphics and Vulkan performance.

The listings specifically reference a “Senior System Software Engineer, Vulkan Performance” and a “Linux Graphics Senior Software Engineer.” That is not accidental wording. It suggests targeted effort rather than casual support.

As Windows becomes heavier and more locked down, as noted by VideoCardz, it is not surprising that NVIDIA might want to broaden its focus beyond Satya Nadella’s Windows 11. NVIDIA GPUs do function the best on Linux today, and the experience has often required more setup and troubleshooting compared to AMD, which tends to work more seamlessly out of the box.

More operating system support is rarely a negative. Many users will welcome the idea of NVIDIA taking Linux more seriously.

It is still early, and Linux with NVIDIA hardware still has significant hurdles to overcome before it can meaningfully dent any Windows usage. That said, if driver support continues improving and Proton keeps maturing, the gap may narrow faster than some expect. Windows 11 could still course correct, but the competitive pressure is clearly building.

🗨️ How do you feel about NVIDIA taking Linux more seriously?

Do you think NVIDIA’s hiring push signals a serious shift toward Linux gaming, or is Windows still firmly in control? Let us know in the comments and make sure to take part in our poll below:

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It’s not quite SteamOS we’re working with here but rather Bazzite. For those who don’t know, Bazzite is a SteamOS-style Linux operating system that aims to mimic the SteamOS experience, but it is not affiliated with Valve.

Installing Bazzite on a Windows handheld can come with real benefits. It can make your device feel more console-like than Windows does today, even with the Xbox FullScreen Experience and in some instances Bazzite has reported improvements to performance.

The trade-off is that a full Bazzite install means giving up some of what Windows does best. That includes native Xbox Game Pass PC support, and certain games that rely on anti-cheat, such as Battlefield 6 and Call of Duty.

That’s where dual booting makes sense. It lets you use Bazzite for a more console-style experience, while keeping Windows ready for Game Pass, the wider Xbox ecosystem, and anything else you may need Windows for.

Important things to note before you begin

You’ll need a reasonable amount of free SSD space. While 64GB is the minimum required for Bazzite itself, allocating more is strongly recommended, with a roughly even split between Windows and Bazzite offering the most comfortable experience for games, updates, and day to day use.

A USB drive is required to create the Bazzite installer. It should be at least 16GB in size, and anything stored on it will be erased during the process. You’ll also need a USB hub, as most Windows handhelds do not have enough ports on their own. Ideally, the hub should support multiple USB devices at once, including a keyboard, mouse, and USB drive.

While some steps can be done directly on the handheld, a keyboard and mouse make the installation significantly easier. Certain menus are awkward to navigate with touch or controller input, and using proper peripherals helps avoid mistakes.

Prerequisites

Before installing Bazzite, there are a couple of Windows settings that need to be checked. Fast Startup and Hibernate should both be disabled, as they can cause file system and boot issues when Windows and Linux share the same device.

To disable hibernation on Windows 11, follow these steps below:

1. In Windows Desktop Mode, open the Start Menu.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click, and open as Administrator.
3. Within the Command Prompt, type: powercfg.exe /hibernate off
4. Press Enter, and it will disable hibernation.

This option might not be there but just to be sure, you'll want to disable Fast Startup. To do this follow the steps from this guide linked here.

These features keep parts of Windows in a semi-active state rather than fully shutting down. That can interfere with how Bazzite accesses the drive and may lead to boot problems or stability issues later on.

It is also worth making sure Windows is fully up to date before you begin. Running major updates after setting up a dual boot can introduce boot changes, so taking care of them in advance helps keep everything working as expected once Bazzite is installed.

If you haven’t already I do highly recommend you get a USB-C Hub to connect your USB drive and mouse and keyboard to your handheld, here is the one I use and recommend:

Step 01A: Downloading the required files

Before we begin, we first need to create our boot media, I will be doing these steps on an Xbox Ally X, however, the steps will be mostly identical on all Windows handheld devices.

With that said, follow these steps below for creating Bazzite boot media:

1. If you’re in the Xbox FSE, swipe up from the bottom and go to Windows Desktop.
2. On Windows Desktop, open your web browser.
3. Go to this website: https://bazzite.gg
4. Select Download Bazzite in the top right corner of the website.
5. Here you can select your hardware.
6. I will be choosing the Xbox Ally X, but choose whichever one corresponds to your handheld.
7. You will then be asked to pick a desktop environment; select KDE (Like SteamOS’s Desktop)
8. Then select the option Download bazzite-deck Legacy ISO.
9. Wait for that download to finish.

With that downloaded, next we’ll need to download and install a program called Balena Etcher, this will allow you to create a boot media from the ISO file we just downloaded. Follow these steps to download Balena Etcher:

1. If you’re in Xbox FSE, swipe up and go to Windows Desktop mode.
2. On Windows Desktop, open your browser of choice.
3. Go to this website: https://etcher.balena.io
4. Scroll down and download the version that matches your system.
5. Once downloaded, double-click the install file and install Balena Etcher.
6. Go through the installation process.

With Balena Etcher now downloaded we can move onto installing Bazzite onto a USB Drive, if you’re interested, I have these two USB drives for any time I need to create any type of boot media, and you can find them here:

Step 01B: Creating your Bazzite boot media

With all the required files downloaded, we’ll need to load the ISO into Balena Etcher with Your USB Drive inserted into your handheld.

For the correct settings, follow the instructions below:

1. Open Balena Etcher.
2. Choose the option Select from file
3. Confirm the correct USB drive is selected.
4. Select Flash and wait for the process to finish.

Once complete, Balena Etcher will confirm the write has finished. You can then safely remove the USB drive and move on to the next step.

Step 01C: Disabling BitLocker

This step is precautionary but strongly recommended. If BitLocker remains enabled, like me, you may be prompted to enter a 48-digit recovery key during reboots or when changing boot settings, which can quickly become frustrating during a dual boot setup.

To avoid this, you should temporarily decrypt the drive by disabling BitLocker before continuing.

To disable BitLocker, follow the steps below while booted into Windows:

1. Open the Start menu and search for Manage BitLocker.
2. Select Manage BitLocker from the results.
3. Locate your main Windows drive, usually listed as the C: drive.
4. Select Turn off BitLocker.
5. Confirm when prompted to begin decryption.

Windows will now start decrypting the drive in the background. This can take some time depending on your storage size, but you can continue using the device while it runs.

Step 02A: Entering BIOS

Entering the BIOS can vary slightly depending on your device. To keep things simple, this guide uses the Xbox Ally as the example. If you are using a different handheld, a quick search such as “how to enter BIOS on Legion Go 2” will point you in the right direction.

For the Xbox Ally, follow the steps below, or refer to our full dedicated guide if you need more detail.

1. Fully power off the device.
2. Press the Power button to turn it back on.
3. Immediately begin pressing the Volume Down button repeatedly.
4. Keep pressing until the BIOS menu appears.

Once you are in the BIOS, you can move on to the required settings changes in the next step.

Step 02B: BIOS Settings

Once you are in the BIOS, there are only a few settings that need to be checked or changed. It is important not to adjust anything else, as most options here do not need to be touched.

For the Xbox Ally, follow the steps below. Menu names may vary slightly on other handhelds, but the overall process is the same.

1. Switch to Advanced Mode if your BIOS opens in a simplified view by pressing Y or selecting advanced view.
2. Navigate to the Security tab.
3. Locate Secure Boot and set it to Disabled.
4. Confirm the system is using UEFI boot mode. In most cases, no change is required.
5. Save your changes and exit the BIOS.

After saving, the device will either restart or return you to the boot menu. From here, you can continue with the next step of the installation.

Step 03A: Shrinking your Volume

Before installing Bazzite, you need to create space for it on your internal SSD. This is done by shrinking the existing Windows partition, which allows Bazzite to be installed without removing Windows.

Take your time during this step. Nothing is applied until you confirm it, but mistakes here are the most common cause of data loss.

To prepare your SSD, follow the steps below while booted into Windows and not in BIOS:

1. Boot back into Windows if you are not already there.
2. Open the Start menu and search for Disk Management.
3. Open the first option.
4. Locate your main Windows drive, usually labeled as the C: drive.
5. Right-click the Windows partition and select Shrink volume.
6. Wait while Windows calculates the available shrink space.
7. Enter the amount of space you want to allocate to Bazzite.
8. Confirm the shrink operation.

Once complete, you should see a section of unallocated space on the drive. Do not create a new partition here. This empty space will be used by the Bazzite installer in the next steps.

In some cases, Windows will refuse to shrink the partition by the amount you expect, even if there appears to be plenty of free space. This is usually caused by system files that Windows refuses to move automatically.

If this happens, follow Step 03B to remove those limitations.

Step 03B: Fixing Windows volume shrink limitations

First, disable hibernation, by following these steps:

1. Open the Start Menu and search Command Prompt.
2. Right-click the Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
3. With Command Prompt open run the following command: powercfg -h off

Next, temporarily disable the page file, by following these instructions below:

4. Go to the Start Menu, search for Control Panel, and open it.
5. Go to System and Security.
6. Select System; this will open System settings in a new window.
7. Select Advanced system settings.
8. Under Performance, select Settings.
9. Open the Advanced tab and under Virtual Memory, select Change.
10. Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
11. Go back to the Change option under the Advanced tab.
12. Choose No paging file and select Set.
13. Reboot the device.

After rebooting, disable System Restore by doing the following:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Go to System and Security.
3. Select the option System.
4. Choose Advanced System Settings
5. Go to the System Protection Tab.
6. Select your main Drive (it should be the top one in the list).
7. With the drive selected, choose Configure.
8. Then select the option Disable system protection and click apply.

Now we consolidate the free space, to do this follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt again by right-clicking it and selecting Run as administrator.
2. Type in the follow command: defrag C: /X
3. With the command typed in, press Enter on your keyboard.

Once this completes, return to Disk Management and try shrinking the Windows partition again.

After you have successfully created unallocated space, you can re-enable the page file, System Restore, and hibernation if you normally use them. These changes are only required to help Windows release locked space during partitioning.

Step 04: Installing Bazzite

With your USB installer ready and unallocated space created on the SSD, you can now boot into the Bazzite installer and begin the installation process.

Follow the steps below:

1. Fully power off the device.
2. Make sure your Bazzite boot media is inserted.
3. Boot back into the BIOS by pressing the power button and repeatedly pressing the volume down button.
4. Press the Command Centre button on your Xbox Ally to enter the boot menu.
5. Select your boot media from the options, on other devices, I’d Google how to enter the boot menu.

With that done, your device will reboot into your Bazzite boot media, from here follow these steps:

1. Choose Install Bazzite-deck.
2. Select your Region and click Continue.
3. Choose the option Installation Destination under System.
4. Make sure you choose your partitioned space and not your Windows drive.
5. While still within the Installation Destination page, make sure that Advanced Custom (Blivet-GUI) is selected too and only your partitioned space is chosen.
6. Once that is finished, select Done in the top left corner.

Step 05: Custom Partitioning and EFI setup

You should now already be on the Installation Destination screen, with Advanced Custom (Blivet-GUI) selected and only your unallocated space highlighted, as covered in the previous step, having select Done you will be taken to a new screen where we'll have to do some extremely important steps.

This step is where you manually create the partitions Bazzite needs. Take your time here. Everything you create must be done inside the unallocated space only. Do not delete or modify any existing Windows partitions.

Once you are in the Blivet-GUI partition editor, follow the steps below, and/or use the images I’ve provided with clear instructions on what to do.

Creating the EFI partition:

1. Select the unallocated space.
2. Click the plus icon to create a new partition.
3. Change the file system to EFI System Partition.
4. Set the mount point to /boot/efi
5. Change the size unit to MiB.
6. Set the size to 300.
7. Confirm the changes.

Creating the boot partition:

1. Select the remaining unallocated space.
2. Click the plus icon.
3. Leave the file system set to ext4.
4. Set the mount point to /boot.
5. Set the size to 1.0 GiB.
6. Confirm the changes.

Creating the BTRFS partition:

1. Select the remaining unallocated space again.
2. Click the plus icon.
3. Change the file system to BTRFS.
4. Do not set a mount point yet.
5. Use the rest of the available space.
6. Confirm the changes.

You will now see a new BTRFS entry appear in the list.

Next, we need to create the BTRFS mount points.

First, the root mount:

1. Select the BTRFS partition.
2. Click the plus icon.
3. Set the mount point to /
4. Confirm the changes.

Next we need to create the Var mount:

• With the BTRFS partition still selected, click the plus icon.
• Set the mount point to /var
• Confirm the changes.

Lastly we have the Home mount:

1. With the BTRFS partition still selected, click the plus icon.
2. Set the mount point to /var/home
3. Confirm the changes.

Now for the final checks before applying changes. Before continuing, double check the following:

• All newly created partitions are within the unallocated space.
• Your Windows partitions have not been changed or removed.
• You have an EFI system partition mounted at /boot/efi.

Once everything looks correct, do the following:

1. Select Done from the top left
2. Review the summary of changes.
3. Select Accept changes.

Step 06: Finish installation

To finish the installation, you will first need to create your user profile. Select the User Creation option and enter your name, username, and password. Make sure you choose a password you will remember, as it will be required for system changes later on.

Next, connect the device to your network. Select the Network and Host Name option, choose your connection type, then select Select Network in the bottom right corner and connect to your Wi-Fi network. Once connected, return to the installer overview to continue.

With that all done, now choose the Begin Installation option in the bottom right corner of the main screen; this will begin installing Bazzite which may take some time.

Step 07: First boot into Bazzite

If you have followed the steps correctly, you will be prompted to reboot your device once the installation is complete. After rebooting, you will see a blue screen with the option to continue to boot.

Select this option to proceed. You will then be guided through the Bazzite setup process, where you can choose your language, time zone, and network settings if you did not configure them earlier. Once this is complete, Bazzite may still need to set up and install some things; wait for this to finish and then sign into Steam when prompted.

If the system appears stuck at this stage, remove the USB boot media if it is still inserted and restart the device. You may need to re-enter the BIOS and manually select your Bazzite installation from the boot menu before continuing.

Step 08: Switching between Windows and Bazzite

Because Windows does not play particularly well with shared boot setups, an extra step is required to make switching between operating systems reliable. This involves creating a Bazzite boot shortcut in Windows, and a Windows boot option inside Bazzite.

To do this, you will first need to boot back into Windows. Depending on your current state, this may require entering the BIOS again and selecting Windows from the boot menu.

Rather than duplicating a long set of steps here, I highly recommend following the video below or clicking here for text based instructions, which walk you through this process clearly and avoid common mistakes.

With everything complete, you should now have Bazzite and Windows successfully dual booted on your Windows handheld.

I followed the steps from the guide linked here from Pete Talks Tech and adjusted parts of the process to make it as clear and approachable as possible. If this helped you, be sure to show some support to the original video as well.

For now, enjoy having the best of both worlds, with Bazzite and Windows running side by side on a single device.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Steam Deck is Valve’s own handheld console, and an impressive one at that. It runs SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system built by Valve with gaming at the core of the experience, and Steam as the focal storefront.

That said, you are not locked into that ecosystem if you are willing to tinker.

Valve stopped producing the Steam Deck LCD, its most affordable model, last year. That left the Steam Deck OLED as the only version still in production.

Now, users have begun noticing that the Steam Deck OLED has seemingly gone out of stock across the US and several Asian regions.

Regions where the Steam Deck OLED is currently sold out include the US and Canada, as well as Komodo, Valve’s official distributor for Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Is this a temporary shortage or something bigger?

Spotted by popular deal hunter Wario64 on X, last night, and further reported on by sites like TomsHardware.

Valve has yet to comment on the lack of stock in the US and parts of Asia. Europe, however, still appears to have inventory, and here in the U,K there is even Steam Deck LCD stock available, which is surprising given production officially ended last year.

There are also reports of stock potentially returning in some regions, though there is currently no indication of when that might happen in the US or Canada

Given current market conditions, with RAM and storage prices climbing and showing little sign of stabilizing, some are speculating that Valve could raise hardware prices. That remains purely speculation for now.

If we keep the tin foil hat on for a moment, rumors of a Steam Deck 2 have circulated for years. Valve has previously said it does not want to release a successor unless it represents a meaningful leap in performance, and at today’s pricing and power levels, that moment may not have arrived yet.

Valve has also reportedly delayed its Steam Machine plans due to rising component costs, which have been heavily impacted by AI-driven demand.

There is still a strong chance this is simply a temporary stock fluctuation and nothing more. If that changes, we will update this article accordingly.

For now, there are other capable handheld options available, including the Xbox Ally. Microsoft is gradually refining the handheld experience on Windows to feel more console-like, bringing it closer to the simplicity that makes SteamOS so appealing on Steam Deck.

Do you think this is just a temporary stock issue, or could something bigger be happening with Steam Deck? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and make sure to take part in our poll below:

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

The main reason why I won't ever give up Windows 11 is its ability to do it all. Sure, there are some limits, but 99% of the time, whether I'm working, creating, handling life, or gaming, it performs what I ask it to do without hesitation.

This jack-of-all-trades approach built on decades of development does have its downsides. Such is the case for PC gaming, which is becoming ever more apparent as the Linux-based SteamOS and its straightforward approach gain traction.

SteamOS, which originally made its debut in 2013 alongside the original (and ill-fated) Steam Machine, was thrust back into the spotlight when Valve announced the Steam Deck in 2021. Fast forward a few years, and we're now on the cusp of the console-adjacent Steam Machine's launch in early 2026. It, too, will run SteamOS.

Let me be clear: SteamOS has no chance of dethroning Windows 11 as the most popular OS around. However, SteamOS is picking up a considerable amount of momentum as users discover its smooth operation and console-like UI.

Steam users running Linux climbed to 3.58% in December 2025, a rise of 0.38% compared to the previous month. In that same time frame, Windows users dropped by 0.56% to fall to 94.23% overall.

I don't see SteamOS adoption hitting a plateau anytime soon, and, if anything, I expect to see it continue to eat into the Windows 11 userbase. Here are four reasons why.

1) OEMs are showing interest in SteamOS

It's important to note that SteamOS doesn't account for the entire Linux userbase on Steam. Linux is a fragmented ecosystem, with plenty of distros making up the total. Even so, SteamOS could be headed towards a future where it's the standard for gamers, especially if its upcoming Steam Machine proves to be a success.

Apart from Valve's own hardware being a success, the best thing for SteamOS is adoption outside of Valve's ecosystem. Indeed, we've now arrived at that point. Lenovo already has a Legion Go S handheld with SteamOS, and it announced a variant of its Legion Go 2 gaming handheld with SteamOS expected to launch in June 2026.

OEMs jumping on board with SteamOS will only help the platform grow while also reducing the number of potential Windows users.

2) Performance and efficiency are superior on SteamOS

It's no secret that Windows is bloated, and that's the antithesis of what you want to hear about a gaming system when performance is crucial. Whether it's background processes, bundled services, telemetry, or ads, chances are good that frames are being left behind when gaming on Windows 11.

Making the switch to SteamOS on identical hardware, it quickly becomes clear that having way less system overhead running in the background does equate to superior battery life and performance, not to mention reliable suspend and resume functions.

Anti-cheat compatibility and full AAA adoption are two of the final barriers stopping a lot of gamers from making the switch from Windows to SteamOS, but I can't see them remaining unresolved forever. That's more bad news for Windows.

3) People are simply fed up with Windows and want something new

Whether you agree that community sentiment matches the actual state of Windows is another argument entirely, but we can agree that the vibes around Microsoft and Windows 11 are way off.

Windows Central Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino suggests that the current Microsoft sentiment revolves around a lack of trust, but you can also point to plenty of other issues — like forced AI integrations or botched updates — as causes.

To put it bluntly, a lot of PC gamers are looking for an alternative, and SteamOS is shaping up to be a prime candidate. Once it launches an official desktop version, it will shine even brighter.

Microsoft isn't blind to the fact that it needs to improve the gaming experience on Windows 11. In late 2025, it posted a lengthy update to its Windows Experience blog detailing all of the gaming improvements it had recently shipped, as well as a look at what's coming in 2026.

It's an impressive list, and it goes to show that there's a lot of good stuff — including the Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) — going on behind the scenes despite recent negative Windows news.

4) Steam is a juggernaut in the PC gaming world

I've been a Steam user for more than 20 years, and it feels weird to say that I've never had a major issue with the platform. It makes it easy to buy games, it makes it easy to find content for said games, and it makes it easy to play with friends.

It's one of the most recognizable names in gaming, and it has built a strong reputation and a ton of goodwill with a lot of people. With around 35 to 40 million users online at any given time, Steam has an incredible opportunity to spread the word of SteamOS and drive further adoption.

Don't worry. Windows isn't going anywhere.

Windows 11 isn't at risk of being dethroned anytime soon, even in gaming markets. SteamOS is outstanding software, but it's designed for one primary purpose: gaming.

Beyond that, you're back to using a desktop environment based on Arch Linux, which has its own share of drawbacks. Windows remains the most popular OS because it can do 99.9% of tasks without much fuss.

If anything, I see the threat of SteamOS forcing Microsoft to pay more attention to gaming, which already seems to be happening. That's a net win for all of us.

Do you agree with my thoughts on why Linux and SteamOS continue to eat into the Windows 11 userbase? Why or why not? Let me know in the comments section!

Is Windows or Linux better for PC gaming? Not a question I'd expect to have answered a few years ago, as the latter was barely brought up in conversation among your usual players. That's different now, especially since Valve's Steam Deck changed the conversation by introducing SteamOS and Proton, a double-edged sword of a Linux distribution and a Windows code compatibility layer.

The short answer is that Bazzite is Linux. Specifically, it's an open-source distro based on Fedora, rather than Arch, which is the basis for SteamOS. If, like me, you never strayed from Windows for the majority of your life, then a bunch of those terms will sound like complete nonsense jargon — and I agree.

There are pros and cons to choosing Linux over Windows, and I'll go into the details of each. For the most part, you'll find they are extremely similar for the purpose of PC gaming, especially if you ever used a Steam Deck or Steam's Big Picture Mode on a desktop PC or laptop. I've been dual-booting Windows 11 and Fedora KDE Linux for a while now, but Bazzite is seriously tempting me.

Is Bazzite better than Windows?

If you choose the KDE desktop environment for Bazzite, the desktop and overall UI will feel quite familiar, but deciding whether Windows or Linux is better for you depends on a few factors, including your favorite games and software. Some apps in Linux will behave as you would expect in Windows 10 or 11, while others require more effort if they don't have a native build.

That "effort" mostly boils down to launching Windows-native applications through a compatibility layer, usually with Proton via Steam for games, but it also works with some software. For example, you could use the "Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library" feature in the pre-installed Steam desktop app in Bazzite and reasonably expect "Proton Experimental" to launch it.

On the other hand, some games rely on some kernel-level anti-cheat methods that aren't not supported on Linux and will not work on Bazzite. A few popular examples include Fortnite, Battlefield 6, Valorant, and Call of Duty — you can check the status of specific games on community-driven websites like "Are We Anti-Cheat Yet?", with notes on which anti-cheat method they use.

Bazzite is immutable — what does that mean?

Immutable means unchangeable; a distro that keeps the core system files protected from the user. It isn't attractive to all Linux enthusiasts, particularly those who want fine control over their PC. Still, it helps prevent novices from accidentally breaking their OS, and Bazzite is geared more towards gamers using Steam and other launchers, such as GOG or the Epic Games Store via Lutris.

When you install an app on Bazzite, it's contained in its own safe space (literally, it's called a container), while the rest of the operating system is set to read-only and can't be permanently changed. Otherwise, standard user folders for documents, pictures, videos, and other downloads are writable and behave the same way Windows does.

Bazzite comes pre-installed with a searchable 'Bazaar,' which isn't too dissimilar from the Microsoft Store on Windows. Here, you'll find a selection of curated 'flatpak' software in containers, including popular PC game launchers like Heroic and retro console emulators like RetroArch. If the software you need isn't included, you can still install it with Distrobox via the Kontainer app.

Is Bazzite good for gaming?

Even in this kind of broken-down, simplified explanation, there are still a wealth of questions that Windows users will want to ask, and I asked many of them myself. At the surface, Bazzite is excellent for gaming, as it simplifies the PC experience by removing many unnecessary apps and services, leading users almost directly to Steam and its alternative launchers, which provide ready-made compatibility layers.

However, whether it's suitable as a complete replacement for Windows 11 is a far more nuanced topic, one which leans toward "no," at least in my opinion. Missing some of the world's most popular PC games is a valid deal-breaker, and while Bazzite makes it easier for the average user, there's still a variable learning curve for Linux.

The differences between an executable .exe file in Windows and the variety of package managers across Linux distros are an early shock for some, and the need to tinker between different Proton versions, including third-party GE-Proton efforts, can be a turn-off for casual PC gamers.

Nevertheless, it's the best gaming-centric distribution I've tested so far as a lifelong Windows user, though it's far from the only one, as CachyOS is trending in a similar fashion. For now, it's close enough to the experience that Fedora KDE was delivering, and I see no reason to hop to any other distro just yet.

Ultimately, Windows 11 stays on top, but Linux is ferociously catching up among gamers. It still has a long way to go before "The Year of the Linux Desktop" has a chance of becoming a reality, but solid efforts like Bazzite almost certainly help the notion, as disgruntled Windows 10 users are losing support for their PCs while Linux remains compatible.

Adobe's world-famous Photoshop and other parts of its larger Creative Cloud suite are starting to function on Linux distributions via tweaks to the WINE compatibility layer. Curiously enough, developer "Phiality" initially has a GitHub pull request for Valve's fork of WINE in mind, built for its Proton layer in SteamOS and hardware like the well-loved Steam Deck gaming handheld (via Reddit).

Essentially, this means that Steam, the PC gaming launcher and storefront, makes it easier for Adobe users to work around an incompatibility roadblock and extend their workflow to Linux, rather than falling back on Windows 11 or macOS. Right now, this is extremely unofficial and has no involvement from Valve, and can be done without Steam at all, but it shows promise nonetheless.

Phiality's contributions to WINE target incompatibilities with Windows-centric 'mshtml' and 'msxml3' dependencies and core services that, at least so far, have hampered the ability to use Adobe's apps on Linux outside of a virtual machine. Now, the Creative Cloud appears to run with the latest release and has been tested "with Photoshop 2021 and 2025."

Update on the Adobe CC Installers Patch - Now the Collection Installer works too from r/linux_gaming

It sounds like a small hurdle, but overcoming issues where Adobe's installer expects missing parts of Microsoft's OS could open the floodgates to a wide variety of its apps running closer to natively on Linux. It's a big reason for keeping some users, including myself, in a dual-boot setup with Windows 11, and certain professions still demand the use of its Creative Cloud over any alternatives.

That might not be the case forever, as more users in creative fields are seemingly choosing artificial intelligence and generative AI models for visual work. Adobe's share price is already falling, and software-as-a-service in general is struggling to compete with the convenience and near-undetectable results of tools like Google's Nano Banana Pro, overtaking even ChatGPT's DALL-E.

Still, more platform choices for Photoshop only benefit the average consumer — Windows 11 is still my primary operating system, but Linux played a bigger role in my life throughout 2025 and remains a convenient (and free) alternative when I need it. While alternatives like GIMP and Krita offer native image editing software for Linux, Adobe still holds an undeniable advantage in the industry, and I'll be watching this development with a keen eye.

Do you use any of Adobe's Creative Cloud apps? Or have you already found an alternative that works for you? Let me know in the comments to give me an idea of how mainstream Photoshop is in 2026.

SteamOS already offers one of the best console-like experiences you can get on a PC handheld. It is fast, streamlined, and designed to feel simple in a way most desktop operating systems are not.

That said, installing Windows alongside SteamOS can unlock far more flexibility. Dual booting gives you access to games, launchers, and services that simply are not supported on SteamOS today, while still letting you keep the console-style experience when you want it.

In this guide, I will walk through the easiest and safest way to dual-boot Windows and SteamOS. The process works on Steam Deck, Legion Go S, Legion Go 2, and other handhelds that run SteamOS, and it is designed to avoid common mistakes that can lead to data loss or broken boot setups.

Before you start: During the Windows 11 installation process, you may see an option that says, "delete everything." Do not select this at any point. Choosing it can wipe your SteamOS partition and break the dual-boot setup.

A few extra tools will make this process much easier. While some steps can be done directly on the device, having the right setup avoids unnecessary frustration.

You will need a keyboard and mouse, a USB stick, and a USB hub that supports at least three USB devices at once, as well as Ethernet. Windows 11 also requires a minimum of 64GB of storage for the operating system alone, so make sure your device has enough free space before starting for both the OS and some space for any games or apps you’d like to use on Windows.

Although it is possible to complete most, if not all, steps on the handheld itself, creating the required boot devices is often smoother on a Windows PC. If you have access to one, it can save time and reduce setup issues later on.

The USB-C hub that I use (and recommend) can be found here:

1: Update SteamOS to the latest beta (3.6.9 or later)

Make sure that you are on the latest beta version of SteamOS, you can do this by doing the following:

1. To update to beta, press the Steam button or open the Steam menu.
2. Select the Settings option.
3. Go to the System option.
4. Select Beta participation.
5. Change the System update channel from Stable to Beta.
6. Restart and apply the update.

2: Set your SteamOS user password

If you have already set a password before, you can skip this step.

To do certain tasks, you’ll need a user password to essentially provide administrator privileges. It’s straightforward to do, and you can doit by following these steps below:

1. Switch your Steam Deck to Desktop Mode.
2. You can do this by pressing the Steam button, selecting Power, and choosing Switch to Desktop.
3. Once on the desktop, open System Settings from the taskbar.
4. Scroll down and select the Users section.
5. Choose Change password.
6. When prompted to enter a password, bring up the on-screen keyboard by pressing the Steam and X buttons together.
7. Enter a password of your choice and confirm it.
8. When asked to change additional options, leave everything else unchanged and confirm.
9. Once complete, close System Settings and return to the desktop.

You may also want a keyboard from here on out, and to keep things relatively cheap, I recommend an affordable keyboard and mouse combo to save on costs:

3: Create your SteamOS recovery media

This step is essential for resizing your internal drive later. It does not wipe your device and will only be used to safely manage partitions when SteamOS is not running.

Valve provides an official SteamOS recovery image, and you can create this boot media on either SteamOS or Windows. Use whichever system is easiest for you.

You will need a USB stick or microSD card with at least 8GB of storage; however, Windows recommends at least 16GB, so if you plan to just use one USB here, keep this in mind.

1. Download the SteamOS image by clicking here.
2. Insert your USB stick or microSD card.
3. On Windows, download and install Rufus from here.
4. On SteamOS or Linux, download and install Balena Etcher from here.
5. If you are using Windows, follow the steps by clicking here.
6. If you are on SteamOS or Linux, click here to follow the steps.

3a: Using Windows to create boot media

If you are using Windows to create your boot media, follow the steps below:

1. Download the SteamOS image by clicking here.
2. Insert your USB stick or microSD card.
3. Download and install Rufus from here.
4. Open Rufus.
5. Ensure that your USB Drive is selected under Device.
6. With Rufus open, select the Steamdeck_repair img file.
7. Make sure that "List USB Hard Drives" is selected.
8. Under "Partition scheme," select MBR.
9. Under the "Target system" option, select BIOS (or UEFI-CSM).
10. Now press Start.
11. Choose Ok when prompted that all data on the USB Drive will be lost.

3b: Using SteamOS/Linux to create boot media

If instead of Windows, you're choosing to use SteamOS/Linux then you can follow the steps below to create your recovery media:

1. Download the SteamOS image by clicking here.
2. Insert your USB stick or microSD card.
3. Download Balena Etcher from here.
4. Scroll down and choose the 64-bit option.
5. Go to the download location, right-click on your Balena Etcher download, and select Extract.
6. Extract somewhere easily accessible.
7. Once extracted, open the extracted folder, and then select the balenca_etcher file.
8. Choose the execute option.

4: Install the dual boot manager

This step is performed on your SteamOS device.

To make dual booting reliable and easy to manage, you will need a boot manager. This controls which operating system loads when you power on your device and prevents Windows from taking over the boot process.

For this guide, we are using SteamDeck rEFInd, a tool designed specifically for SteamOS devices. It allows you to switch between SteamOS and Windows from a clean menu and supports custom icons and backgrounds later on.

To install it, follow these steps carefully:

1. Make sure you are still in Desktop Mode on SteamOS.
2. Open the application launcher.
3. Navigate to System and open Konsole.
4. I’d recommend visiting this guide on your SteamOS device, and copying this install command:
5. cd $HOME && rm -rf $HOME/SteamDeck_rEFInd/ && git clone https://github.com/jlobue10/SteamDeck_rEFInd && cd SteamDeck_rEFInd && chmod +x install-GUI.sh && ./install-GUI.sh
6. Paste the command into the Konsole window.
7. Press Enter and type your SteamOS user password when prompted.
8. Confirm when asked to proceed with the installation.
9. Once installed, the application will appear on your desktop.

5: Dual boot GUI setup

Once the installation is complete, open the application and review the available settings. This part is straightforward, but I will briefly walk you through what needs to be configured next.

1. Open SteamDeck_reEFIned on your desktop.
2. I won't change many settings here, but you want to make sure SteamOS is the default Boot option.
3. Windows is already selected for Boot Option #2, so leave this as is.
4. You can change other settings if you wish, such as the boot menu icons and boot menu background.
5. Change the Timeout option to what you desire. I have chosen 10 seconds.
6. Select the "Install rEFInd" option at the bottom of the GUI.
7. Enter the password you created earlier.
8. Then choose "OK" and wait for it to install.
9. Then choose "Create Config," especially if you make any other changes.
10. Then select the option "Install Config."
11. Enter your password again.
12. Restart your Steam Deck to see your custom boot screen.

6: Resize the internal drive for Windows

This step creates space for Windows by resizing your existing SteamOS partition. It is done from the SteamOS recovery environment to avoid conflicts with files currently in use.

Take your time here. Nothing is applied until you confirm it, and following the steps carefully avoids data loss.

If you can't load into the SteamOS recovery image, try a Micro SD Card or a different USB stick.

1. To begin, make sure your Steam Deck is fully powered off.
2. Insert your SteamOS recovery USB or microSD card.
3. Hold the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Power button.
4. Release both once the boot menu appears.
5. Select your USB or microSD recovery media from the list.
6. Wait for the SteamOS recovery desktop to load.

Once on the recovery desktop:

1. Open the application launcher in the bottom left corner.
2. Navigate to All Applications and scroll down.
3. Open KDE Partition Manager.
4. Select your internal drive from the list on the left side.
5. Locate the ext4 home partition. This is where SteamOS is installed.

To resize the partition:

1. Right-click the ext4 home partition.
2. Select Resize/Move.
3. Use the slider to reduce the partition size based on how much space you want to allocate to Windows.
4. You can also type in how big you want your new partition size to be.

Once resized:

• Click OK to confirm the new size.
• You will now see unallocated space below the SteamOS partition.
• Right-click the unallocated space and select New.
• Choose NTFS as the file system.
• Confirm the changes.
• Click Apply in the top left corner and wait for the process to finish.

When complete, you should see a smaller SteamOS partition and a new NTFS partition ready for Windows.

Shut down the Steam Deck and remove the SteamOS recovery media. You will use this new partition in the next step when installing Windows.

7: Create your Windows boot media

This step mirrors the SteamOS recovery media process, but this time you will be creating boot media for Windows 11. The overall process is the same, with the only difference being the file you use.

For this guide, I will cover both the Windows and SteamOS or Linux methods, as the steps are very similar. If you followed Step 3, this should feel familiar.

You can safely boot back into SteamOS after the previous step to create your Windows 11 boot media. For this guide, I used a separate USB drive and kept my SteamOS recovery image intact.

1. Download the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft’s official website.
2. Insert your USB stick into your PC or SteamOS device.
3. Download and install Rufus or Balena Etcher if it is not already installed.
4. Open Rufus or Balena Etcher.
5. Make sure your USB drive is selected under Device.
6. Select the Windows 11 ISO file you downloaded.
7. Leave the default settings unless prompted otherwise.
8. Click Start.
9. Confirm that all data on the USB drive will be erased when prompted.

Wait for the image writing process to finish. This can take several minutes.

Once complete, safely eject the USB drive. You will use this Windows boot media in the next step to install Windows onto the partition you created earlier.

8: Installing Windows on Steam Deck

With your Windows boot media ready and your internal drive partitioned, it is time to install Windows on your Steam Deck. This part is straightforward, but there is one important installer option to watch for.

1. Power off your SteamOS device.
2. Insert the Windows 11 boot media you created earlier.
3. Hold the Volume Down button, then hold the Power button down.
4. Release both once the boot menu appears
5. Select your Windows USB drive from the list.
6. Wait for the Windows installer to load; this can take some time.

Once the Windows installer appears, rotate your Steam Deck into portrait mode. This makes the setup screens easier to use.

It is normal for Windows to be in portrait mode on boot and during setup.

1. Select Install Windows.
2. Accept the license terms when prompted.
3. If asked for a product key, select "I don't have a product key."
4. Choose Windows 11 Pro when prompted, then select Next.
5. Choose the option to install Windows only.
6. Locate the NTFS partition you created earlier.
7. Select this partition and choose Next.
8. Do not delete or format any other partitions.

Windows will now begin installing. This usually takes a few minutes, and the Steam Deck will restart automatically.

After the restart, the Windows setup process will continue.

• Connect to WiFi when prompted, if available, or connect via Ethernet using the USB-C hub.
• Alternatively, you can select the I don't have internet option if available.
• Follow the install process, selecting your region, keyboard layout, etc.

Once setup completes, Windows will load to the desktop, likely still in portrait mode. This is expected and will be fixed in the next step.

9a: Downloading Windows drivers

This step applies to Steam Deck only. If you are using another SteamOS device, you should already be good to go.

For Steam Deck, Valve provides official Windows drivers for each Steam Deck model. These are required to ensure Windows runs correctly on the device. You can follow the instructions here:

1. Download all of the Windows drivers for your specific Steam Deck model from the official page.
2. Once downloaded, extract each folder.
3. Copy each driver folder to a USB drive and keep it somewhere easy to access.
4. You will need this USB drive in the next steps when installing the drivers in Windows.

Very importantly, you must also download the Dual Boot Fix tool. This step is required to prevent Windows from automatically bypassing the dual-boot menu after restarts.

Download the Dual Boot Fix from here and copy it to the same USB drive as your Steam Deck drivers.

If the download link does not work, the tool is also available on the SteamDeck rEFInd GitHub page by scrolling down to the Windows section.

You will run this tool later from within Windows to ensure the rEFInd boot menu always appears correctly.

9b: Installing Steam Deck Drivers

Once Windows has finished installing, several core features will not work correctly until the proper drivers are installed. This is expected and easy to fix.

Before starting, make sure you know whether you are using a Steam Deck LCD or Steam Deck OLED. The driver sets are slightly different.

It is also normal for Windows to be in portrait mode on boot and during setup.

You can download the drivers here if you haven't already.

1. Once the drivers are downloaded, extract each folder.
2. Put the extracted folders onto your USB drive.
3. Insert the USB drive containing the Steam Deck drivers into your Steam Deck.
4. Next, I highly recommend following the instructions for your Steam Deck on Valve's website, here.

Once all drivers are installed, restart Windows.

After rebooting, graphics, Wi Fi, Bluetooth, audio, and SD card support should all be working correctly.

The next step focuses on fixing the dual-boot priority, so Windows does not bypass the boot menu.

10: Fixing problems introduced by Windows

This step is required to stop Windows from bypassing the dual-boot menu after restarts. Without it, Windows can take control of the boot order and load automatically.

You should have already downloaded the Dual Boot Fix tool and placed it on a USB drive in an earlier step.

To apply the fix, follow these steps while booted into Windows:

1. Insert the USB drive containing the Dual Boot Fix tool.
2. Open the folder and locate the file named Setup_rEFInd_Windows_RunAsAdmin.
3. Right-click the file and select Run as administrator.
4. Confirm any prompts that appear.

The script will run briefly and close automatically once complete. This creates a scheduled task in Windows that ensures the rEFInd boot menu is always placed at the top of the boot order.

Once finished, leave Windows running and continue to the next step.

11: Final Windows configuration for Steam Deck

This step helps prevent graphical issues when booting into Windows.

1. Right-click the Start button and type Run and press Enter.
2. With the Run dialog box open, type msconfig
3. Press Enter or OK.
4. Open the Boot tab.
5. Check the option for No GUI boot.
6. Select Apply, then OK.

Once this is done, shut down the Steam Deck completely.

Turn back on the device and load in to SteamOS and follow these instructions:

1. Open the rEFInd GUI from the desktop.
2. Select Create config.
3. Select Install config and enter your password when prompted.
4. Restart the Steam Deck.

You should now see the dual-boot menu on startup, allowing you to choose between SteamOS and Windows with everything configured correctly.

If you prefer a video walkthrough, this guide is based on an older video created by Deck Wizard. However, this version has been updated and modernised, with several tweaks made to reflect current tools and best practices.

The Legion Go 2 launched in October 2025 as a Windows 11 PC gaming handheld. A few months later, at CES 2026, Lenovo revealed it was launching an official SteamOS version of the Legion Go 2, like the Steam Deck, only with more premium features and internals.

RELATED: Legion Go 2 (Windows) review | Steam Deck review

For those of you unsure of which of the operating systems to choose from when buying Legion Go 2, I've spent some time comparing these two devices and explaining their differences. Let's dive in and discuss how they compare.

TL:DR: Look for the TL;DR sections to get the highlights for each category.

Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Specs

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Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Pricing

As of right now, we know that the Windows version of the Legion Go 2 has a lower $1,049.99 starting price compared to the SteamOS version's $1,199.99 starting MSRP.

Outside of their operating systems, these handhelds are largely the same, with the same layouts, buttons, processor options, displays, and ports.

It's honestly a bit surprising that the SteamOS version costs more, given that the Windows version of the Legion Go S has a higher price than the SteamOS version.

TL;DR: PRICE WINNER: Surprisingly, the Windows version of the Legion Go 2 has a lower starting price than the SteamOS version.

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Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Performance

NOTE: I will conduct performance benchmark testing on the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) when I get my hands on it and will update this section as soon as possible. For now, this section utilizes official spec information for educated analysis.

Despite the Windows and SteamOS versions of the Legion Go 2 having the same Ryzen Z2 Series handheld processors and capacity options when it comes to memory and storage, it's likely that the SteamOS versions will run more efficiently.

RELATED: All AMD handheld chips and how they compare

This is due to the fact that SteamOS is far more optimized for handhelds than Microsoft's operating system. Where Windows 11 is bogged down by bloat and extra background processes, SteamOS is more focused, allowing it to take up less power.

As an example, previous benchmarks showed that the rival Xbox Ally X offered better performance running SteamOS than it did running the Windows 11 it ships with. As such, it stands to reason the Legion Go 2 will also perform better with SteamOS.

TL;DR: PERFORMANCE WINNER: I'll have to run tests to know for sure, but it's very likely that the SteamOS version of the Legion Go 2 will offer better performance.

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Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Display

Both the SteamOS and Windows versions of the Legion Go 2 feature an 8.8-inch OLED touchscreen that tops at a crisp 1920x1200 resolution, a high 144Hz refresh rate, and offers VRR (variable refresh rate) support.

Altogether, they offer a fantastic color range and contrast with detailed visuals and smooth motion clarity.

As I noted in my Legion Go 2 (Windows) review, this is the best handheld display to date.

TL;DR: DISPLAY WINNER: It's a tie. Both the Windows and SteamOS versions have the same OLED display.

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Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Controls and ports

There is no difference in the general layout between the SteamOS and Windows versions of the Legion Go 2. However, the SteamOS version does show the same game icons for the buttons that the Steam Deck uses.

Both handhelds have offset Hall Effect joysticks that won't develop stick drift, detachable controllers, and a touchpad under the right joystick. They both also have a right controller that has an FPS Mode, allowing the controller to act somewhat like a mouse when dragged around a surface.

I've personally used the FPS Mode for better control in certain games as well as to navigate my cursor around Windows 11 menus, programs, and Google Chrome. I'm guessing FPS Mode will work well in certain games on the SteamOS handheld and in the Desktop Mode. However, I'm not sure how well it will work in SteamOS's handheld mode. I'll be sure to check that out when I review the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS).

On top of the Legion Go 2 is an RGB circle, in the shape of the Legion logo, and at its center is a fingerprint reader that works very well on the Windows handheld. The thing is, this fingerprint reader is also located on the SteamOS version, but it cannot be used since SteamOS doesn't natively support this biometric login technology.

What about ports?

Port-wise, both Legion Go 2 versions offer an audio jack, a microSD card reader that supports up to 2TB, and two USB4 Type-C ports.

Thanks to DisplayPort support, both handhelds can be connected to a docking station and displayed on a TV or monitor. You'll just need to make sure you get a 65W docking station or higher in order for it to be compatible.

TL;DR: CONTROLS & PORTS WINNER: While the buttons, joysticks, and ports are the same between these devices, it's possible that FPS mode is limited on SteamOS and that the fingerprint reader is only supported on the Windows version, which makes Windows the winner here.

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Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Software and games

As the names imply, the biggest difference between the Legion Go 2 versions is that one runs the Linux-based SteamOS while the other runs Windows 11.

Out of the box, SteamOS's handheld mode is intended to only access your Steam library of games, but as I explained in my Decky Loader guide, this plug-in makes it easier to access other game services like Battle.net, Epic Games, and more.

Meanwhile, the Windows version is far less optimized for handhelds; it literally operates like a Windows laptop or desktop, which has two main problems: First, many people find the Windows interface to be too convoluted for handhelds compared to the SteamOS interface's console-like simplicity. Second, Windows has far more bloat, with unnecessary programs (for handhelds) and extra processes running in the background. This bloat can slow the handheld down and make it work less efficiently, so it's good to uninstall unneeded programs.

These are some of the reasons why Windows handheld owners have opted to switch to SteamOS or the console-like experience of Bazzite.

Of course, the Xbox Ally X's Xbox Full Screen Experience (Xbox FSE) recently rolled out onto Legion Go 2 (Windows). This mode transforms Windows into more of a console-like interface using the Xbox App; it's an experience that's more akin to the feel of SteamOS, and it also reduces background programs to help Windows handhelds run more smoothly. Xbox FSE isn't quite where I want it to be yet, but Microsoft does have plans to improve it in 2026, so Xbox FSE could get even better this year.

It's also easier to update the SteamOS version and its software by going between your game library and the SteamOS system settings. Meanwhile, you'll need to move between Windows settings, your game services, specific games, AMD Software, and Lenovo Space to keep your Windows handheld and its games up to date.

However, there is a lot of good that comes with Windows as well. You can easily access a web browser, other gaming services, and download programs right out of the box if you know how to use Windows.

Then there's the game compatibility issue.

It's worth noting that the vast majority of PC games are specifically designed for Windows. SteamOS gets around this by using Proton, a compatibility layer, to make Windows games run on Linux. While Proton continues to get better every year, some games still aren't compatible with Proton and thus don't run well or don't run at all on SteamOS handhelds unless you do a lot of tweaking. Even then, there isn't always a guarantee that games will work on SteamOS.

As an example, many competitive multiplayer games require the use of an anti-cheat system to play, but most anti-cheat kernel-level drivers, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's RICOCHET, aren't supported on SteamOS. People have found workarounds, but it's possible a game's anti-cheat could incorrectly flag these fixes and ban your account. This being the case, it's typically safer to play anti-cheat games on Windows devices.

In case you didn't know, you can connect a mouse and keyboard to both the SteamOS and Windows versions and then use them like a typical Linux or Windows computer. I've specifically used my Legion Go 2 to access various non-gaming programs, type up articles for work, and browse the internet using my Artciety Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard with a built-in touchpad ($34.99 at Amazon).

You'll really need to consider what games you intend to play on the Legion Go 2 and then determine whether SteamOS or Windows will do a better job of allowing you to play those titles.

TL;DR: SOFTWARE & GAMES WINNER: We've got a few tradeoffs here. SteamOS is better optimized for handhelds than Windows, and it offers a better console-like interface. However, certain games and most anti-cheat systems do not run well on SteamOS; more games are compatible with Windows.

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Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Battery life

Both the Windows and SteamOS versions of the Legion Go 2 offer a 74Wh battery. That said, the SteamOS version likely lasts longer on one charge since its operating system is more efficient, is better optimized for handhelds, and has less bloat (like we previously discussed).

I won't know what Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) battery life is like until I do my own battery testing. That said, my previous Legion Go 2 (Windows) battery tests showed that it tends to run for 1.5 to slightly more than five hours, depending on settings.

Now, the SteamOS version has those same power-hungry Z2 processors, so it likely only runs a bit longer than the Windows version.

I'll update this section as soon as I can run a Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) through battery testing.

TL;DR: BATTERY LIFE WINNER: I won't know for sure until I can do testing, but it's likely that the SteamOS version lasts longer.

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Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Grip ergonomics and comfort

The same ergonomic design and shape are at play with both the SteamOS and Windows Legion Go 2.

They are 11.64 inches long, 5.38 inches tall, and 1.66 inches thick, making them some of the largest handhelds on the market. Unsurprisingly, they're also some of the heaviest, ranging between 2.03 and 2.2 pounds depending on configurations.

But your hands and wrists shouldn't cry out just yet. Remember, the detachable controllers are only 0.46 pounds, so you can put the controller in tabletop mode if you tend to experience wrist fatigue.

TL;DR: COMFORT WINNER: We have a tie. Both versions are the same when it comes to ergonomics, dimensions, and weight.

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Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Comparison chart

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Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Which should I buy?

In all honesty, both the Windows and the SteamOS versions of the Legion Go 2 could make for the perfect handheld, depending on what you want from your portable gaming device.

Generally, more people will likely prefer the SteamOS version due to its console-like interface and efficiency, but Windows can be a better fit for certain use cases.

In the end, choose the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) if you want a handheld that feels more like a dedicated gaming system than a full-blown PC. SteamOS is also a preferred option thanks to how efficiently it runs without unnecessary bloat.

Meanwhile, choose the Legion Go 2 (Windows) if you tend to play games with anti-cheat systems or other titles that don't run well on SteamOS. Alternatively, you might want to go with the Windows version if you want to use your handheld like a Windows gaming laptop or desktop, for school, work, or personal tasks.

NOTE: If you need a handheld right now, you're kind of out of luck, unless you're willing to give in to scalpers. The Windows Legion Go 2 has been out of stock at most retailers for a couple of months, and the SteamOS version doesn't launch until June 2026.

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The Steam Deck was the only official SteamOS PC gaming handheld for several years, until the Lenovo Legion Go S — Powered by SteamOS entered the ring. Now, Lenovo has announced that its flagship handheld is also getting a new version, the Legion Go 2 — Powered by SteamOS.

Once this device launches, buyers will have the choice of going with either a Windows 11 Legion Go 2 or a SteamOS one.

RELATED: Legion Go 2 (Windows) review | Steam Deck review

But how does the new Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) actually stack up against the Steam Deck? I've compared these two devices in a number of different categories, based on available specs, to find out.

TL:DR: Look for the TL;DR sections to get the highlights for each section.

Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Specs

TL;DR SPECS WINNER: There's no doubt about it. The Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) offers far more impressive specs. However, its starting price isn't at all budget-friendly, unlike the Steam Deck OLED.

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Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Price & value

Recently, the Steam Deck LCD 256GB (2022) was discontinued (like the Steam Deck LCD 64GB before it) — its $399.00 starting price had made it Valve's most affordable handheld for a while. But even with Valve removing this entry-level option, the Steam Deck OLED is still more affordable than the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS).

You can get the Steam Deck OLED with either 512GB of storage for $549.00 at Steam or 1TB of storage for $649.00 at Steam. Meanwhile, the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) has a starting price of $1,199.00 — that's more than double the starting price of the Steam Deck OLED.

Additionally, the Steam Deck OLEDs are currently available for purchase, while the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) isn't expected to ship until June 2026. As such, you'll have to wait a while before you can get your hands on this new official SteamOS handheld.

TL;DR: PRICE WINNER: In terms of affordability, the Steam Deck OLED is by far the better budget buy. Its starting price is less than double the starting price of the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS). The Legion Go 2 is more costly, but it does give you more features.

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Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Performance

NOTE: I will conduct performance benchmark testing on the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) when I get my hands on it and will update this section as soon as possible. For now, this section utilizes official spec information for educated analysis.

Now, some of you are far more interested in the performance of a handheld than its price, so let's dive into how the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) performs versus the Steam Deck OLED.

Performance is a tricky thing, especially when it comes to handhelds. It's determined, not only by how powerful the internals are, but by how well the system of hardware works with the software it's running.

On paper, the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) offers a much, much more powerful APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) — an AMD SoC (system on chip) that combines a CPU (central processing unit) and GPU (graphics processing unit) for better efficiency to fit a smaller form factor.

The Legion Go 2 (SteamOS)'s Ryzen Z2 Extreme's CPU utilizes eight cores and 16 threads using the latest Zen 5 architecture, while the GPU has 16 cores and utilizes RDNA3.5, which is the latest architecture for integrated GPUs.

In comparison, the Steam Deck OLED only has half of the CPU threads and cores (4C, 8T) and half the GPU cores (8C), while using older architecture for both. Having more cores and threads allows a processor to work more efficiently and take on more work at once, which is important for gaming performance.

RELATED: All AMD handheld chips and how they compare

Then there's also the fact that the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) with 32GB RAM and 2TB SSD can have up to double the memory and storage space of the Steam Deck OLED with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD. This not only gives the Legion Go 2 room for more games but also allows the system to access data quickly, theoretically resulting in faster loading and saving times.

One last thing to note is that the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) supports VRR (variable refresh rate) while the Steam Deck does not. This is an important distinction since VRR reduces screen tearing and helps games play more smoothly. So even motion clarity is likely better on the Lenovo's handheld.

What this all means is that the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) can take on more graphically intensive tasks than the Steam Deck can handle. As an example, some AAA games might not run well on Steam Deck or might not boot at all, but it's possible that those same games could run well on Legion Go 2 (SteamOS), depending on system requirements.

That all said, we'll have to see how well the Legion Go 2 specifically plays with SteamOS. My guess is that it will be a major performance improvement over the Legion Go 2 (Windows), given that SteamOS has a lot less bloatware and extra processes going on in the background.

What's more, previous benchmarks showed that the rival Xbox Ally X offered better performance with SteamOS than it did with its shipped Windows 11, so it stands to reason the Legion Go 2 will perform better with SteamOS as well.

As far as upgradability goes, I'm willing to bet that the Steam Deck is easier to upgrade than the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS). When I reviewed the Windows version of the Legion Go 2, I took a look inside of it and noted that it hadn't really been designed with easy upgradability in mind, so I'm guessing the same is true of the SteamOS option.

TL;DR: PERFORMANCE WINNER: The Legion Go 2's AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip is far more powerful than the Steam Deck's custom AMD chip. Lenovo's handheld also offers more memory and storage. All of this together means that the Legion Go 2 should be able to run games that the Steam Deck cannot.

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Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Display

This is another area where the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) absolutely dominates.

The Steam Deck OLED has a 7.4-inch OLED touchscreen, but it tops out at 1280x800 resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate, which is pretty limited by today's handheld standards.

Meanwhile, the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) has a notably larger OLED display that measures in at 8.8 inches. When side-by-side with a Steam Deck OLED, this screen size difference feels massive and allows you to make out more details in your games.

On top of that, the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) has a wider color gamut for richer hues and better contrast. It can also hit a higher resolution of up to 1920x1200, providing much crisper imagery for you to view, while a 144Hz refresh rate and the previously mentioned VRR support reduce motion blur and provide smoother visuals.

It's worth noting that the Legion Go 2's display isn't just better than the Steam Deck's display; it's also the best handheld display to date.

TL;DR: DISPLAY WINNER: There is no debate here. The Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) OLED display is better than the Steam Deck OLED in every way, including higher resolution, refresh rate, color range, size, and VRR support.

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Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Controls and ports

Controls and ports are where the Steam Deck and Legion Go 2 really show their physical differences.

They have the same general layout with joysticks on either side, ABXY buttons on the right, D-Pad on the left, bumpers, triggers, four back buttons, and a smattering of system and game buttons.

These controls mostly all function the same. In fact, the SteamOS version of the Legion Go 2 shows the same symbols on the buttons that the Steam Deck OLED does. So there shouldn't be any confusion on that score.

Now for the differences.

Perhaps the most important difference here is that the Legion Go 2 has offset Hall Effect joysticks and triggers, while the Steam Deck has inline analog joysticks. This means that the Legion Go 2 won't experience stick drift, but the Steam Deck might.

Another thing to note is that the Steam Deck OLED offers two touchpads, one under each joystick, while the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) only has one slightly smaller touchpad under the right joystick. To be fair, many people only end up using the right touchpad, but you might be an outlier with your preferences, so it's something to consider.

The biggest control difference between these handhelds is that the Legion Go 2 offers detachable controllers (Legion TrueStrike controllers), like the Nintendo Switch 2. You simply press a button on the back of the controllers and pull them down to remove them. Since the Legion Go 2 has a built-in kickstand, you can take the controllers in hand and play while the tablet part is propped up on its own on a table.

But wait, there's more; another feature the Steam Deck doesn't offer.

The Legion Go 2's right controller has an FPS (first-person shooter) switch on the bottom and comes with a magnetic stand. When this switch is toggled, and the controller is placed in that stand, the right gamepad can be moved around on a surface, a lot like a mouse, to navigate game menus or even be used for first-person shooters.

Both of the Legion Go 2's controllers also feature USB-C ports so they can be charged separately, if desired. But they also charge if they're connected to the Legion Go 2 while it's plugged in and charging.

Something to note is that the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS)'s power button also doubles as a fingerprint reader. However, SteamOS does not natively support this biometric login feature, so it's unusable on this handheld. Of course, this also explains why the Steam Deck doesn't have a fingerprint reader.

What about ports?

When it comes to ports, the Steam Deck OLED is modest, but it gives you all the basics you need. There's one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, one microSD card reader, and one audio jack.

In comparison, the Legion Go 2 also has an audio jack and a microSD card reader. It differs in that it has two USB4 Type-C ports, which are more than twice as fast and support higher resolutions. Additionally, having two ports is more convenient since you can charge your device with one connection while having an accessory plugged into the other port at the same time.

Since both the Steam Deck and Legion Go 2's USB-Cs support DisplayPort, both handhelds can be connected to a docking station and displayed on a TV or monitor. However, the Steam Deck only needs a 45W docking station while the Legion Go 2 needs 65W or higher for it to work.

TL;DR: CONTROLS WINNER: There are a lot of differences here, but the Legion Go 2's Hall Effect joysticks, detachable controllers, FPS mode, and dual USB4 ports make it the more convenient handheld in terms of controls and ports.

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Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Software and games

There isn't too much to get into in this section, given that both the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) and the Steam Deck run the Linux-based SteamOS as their operating system. This means the menus and user interface are the same.

Out of the box, both devices are intended to only access your Steam library of games. But you can access other gaming services like Epic Games, Battle.net, and more using certain plug-ins and programs.

If you're interested in something like that, check out my guide on how to install Decky Loader on SteamOS handhelds.

As I mentioned previously, the Legion Go 2 configuration with a Z2 Extreme chip will be able to run more AAA games than the Steam Deck OLED since it has stronger internal hardware.

TL;DR: SOFTWARE & GAMES WINNER: Both handhelds might offer the same SteamOS operating system and interface; however, the Legion Go 2 is the winner here since it is powerful enough to run more AAA games than the Steam Deck OLED can handle.

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Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Battery life

Simply by looking at the specs, it might appear as though the Steam Deck OLED's 50Whr battery has a shorter battery life than the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS)'s 74Wh battery, but that's probably not the case.

A battery drains faster if it has to support more power-hungry processors and displays, like those in the Legion Go 2. This being the case, it's very possible that the Steam Deck OLED has a longer battery life.

Typically, the Steam Deck OLED can last between three and 12 hours, depending on the settings it's running at. I won't know for sure how long the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) lasts until I run my own battery life tests on it.

However, I know from previous testing that the Legion Go 2 (Windows) tends to only last between 1.5 and slightly more than five hours. Considering that SteamOS lets handhelds run more efficiently than Windows 11, I expect the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) to have a longer battery life than the Windows version, but probably not by a ton.

TL;DR: BATTERY LIFE WINNER: Due to its more power-efficient system, the Steam Deck tends to last longer than the Legion Go 2.

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Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Grip ergonomics and comfort

There's a lot of debate over whether or not the Steam Deck OLED is comfortable to hold. While certainly a beloved handheld, the Steam Deck isn't nearly as ergonomically shaped as the Legion Go 2, but it isn't as heavy either.

Valve's Steam Deck OLED weighs in at 1.41 pounds while being 11.7 inches long, 4.6 inches tall, and 1.9 inches thick. Meanwhile, the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) is much heavier at 2.2 pounds while being 11.64 inches long, 5.38 inches tall, and 1.66 inches thick.

Of course, one huge difference here is that you don't have to hold the entire Legion Go 2 in your hands if you don't want to. Those detachable controllers only weigh 0.46 pounds and won't strain your hands nearly as much as a whole Steam Deck OLED.

TL;DR: COMFORT WINNER: The Steam Deck might weigh less than the Legion Go 2, but Lenovo's handheld is more ergonomically shaped and has detachable controllers that won't strain your wrists as much.

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Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Comparison chart

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Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Which should I buy?

I've compared just about every aspect of these handhelds, and it's time to declare one the winner. The thing is, they are both good options. What this final decision really comes down to is your preferred playing experience.

If you're specifically wanting a handheld so you can play the latest and greatest AAA games, then the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) is the device you want. Just remember, not all games are compatible with handhelds, so you'll need to check system requirements on a case-by-case basis.

I also recommend the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) if you want a larger display that will be easier to see details on. Or if you deal with hand fatigue and want a handheld that will reduce discomfort.

But while the Legion Go 2 is undeniably the more impressive handheld here, you might not need the very best handheld to meet your gaming needs.

At the end of it all, the Steam Deck OLED remains the best budget-friendly handheld, even if it is older and not nearly as powerful. It can still be used to access a wide range of games, and it has a large community that is eager to share tips with newcomers.

Before you purchase either the Steam Deck OLED or the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS), think about what you want to do with your handheld, what types of games you want to play, how much money you're willing to spend, and any features you know you don't want to go without. Then choose the handheld based on that.

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In 2025, I spent dozens of hours running benchmarks to eventually write up my ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X review and Legion Go 2 (Windows) review. I even wrote up a comparison piece pitting the Xbox Ally X vs Legion Go 2 (Windows).

But now, thanks to Lenovo's announcement at CES 2026, we know that a new SteamOS variant of the Lenovo Legion Go 2 is coming to market.

I took some time comparing the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS)'s specs against the Xbox Ally X to explain how one of these devices is more impressive than the other. I've also discussed which one is a better buy for most people. Let's dive in.

Xbox Ally X vs Legion Go 2 (SteamOS): Specs

Before we go any further, take a look at the individual specs for the Xbox Ally X and Legion Go 2 (SteamOS).

Note: I am not comparing the starting Xbox Ally (white) handheld against the Legion Go 2 since it is more of a competitor against the Legion Go S rather than the Legion Go 2.

Where the Xbox Ally X is the successor to the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X made via a partnership between ASUS and Microsoft, the Legion Go 2 is the next-gen Legion Go flagship handheld from Lenovo.

Let's discuss how these spec differences change the playing experience.

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Xbox Ally X vs Legion Go 2 (SteamOS): Price

I won't be surprised if your eyes bulged while looking at the prices for the Xbox Ally X and the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS); these are premium handheld gaming PCs with high prices to fit their features.

The Xbox Ally X has been available at stores since October 2025, but the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) doesn't launch until June 2026. Additionally, Legion Go 2 (Windows) models have been sold out at most retailers for a while now, as of the time of writing.

The Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) has a higher starting price of $1,199.99 compared to the Xbox Ally X, which is $999.99 at Best Buy; the reason being that Lenovo's handheld has several features that ASUS ROG's does not (we'll go into that more later).

For some reason, the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) is also more expensive than the starting price of the Legion Go 2 (Windows), which has a starting price of $1,099.99 at Best Buy.

Now, it's worth noting that both ASUS ROG and Lenovo offer less expensive handheld gaming PCs (Xbox Ally and Legion Go S), but the Xbox Ally X and Legion Go 2 are their flagship devices, so that's why they are so costly.

PRICE WINNER: There's no denying that the Xbox Ally X has a lower price point. Still, the Legion Go 2 offers many features that the Xbox Ally X doesn't have, so you should consider which one fits your needs best.

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Xbox Ally X vs Legion Go 2 (SteamOS): Performance and configurations

NOTE: I will run benchmark tests on the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) as soon as I can get my hands on it. For now, this performance section is based on device specs and educated conjecture. I will update this section once my testing has been done.

Both the Xbox Ally X and Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) utilize the latest AMD Ryzen Z2 series chip — both APUs (accelerated processing units) feature 8 cores and 16 threads with Zen 5 architecture, as well as 16 GPU cores with RDNA3.5 architecture. However, the key difference is that the Xbox Ally X APU has an AI-CPU while the Legion Go 2 does not.

What this means is that, when solely comparing the chips, the Xbox Ally X's APU is likely better suited to handling certain tasks than the Legion Go 2's APU, since the AI processor's NPU (neural processing unit) can take some of the load off of the CPU and GPU to help the system run more efficiently. Still, the processor isn't the only thing that determines a handheld's overall performance.

Since this Legion Go 2 model's non-AI processor is still a very powerful handheld chip and the device runs SteamOS, it's likely that the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) is still a more efficient device than the Windows Xbox Ally X.

The reason being, SteamOS is better optimized for handhelds. For instance, swapping Windows with SteamOS on the Xbox Ally X saw the handheld increase FPS (frames per second) by as much as 32% while also improving FPS stability and resume times (thanks, Tom's Hardware). As such, I expect the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) will offer better performance than the Xbox Ally X.

We don't fully know what memory and storage configurations will be available for the Legion Go 2, but we do know there will be up to a whopping 32GB LPDDR5X-8000 MHz RAM and up to a huge 2TB M.2 2242 SSD compared to the Xbox Ally X's 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 MHz RAM and 1TB M.2 2280 SSD.

To be clear, the Xbox Ally X's memory and storage are more than enough for handheld gaming, but more memory and more storage are especially helpful for people who play a lot of AAA games.

Additionally, unless there's been some big shakeup, I'm going to assume that the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) will offer faster SSD read and write speeds than Xbox Ally X's SSD, given that in my own SSD testing, all of Lenovo's handhelds have been faster than the SSDs in their direct ASUS ROG competitors —including Legion Go S vs ROG Ally and Legion Go (Windows) vs Xbox Ally X.

Just keep in mind that the best gaming handhelds are in no way as powerful as the best gaming laptops or best gaming desktops since handhelds trade off portability for power.

⚠️ Warning for DIYers and customization enthusiasts: I'm not expecting the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) to have the best upgradeability, considering that when I opened my Windows model, I found that the Legion Go 2 (Windows) wasn't designed with upgradability in mind. It would take more work than many other handhelds just to swap out the SSD. But I'm sure that won't stop many of you from doing it anyway.

This is one of the areas where the Xbox Ally X is better. It's much easier to access the SSD and swap it out. What's more, WD_BLACK has designed SSDs exclusively for Xbox Ally X, so it was specifically designed for upgrading.

Of course, if you don't like opening your devices, both of these handhelds can have their storage expanded using the best microSD cards.

PERFORMANCE & STORAGE WINNER: These are both powerful handhelds, but the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) is likely the better performer given that SteamOS is more efficient and Lenovo's handheld SSDs have typically been faster than ASUS ROG's.

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Xbox Ally X vs Legion Go 2 (SteamOS): Display

There's no beating around the bush here. The Legion Go 2's 8.8-inch OLED touchscreen is basically better than the Xbox Ally X's 7-inch IPS touchscreen in every way. In fact, the Legion Go 2 has the best display of any handheld to date.

In addition to being larger, Lenovo's screen has a wider color gamut, deeper contrast, crisper resolution, and a higher refresh rate than its competitor. What this means is that game scenes look richer, with more details and better motion clarity on Legion Go 2.

RELATED: IPS LCD vs OLED vs tandem OLED vs QD-OLED vs QLED vs AMOLED vs Mini LED: Which is the best display?

It's also worth noting that the Xbox Ally X's panel has a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is typically preferred for most gaming needs. Meanwhile, the Legion Go 2's screen has a 16:10 aspect ratio, like the Steam Deck. This makes Lenovo's display larger vertically, making it more ideal for certain strategy games and general PC usage.

Neither aspect ratio is bad per se, but some people have strong preferences, so it's something to keep in mind.

DISPLAY WINNER: The Legion Go 2 OLED screen is much better than the Xbox Ally X's IPS display. It's larger, has a higher refresh rate, higher top resolution, better color gamut, and deeper contrast.

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Xbox Ally X vs Legion Go 2 (SteamOS): Buttons, joysticks, and grip

In general, the overall layout and control options on these devices are very similar, but there are a few key differences when it comes to features and technologies.

As you can see from the pictures, both handhelds have triggers, bumpers, ABXY buttons, various menu buttons, and a D-Pad, but only the Legion Go 2 has anti-drift Hall Effect joysticks, whereas the Xbox Ally X has standard analog sticks. Additionally, the Legion Go 2 has a touchpad on its right side, while the Xbox Ally X doesn't have any at all. Some people prefer the fine control that touchpads offer for game menus and certain games on handhelds.

One of the biggest complaints many people have with all handhelds is hand cramping and wrist fatigue. Handhelds might be relatively small devices, but gripping a top-heavy device and forcing it to tilt up slightly at your face can cause discomfort. My pinky fingers often go numb playing certain handhelds. The 1.57-pound Xbox Ally X and the larger 2.03-pound Legion Go 2 both found ways to assuage this pain, but using very different methods.

Xbox Ally X's most physical defining characteristic is its long, thick grips, which were designed after the Xbox controller. In my opinion, this design definitely makes it the most comfortable handheld to actually hold in handheld mode. Of course, Xbox Ally X only has handheld mode, while Legion Go 2 also offers a far less hand-straining tabletop mode.

The original Legion Go was a rather uncomfortable handheld for me to hold, but this newer Legion Go 2 has a far more rounded design with TrueStrike Controllers that feel nicer in your hands thanks to their improved ergonomics.

By detaching the Legion Go 2's TrueStrike Controllers, popping out the tablet's kickstand, and playing in the aforementioned tabletop mode, your hands will only deal with a combined 0.46 pounds of weight from the controllers. What's more, if you connect the Legion Go 2 to your living room TV via a docking station (like my favorite JSAUX 6-in-1 Docking Station $39.99 at Amazon), you already have controllers ready to go instead of needing to find an external one.

Finally, there is one last major design difference between the two devices. It might seem like a simple thing, but having a kickstand turns a handheld into more of an entertainment device. So out of the box, I don't have to prop the Legion Go 2 up against anything when I want to stream Netflix or skim YouTube, but I do have to do this with Xbox Ally X.

For this reason, I recommend grabbing an accessory like the dBrand ROG Xbox Ally X Killswitch at Best Buy to give your Xbox Ally X a kickstand.

By the way, there is a power button that doubles as a fingerprint reader on top of the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS), but SteamOS doesn't support native biometric login, so fingerprint login is unsupported. The Xbox Ally X's power button is also a fingerprint reader, but it isn't very reliable. It's failed to accurately scan my finger several times, leading me to log in via pin much of the time.

CONTROLS & GRIPS WINNER: Once again, the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) is the winner. It might weigh more, but you can put it in tabletop mode to put less strain on your hands and wrists. It also offers two features the Xbox Ally X doesn't have: Hall Effect joysticks that won't drift and a touchpad.

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Xbox Ally X vs Legion Go 2 (SteamOS): Compatible games & Operating system

The Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) and Xbox Ally X offer a night and day user experience since the former runs Valve's Linux-based operating system, while the latter runs Microsoft's program.

Many people prefer SteamOS to Windows since, as I said previously, it is far more efficient for gaming and offers a simplified, console-like interface that feels far more conducive to a handheld experience. Still, Windows offers some features and ease of mind that you might prefer.

Microsoft launched a new Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) with the Xbox Ally X that was designed to reduce Windows bloat and allow the handheld to run better, but the Xbox App interface really isn't great, and it's not as efficient as SteamOS. Now, Microsoft will be releasing more FSE updates that could improve this experience, but there's still a lot of work to do.

Then there's the whole matter of game services and game compatibility.

Out of the box, Xbox Ally X owners can easily exit Xbox FSE to access a web browser and navigate to dozens of gaming services (Epic Games, Battle.net, Steam, and more). Meanwhile, out of the box,

SteamOS does have a desktop mode, but it might be daunting for people who aren't familiar with Linux (but there are plenty of helpful guides online to help with that).

Meanwhile, SteamOS's default handheld mode is only intended to access your Steam library out of the box. Of course, you can make it so your Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) can access other game services if you follow my guide on how to install Decky Loader on SteamOS handhelds; it just takes a bit more work.

One thing I love about the Xbox Ally X is how much setting customization it provides. It's Armoury Crate utility software offers far more options than Legion Go 2's Legion Space program, so I can get my system running the way I want. For instance, I can manually change Xbox Ally X VRAM very easily, but the more complicated process for updating the previous Windows Legion Go 2 VRAM involves going into the BIOS. It's possible the SteamOS variant will use a different method.

Another thing to note is that fully updating the Xbox Ally X can be a nightmare compared to Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) since you have to install updates in Windows Settings, Armoury Crate, and AMD Software. Meanwhile, SteamOS updates are done within SteamOS's system settings menu.

As for game compatibility, the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) can play a wide range of titles from small indies to the latest AAA games that meet its system requirements.

However, the truth is that most games are specifically designed for Windows and not Linux. SteamOS utilizes Proton, a compatibility layer to make Windows games work on its operating system. While Proton keeps getting better every year, some programs and games still don't work well on SteamOS handhelds.

For example, most anti-cheat software isn't compatible with SteamOS. So, games that require anti-cheat kernels like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Battlefield 6, Valorant, and more cannot be played on Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) unless you find a workaround. Even then, I don't recommend using these fixes since it's very easy for an anti-cheat to mistake your workaround for a cheat and permanently ban your account.

In the end, you'll want to consider what type of games you intend to play on your handheld and what kind of experience you want. Then, make a purchase based on which handheld suits your needs best.

SOFTWARE WINNER: This is the trickiest category to declare a winner, since it's largely a matter of preference. The Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) generally offers a better interface and gaming experience, especially if you're willing to learn how to use Linux. However, more games are compatible with Windows, and it's easier to access a web browser and any gaming service on the Xbox Ally X right out of the box.

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Xbox Ally X vs Legion Go 2 (SteamOS): Battery life

Since I haven't been able to run the 74Whr Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) battery through battery life testing yet, I cannot say for sure how it matched up to the 80Whr Xbox Ally X battery's life. I'll conduct testing and update this section as soon as I can.

That said, I'm confident the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) will last longer than ASUS ROG's handheld based on the battery life testing I did on the Legion Go 2 (Windows). As seen in the chart below, the Windows variant lasted longer than Xbox Ally X when playing games at max and lowest TDP, but didn't last as long when being used like a computer.

Thing is, SteamOS is far more efficient than Windows, allowing a handheld's battery to stretch further on one charge. So, if the Windows Legion Go 2's battery life was already better than the Xbox Ally X in many ways, the SteamOS variant must be even better.

Once again, I'll run the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) through battery life testing and update this section with the results as soon as I get my hands on it.

BATTERY LIFE WINNER: It's very likely that the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) offers better battery life than the Xbox Ally X since it has a less power-hungry operating system.

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Xbox Ally X vs Legion Go 2 (SteamOS): Which should I buy?

We've compared these handhelds from design ergonomics to features, and even operating systems to game compatibility. In general, the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) is certainly the more impressive device with Hall Effect joysticks, the beloved SteamOS operating system, a far better OLED display, detachable controllers, an FPS mode, and, likely, better battery life (benchmark testing coming soon). These are all things you should expect from a premium handheld created by the biggest PC manufacturer in the world.

If you're willing to wait until June and don't mind spending more money for a Legion Go 2 (SteamOS), then you're going to get a fantastic handheld gaming PC that's far more powerful than a Steam Deck and offers more versatility than any of its handheld gaming PC rivals.

But that doesn't make the Xbox Ally X a bad handheld; I still love it, even if the Legion Go 2 is more eye-catching. Truth is, they offer such different features that they suit very different use cases.

If you want to save some money and care more about those meaty grips and ensuring Windows game compatibility, then the Xbox Ally X is the handheld to get. Plus, it's actually available right now, so there's no wait.

Of course, if your biggest gripe about Xbox Ally X is Windows 11, you can always buy this handheld and then use my guide to install SteamOS on it. You'll get the best of both worlds.

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I've dabbled with Linux in the past, but I've regularly given up and moved back to Windows. That changed in 2025 when I decided to dig in my heels and stick with one distro. You see, my personal desktop has way too many power-hungry components, including an RTX 4090 GPU, so running a mini PC as my daily driver made me more willing to switch between two operating systems.

Heading to practically any social media platform and looking for conversations around Windows 11 will show you that the overall perception of Microsoft's modern operating system is less than stellar. Sure enough, Windows 10's EoL status exacerbated it, as thousands of users with outdated hardware were forced to choose between a life support extension or to upgrade to Windows 11.

However, the minimum hardware requirements made that impossible for some. Of course, if you're tech-savvy enough, you'll know that those "requirements" can be taken more as a suggestion than as a demand, and bypassing them has been possible for a while. At least that would be a relevant sentiment if the majority of everyday users were excited to upgrade, which certainly never felt like the case throughout 2025.

Recently, I put the feelers out to our community of readers to ask, "What's wrong with Windows 11?" Many of the comments I had expected were longstanding complaints about the Start menu and excessive memory usage in official apps. Others echoed the now-common complaints about the overexposure to artificial intelligence through integration where it needn't belong, such as Copilot in Notepad.

It's the latter that seems to matter most for the future of Windows, and the likelihood of Windows 12 becoming an agentic OS since Microsoft shows no signs of dropping its plans around local and cloud-based AI. Does it matter? Well, it depends. If more functions become mandatory, and Microsoft removes more agency from its users in favor of agentic AI models, then I can definitely imagine a repeat of EoL holdouts refusing to upgrade.

The "Iron Wall" is familiarity, not compatibility

So, if enough users really are threatening to jump ship, where will they go? Can Linux serve as a 1:1 replacement for Windows when it's missing native support for some popular apps, or would a move to Apple's well-established macOS make more sense? In my experience, the app problem isn't as much of an issue as it might seem, and many have open-source alternatives up for grabs.

Then again, it certainly isn't flawless, as I occasionally run into hardware that behaves unexpectedly in the various Linux distributions that I've tried — not that they can't be remedied, but 30 minutes of troubleshooting in forums isn't an appealing prospect for your average PC user. For now, I've had more success selling die-hard Windows fans on familiar-looking desktop environments.

Shells like KDE Plasma and Cinnamon made Fedora and Linux Mint the most palatable when I first dabbled in the vast ocean of distros, particularly the former because it's the same as you'll find on Valve's still-beloved Steam Deck while in Desktop Mode (as opposed to the default Gaming Mode).

Dig deeper, and you'll see popular alternatives like WINUX and Zorin OS, with the latter offering a comfortable middle ground for users moving away from Windows (and macOS) with a customized variant of the GNOME shell. Those two are likely tempting, but I'd still guide curious newcomers to Linux Mint for everyday productivity and promote Bazzite for PC gaming.

If nothing else, distros like Bazzite could mark a significant (if relatively minor) shift away from sole Windows 10/11 usage toward dual-booting with Linux, as it has been shown to improve performance in a particular selection of games. Then again, gamers like to think we occupy a significant portion of PC users (myself included), but in reality, we're a drop in the ocean.

There are still teething problems that keep me coming back to Windows 11, like my efforts to back up my physical collection of Blu-rays with an external, USB-powered drive running into errors on Linux that I simply don't have time to troubleshoot. Everything just works on my primary Windows drive, including Adobe's suite, but I can admit most of my app preferences are just habitual.

Even with these early signs of fluctuating OS adoption, I see no reason to believe Microsoft will lose its position as the most dominant desktop OS manufacturer in the next decade. If I had to predict what might cause any further apprehension from its long-serving users, it would be how the giant decides to handle the previously mentioned agentic AI in future versions of Windows.

Again, it wouldn't be enough to affect the majority — because most bystanders don't factor the ethics of AI into their everyday lives — but I can't ignore the negative community responses to Firefox embracing more (albeit optional) AI implementations, and the broader anti-AI sentiment across social media in general.

Windows is just too ingrained in the world's tech for any single-digit percentage shifts to be a concern just yet. Besides, Apple would have a better chance of riding high with greater macOS saturation before the "Year of the Linux Desktop" could ever enjoy the limelight, especially if affordable MacBooks are ramped up in 2026.

Then again, with the ongoing RAM crisis, any notion of affordable computing could be a pipedream, too. Here's hoping that CES 2026 has some good news for us on that front. Perhaps even Microsoft can regain the trust of the people who used to care the most with some real innovation next year, rather than tired iterations — and try not to cancel any of it this time.

Is Linux a threat to Windows' OS domination, or are we more likely to see a harmonious age of dual-booting for the best of both worlds? Does Apple's macOS even factor into the equation? Let me know in the comments!

If you just got a Steam Deck, congratulations and welcome to the Steam Deck family!

But, new Steam Deck owners, before you dive into any gaming sessions, there are some things you should do first. While Valve's handheld makes portable gaming possible, it isn't a very powerful device, so you'll want to adjust in-game settings as well as system settings to get the best performance possible.

Here are the things you should do first after getting your Steam Deck.

1. Fully update your Steam Deck

You'll get the best performance from your Steam Deck if its software is current and up-to-date. As such, the very first thing you want to do is manually update your handheld gaming PC. Here's how to do that.

1. Press the Steam button.
2. Select System.
3. Where it says "Software Updates," either tap Apply or Check for Updates.
4. Finally, if there are updates, select Restart.

After your Steam Deck has restarted, it will have all of the latest updates installed. You're well on your way to getting your handheld set up and ready for use.

2. Install Decky Loader and maybe even NVIDIA GeForce NOW to access other game services and run games the Steam Deck can't

Out of the box, the Steam Deck's Gaming Mode is really only designed to interact with your Steam library, but the homebrew Decky Loader plugin makes it possible to easily access other game services such as Epic Games, Ubisoft Connect, and more.

I have a whole other Deck Loader installation guide for Steam Deck with step-by-step instructions and pictures if you want help with that.

As for NVIDIA GeForce NOW, this is a subscription service that allows you to run the games you already own on one of NVIDIA's powerful servers.

In other words, even if the Steam Deck isn't powerful enough to play a game locally, you can run it smoothly on your handheld via the cloud as long as you have a good enough internet connection.

If you want help with that, check out my guide on how to set up NVIDIA GeForce NOW on Steam Deck.

3. Increase Steam Deck VRAM when playing graphically intensive games

If you want to get the best performance for more graphically advanced games, then you'll want to manually adjust VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) on your Steam Deck. VRAM refers to the amount of fast-access memory that's dedicated to your graphics card.

My colleague wrote a guide on how to change VRAM on the Steam Deck, so you can follow his step-by-step instructions. This does require you to go into the BIOS.

4. Launch games into Proton Experimental Mode for better performance

Sometimes, a game might not run well or might not run at all on Steam Deck's basic Proton mode, but it might be able to run via Proton Experimental.

Proton is a compatibility layer that allows games that were designed for Windows to operate via the Steam Deck's Linux-based operating system. Meanwhile, Proton Experimental is a mode that tests additional features and patches, which is why some games might work when it's in play.

How to turn on Proton Experimental Mode:

1. Press the Steam Button and navigate to your Library.
2. Select the game you want to play (Download it if it isn't already).
3. Instead of pressing Play, tap the ⚙️ Settings icon on the right side of the screen.
4. Select Properties.
5. Tick the box next to where it says, "Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool."
6. Tap the dropdown below and put it on Proton Experimental.
7. Press B a few times to back out to your game.
8. Press Play and the game should run in Proton Experimental Mode.

5. Enable FSR (when possible) and adjust game settings

Most simple pixel art games will run just fine on the Steam Deck, but you'll likely need to make adjustments when playing more graphically demanding titles on this handheld.

For the most part, you'll want to put most game graphics settings on low or a Steam Deck preset, if that's available. Doing this will help the game run more smoothly and could reduce or eliminate any lag or stuttering you initially encounter.

Another helpful tip is to turn on FSR, AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution, when it's offered. This technology improves performance by rendering games at a lower resolution and then upscaling them, so they still look good.

Here's how to turn on FSR on Steam Deck:

1. Within the game's graphics settings, reduce resolution to 1280x720 and make it Windowed rather than Full Screen.
2. Now, find the upscaling option and make sure to enable FSR.
3. You can verify that FSR is on by pressing the QAM button (...) to bring up the side menu.
4. Then go to the Performance tab and put the slider to 4 on the Performance Overlay Level.

With that all done, your FSR-compatible games should run a bit smoother, and the overlay will help you verify whether or not FSR is actually on or not.

If you don't want to see the Performance Overlay, simply open the side menu again and put the Performance Overlay Level back down to Off.

6. Adjust Steam Deck TDP and Frame Limit based on the games you're playing

TDP (thermal design power) is something that can be adjusted on your Steam Deck to determine how much power your device draws from the CPU and GPU. Operating at a lower TDP allows your Steam Deck's battery to last longer, but more CPU-intensive or graphically demanding games require more power to run smoothly — so the trick is finding a balance between power and battery life when possible.

Meanwhile, frames per second refers to how fast images are taken and displayed on the screen. Simpler games don't need a high frame rate, but more intensive, competitive games like first-person shooters need higher frame rates to reduce input lag and offer smoother motion clarity.

EXAMPLE: A Pixel art game like Stardew Valley can typically run at 3W-6W TDP with frame rate set to 30FPS to improve battery life. Whereas, AAA games like Cyberpunk should be played at max 15W and 40-60FPS, depending on your settings.

Here's how to adjust frame rate and TDP on Steam Deck:

1. Press the Quick Access Menu (QAM) button (...) on the right side of the Steam Deck.
2. Select the ⚡Performance tab.
3. Use the Frame Limit slider to change between 10FPS and 60FPS.
4. Use the TDP Limit slider to change between 3W and 15W.

7. Consider upgrading the SSD instead of using a microSD card

Depending on which model of Steam Deck you received, you likely have a 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB capacity for your game files. If you want more storage room, your two main options are a microSD card or upgrading the SSD. The first option is an easy fix, but the second one provides better performance.

Storage-wise, 1TB or higher is ideal if you play a lot of games, so that's one reason to upgrade. Another is that you can make your Steam Deck load and save faster if you upgrade the SSD.

In case you didn't know, the SSD that comes installed in the Steam Deck tends to only hit up to 2,000MB/s, but there are faster options on the market that will make your handheld run even quicker, such as the Crucial P310 1TB SSD, which offers up to 7,100MB/s read speed.

If you do decide you want to permanently improve your device's storage, check out my guide on how to upgrade the Steam Deck SSD.

BONUS: Use Desktop mode to surf the web and much more

Your Steam Deck isn't just a handheld; it's more like a portable, Linux gaming laptop that offers controller functions instead of a keyboard. There's even a desktop mode where you can go to browse the web, install/uninstall programs, explore files, and much more.

This is also where you'll need to go to install certain programs that aren't compatible with Steam Deck out of the box. If you want, you can even check out our guide on how to make Steam Deck dual-boot Windows 11 and SteamOS.

Here's how to get to the Steam Deck desktop:

Steam button > Power > Switch to Desktop

NOTE: You can get back to the typical handheld mode by tapping the white and blue icon on the desktop that says "Return to Gaming Mode."

Our favorite Steam Deck accessories

Accessories can improve your Steam Deck experience by quite a bit. These are my most recommended peripherals, whether you want more storage space for your games, case protection, a TV docking station, or other useful accessories.

Get your Steam Deck ready for play

There you have it, seven things you should do before truly jumping into a game on your brand-new Steam Deck. You'll appreciate taking the time to adjust system and individual game settings if you want to get the very best performance possible.

It's also just a good idea to familiarize yourself with the QAM and Desktop mode, so you know what kind of things you can even do on the Steam Deck.

Of course, I highly recommend grabbing some accessories to enhance your gaming sessions further. For example, I usually play my Steam Deck in handheld mode, but there are times when I prefer to play it on my TV, and that's when I love having my docking station. Then there's the added protection you can get from screen protectors and cases, so don't skip out on those.

So, now we want to hear from you. What was the main reason you wanted your Steam Deck? Is it your main gaming device, or do you only use it for something specific? Tell us about it in the comments.

Bazzite is a Linux distro similar to Valve’s SteamOS, explicitly built for gaming through the Steam storefront and designed to offer a more console-like experience than traditional desktop operating systems.

Recently, the Bazzite X (Formerly Twitter) account has been sharing updated usage statistics, and the timing is notable. Since Windows 10 reached end of life, the project has seen an apparent increase in new users.

This is not enough to seriously threaten Microsoft, but it is significant for an independent Linux distro with no corporate backing. Valve does not own Bazzite and is not an official SteamOS release; instead, it builds on the same foundations to deliver a focused gaming experience.

In a recent post on X, Bazzite revealed weekly user growth of around 1.25x over the last 30 days. That may sound modest, but for a niche operating system, it represents a meaningful rise. So, what does 1.25x actually mean? Let’s take a closer look.

Linux gaming is finally viable, but there are still hard limits

It is no surprise to see this surge. Around 90% of Windows games can now run on Linux thanks to Proton. However, kernel-level anti-cheat systems still block major titles like Call of Duty, Apex Legends, Battlefield 6, Rainbow Six Siege, and Valorant from running on Linux.

Gaming is not the only limitation. Linux still lacks native support for Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, and most professional-grade modelling software, although alternatives do exist.

Despite these drawbacks, Bazzite is still pulling in around 50,000 weekly users, a figure that continues to rise alongside that 1.25x growth. The project has also served a total of 2 petabytes of installs. For those unaware, one petabyte equals 1,000 terabytes, and each terabyte contains 1,000 gigabytes.

For context, Linux currently accounts for 3.20% of Steam users, compared to 94.79% on Windows as of November 2025.

It is still a massive gap, but there was a time when climbing above 3% felt impossible. The difference in user experience between Bazzite or SteamOS and Windows, especially for a console-like setup, is now night and day in my opinion.

Not only that, but Linux has also been shown to improve gaming performance on the Xbox Ally and other Windows handheld gaming PCs, while making the device feel far more like a traditional console.

If anything, this progress highlights how far Linux has come. Ideally, that momentum will push Microsoft to move faster, rather than getting slowed down by the realities of being such a large company, where decisions and meaningful feature updates can take far longer to land.

Have you considered switching away from Windows for gaming, or is Linux still a step too far? Let us know in the poll below.

SteamOS, for those unfamiliar, is Valve’s Linux-based operating system. It acts as a console-like experience for the Steam Deck and for any device you manage to install it on. It offers a unified experience, and many believe it has largely achieved what Xbox wants to achieve with its own ecosystem. Cloud saves and cross-device connectivity through Steam already work across Windows, Linux, and Mac.

However, SteamOS isn’t without issues, and it may never overcome its biggest hurdle. More games are moving toward kernel-level anti-cheat systems and the growing requirement for Trusted Platform Module 2.0 support.

RELATED: Best Black Friday PC game deals | Best Black Friday Steam Deck accessory deals

Developer concerns and Valve’s response to anti-cheat limitations

Recently, Valve unveiled the Steam Machine, a new PC and console hybrid designed to sit under your TV or anywhere its small form factor fits. With that announcement, Facepunch Studios COO Alistair McFarlane recently explained why Rust will not receive SteamOS or Linux support. Rust is a popular multiplayer game that focuses on base building and long-term survival against other players.

McFarlane shared on Reddit that the team does not plan to support Proton or Linux, saying:

Rust is not the only game taking this approach. Apex Legends dropped support on Linux in 2024. Other major titles, such as Call of Duty, Battlefield 6, Valorant, League of Legends, and Fortnite, also cannot be played on Linux. For many players, that immediately rules out Linux as a viable platform.

There is still hope for improvement, and Valve has acknowledged the issue publicly. Pierre-Loup Griffais, a software engineer at Valve, said the company is actively working on anti-cheat solutions for SteamOS, stating:

Valve’s biggest remaining challenge

Valve’s new hardware roadmap is strong, with the Steam Machine, Steam Deck, and more on the way. However, price is still a major factor for these devices, and while Valve subsidised the Steam Deck, it has confirmed this will not be the case for the Steam Machine.

Even so, it is encouraging to see Valve continue pushing forward on these issues. Kernel-level anti-cheat systems blocking support for major multiplayer titles remains the biggest hurdle. Whether those changes will likely depend on how convincing Valve can be as it works with developers, and whether SteamOS grows into a large enough install base that developers can no longer ignore it. If that happens, studios may have to cooperate more closely with Valve to get these systems working on Linux.

Despite strong efforts from Valve, which is ahead in the handheld space compared to Microsoft, this barrier could still prevent SteamOS from truly growing. Many of today’s most played games rely on anti-cheat support, and that is not a concern for Windows-based handhelds like the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X.

Those devices feel rough around the edges right now because of an underwhelming user experience. Once that improves, I can see most people leaning toward whichever handheld plays the most popular games on the go.

But what do you think? Let us know in comments!

More Black Friday 2025 - quick links

• All our TOP recommended Black Friday deals: Just the best
• Mini PC deals: up to 47% off tiny PCs
• GPU deals: early price drops on NVIDIA RTX before they go up
• Microsoft Surface deals: save up to $500 on premium PCs
• Xbox accessories: best deals on gadgets for your Xbox Series X|S and PC
• Gaming laptop deals: the best laptops for the best price
• Xbox controllers: our top picks for best controller deals
• ANC headphones: great Black Friday deals on the best ANC headphones
  
  Even more Black Friday deals:
• Steam Deck: Essential accessory deals
• Dell deals: 13 deals from Dell.com that you shouldn't miss
• Best Buy: 34 hottest discounts on laptops, monitors, gaming, and more
• Walmart: 7 top laptop deals you shouldn't miss
• Samsung monitors: the best Samsung display deals we've found
• Retro gaming: handhelds, arcade machines, old school consoles, and more
• Gamer merch: Blizzard’s Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo IV collectibles
• Game keys: 10 PC game codes are even cheaper at Loaded (formerly CDKeys)
• Accessories: Even more PC accessories starting at $17
• SSDs: The best Samsung SSDs on sale

PC gaming mega-brand Valve surprised us all this afternoon with a trio of hardware announcements, including the return of its once-abandoned Steam Machine mini PC concept, alongside a revival of its similarly ill-fated Steam Controller and, finally, the Steam Frame headset, a sequel to the much more successful (and still marketed) Valve Index for virtual reality PC gaming. For me, the first is arguably the most interesting.

You'd have to survey an astronomical number of PC gamers before you found one who didn't know about Valve and, in turn, its software platform Steam. Industrial naming trend aside, the dominant figures at Valve are responsible for some of the nerdiest and most influential software in prominent gaming categories, such as the paradigmatic Half-Life and its contributions to the first-person shooter genre.

Now, after the roaring success of its still-beloved Steam Deck handheld gaming PC, Valve is seemingly taking everything it learned from its Linux-based SteamOS and its overwhelmingly broad adoption via the Steam Deck and its OLED variant and applying it to a new generation of gaming mini PCs. Not that I wish to imply the effort had gone to waste, but Valve has tried all this before.

Back in 2014, Valve unveiled an initial range of OEM partners ready to develop their own take on Steam Machine desktop PCs, targeting prices "as low as $499 and top end systems rivaling today’s bleeding edge gaming PCs." Of particular interest in this first announcement is the inclusion of the $49.99 original Steam Controller, packaged in each box as standard, unlike the new Steam Machine.

Even if you weren't paying particularly close attention back then, you'll likely recognize some prominent brands if you're still interested in PC gaming today. Alienware and Gigabyte, in particular, are still extremely prevalent in 2025, though their hardware efforts aren't focused in the same way. The latter, for example, is more recognizable for its desktop components, such as motherboards and graphics cards — just like Zotac.

What happened to the first adopters?

Alienware, on the other hand, firmly remains in the gaming hardware space with high-scoring laptops like the Aurora 16|X and equivalents on the desktop side, including the powerful Area-51 pre-built gaming PCs. We weren't watching SteamOS too closely when the Steam Machine concept was first unveiled, as CES 2014 had exciting news for Windows 8, which took priority (sorry, Valve). Our friends at PC Gamer did test the Alienware Steam Machine, but Linux gaming showed it still wasn't a threat to Windows, and the compact PC didn't impress.

Would Alienware come back for another Steam Machine attempt now that Valve has refined SteamOS and its Proton compatibility layer for Windows PC games? My gut says no, but it isn't impossible. Personally, I lean towards the doubtful side simply because Dell's gaming division hasn't shown any interest in building a handheld gaming PC, despite being the ones to champion the concept with its Alienware UFO concept.

Now, a handheld and a compact desktop might seem like different beasts at a glance, but they're actually quite similar. Once you remove the screen and controller buttons, what's left is the spitting image of what you'd find in a gaming-centric mini PC. Alienware has the know-how to build a cool, quiet desktop in the style Valve wants, but if it hasn't earnestly tried to start things off with a handheld, I can't see it making the leap to a Steam machine.

Which gaming brands make more sense?

While the first wave of OEMs has the chops to deliver another compact gaming PC, a few brands have already made important steps towards dominating the handheld-like mini PC scene, primarily ASUS. If you've ever looked into the Steam Deck, chances are you've heard of the ASUS ROG Ally; the first Windows-based handheld to really challenge Valve's dominant position. The Ryzen Z1 Extreme ROG Ally is still my favorite Windows 11 option, particularly for its open access to PC Game Pass.

Lenovo is another likely pick, potentially designing a Steam Machine to fit within its Legion gaming subbrand, alongside the Windows-based Lenovo Legion Go and its successor, the Legion Go 2. It's perhaps even more likely to see Lenovo adopt the Steam Machine than even ASUS, as it already experimented with Valve's OS in its Legion Go S (SteamOS) handheld.

In the same vein, I wouldn't be surprised to see Acer and MSI join the conversation, based on their experiences with the 11-inch Acer Nitro and Intel-based MSI Claw handhelds, though the latter is shy about US availability with AMD-based Claw models. Essentially, I'd wager that we're far more likely to see current players throwing their hat into the Steam Machine ring than we would see a return from the likes of Falcon Northwest, or even a long-awaited attempt from the gaming specialists at Razer.

Besides, none of this speculation should discount Valve's in-house efforts. While its own Steam Machine looks like an Xbox Series X sliced in half, it could end up being one of the best, if the Steam Deck is anything to go by, and if it can undercut console pricing. I know that I'm already tempted to put some budget aside for the eventual launch, hoping anti-cheat is less of a problem by then, but I'd happily be swayed by an OEM offering a few extra features or a more exciting design — again, something Razer could excel at, if only they'd try something outside of monstrous Blade 18 gaming laptops.

The Steam Machine is back (among other announcements), and the success of the Steam Deck has proved that this time around, things are very different. Game compatibility is largely very good thanks to Proton, but there is still an annoying fly in the ointment.

Anti-cheat is not a blanket exclusion on SteamOS, but in some of the biggest multiplayer titles on the planet, it very much is. It's because these systems are built for Windows, more specifically, to access the Windows kernel.

SteamOS uses the Linux kernel, which is different. But will it ever change? Never say never, but right now, it doesn't look likely. Here's what's going on.

Windows-based kernel level anti-cheat can't just be made to work

The kernel sits at the very core of the operating system. Windows has its own kernel; SteamOS uses the Linux kernel. The Linux kernel is open source; the Windows kernel very much is not.

Naturally, they're both designed for different operating systems, but they're also fundamentally different architectures. An anti-cheat solution built to access the Windows kernel simply would not be able to do the same in the Linux kernel.

This article on LinkedIn is a brief overview of the differences between the two and how they operate.

PC games built for Windows 11 work on Linux, though, don't they? Yes, they do, but the kernel isn't in play here. The Proton compatibility layer, in its simplest terms, takes APIs and translates them into something Linux understands. It's a combination of WINE and specific graphics API libraries, with the latter converting DirectX into Vulkan.

It works extremely well, but it can't do anything about software that requires the deepest level of access inside Windows.

If there were ever to be a solution, Valve is the company that can make it happen. But it would likely involve specific customizations to SteamOS that wouldn't necessarily be available on other Linux distros.

SOME anti-cheat has been made to work with Linux

The likes of Riot's Vanguard, EA's Javelin, and Activision's Ricochet are a complete no-go on SteamOS. But there are some anti-cheat solutions that DO work. Valve has worked with some, including Easy Anti Cheat and Battleye, to create versions that are compatible with Linux.

Instead of trying to translate calls to the kernel (which sounds extremely difficult if it's even possible at all), these solutions have a dedicated version for Linux. They are, however, not as deeply rooted in the system as a kernel-level anti-cheat.

Essentially, instead of kernel access, the anti-cheat that does work on Linux runs in user space instead. These are decent, but they're not going to be able to do the things that full kernel-level anti-cheat can.

It's the most competitive titles that insist upon such access to the system. On Windows 11, we're also now starting to see TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot as mandatory in games such as Battlefield 6 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.

Right now, we have the solution we have, which works, but is highly unlikely to be adopted by the most competitive titles out there. Competitive integrity is important, and if the anti-cheat can't do what it needs to do, it's pointless.

It's also down to developer discretion, even if they're using an anti-cheat that does have a version that works on Linux. It's opt-in, not opt-out, and if the developers don't want to do it, we can't have it.

Destiny 2 is a good example. It uses Battleye, and given it's not exactly known as a competitive game (though PvP players would probably disagree), you'd think they might be on board.

But because Bungie doesn't want to support Linux in any form, not even SteamOS, they haven't enabled it. So you can't play at all.

So how do you find out if a game has a working anti-cheat on SteamOS?

If you have a Steam Deck or SteamOS handheld, or you're planning to get a new Steam Machine, how do you find out if your favorite games will work?

There are three resources I recommend:

• ProtonDB
• Steam's own SteamOS compatibility checks
• Are We Anti-Cheat Yet?

Steam has a compatibility rating for every game in the catalog, and whether it'll play on a SteamOS handheld. That will likely be expanded to include the more powerful Steam Machine, broken out with its own information.

If it's playable or verified, you can play. If it's not, then you might not be able to.

Taking things a step further are two helpful community resources. ProtonDB is fantastic for not only checking compatibility, but also getting specific tips on making games run the best they can.

AreWeAntiCheatYet? focuses on anti-cheat compatibility, quickly allowing anyone to look for their favorite game and get a response.

If you don't play multiplayer games, chances are you'll rarely run into any issues on SteamOS. If you do, though, the simple truth is you either use cloud gaming or you use Windows 11.

Given the constraints in the video game industry as of late, you might think it was a crazy move to launch anything like a new console in the coming years. Valve is no ordinary company, though.

Despite Xbox hardware being down year-over-year for several quarters and PlayStation posting a very modest 1% increase in playtime hours despite PS5 sales keeping pace with PS4 — Valve is unbothered and has decided it's time to revive its Steam Machine efforts that originally started in 2014.

Following the success of the still beloved Steam Deck, Valve is doubling down on hardware in a big way and has revealed a range of new hardware today as part of that effort. We have an all-new Steam Machine, targeting a Spring 2026 launch, as well as a long-rumored VR headset called the Steam Frame, previously codenamed Deckard. There's also a brand-new Steam Controller to go along with both. Here's everything we know so far.

Steam Machine specifications

Valve's Steam Machine (not to be confused with the 2014 Steam Machines) sports some impressive specs on paper, though it doesn't seem to outclass the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5, despite using some more modern AMD Zen 4 architecture. Valve itself says the Steam Machine is "over 6x more powerful than Steam Deck", and should offer a comparable 4K @ 60 FPS experience when stacked up against Microsoft and Sony's consoles, while soundly beating the Xbox Series S and Nintendo Switch 2.

Again, the Steam Machine uses AMD's more modern (but technically previous-generation) Zen 4 processor architecture, sporting six CPU cores with twelve threads at 4.8 GHz. Despite having fewer cores than the Xbox Series X and PS5, the process node should give it superior per-core performance. These new Steam Machines should punch above their weight owing to that updated, more efficient technology, but the Xbox Series X, PS5, and PS5 Pro in particular should easily keep pace owing to higher core counts.

It's a similar story with the GPU: the Steam Machine's recent RDNA 3 architecture also offers improved power efficiency and higher performance compared to the older generation (but still not using RDNA 4, AMD's current tech). Even the Xbox Series X|S can use the same generation of upscaling as the Steam Machine — FSR 3.

The Steam Machine sports 28 compute units (CUs) at 2.45 GHz, compared to the Xbox Series X's 52 CUs at 1.8 GHz, and PS5's 36 CUs at 2.23 GHz. Microsoft's console, again, offers the most raw graphics computational power here, but the Steam Machine will punch above its weight owing to its more modern architecture and choice of lightweight operating system, SteamOS.

Memory (RAM) is where things continue to diverge. The Steam Machine hasn't yet offered official memory bandwidth figures, but it combines 16GB of DDR5 system memory with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM for the GPU.

It has more total memory on paper than the Xbox Series X's 16GB dual-pool GDDR6 RAM and PS5's unified 16GB GDDR6 pool, but the Steam Machine's PC-like split memory design may impede its overall memory bandwidth despite having a larger amount. It should, in theory, remain competitive here with both the PS5 and Xbox Series X, but we need more information to know more to get a solid answer.

The Steam Machine oddly has only two storage options up for grabs: a 512 GB model and a 2TB model. Xbox storage cards are notoriously expensive CFExpress PCI cartridges, while the PS5 went with more standard M.2 NVMe options that users can purchase off the shelf. The Steam Machine diverges by offering microSD expansion, allowing its users to easily transfer large amounts of games from a Steam Deck and back to their Steam Machine.

MicroSD technology isn't fast enough to effectively run all AAA games, but the Steam Machine's internal storage should be more than up to the task for the majority. Although we don't have a ton of info on what's sitting inside it here, it's unlikely to be using ultra-modern microSD Express tech.

Finally, we have the operating system. SteamOS has become incredibly capable over the last few years, with Valve deploying reams of updates as part of its Steam Deck line. It's incredibly user-friendly and easy to use, and its powerful Proton layer translates Windows games to Linux without any developer input — generally speaking, at least.

Proton does have some shortcomings, namely with functions like anti-cheat systems. As such, many Windows-native multiplayer games with kernel-level anti-cheat systems don't run on SteamOS. Proton will only get better over time, too. SteamOS does allow you to exit out into full Linux desktop mode as well, allowing you to install launchers, games, and other apps not available on the Steam store itself.

You can get things like Xbox Cloud Gaming, Battle.net, Genshin Impact, and other titles that aren't available to buy via Steam like this, but it isn't always a particularly easy experience — even more so if you include the fact that you need a mouse and keyboard to navigate it effectively.

Regardless, Steam has quite literally thousands of games available directly on its store, the vast majority of which will run on this platform without issue. This will be the first "console" that has games from Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox on a single device, via a single store.

It does miss out on many of the world's most popular games that aren't available on Steam or Linux, such as Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite (not to mention GTA 6 at launch), but there are workarounds for many of these if you're willing to tinker. And who knows, if SteamOS begins to see broader adoption, maybe these games will come across natively as well.

Given that this is more designed for a sofa-style experience, I expect Valve will use its Steam Deck Verification process to verify games for the Steam Machine in a similar way. Though there's absolutely no reason why you wouldn't be able to plug a keyboard and mouse in and use this as a full desktop mini PC.

The Steam Machine interestingly reflects Xbox's vision for its own next-gen console, which will be more PC-like, complete with the ability to exit out to the desktop, and install other launchers and games not available natively on Xbox itself.

Valve hasn't yet confirmed pricing, although the more modern and pricy RDNA3 and Zen 4 components are a strong indicator that it might be difficult for the Steam Machine to undercut its PS5 and Xbox Series X rivals in any significant way. We'll have to wait and see there. For now, the Steam Machine is targeting that aforementioned Spring 2026 launch. Until then, you could try building your own Steam Machine.

Steam Controller specifications

Interestingly, the Steam Machine will only include a controller optionally, since the console will work with any Xbox or PlayStation controller you have lying around already. Any controller that's compatible with the Steam Deck (and that's a lot) will also be compatible with the Steam Machine.

However, if you do want or need a controller, here's what Valve is offering as a follow-up to its original, less successful Steam Controller from 2015.

The Steam Controller works with any device running Steam, which includes Windows PCs, macOS, and devices like the Steam Deck. It should also be compatible with the next-gen Xbox as well, given that the next Xbox is going to run full Windows.

It connects up with a USB "puck" which can connect four controllers simultaneously, and it also supports Bluetooth and USB wired play on top. The puck is pre-paired and has a proprietary wireless signal, which should be comparable in quality to PS5 and Xbox controllers for speed and reliability.

Where it has the Xbox and PS5 standard controllers beat is battery life, with 35+ hours on a single charge, making it more like the Xbox Elite controller. It also boasts magnetic TMR thumbsticks, which should eliminate drift in ways the Xbox and PS5 controllers currently don't.

Where things get even more interesting are the large dual trackpads, similar to that old-school Steam Controller and the Steam Deck. These support haptics and help control games that don't have native joystick support. It also supports gyro gameplay, with six-axis motion sensing.

It has ABXY Xbox-style buttons and symmetrical PlayStation-style thumbsticks, while sporting four programmable back buttons and standard triggers and bumpers. It also sports capacitive grip sense, detecting when it has been picked up.

There's no mention of price yet, but I imagine it'll sit somewhere between a standard Xbox controller and a more pricey Xbox Elite controller in price, given its impressive specs.

What do you think?

Seeing a new console launch in an era where both PlayStation and Xbox are pointing at short-form video platforms like TikTok for decreasing growth might seem like a bold move, but the Steam Machine is no typical console.

Despite some limitations of Proton and Linux, Steam remains one of the world's most popular and favored video game ecosystems. Steam sales are legendary, Valve's approach to customer satisfaction is industry-leading, and developers flock to the platform owing to its relaxed certification processes.

Steam's discovery engine is second to none. Every time I log into Steam, I discover new games I've never heard of, as the system understands my habits and has more options to cater to those habits than other platforms. Some of the world's most popular games, like Fortnite and Roblox, might not be available natively, but Steam has become home to massive viral mega-hits in recent years, such as Megabonk and Peak more recently. I wish Xbox were capable of delivering similarly, but Microsoft has been pursuing a more Steam-like feature set for its own Xbox PC platform recently, which it says is growing rapidly, too.

Rumors have been ramping up that Valve might seek to pair its Steam Machine launch with the borderline mythical Half-Life 3, too. The team at Valve makes legendary games in its own right, including DOTA2, Counter-Strike 2, Left 4 Dead, Portal, Team Fortress, and more. Valve used Half-Life Alyx to boost interest in its own VR efforts previously, so could it pull off a similar feat for the Steam Machine?

The Steam Machine will also be the first "console" in the world that comes with games from Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox as standard, as the walls around "exclusivity" become increasingly blurred. PlayStation recently said its unprecedented launch of Helldivers 2 was a huge success on Xbox, and Microsoft has been putting its games everywhere and anywhere at a breakneck pace.

What the future of the game industry looks like is anyone's guess, but Valve is becoming an increasingly interesting part of the hardware discussion, which is great to see.

FAQ

Valve's Steam Deck needs no introduction. It is to handheld gaming PCs what the iPad is to tablets. It's the one that everyone thinks of first. Whenever I was using other options, such as the highly praised ASUS ROG Ally X, the first question I'd regularly be asked was, "Is that a new Steam Deck?"

I've owned one since April 2022, delivered less than two months after the first units started shipping. It's still the only thing, tech or otherwise, that I pre-ordered the moment I could. I was pumped. Having spent much of the previous two years learning about Linux and the quirks of gaming on it, I had high hopes.

Initial reactions were pretty positive across the board — including our own Steam Deck launch review. Sure, it didn't run Windows 11, but that wasn't a problem then, and it's even less of a problem now. But as three years (with some change) have passed, and the market has a lot more competition among the best handhelds, is the Steam Deck still worth it in 2025?

I think it is. I'd have no problems recommending someone buy one, even with the likes of the slightly more powerful Xbox Ally on offer alongside the SteamOS-based Lenovo Legion Go S and its monstrous, Windows-based Legion Go 2 successor, which joined the party this year. However, the conversation is certainly more complex than it was when the Steam Deck first launched.

How has the Steam Deck hardware held up since 2022?

Having owned the same Steam Deck since mid-2022, I feel like I'm in a good place to talk about how it's held up. The short version is that it's done really well, and continues to do so. That's not to say there haven't been people with issues on their units, but my own has been solid throughout.

Aside from spending the last couple of years inside a $60 dbrand Killswitch case, I can't say I've been treating it particularly like a fragile baby. It gets tossed into bags, it's been used by children (a traditional test of durability), and it still looks about as good as it ever did. The only visual 'mod' it currently has is a dbrand Steam Deck skin on the front.

I did use the JSAUX transparent rear case on my Steam Deck for a time, but I went back to the original for a couple of reasons: one was that I didn't like the replacement rear buttons, and the second was that it featured a heatsink, which ironically became pretty hot on the outside. So, I went back to stock parts.

The screen is still perfect on my early LCD model, and while the battery will have undoubtedly degraded over time, it's still holding up. With the kinds of games I'm typically playing on my Steam Deck these days, I can still get around 3-4 hours of playtime, which is far more than you should expect from any AAA titles.

How has SteamOS held up?

I'll tackle the elephant in the room first. The Steam Deck doesn't run Windows 11; it runs SteamOS instead, which is based on Arch Linux. "But, games are built for Windows, it can't possibly work that well, right?"

Wrong. Valve has put significant work into the Proton compatibility layer over the years, both before and since the Steam Deck launched. In the majority of cases, the hardware is more of a limitation than the software. There are exceptions, though. You can't play the modern Call of Duty games, for example. Nor can you play Fortnite, EA multiplayer titles, or Destiny 2.

But you can use the cloud, and NVIDIA even has a native Steam Deck app now for GeForce Now. Xbox Cloud Gaming on Steam Deck can also be used via standard web browsers, and there's even an official Xbox guide to setting it up.

The reason for these missing games isn't that the hardware isn't capable; it's that the anti-cheat solution simply doesn't work. The worst part is that some anti-cheat solutions, such as Destiny 2's, actually do work on Linux — but it's down to developers to enable it. Others, such as Activision's Ricochet, Riot's Vanguard, and EA's Javelin, do not support Linux at all.

Currently, these kernel-level anti-cheat solutions are only compatible with Windows 11.

Can you play as many games as people claim?

Thanks to Proton, a huge percentage (I believe at last count was around 90%) of the Steam catalog works on the Steam Deck. At least, if the hardware can handle it. Just like graphics cards, which get updated drivers targeting specific games, Proton does the same. Valve does all the hard work, so the game developers don't have to.

But as the market has matured, many have taken it upon themselves to ensure their games work well on handhelds through optimized settings. Cyberpunk 2077, Spider-Man 2, and Forza Horizon 5 are just a few examples of fairly demanding AAA titles from my own library of games that are enjoyable on the Steam Deck.

There are sacrifices to settings and frame rates, but 30 FPS is perfectly fine on a handheld. In many games, I've found (and so have others) that the sweet spot is targeting 40 FPS, for a balance of performance and battery life on the Steam Deck. Lock the refresh rate to 40Hz, and you're generally good to go.

Naturally, the focus is on Steam, but you can also play games from other stores. Thanks to the broader Linux community, there are simple ways to play your Epic Games, GOG Galaxy, and even Amazon Games on the Steam Deck, with tools such as the Heroic Games Launcher and Junk-Store.

Here are some examples from my own library, including a couple of older, less demanding games, all running at 1280x800 resolution:

Thankfully, the community database at ProtonDB is a great way to get an idea of how your games will play, along with some handy tips for optimization.

The hardware and software could be just as good as it is all day long, but it doesn't matter if the games don't run well enough. As the Steam Deck heads towards its fourth birthday in February 2026, it can't be denied that, on sheer performance, it's starting to fall behind the competition.

Repairable, upgradeable, and customizable

Mercifully, I haven't had to repair my Steam Deck in the 3+ years I've had one (compared to the two months my ROG Ally lasted before dying). Nevertheless, it's incredibly easy to repair and customize. The battery and the SSD are both easily accessible, and anyone with a screwdriver and a little time can swap them out if needed.

There's a healthy third-party market of customizations, too, to truly make your Steam Deck your own. That starts with skins and goes all the way to customizable shells, upgraded displays, hall-effect sticks, and custom buttons; there's so much out there.

Any upgrades are always done at your own risk, and my colleague, Jennifer Young, can tell a tale of woe about attempting a shell swap (with stories on the contrary, highlighting Valve's great customer service), but if you're careful, you can make your Steam Deck whatever you want it to be.

That also applies to the software, too. Unlike Windows 11, which can be customized away from its stock settings but requires a more involved process, SteamOS can be easily tweaked to look however you want. Using Decky Loader, a third-party plugin tool and store, you can go absolutely wild, changing the look and adding new features to your Steam Deck.

On my own, I've altered the look of the homescreen, applied custom colors and fonts, custom game art, a plugin to improve compatibility with my XR glasses, added custom system sounds, and found a fantastically helpful plugin that puts ProtonDB compatibility badges on every game. And yes, you can install Windows 11 on a Steam Deck instead of SteamOS if you really want to. It's just a PC, after all, and Valve has ensured it will work as best it can.

Should you still buy it?

Be it the Steam Deck LCD or the slightly upgraded Steam Deck OLED, it's still an easy handheld gaming PC to recommend. It's a little larger than some other handhelds, and quite hefty, but with the overall package of price, software, and performance, it still stands strong. I still use mine regularly, and it's single-handedly helping me play games in my backlog that I just wouldn't have done otherwise.

Still, the market has changed a lot since the first Steam Deck reviews surfaced online, not least because of Valve's behaviour. You can now put official builds of SteamOS on other handhelds, such as the ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go, even the new Xbox Ally, if you wish.

This is where it gets more complicated. I have no problems recommending the Steam Deck, but if you want more performance behind the same experience, that's now possible without having to dabble with community-built Linux distros such as Bazzite.

The software is where the Steam Deck has always stood tall, even with its mostly anti-cheat-related limitations. SteamOS is just better to use on a handheld than Windows 11, even with the recent improvements like Microsoft's dedicated full-screen mode that was added to the Xbox app as part of recent OS updates.

✅You should buy it if ...

• You want a 'console-like' approach to PC gaming
• You're realistic with graphical performance expectations

❌You should not buy it if ...

• You play anti-cheat-protected multiplayer titles
• You're a regular user of PC Game Pass

The Steam Deck was built from the ground up to work like a handheld console, and you don't ever have to go into the desktop UI if you don't actually have a specific need to, such as installing Decky Loader. Windows 11 will get there — hopefully — but right now, SteamOS installed on either its native Steam Deck or overwriting a Windows 11 handheld is still my preferred choice.

It even has performance benefits, as we've seen with those aforementioned folks trying it on their Xbox Ally. SteamOS is far leaner than Windows 11, and it shows. So, if you really want a Steam Deck, go buy one. It's still a brilliant handheld gaming PC. If you want something with a bit more horsepower, grab an AMD Z1 Extreme or better in a different handheld and slap SteamOS on it.

The only people that I still wouldn't recommend buying a Steam Deck are those who are heavily invested in the Xbox Game Pass or Play Anywhere ecosystem. If your games primarily come from Microsoft in this way, you can't get them on SteamOS. Likewise, if you want to go handheld with Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, the same applies.

For everyone else, the Steam Deck is still here. And it is still glorious.

While there is some disagreement on the subject, many gamers prefer the Steam Deck's simple, console-like SteamOS interface to Windows 11 or the Xbox Ally X's Xbox full-screen experience.

The thing is, the Steam Deck is relatively old at this point and is one of the weaker PC gaming handhelds on the market today. In other words, its internals aren't powerful enough to play some games that can be played on other handhelds. However, if you get a stronger Windows handheld and then put SteamOS on it, those who prefer SteamOS can get the best of both worlds.

Still, you should weigh the pros and cons before actually doing this. Here are reasons for and against putting SteamOS on ROG Xbox Ally, ROG Ally, Legion Go 2, and other handhelds.

How to install SteamOS on handhelds

If you're already sold on this idea, then check out my guide on how to install SteamOS on Windows gaming handhelds. This process should work for all mainstream devices, including Xbox Ally, ROG Ally, Legion Go 2, Legion Go, and more.

However, I do recommend understanding the pros and cons of doing this before going through with it. I'll list those in the next section.

4 reasons to put SteamOS on your Windows handheld and 3 reasons not to

For some of you, putting SteamOS on your handheld could solve most of the inconveniences you have with modern handheld gaming PCs. However, you should consider the perks and drawbacks to doing this before actually doing it.

Pro 1: Gives you a console-like UI and powerful internals

There's no denying that SteamOS offers the smoothest and most intuitive interface of any handheld to date. The simplified design makes you feel like you're interacting with a gaming machine rather than a PC, but you can also go into the desktop mode and use it like a personal computer.

Meanwhile, most other handheld gaming PCs on the market (including Xbox Ally X, ROG Ally X, ROG Ally, Legion Go, Legion Go 2, and more) all offer more powerful APUs (accelerated processing units) with better graphics abilities. Most offer higher memory and SSD storage capacities as well, which are both important for gaming.

As such, putting SteamOS on one of these Windows devices won't just provide a convenient interface; it will allow you to play some games that the Steam Deck isn't strong enough to handle.

Pro 2: Reduces bloat and increases system efficiency

Windows has a ton of extra programs running in the background that cause the system to work less efficiently and drain the battery faster. This being the case, when you swap to SteamOS, you might notice increased performance and longer playing sessions on your formerly Windows handheld.

Pro 3: Gives players plenty of customization options

Linux is a very customization-friendly software, and many Steam Deck users have been able to modify it to get it working just the way they want it to.

Of course, some Windows handhelds are also designed around upgradeability, so, in some cases, you can also upgrade battery life and the SSD without much hassle. Being able to get the operating system, programs, and internals just the way you want can help you make your perfect gaming machine.

Pro 4: It's cheaper than buying a Legion Go S SteamOS

I previously reviewed the Legion Go S (SteamOS) and absolutely loved this device. It's more powerful than the Steam Deck and comes with SteamOS already in place.

The thing is, the version of the Legion Go S (SteamOS) that I recommend sells for a pricey $899.99 at Best Buy. Meanwhile, you could get the ROG Ally for a less expensive $649.99 at Best Buy and then put SteamOS on it to save some money.

Con 1: This action isn't permanent, but has some risks

If you decide you don't like SteamOS, you should be able to put Windows back on your handheld. That's because many Windows handhelds have cloud recovery, which allows you to reinstall Windows 11 Home from the BIOS. This is very nice considering Windows 11 licenses aren't cheap, having an MSRP of $139.00 at Microsoft.

However, there is always some risk to removing Windows from the device, so be sure you know what you're doing. As an example, some people have had problems putting Windows back on their device after deciding they don't like SteamOS as much as Windows. So, be ready for a potentially long-winded process for putting Windows back on your handheld.

Additionally, the cloud recovery process is different from one device to the next. For instance, ROG Ally makes the cloud recovery process easier than it is on Legion Go, so just know what you need to do beforehand.

I highly recommend backing up your SSD before wiping Windows 11 and putting SteamOS on your handheld.

One of the easiest ways to back up your SSD and Windows info is using an SSD enclosure adapter and Macrium Reflect. I go over how to do this in my guide on how to back up and upgrade the ROG Ally SSD as well as in my guide on how to back up and upgrade the Legion Go's SSD.

WHAT ABOUT DUAL BOOTING WINDOWS AND STEAMOS?

Some people have also made it so their handheld can dual-boot Windows and SteamOS. This can be a good option for some, but it requires a bit more work to get it set up. Additionally, setting up dual boot takes up a lot of storage space, and having both operating systems on the system can take more power, causing a handheld's battery to drain faster.

Know what you are getting into and then you can get your handheld running the way you prefer.

Con 2: Not all games are supported on Linux-based SteamOS

The vast majority of PC games are designed for Windows, and this is why the Steam Deck uses Proton to translate Windows instructions for Linux.

The problem is, some games still don't work well on Linux or have an aspect that doesn't work well.

As an example, Call of Duty, Battlefield 6, and many other multiplayer games don't work on the Steam Deck since they require the use of a kernel-based anti-cheat software, which doesn't work with Linux. If you really want to play those games on a handheld, you're better off using Windows.

Con 3: You might not be comfortable finding Linux workarounds

Linux-based SteamOS works very differently from Windows, and some people can find it a little daunting working with the operating system.

Out of the box, the SteamOS won't let you access other game services like Battle.net, Epic Games, and others, while you certainly can do these things on a Windows handheld out of the box. Still, there are workarounds that are easy enough to get a handle on.

As an example, a plugin called Decky Loader makes it possible to quickly access different services. If you want help, you can check out my guide on how to install Decky Loader on SteamOS.

On the plus side, the Steam Deck is incredibly popular, and there are plenty of tutorials out there to help you get it working just the way you want it to.

Steam Deck is awesome, but SteamOS is even better

For some people, SteamOS is the preferred operating system for handhelds compared to Windows.

When the Steam Deck launched a few years ago, it was the only mainstream handheld gaming PC. But since then, far more powerful handhelds have released with internals that can handle games that the Steam Deck cannot.

For this reason, it might be a good idea to put SteamOS on your Windows handheld gaming PC. But, only if you've truly weighed the pros and cons of doing so.

Hopefully, this page helped you think through your decision. If you ended up putting SteamOS on your Windows handheld, tell us about your experience in the comments.

SteamOS FAQ

Reported on by VideoCardz, the latest Steam Hardware Survey shows Linux reaching 3.05% of all Steam users for the first time. That is up from around 2% this time last year, which is a solid jump for a platform that has historically struggled to crack mainstream gaming adoption.

Windows has seen a small decline, dropping from roughly 95% to 94.84% of Steam users. macOS currently sits at 2.11%, which is slightly higher than I expected, given macOS isn’t particularly known for gaming.

Linux still has a long road if it hopes to become a true competitor to Windows in gaming. However, milestones like this suggest that more players are paying attention, and the conversation around PC gaming operating systems could be shifting.

What’s driving Linux’s gaming surge?

SteamOS now accounts for roughly 27% of all Linux installs on Steam. This is an impressive achievement and reflects how the Steam Deck continues to bring more players into the Linux ecosystem without needing them to actively choose it. It is still going to take a long time before Linux can make any meaningful dent in Windows, but momentum is kind of building, albeit slowly.

Microsoft’s ongoing AI push, the end of life for Windows 10, and several unpopular user-experience decisions could encourage more PC gamers to explore alternatives. Linux is also becoming surprisingly performant in certain titles, and it already delivers strong results on handheld gaming PCs like the Steam Deck and even the Xbox Ally.

RELATED: How to install SteamOS on your Windows handheld

The Steam Deck is not hitting Nintendo Switch 2 sales numbers, but it has still sold millions since launch. It is also widely respected in the space and continues to be a reference point every time a new handheld PC arrives.

SteamOS is not perfect, though. Many competitive multiplayer games rely on kernel-level anti-cheat systems, which Windows supports, and that means some players avoid SteamOS if their library includes titles that require it. For everyone else, SteamOS remains a strong option for handheld gaming.

For players who mostly enjoy single-player games, indie titles or do not play many competitive multiplayer games, it is hard to ignore how far Proton has come. Proton allows Windows-only games to run on Linux, and nearly 90% of games on Steam now work on Linux in some capacity. Not every game runs perfectly, but the fact that most of the Windows library is playable shows how far Linux gaming has progressed in a short period of time.

Is Windows in trouble? Not yet

Windows is still by far the dominant platform at almost 95% share, and Linux hitting 3% does not threaten that position any time soon. Still, it does show a real shift in momentum.

That momentum may be one of the reasons Microsoft is paying more attention to gaming on Windows. The introduction of the Xbox Ally, which runs a stripped-down version of Windows with a more console-like interface, is the closest partnership we have seen between Windows and the gaming ecosystem so far. It is not perfect, and it still feels like a beta for what could eventually be a polished gaming-first Windows experience, but it shows Microsoft understands it needs to adapt.

The question is not whether Linux overtakes Windows soon, but whether rising gamer frustrations and a rapidly growing handheld market can give Linux its biggest opportunity yet.

FAQ

Techland's Dying Light games have always been accessible on a range of PC hardware, and both existing titles enjoy Steam Deck Verified status.

With a third installment almost here, Dying Light: The Beast won't be breaking that streak.

Announced today via social media, Dying Light: The Beast will have the all-important green tick to show its Steam Deck Verified status for launch. Which also happens today.

Of course, we've seen in the past that being Steam Deck Verified doesn't necessarily mean a game will play well. But given past experience, I'm fairly confident Dying Light: The Beast will get it right.

This is of course great news, not just for the Steam Deck. Other handhelds running SteamOS, such as the Lenovo Legion Go S, or folks who put the software on their Legion Go or ROG Ally, can also load it up in the knowledge they'll be able to play.

Likewise, if you're running Windows on your handheld, or you're lining up to get the Xbox Ally, either version, you'll be good to go.

Dying Light: The Beast reunites players with the legendary hero of the first game, Kyle Crane. After being captured and enduring years of experimentation, Crane escapes into the new setting of Castor Woods.

Crane isn't fully human anymore, of course, so The Beast will see players battle with his inner demons. All while, of course, fighting hordes of the undead. And since it's set before Dying Light 2 (which, yes, did get guns in a later update), there will be stacks of firearms to go alongside the always satisfying melee combat.

For more inside information, you can check out our early preview of Dying Light: The Beast. This is one I've been waiting for, that's for sure.

Dying Light: The Beast launches today, September 18, on PC, Xbox and PlayStation.

Despite tens of thousands of games supporting the Steam Deck and other SteamOS handhelds, there's a constant road block; anticheat.

There are a number of games that have anticheat working on Linux, aka SteamOS, and now it looks like there's another.

The Amazon Games-published MMO, Lost Ark, seems to have joined the party, as highlighted by GamingOnLinux. This is despite any sign of an official announcement.

Lost Ark has been available sporadically in the past on Steam Deck with a working anticheat, though in each case it was then removed. According to GamingOnLinux, the latest instance, looks more promising, though.

It appears that Lost Ark's Easy Anti Cheat software has been re-enabled on the Steam Deck for at least the last couple of weeks, and works flawlessly with Proton 9.0.4. GamingOnLinux goes on to confirm it's a simple "click and play" experience, with no tinkering or launch options required.

Hopefully it's a long-term play, though signs are certainly promising right now.

But why is anticheat still an issue? The short version is that generally the software is built primarily for Windows. There are some anticheat solutions that do have Linux compatibility, though, including Easy Anti Cheat (EAC) as seen here.

It would be nice if Epic Games, the provider of EAC, would turn it on for Fortnite to be played on the Steam Deck, but that highlights the second issue. Anticheat support for Linux, aka, SteamOS in this case, is on an opt-in basis.

It's a similar story with Battleye, supported on Linux, but in games such as Destiny 2, remains disabled. The anticheat working is only half the battle, developers have to want to support it.

That support also extends to making sure players on SteamOS have a good experience. A task which some making games are more committed to than others. As such, it's still unlikely some titles will ever become supported on SteamOS handhelds.

EA, as one example, has actively decided that Linux, and as a result SteamOS, is a path through for a variety of cheats and so, bye bye support. Nothing about the overwhelming majority of gamers using Windows, or anything, but that's the situation as described.

But let's take a win for the Steam Deck when it comes, in any case.

The latest version of the Lenovo Legion Go doesn't just stand out because of its stunning paint job. It's the first gaming handheld officially available with either Windows or SteamOS. The latter is quite exciting and had us waiting eagerly to get our hands on the Legion Go S (SteamOS).

Right now, you can grab a Legion Go S (SteamOS) for $50 off. That discount is available regardless of whether you choose the model with a Ryzen Z1 Extreme ($779.99) or the more affordable version with a Ryzen Z2 Go ($549.99). We recommend the former, but it's always nice to have options.

Legion Go S (SteamOS): Review highlights

The Legion Go S is a comfortable gaming handheld that runs on the popular Ryzen Z1 Extreme handheld processor. It features a large touchscreen with 120Hz and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate).

Our Rebecca Spear praised the design of the device in our Legion Go S (SteamOS) review:

"I own and have used several gaming handhelds, and one of the best things the Legion Go S has going for it is its ergonomic shape and the design of its subtle, dark-purple casing (which often looks black or grey depending on lighting)."

Performance of the Legion Go S (SteamOS) also received praise. "I can run some games on the Legion Go S that won't run on Valve's handheld [Steam Deck]," said Spear.

She concluded her review by saying that she "enjoyed using the Z1 Extreme Legion Go S (SteamOS) and recommend it to anyone who's looking for a Steam-Deck-like device that has some more oomph."

Windows vs SteamOS

The hardware of the Legion Go S is nothing new, at least to those familiar with the gaming handheld scene. The main difference is the operating system on the device.

In many ways, SteamOS saves the Legion Go S. The gaming handheld performs well when running on SteamOS, and if your favorite games are in your Steam library, I'd argue the choice between operating systems is obvious.

The Lenovo Legion Go S is one of the best gaming handhelds. It also provided us with a unique opportunity to compare SteamOS and Windows.

SteamOS is so popular on gaming handhelds that it has people asking for a desktop version of the operating system. The Legion Go S (SteamOS) outperformed the Legion Go S (Windows) when running on the same hardware.

SteamOS is also better optimized for the gaming handheld form factor than Windows.

Of course, there are also advantages to running Windows over SteamOS. If one OS were unequivocally better than the other for the Legion Go S, Lenovo would only sell one version of the device.

Windows will be more familiar to those used to a gaming PC powered by the same operating system. Windows also provides easy access to all of the most popular game launchers and stores.

But our Legion Go S review of the Windows version of the device included "SteamOS could save us from disappointment" in its title. For a lot of people, the Legion Go S with SteamOS is the obvious choice over its Windows-powered sibling.

Legion Go S (SteamOS): Before you buy

The Legion Go S running SteamOS is an excellent device. It earned a 4.5/5 in our recent review for its design, ergonomics, performance, triggers, joysticks, and display.

There are, however, a few things you need to consider before purchasing a Legion Go S running SteamOS.

The natural competition to the Legion Go S (SteamOS) is the Steam Deck. After all, Valve's gaming handheld showed how well SteamOS fits the form factor.

RELATED: Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck

The Legion Go S (SteamOS) is more expensive than the Steam Deck, but for that extra cost you get a device with newer and more powerful internals as well as a better display.

The trackpad of the Legion Go S is rather small. Some games rely on mouse input more than others, so the miniscule trackpad may or not be a factor depending on the games you play.

The final issue highlighted by Spear is the volume of the fans within the Legion Go S. The fans of Lenovo's gaming handheld are significantly louder than those of the Steam Deck.

Depending on your budget, the games you play, and your sensitivity to noise, the drawbacks of the Legion Go S could be anything from deal breakers to negligible. But I would be remiss if I did not mention them when highlighting the deal on the gaming handheld.

Legion Go S (SteamOS): Z1 Extreme vs Z2 Go

Two versions of the Legion Go S (SteamOS) are available, and both are discounted at Best Buy. We recommend the Z1 Extreme version of the gaming handheld, since that processor is more powerful.

The Legion Go S (SteamOS) with the Z1 Extreme can play more games and perform better while doing so than the same device with the Z2 Go processor.

The 8 cores and 16 threads of the Z1 Extreme are quite the jump from the 4 cores and 8 threads of the Z2 Go.

The chart above is from our piece comparing all the Ryzen Z2 Series chips. That article also breaks down how the processors stack up to AMD's Z1 Series chips.

The Legion Go S (SteamOS) with a Z1 Extreme processor will deliver the best gaming experience.

Finally, after waiting for months, I managed to get my hands on the new Nebula Nocturne (dark purple) Lenovo Legion Go S that runs SteamOS rather than the white Windows variant.

My colleague, Zachary Boddy, previously wrote our Lenovo Legion Go S (Windows) review and walked away feeling like it was a bit of a disappointment. We've both hoped that this SteamOS variant could impress where the former lacked.

After spending a week with it, I can say that I do love using the Legion Go S (SteamOS) handheld; however, there are definitely some things that get in the way of my full recommendation.

I'll dive into the three potential downsides to the Legion Go S that might deter you from this otherwise fantastic handheld.

This review was made possible thanks to a review sample provided by Lenovo. The company had no input nor saw the contents of this review prior to publication.

The first Legion Go S (SteamOS) barrier for many people is its rather costly price point. You'll need to spend more than you would for either of the first two Steam Deck configurations ($399.00 and $549.00) for you to get to the cost of the base Legion Go S (SteamOS).

To start things off, there is a less expensive $599.99 Legion Go S (SteamOS) that is powered by an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go and comes with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD.

I personally reviewed the more expensive option, which sells for $829.99 at Best Buy, is powered by the more powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme, and comes with 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD.

To be clear, it completely makes sense for the Legion Go S (SteamOS) to cost more than a Steam Deck since it has newer internals and nicer features overall (including higher resolution, a larger screen, higher refresh rate, and more).

RELATED: Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck

That said, it's hard for many people to spend $600 for a new SteamOS gaming handheld PC when the highly-regarded Steam Deck is out there selling for a fraction of the cost.

Even so, I definitely found reasons to spend more and get the Legion Go S (SteamOS) rather than a Steam Deck.

Legion Go S (SteamOS): Why I love it

I own and have used several gaming handhelds, and one of the best things the Legion Go S has going for it is its ergonomic shape and the design of its subtle, dark-purple casing (which often looks black or grey depending on lighting).

The device is well-balanced, distributing its weight in a satisfyingly even way between my hands. Meanwhile, the ergonomic grips and textured casing make it easier to securely hold the device for longer stretches.

A Steam button rests to the top left of the 8-inch IPS touchscreen, and makes navigating around SteamOS similar to how it's done on Steam Deck.

The downside is that SteamOS still tells you shortcuts for Steam Deck buttons rather than Legion Go S buttons, which can be confusing at first, but it's something I got used to after a bit.

For the most part, the Legion Go S (SteamOS)'s buttons, triggers, and joysticks are all very responsive and allow me to play my games without issue.

However, this does lead us to the second thing that might stop you from going with the Legion Go S. The small trackpad on the bottom right of the device doesn't work nearly as well as Steam Deck's dual trackpads. Depending on the menu I'm on, it won't respond at all, or it can take far too many swipes to get the cursor where I need it.

Now, trackpads aren't absolutely essential to the gaming handheld experience, but they can be very useful, especially in certain mouse-heavy menus or games. So, you'll have to determine whether or not this will impact the types of titles you like to play.

Smooth gameplay and faster FPS, but with a tradeoff

• Cyberpunk 2077 —  30 FPS (Steam Deck preset, 1200p resolution, 120Hz, V-sync disabled, AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 2.1 set to "Balanced," frame generation disabled)
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider — 43 FPS (Highest preset, 1080p resolution, V-sync enabled)
• Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation —  76 FPS (Normal preset, 1080p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, V-sync enabled)

During my time with the Legion Go S (SteamOS), I played a number of different games, and each time it was a good experience.

Thanks to the AMD Z1 Extreme processor, the Legion Go S (SteamOS) is more powerful than the custom AMD Zen 2 APU in the Steam Deck, to the point that I can run some games on the Legion Go S that won't run on Valve's handheld.

Of course, the cheaper Legion Go S configuration with the AMD Z2 Go is also an option, but I don't recommend going with that processor, since it is weaker.

In addition to games hitting higher FPS on a Z1 Extreme Legion Go S (SteamOS), they also run more smoothly, and have better visual motion clarity due to the Legion Go S (SteamOS)'s VRR (variable refresh rate) support, higher WUXGA (1920x1200) resolution, and higher 120Hz refresh rate (compared to Steam Deck's 60Hz and Steam Deck OLED's 90Hz).

The thing is, as a tradeoff for this higher performance, I have to deal with the third issue, which might be a deterrent for some people: Noisy fans.

While running the same CPU-stressing benchmark, the Legion Go S registered at 54.6 dB while producing a very windy sound that feels like a half-step below an agitating whistle. Meanwhile, the Steam Deck peaked lower at 46.5 dB, but the noise isn't as bothersome.

So, how good is the Legion Go S (SteamOS)'s 55.5Whr battery? It tended to last an hour and 22 minutes when I was playing Cyberpunk 2077 on the Steam Deck graphics preset and with the screen at 50% brightness.

This is a relatively average result and is expected for the battery capacity.

Legion Go S (SteamOS): Should you get it?

✅ You should buy this if ...

• You want a SteamOS gaming device that's more powerful than Steam Deck and has a comfortable design
  
  With its more powerful Z1 Extreme processor and larger screen that supports higher resolution, VRR, and 120Hz, games look and run better on Legion Go S (SteamOS).

❌ You should not buy this if ...

• You are looking for a more budget-friendly gaming handheld PC
  
  As far as economical options go, the Steam Deck still reigns supreme. It's a bit older at this point and is starting to show its age, but you can still play a wide range of Steam Deck-compatible games on it.

While there are definitely areas that could use some improvement, I have enjoyed using the Z1 Extreme Legion Go S (SteamOS) and recommend it to anyone who's looking for a Steam-Deck-like device that has some more oomph.

Visuals and motion clarity look much better on the nicer touchscreen, while optimized games run even smoother than on Steam Deck. It can even manage to play some games that the aging Steam Deck cannot.

Just be aware that the fans can get loud, and the trackpad isn't nearly as useful as the Steam Deck's. If those things don't bother you, then you'll be very pleased with this device.

• Back to the top ⤴

Earlier this month, Ampere analysts said that the Nintendo Switch 2 is going to outsell all other gaming handhelds combined this year. While this sounds like a reason for the teams behind the Xbox Ally and Steam Deck to panic, it really isn't.

In fact, it's a disservice to compare the Switch 2 against Xbox Ally or against the Steam Deck because, while they are all handhelds, the last two really aren't direct competitors with Nintendo's hybrid console.

The real battle is Windows versus SteamOS on PC gaming handhelds.

Microsoft knows it. ASUS ROG knows it. That's why the starting Xbox Ally (which is Xbox in name only) has specifically been positioned to compete against the Steam Deck rather than the Switch 2.

With added support under the Xbox name, this PC gaming handheld might just do it, if Microsoft does its part right.

Xbox Ally and Steam Deck have very different focuses than Switch 2

Before we go any further, I want to clear up this odd notion that Xbox Ally is a direct competitor with Switch 2.

I'll concede that you can say that the Switch 2 is a competitor to Steam Deck and Xbox Ally in a broad gaming sense, in the same way that cloud gaming on your phone is a competitor to local console gaming on Xbox Series X.

But otherwise, the two devices have far too different focuses, functions, and audiences to be immediate rivals.

I could write a whole page about this topic, but suffice it to say that Nintendo strategically and intentionally uses outdated hardware so that it can focus more on creating unique experiences.

This strategy also allows the Japanese gaming company to have a larger return on investment since it costs less to manufacture consoles and also appeals to a broader audience through their budget sensibilities.

Xbox and ASUS ROG, on the other hand, tend to use current-gen hardware and cutting-edge tech.

What's more, Nintendo focuses on single-player and couch co-op innovation with its own IP (intellectual property) and peripherals while ASUS ROG and Valve's handhelds are more focused on single-player and online multiplayer PC games made by third-party devs (and yes, I know Valve makes games, but not to the same extent).

And sure, the Switch 2 can play heavily optimized AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 just like a PC gaming handheld, but it still can't run the latest graphically demanding PC games that are more suited to Xbox Ally and Steam Deck PCs.

Additionally, unlike the Steam Deck and Xbox Ally, the Switch 2 isn't designed to give users the freedom of a personal computer to access a desktop or browse the internet. It's intended solely as a gaming machine (although there is a hidden web browser workaround).

All you have to do is compare the Xbox Ally's specs to the Steam Deck's and you'll see they're far more similar than you'd initially expect.

The Xbox Ally specs specifically target the Steam Deck

I previously compared the Xbox Ally vs the ROG Ally, since the two PC gaming handhelds both come from ASUS ROG.

However, it was while looking into these devices that I realized that the Xbox Ally is more comparable to the Steam Deck in many ways (as seen in my Xbox Ally vs Steam Deck comparison).

For starters, the white Xbox Ally has 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD, which is similar to what's found in the 512GB Steam Deck OLED. Many premium handhelds are going with 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD, so Xbox Ally's specs are somewhat modest and closer to the Steam Deck's.

Contrary to what you might think, the Xbox Ally also uses a new AMD Ryzen Z2 A SoC (system on a chip) that actually uses the same archaic architecture used in the Steam Deck's custom AMD APU (accelerated processing unit). Both chips have four CPU cores with eight threads, and eight CU (Compute Units).

You can learn more at our AMD Ryzen Z2 Series processor guide for gaming handhelds.

What that means is that the Xbox Ally's processor is going to be on a very similar level to the Steam Deck's, and might even be less powerful than the Z1 Extreme processor used in the last-gen ROG Ally.

The Xbox Ally having a less powerful processor than other PC gaming handhelds might seem counterproductive, but it's actually a really smart move from ASUS ROG and Xbox's part and shows that the Xbox Ally is intended specifically as a Steam Deck competitor that runs Windows.

In all reality, the Xbox Ally is the flagship in a battle for Windows gaming handhelds against SteamOS handhelds, and that's why Microsoft has become involved.

It's smarter to compete against the aging Steam Deck than the brand-new (and thriving) Switch 2

Outside of the Xbox Ally and Switch 2 not being direct competitors, there is one main reason why it's smarter for the Xbox Ally to compete against Steam Deck rather than Switch 2 — The timing is right to try and usurp Steam Deck's place, but it would be futile to go after Switch 2.

The Switch 2 just released on June 5, 2025, and had one of the biggest console launches in history, selling over 3.5 million units worldwide (thanks, Bloomberg). It's expected to have a very successful year. Now is not the time to try and uproot it.

The same can't exactly be said about the Steam Deck, though.

To be clear, the Steam Deck has been very successful since it launched in 2022. However, several OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) have since entered the PC gaming handheld scene with their own premium devices that offer high-end performance at a dearer cost.

The Steam Deck has managed to maintain its crown as the most popular PC gaming handheld for a few reasons, but one of the biggest is that it has an affordable price point while still offering solid performance.

However, the Steam Deck is starting to show its age. It often cannot run the latest graphically demanding games that work just fine on competitors like ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw 8 AI+.

As our sister site, Tom's Guide, has previously explained, it's also unclear if or when a Steam Deck 2 will launch.

So, now is the time for competitors to try and pry off Steam Deck's PC gaming handheld crown in this gap before a new Valve device ascends to the throne or is even announced. And that's precisely what Xbox Ally is attempting to do.

Xbox + ASUS ROG is a match made in PC gaming handheld heaven

Outside of the Steam Deck, the ASUS ROG Ally is the most popular PC gaming handheld. So, Xbox joining forces with ASUS ROG is a very clever plan.

Xbox branding and a new Windows 11 revamp for gaming handhelds that attempt to behave more like SteamOS could solve many of the problems people have with Windows handhelds, if done correctly. The need to get this right is dire now that SteamOS is basically available for any device.

Now, the price of the Xbox Ally hasn't been released just yet. But the fact that the Xbox Ally doesn't have an OLED display, is going with a simpler processor, and has modest memory and storage capacity tells me they're trying to be more budget-conscious than many other PC gaming handhelds.

As my colleague has previously written, Xbox Ally needs to be competitively priced with the Steam Deck in order for it to succeed.

We've already seen a Steam Deck competitor in the form of the Legion Go S SteamOS, but its higher price point than the Steam Deck has deterred people from buying it. So it's crucial that the Xbox Ally gets its pricing right.

Here's hoping Xbox Ally plays its cards right

There you have it. The Xbox Ally and Steam Deck are direct PC gaming handheld competitors, while the Switch 2 is in its own tier as a hybrid console.

I love my Steam Deck, but it is starting to feel old and cannot keep up with many of the latest and greatest games I want to play on it. Since there's no due date in sight for the Steam Deck 2, now is the perfect time for Xbox and ASUS ROG to jump in with a similar-yet-improved device.

If Microsoft manages to greatly improve the Windows experience on gaming handhelds, like it's trying to do, then it could get rid of many of the problems people have with PC handhelds. Microsoft's main goal, though, is to kick SteamOS off the handheld throne, and the Xbox Ally is its best chance at doing that.

We'll have to wait and see what they've cooked up.

The Steam Deck kicked off a PC gaming handheld revolution when Valve launched the device on February 25, 2022, but since then, several other handhelds have come to market, including the ROG Xbox Ally (Xbox Ally), announced at Xbox Games Showcase 2025.

It's worth noting that the Steam Deck has an LCD model and two OLED models. Meanwhile, the Xbox Ally is a base model, but there is also a more powerful Xbox Ally X with more premium specs.

RELATED: Xbox Ally review | Xbox Ally X review | Steam Deck review

Even though the Steam Deck and the base Xbox Ally were created a few years apart, they have a lot more in common than you might initially expect.

I've taken time to compare their specs, displays, controls, operating systems, and batteries to see which one comes out on top. Here's what I've learned.

Xbox Ally vs Steam Deck: Specs

Before we dive into comparisons, take a look at the specs for the two Xbox Ally models and three Steam Deck models.

Now that you've had a look for yourself, I'll dive into different areas and discuss what each device's features and specs mean for you as a handheld owner.

Because they are the most similar, I'll largely compare the white Xbox Ally (Z2 A) to the Steam Deck, rather than comparing the more premium Xbox Ally X (AI Z2 Extreme) to Valve's handheld models.

Xbox Ally vs Steam Deck: Price

PRICE WINNER: The starting Steam Deck LCD is the most affordable device. But the Xbox Ally is more comparable to the 512GB Steam Deck OLED, and the two are priced similarly. They offer tradeoffs, though. If you want a nicer display and touchpads go for the Steam Deck. If you want higher resolution and better grips, go for the Xbox Ally.

Since it launched, the Steam Deck has basically been able to keep its crown as the most affordable PC gaming handheld. The reason for this is that other handhelds have typically had nicer specs and better screens than the Steam Deck, thereby raising their prices.

Currently, you can order a Steam Deck LCD with 256GB SSD for $399.00, a Steam Deck OLED with 512GB SSD for $549.00, or a Steam Deck OLED with 1TB SSD for $649.00 at Steam.

Meanwhile, the Xbox Ally with its Z2 A process, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD sells for $599.99; and the Xbox Ally X with its AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB RAM, and 1TB SSD sells for $999.99.

As you can see, the Steam Deck LCD is the most affordable handheld of the lot. Meanwhile, Xbox Ally's specs are most akin to the 512GB Steam Deck OLED, but Valve's handheld is $50 less and has the OLED display. Just note that the Xbox Ally offers other nice features, including a higher refresh rate, higher resolution, and better grips.

The Xbox Ally launched on Oct 16, 2024, and is currently available at major tech retailers like Best Buy.

Xbox Ally vs Steam Deck: Performance and storage

PERFORMANCE WINNER: This is somewhat of a tie, but with tradeoffs. The white Xbox Ally's processor is comparable to the processor in the Steam Deck LCD and Steam Deck OLED, so their performance tends to be relatively similar, but it can vary with certain games that haven't been optimized for SteamOS.

The base Xbox Ally (the white one) is more comparable to the Steam Deck LCD and Steam Deck OLED than you might initially think.

Both the LCD and OLED versions of the Steam Deck utilize an AMD APU (accelerated processing unit) based on Zen 2 and RDNA2 architecture.

In June 2025, AMD released the specs on the Z2 A APU found in the Xbox Ally, and this is how we learned that it is actually also based on the rather old AMD Zen 2 and RDNA2 architecture that the Steam Deck's APU uses (thanks, PC Gamer).

What this means is that the Steam Deck LCD, Steam Deck OLED, and base Xbox Ally offer very similar APU performance to each other. Something to note is that despite this, game performance can differ between Steam Deck and Xbox Ally, depending on whether or not a game has been optimized for SteamOS. If a game hasn't been optimized there is potential for it to work better on Xbox Ally, but it varies from game to game.

Of course, there are also other component differences to consider.

For one thing, the Steam Deck does not support VRR (variable refresh rate), but the Xbox Ally does. As such, game visuals likely have smoother motion clarity on the Xbox Ally screen, but only if the game doesn't run choppy on the Z2 A processor to begin with.

System performance can also be affected by memory and storage capacities. Having more memory can help the system access game file data faster, resulting in quicker load times.

Meanwhile, having more game storage space means that you don't have to rearrange, delete, or archive data as much. Additionally, if a handheld's storage is too full, it can slow the system down, so it's better to have a larger SSD for gaming.

The Xbox Ally's 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB SSD are respectable capacities for a gaming device. This makes the ROG Xbox Ally most comparable to the Steam Deck OLED 512GB (and its 16GB LPDDR5 RAM).

What it really comes down to is that the Steam Deck plays certain games better than Xbox Ally, and then the Xbox Ally plays certain non-Steam Deck optimized games better than the Steam Deck.

Xbox Ally vs Steam Deck: Display

DISPLAY WINNER: There are some tradeoffs here. The Xbox Ally's 7-inch IPS display has higher resolution, a higher refresh rate, and supports VRR. So, it's a better gaming display overall, even if it isn't an OLED.

The Xbox Ally has a 7-inch IPS touchscreen that reaches up to FHD (1920 x1080) resolution, offers up to a 120Hz refresh rate, and supports VRR (variable refresh rate).

Meanwhile, the Steam Deck LCD has a 7-inch touchscreen with lower 1280 x 800 resolution, and only offers up to 60Hz. The Steam Deck OLED has a 7.4-inch touchscreen with the same low 1280 x 800 resolution, but a slightly higher 90Hz. Neither supports VRR.

This being the case, the Xbox Ally display's features provide crisper detail and better motion clarity than the Steam Deck LCD or Steam Deck OLED screens.

RELATED: IPS LCD vs OLED vs tandem OLED vs QD-OLED vs QLED vs AMOLED vs Mini LED: Which is the best display?

Of course, the Steam Deck OLED has a much nicer color gamut, true black point, and contrast than the Xbox Ally's display. Still, when it comes to gaming, motion clarity and crisp detail are more important, in my opinion.

That all said, it would have been nicer if the Xbox Ally had an OLED option. I'm guessing that if the Xbox Ally sells well, we will see an Xbox Ally OLED down the line.

Xbox Ally vs Steam Deck: Buttons, joysticks, and grip

CONTROLS AND GRIPS WINNER: The Xbox Ally has an Xbox controller-like layout with far more comfortable grips. However, the Steam Deck offers two touchpads for added control in certain games. I prefer the Xbox layout, but both options are good for specific use cases. If nothing else, the more pronounced grips give the Xbox Ally an edge when it comes to ergonomics.

In some ways, you can compare the Xbox Ally's button layout to an Xbox controller and the Steam Deck's layout to a PlayStation controller.

The Xbox Ally has offset joysticks, large ABXY buttons, bumpers, triggers, a D-Pad, and a dedicated Xbox button. Many people find the offset joysticks far more comfortable to use than the PS5 or Steam Deck's inline joysticks.

However, the Steam Deck does have those two haptic touchpads under either joystick, and this gives players more minute control in FPS games or game menus.

In the end, you'll have to determine whether the kinds of games you play would benefit more from touchpads or not. Some do, some don't.

Now, let's discuss grips and hand comfort. Some people absolutely love the Steam Deck grips, but others find the device too clunky and uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, the Xbox Ally has far more pronounced grips than most other mainstream PC gaming handhelds on the market. Due to this, it's more comfortable to hold for longer gaming sessions.

Xbox Ally vs Steam Deck: Compatible games & Operating system

SOFTWARE WINNER: This will depend on your preferences. If you want a device that behaves more like a console, you'll want the Steam Deck with its simple SteamOS interface. However, if you want a device that gives you the freedom of a Windows laptop, then the Xbox Ally will be the better choice.

One of the biggest differences between these handhelds is that the Steam Deck runs the Linux-based SteamOS while the Xbox Ally runs Windows 11.

Many people prefer to use SteamOS because it offers a simplified interface that feels a lot like using a console. Meanwhile, Windows 11 handhelds behave more like laptops, which means they offer more freedom right out of the box, but they can be more difficult to navigate.

For instance, upon opening your Xbox Ally, you can open a browser tab and access Steam, Epic Game Store, Battle.net, and much more. But the Steam Deck is tied more directly to your Steam account.

Now, the Xbox Ally introduces a new "Xbox full screen experience," which minimizes some background Windows tasks and turns others off completely while you game. It was also designed to feel more like a console menu, but it isn't as nice as SteamOS. You can easily exit this mode to go to full Windows 11 and use the device like a normal PC.

If you want to access various gaming services other than Steam on a Steam Deck, you'll need to install and use Decky Loader or something similar.

Any Linux enthusiast will tell you that SteamOS offers a lot of freedom, and this is true as long as you know how to use it. Fortunately, there are numerous tutorials and helpful videos available to assist you in customizing your SteamOS device.

Of course, you could always put SteamOS on your Windows PC gaming handheld, if you want to.

Xbox Ally vs Steam Deck: Battery life

BATTERY WINNER: Despite the Xbox Ally having a larger battery capacity, the Steam Deck OLED is more efficient and can last longer in play sessions.

One of the biggest struggle areas for gaming handhelds is battery life. Most of these devices really don't last all that long, especially not when running graphically demanding or processor-intensive titles.

Typically, the Steam Deck has been found to last between two and eight hours, depending on system settings and the kinds of games being played.

The Xbox Ally has a 60Whr battery, whereas the Steam Deck LCD has a 40Whr battery, and the Steam Deck OLED has a 50Whr battery.

But battery capacity isn't the only determining factor for a handheld's battery life. Your device will run longer if it's on lower settings, playing simpler games, and if the device is designed more efficiently. It turns out the Steam Deck tends to last longer than the Xbox Ally while playing certain games.

I was able to get around seven hours and six minutes of playtime out of the Xbox Ally while playing the 2D pixel-art platformer, Celeste, which is still very good, though.

Honestly, if you want your handheld to last longer, you might want to invest in one of the best power banks for ROG Ally or one of the best Steam Deck power banks.

Xbox Ally vs Steam Deck: Which should I buy?

BEST OVERALL: This will largely come down to a matter of preference, but for most people, the OLED display, longer battery life, lower price, and simple SteamOS interface make the Steam Deck OLED or Steam Deck LCD the more appealing choice. If you value higher refresh rates, higher resolution, and ergonomic grips, you should consider the Xbox Ally.

There are several tradeoffs when considering the Xbox Ally against the Steam Deck. However, the Steam Deck remains a more appealing choice overall. This is due to its lower price point, OLED display, touchpads, and, of course, the SteamOS interface that feels far more console-like and easy to navigate.

Now, that's not to say that the Xbox Ally is a bad handheld, but the Xbox full-screen experience isn't as convenient as SteamOS, and many people find Windows frustrating to navigate on handhelds, even with Microsoft's recent handheld optimizations. However, the Xbox Ally does offer a higher refresh rate, a higher resolution, VRR, and those comfortable grips, so if those are more appealing to you, it's a handheld to consider.

Today, many will hunt for a Nintendo Switch 2 in stock. But what if I told you a better gaming handheld was on sale — or at least one that’s better for certain gamers?

The Lenovo Legion Go is a versatile handheld that puts a vast library of games in the palm of your hand. Its built-in kickstand, large screen, and detachable controllers make it stand out from competing gaming handhelds that run Windows or SteamOS. And its game library differentiates it from the Nintendo Switch 2.

Right now, you can grab the Lenovo Legion Go for $200 off, bringing the price down to $499.99. The deal slashes the price of the model with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage.

Lenovo Legion Go vs Nintendo Switch 2

Comparing the Lenovo Legion Go with the Nintendo Switch 2 is difficult. At first glance, there are some similarities between the devices.

Both are handheld gaming consoles with detachable controllers. The devices each have a kickstand, allowing you to place the display down while playing with detached controllers or a dedicated gamepad.

But that's where the similarities end, at least at a macro scale. The Nintendo Switch 2 and Lenovo Legion Go are fundamentally different devices when it comes to the games they offer.

To start, Nintendo's new console offers exclusive games that will never be available on other platforms. On the flip side, the Legion Go offers a massive library of games thanks to it running Windows (or SteamOS with a bit of work).

👉Related: How to install SteamOS on Lenovo Legion Go

Picking between the Switch 2 and Legion Go will depend greatly on the games that you'd like to play. Considering both consoles cost almost $500, you may have to pick just one.

If you want to play games from your Steam library or other PC games, the Legion Go is an excellent option, especially at its discounted price of $499.99.

SteamOS is free from Valve exclusivity, and you can download it

Until very recently, official SteamOS was only officially available on Valve's own Steam Deck. Despite being Linux-based, it wasn't as open as maybe many had hoped.

That's changed now, though. With the release of the first official partner hardware in the Lenovo Legion Go S, Valve has made SteamOS downloadable for other devices.

Officially, only the Legion Go S and Steam Deck are fully supported, with slightly lesser support for the ROG Ally and original Legion Go.

Being able to download it yourself also means you can have a go with it on your regular laptop or desktop PC. It's at your own risk, of course, but it's possible to accomplish.

Our guide on how to install SteamOS on the ROG Ally and Legion Go will get you some of the way. The first part is the same for everyone, in that you download the image and then build a USB installer using a flash drive and the Rufus utility (available in the Microsoft Store.)

From there you'll have to load into your system's BIOS, change the boot order so that it's booting from USB, restart and follow the instructions.

Only recommended if you run AMD hardware

SteamOS is built to be best for AMD graphics. Linux, in general, tends to behave better on AMD graphics than NVIDIA.

As such, it's only really recommended that you install SteamOS if you have something handy with AMD Radeon graphics. Valve recommends it's used only with AMD graphics.

Radeon graphics doesn't just apply to graphics cards, either. If you have an AMD APU powered system with integrated graphics, you can give it a go. Obviously, as with the Steam Deck, integrated graphics won't be nearly as good. But it can be done.

Steam Machines aren't quite back, but it's closer than ever.

One of the big draws to SteamOS is its console-like UI. It does have a desktop mode that you can enter at any time, but the default is the gaming mode.

While this may be a great idea on a small, living room PC, like the Steam Machines of old, this UI is designed for a controller.

It can be used with a mouse and keyboard, but it's something to keep in mind. If you're putting it on a PC you intend to use a lot, you'll want to get comfortable with desktop mode, and its KDE Plasma desktop environment.

After months of anticipation, SteamOS is now officially available for non-Steam Deck gaming handhelds such as the Windows-toting ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go.

I went through the process of installing SteamOS on my ROG Ally, while my Editor-in-Chief installed SteamOS on his Legion Go.

This page contains step-by-step instructions with pictures to help you get SteamOS installed on your Windows gaming handheld. Just make sure you have a flash drive, such as the SanDisk USB-C stick I used, and you'll be good to go.

What you'll need to install SteamOS on a non-Steam Deck handheld

• This is a permanent change: Reimaging your ROG Ally or Legion Go will completely wipe everything on it, and this action cannot be undone. If there are any files you want to save, make sure to move them onto another device before installing SteamOS on your handheld.
• You'll need a flash drive: The easiest method for putting SteamOS on a Windows handheld is by using a USB-C flash drive. If you only have a USB-A flash drive, you'll need to use a USB-A to USB-C adapter.

How to install SteamOS on ROG Ally and ROG Ally X

1. To start off, plug your USB flash stick into your computer and then download the SteamOS: Steam Deck recovery image from Steam's website.

2. Now, download the Rufus utility by clicking on the latest executable listed on the Rufus website.

3. Open File Explorer and navigate to Downloads. Then right-click on the Steam Deck repair file you downloaded from Steam and select Extract All.

4. When the computer is done extracting, open Rufus and click on the Select button. Then choose the uncompressed Steam Deck Repair files in Downloads.

5. Now click Start. A pop-up will appear warning that anything on the USB will get destroyed. Select OK if you're good to continue.

6. Wait while Rufus turns your USB flash stick into a bootable SteamOS key. When it's done, close out of Rufus and remove the flash drive from your computer.

7. On your ROG Ally, select the Start button, then the Power icon, and select Restart.

8. While the ROG Ally restarts, hold down the Volume down button until the BIOS boots up.

9. If you get this screen, select Enter Setup.

10. After you enter the BIOS, press the Y button to go to Advanced Mode.

11. Use the right D-Pad button to get to the Security tab and then select Secure Boot.

12. Click on the dropdown menu box for Secure Boot Control and select Disabled.

13. Press the B button to go back to the previous menu.

14. Use the right D-Pad button to get to the Save & Exit tab then select Save Changes and Exit.

15. Now select OK [Enter] to exit the BIOS.

16. Next, you'll need to plugin your prepared USB flash drive key. If your USB stick is a USB-A, you might need to use a USB-A to USB-C adapter.

17. Then, restart your ROG Ally.

18. As soon as the ROG symbol appears on the screen, hold down the Volume up button to boot into the BIOS.

• Tap on UEFI: USB, Partition 1 (USB).

19. After a moment, you'll find yourself in a desktop setup. Double tap on the icon on the top of the screen that reads Wipe Device & Install SteamOS.

20. A warning pops up letting you know that this process will completely remove everything currently on the device and cannot be undone. If you're okay with this, select Proceed.

21. Leave the ROG Ally alone and let it finish the process.

22. A pop-up will then let you know the reimaging has completed. Select Proceed to restart the device.

23. You can now remove your USB stick from the ROG Ally.

24. After it boots up, wait for SteamOS to install on your Ally.

25. When the installation finishes, set up SteamOS and log into your Steam account.

26. Before doing anything else, tap on the Menu icon in the bottom left of the screen, tap on System, and then check for updates and install system updates.

Now that you've wiped your ROG Ally, installed SteamOS on it, and installed the latest updates, you're good to start playing games and using your SteamOS ROG Ally.

Have fun with your gaming handheld!

How to install SteamOS on Legion Go and Legion Go S (Windows)

1. Plug your USB flash drive into your computer and then download the SteamOS reimage files from the Steam website.
2. Navigate to the Downloads menu and then right-click on the SteamOS image files and select Extract All.
3. Next, download Rufus utility from the Rufus website.
4. Open Rufus and tap on the Select button, then choose the SteamOS reimage files you downloaded earlier.
5. Press Start and then OK to start the process. Note that this will destroy anything on the USB, so make sure any important files have been put elsewhere.
6. Wait while Rufus turns your USB flash drive into a bootable SteamOS key.
7. When Rufus is done, remove the USB flash drive from your computer.
8. Next, you'll need to completely power off your Legion Go handheld.
9. After that, hold Up Volume + Power for a few seconds to make the device enter BIOS.
10. Using your finger, tap BIOS Setup in the small box. The buttons and joysticks won't respond.
11. Select "Novo Button Menu" as your BIOS setup.
12. Select More settings.
13. Next, select Security and tap on the Secure boot drop box to change it to Disabled.

14. After that, tap Exit and then tap Exit saving changes.
15. Now, plug your USB flash drive into the Legion Go.
16. Hold the Power button and Volume up button to enter BIOS, then select the USB stick. This will boot up the SteamOS reimage files.
17. Double-tap on Wipe Device & Install SteamOS.

18. Select Proceed in the pop-up box and then press Proceed again in the next pop up.

19. Wait while SteamOS reimaging happens.

20. After a while, the system will start installing SteamOS. Wait until this process is over.

21. Next, set up your device and log into your Steam account.
22. Before doing anything else, open the menu, go to System, and install software updates.
23. You'll need to allow the device to restart after updates are installed.
24. The next thing you'll want to do is tap on the Menu button on the bottom of the screen, select System, and install system updates.

With that whole process completed, you're free to play games via SteamOS on your Legion Go. In some ways, it will feel like a brand new system, so enjoy using it!

Breathe new life into your Windows handheld

The ROG Ally, Ally X, and Lenovo Legion Go are all more powerful than the Steam Deck, but having Windows as their operating system has been a huge downside for many people. Now that we can officially install SteamOS on these gaming handhelds, you can get the best of both worlds.

I've been using my ROG Ally with SteamOS installed on it for the last day and I absolutely love it. My games run far faster and smoother than they do on my Steam Deck. Plus, the higher resolution screen makes everything look better, too.

Now that you've gotten SteamOS on your Legion Go or ROG Ally, enjoy playing your favorite Steam games.

Yesterday, I reported that Microsoft's first-party Xbox handheld has been shelved, at least for now.

Not to be confused with the ASUS partner device, codename Kennan, the first-party Xbox handheld was being developed to run Xbox games natively, rather than Windows PC games.

The Xbox handheld (whose codename is unclear, for now) would have completed a dream many old-school Xbox fans have had for decades: the ability to natively take your Xbox library on the go. Anywhere, any time. But it seems that we'll have to wait even longer to get it, if indeed, we get it at all.

As core Xbox gamers age (yes, you), our free time is increasingly diminished for a variety of reasons. User habits are changing, attention is divided, and more so than ever, people want their content to fit around their lives, rather than the other way around. Apps like TikTok and addictive mobile games provide a quick fix — and they're in your pocket 24/7.

For platforms like Xbox and Microsoft, meeting these changes in user habits is what has led to Microsoft bringing its Xbox games to every other gaming platform. Users are more stubborn about platform switching than ever, and there's more competition for our free time than ever before.

Having a device that can meet users where they are is obviously within Xbox's purview here, and the latest chips are providing gaming laptop-like power in smaller devices.

It's with that in mind that Xbox decided to finally build an Xbox console you can take with you anywhere, informed by Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and even devices like the UPspec xScreen, which turns an Xbox Series S into a laptop-like gaming device. But, for Microsoft, there's a much bigger fish to fry right now. An existential threat of epic proportions, which has forced Microsoft, in my view, to pour everything it has elsewhere.

The threat from SteamOS is real ...

SteamOS is increasingly presenting a DEFCON 1 level threat to Windows 11 for consumers. As of writing, Steam's April 2025 hardware survey pins Windows at sporting 96% of the total OS market share on Steam, and it's actually up month over month as more users opt for gaming PCs and laptops to replace their consoles. Despite this utter dominance, things could change rapidly if Microsoft doesn't react.

This week, I wrote a piece on Dave2D's excellent SteamOS vs. Windows 11 analysis for PC gaming handhelds. The Lenovo Legion Go S and its Z2 Go chip from AMD garnered middling reviews from critics, at least when it was running Windows, that is.

Now, the SteamOS version is out, and the performance delta is dramatic. SteamOS, in some cases, boosts battery life by 50% (particularly for 2D games) over Windows 11, and can also boost frame rate and general performance.

It was seen as a massive indictment of Windows' general performance in recent years. Criticism of modern Windows revolves around things like ads in the shell, bloatware, unnecessary background processes, and hardware restrictions, leading to users increasingly rooting for alternatives. That alternative might be SteamOS.

And yes, Windows 11 represents the ultimate endgame form of compatibility. You can run literally anything on Windows. Decades of games, mods, launcher platforms, applications, programs, tools, software suites, and much more.

I used my Lenovo Legion Go, not my Surface Pro X, as my productivity device on a recent trip. I couldn't do that on the Steam Deck without jumping through a significant and laborious number of hoops.

However, that's the situation today.

SteamOS is now officially supported on third-party PC gaming handhelds. And so far, feedback has been incredibly positive. For gamers who only use Steam (and there are a good few million of them to say the least), SteamOS is absolutely all they need. Thanks to the Proton compatibility layer, developers barely need to lift a finger to get their Windows executables running flawlessly, sometimes even better than on Windows 11 itself.

The era of Windows as a conduit to all personal computing was already significantly damaged by Android and iOS and the rise of smartphones, but the rise of a truly capable competitor like SteamOS could be devastating.

Today, SteamOS is light years away from replacing your laptop or gaming PC, in my view. Whether it's competitive games that use Kernel-level anti-cheat, certain modding tools, launchers, PC Game Pass itself, or whatever else, there are still gaps there. But it feels like there's enough grassroots interest in alternatives to Windows 11 to see it grow into something genuinely threatening to Windows itself.

Fair or not, criticisms of Windows 11 feel louder than ever. Microsoft's Build events no longer contain any information or features for consumers, focusing entirely on corpo buzzwords aimed at shareholders and capitalists rather than people who actually use their products.

I feel as though this disconnect has been felt heavily by power users who, unlike less-engaged mobile gamers and casual players, are far more discerning about where to spend their technological life.

These power users are influential, too. When you factor in the massive price tag associated with gaming handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally X and, doubtlessly, the Lenovo Legion Go 2, there's even more impetus to squeeze out every bit of value possible. If the value, perceived or not, is with SteamOS, where do you think people will go?

Windows Mobile and Internet Explorer were utterly dominant in their categories back in the day — until they weren't. It would behove Microsoft to not take this threat lying down, despite Windows' prevalence and present-day dominance. Things can change fast. And change they will, particularly if things like rapid AI development and compatibility layers make building apps and services for SteamOS a trivial process.

... but Microsoft's time is limited.

Indeed, time is not on Microsoft's side here. In a perfect world, Microsoft would be able (and willing, frankly, they can easily afford it) to commit to both an Xbox handheld and building out and improving Windows 11 for OEMs, such as ASUS, on the Project Kennan device.

It's true that the opportunity with OEMs is doubtlessly bigger and more important here. If even more companies like Razer, Dell, HP, and other traditional partners start seeking SteamOS to build their gaming devices, rather than Windows 11, it could blow a big hole in Windows' credibility. OEMs are by no means beholden to Windows; they'll go where their users go, and give them what their users want. If users want SteamOS, they'll get it.

Ten years ago, Satya Nadella said at a Windows consumer event, "We want people to love Windows on a daily basis. We want to make Windows 10 the most loved version of Windows."

Ten years later, it feels like this mentality has gone out of the proverbial window. More than ever, Windows makes baffling and irritating decisions that frustrate consumers, while leaving features underbaked and abandoned in the process.

Splitting the effort between an Xbox handheld and Windows 11 OEM gaming handhelds could just lead to both being subpar. In a perfect world, Microsoft would invest the capital to do both. But that just isn't reality, for whatever reason.

As much as it pains me to admit, ultimately, I think Microsoft is making the right decision to not take the threat from SteamOS lying down here. I want an Xbox handheld.

The vast majority of the games I own are digital purchases on the Xbox platform. But, if I were Microsoft, I would want to pour everything I had into solving the usability and performance delta between Windows and SteamOS, before Microsoft loses yet another computing platform to a more nimble competitor for good.

But is it already too late? I guess we'll find out together in the coming months and years ahead.

This will most likely come as a shock to nobody, but in early head-to-head comparisons with official support on identical hardware, SteamOS seems to run rings around Windows 11 for gaming performance.

SteamOS presents something of an existential threat to Microsoft and Windows 11, at least with gaming consumers. As Microsoft doubles down on making Windows 11 bloated with features nobody really asked for, performance has taken a hit.

Windows 11 remains the world's most popular operating system by a country mile, but Microsoft's approach to user privacy and bloatware has customers looking for alternatives in increasing numbers. Linux, being fully open source, is increasingly becoming that de facto alternative option. It was once held back by its compatibility with PC games, but thanks to Valve and SteamOS' Proton layer, those days are increasingly in the past.

With compatibility solved for the vast majority of games on Steam, users have been eager to figure out if SteamOS offers greater performance as well. Distros like Bazzite have given us a glimpse into how purpose-built gaming operating systems might function on typical PC gaming hardware — but on systems where every shred of juice matters, like PC gaming handhelds, it has been well established that Windows 11 is both a performance and battery hog. We now have some officially-supported direct comparisons between identical PC gaming handheld hardware, and for Windows 11, it's a total bloodbath.

In a pretty brutal video by Dave2D, we've got a glimpse now at just how much performance can differ between the Windows 11 and SteamOS versions of the Legion Go S.

When the Legion Go S initially launched with Windows 11, it was criticized for its performance and battery life — the Z1 Extreme Legion Go from yesteryear seemed like a far better option in almost every regard, save for ergonomics. Now, in partnership with Valve, the Legion Go S with SteamOS is here, and it makes a far better case for the hardware within.

Perhaps even more damning was Dave2D's analysis of battery life. Running 2D games, the Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS absolutely destroys Windows, offering slightly over 6 hours of gameplay in indie titles like Dead Cells, compared to Windows' middling 2.75 hours. Battery performance on higher-end games like Cyberpunk 2077 was relatively similar, but the fact you can grab immense battery gains on graphically-light side-scrolling titles is an indictment of Windows 11's battery efficiency in general.

Can it be fixed?

Our Legion Go S review is literally titled "disappointing, but SteamOS could save it," and it certainly seems like that is going to be the case here. We'll have full comparisons of our own in the coming days, but the results from various techtubers and other outlets seem to suggest Windows 11 users are absolutely getting the short end of the stick here.

The saving grace of Windows 11 has always been compatibility. Kernel-level anti-cheat presents issues on some games via Proton and SteamOS, and Windows 11 has full and easy compatibility with every PC gaming launcher on the market, including PC Game Pass, the Riot Client, and so on. However, I would argue it's easier for SteamOS to solve getting additional launchers onto its platform than it might be for Microsoft's notoriously slow and lumbering Windows team to improve gaming performance on its devices.

Windows 11 has been the subject of increasingly intense criticism over the past few years. From baked-in ads into the shell, to privacy-busting telemetry, to bloated features nobody really asked for. Microsoft's efforts with Windows 11 have arguably fallen well below CEO Satya Nadella's previous "we want people to love Windows" comments from early on in his tenure, as user feedback seems thrown in the shredder.

Microsoft has its own PC-oriented gaming development efforts in the pipeline, revolving around the next Xbox console and, potentially for upcoming PC gaming handhelds like Project Kennan. The next Xbox is known to be more PC-oriented than ever, and might lean more heavily into bespoke built-for-purpose design conventions than Windows 11's all-encompassing approach. But, I've been covering Microsoft long enough to keep my expectations in check.

Indeed, Windows has something like 70% market share for desktop operating systems. But, so did Internet Explorer in years past. All it took was a customer-focused challenger to evaporate that market share at a lightning cadence.

Not too long ago, before Dune: Awakening got a slight delay, Funcom put out a handy benchmark tool to see how it would perform on our PCs.

Having run said Dune: Awakening benchmark on the Steam Deck, things were looking good. But the elephant in the room remained what would happen regarding its anticheat.

Fortunately, we now have an answer to that. Liam over at GamingOnLinux has been doing some digging, and has good news.

Representatives of the developer have confirmed that Funcom is working with Valve to ensure that its Battleye anticheat is enabled for Linux, which includes SteamOS.

With the benchmark showing us that 60 FPS gameplay is possible in Dune: Awakening on the Steam Deck, this really is phenomenal news. With FSR 3 and Frame Gen, what we've seen so far looks really promising.

Of course, SteamOS is now also available for the Lenovo Legion Go S, and somewhat available on the more powerful ROG Ally and Legion Go. Being able to switch from Windows 11 to SteamOS and not being beaten by anticheat is something I'll always raise a glass to.

Funcom has a stream planned for May 28 to talk about the later game, ahead of its planned release on June 5.

The day has finally arrived that official, Valve-made SteamOS is available on handhelds other than the Steam Deck.

This isn't some sweeping open release, which will put sad faces on some (no SteamOS desktop PC for me), but it is the first full, official support for other handhelds.

Initially, that's the Lenovo Legion Go S, the first partner handheld to ship with SteamOS, and which is releasing imminently. This handheld has full support, while there is "expanded support" for other handhelds, including the Legion Go and ROG Ally.

It's all part of SteamOS v3.7, which has now hit stable for the first time. Aside from the additional handheld support, it's actually a pretty massive update.

Here are some of the headline features:

• Updated to a newer Arch Linux base
• Updated the Linux kernel to 6.11
• Updated the Mesa graphics driver base
• Desktop mode now ships with Plasma 6.2.5
• Added support for frame limiting with VRR displays (internal and external)
• Added Battery Charge Limit control to Settings->Power
  • This option allows you to set a maximum charge limit for your Steam Deck.
  • Limiting the charge limit to 80% can be beneficial for long term battery health. This can be useful if your Steam Deck is constantly being charged (e.g. docked), or very rarely has its battery depleted.
• Fixed a crash when no displays are connected
• Added official support for the Lenovo Legion Go S
• Improved support for other AMD powered handhelds (like the ROG Ally and original Legion Go)
• Updated the SteamOS recovery image for repairing SteamOS on Steam Deck and Legion Go S. If you would like to test SteamOS on your own AMD powered handheld, you can use this SteamOS recovery image and follow the instructions here.

The Legion Go and ROG Ally are specifically name-dropped, but the caveat to trying SteamOS on another handheld is a simple one. It needs AMD CPU and graphics hardware, and an NVMe SSD "targeted towards handheld devices." So basically, you need a PCIe 4.0 SSD.

That opens up possibilities beyond just the two handhelds named, with those from the likes of AYANEO also running AMD hardware that this could be possible on.

The only flat out exclusion right now is the existing MSI Claw series, since those use Intel CPU and graphics.

If you're feeling it and want to turn your own handheld into a Steam Deck, check out Valve's full installation instructions at your leisure. You'll need a USB stick, and a little bit of time, and not much else.

The Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS is set to release on May 25, 2025, and will be the very first non-Valve device to officially launch with SteamOS already installed on it.

Ahead of this gaming handheld's release, Valve has revealed a new SteamOS Compatibility system (on the Steam Community page), which will be in place for devices like Lenovo's that run SteamOS but aren't a Steam Deck.

You can think of it like Steam Deck Verification for SteamOS hardware. The goal of this system is to assist gamers in better understanding which games will run well on their compatible SteamOS gaming machines.

Over 18,000 titles are expected to be marked as SteamOS Compatible right from the start.

As an example of what this will look like, Valve posted a screenshot that reads "Our testing indicates that Portal 2 is Compatible with devices running SteamOS, based on Steam Deck compatibility results. Your experience in terms of performance and input may vary depending on your hardware."

Below that, there is a blue check mark followed by a statement that reads, "Successfully runs on SteamOS."

According to Valve, SteamOS Compatibility is awarded if a title "and all of its middleware are supported on SteamOS." Otherwise, it will be marked as "SteamOS Unsupported."

Valve says it plans to ship an update for the Steam UI and Steam Store "in the next few weeks" that will make it so users can see SteamOS Compatibility information.

The Steam Community announcement reads:

Hello! Today we are announcing a new compatibility rating system for SteamOS devices. It’s an extension of the Steam Deck Verified process, which has been a useful tool for players to make decisions around what games to purchase and play on their Steam Decks. With the Legion Go S – Powered by SteamOS shipping soon, we are expanding Deck Verified and introducing SteamOS Compatibility ratings. These new ratings will roll out over the next few weeks.

The SteamOS Compatibility system covers any device running SteamOS that’s not a Steam Deck (currently only the Legion Go S falls under this category). SteamOS Compatibility ratings are based on a subset of the Steam Deck Compatibility testing results and are meant to show at a glance whether a game and all of its middleware is supported on SteamOS. This includes features like game functionality, launcher functionality, and anti-cheat support.

If a game and all of its middleware are supported on SteamOS, we will mark it as SteamOS Compatible. If not, it’s marked as SteamOS Unsupported. Please note that this rating does not include testing results for performance and input, since we will not know (and have not tested) how all titles will run on all potential hardware. We expect over 18,000 titles on Steam to be marked SteamOS compatible out of the gate.

Steam developers don't need to take any additional action. If your title already has a Steam Deck Compatibility rating, an automated process will use that data to give it a SteamOS Compatibility rating. For titles that have not yet been tested for Steam Deck Compatibility, the same queue system applies, and we will continue testing new and old titles based on community interest. Once a new title has been tested, both Steam Deck and SteamOS ratings will be generated simultaneously. When this feature is rolled out, SteamOS Compatibility results will show up on your partner dashboard next to Steam Deck Compatibility results.

This is great news for all PC gaming handheld owners, but expect some issues

Of course, while Steam Deck Verification is helpful, it isn't always an accurate indicator of whether or not a game will run well on Valve's handheld. I'm expecting the same to be true of SteamOS Compatibility.

As Valve explained, currently, the Legion Go S SteamOS is the only official non-Valve device that runs SteamOS, but that will change when SteamOS officially releases for more devices.

This being the case, Valve cannot guarantee that every title that is compatible with SteamOS will run well on the hardware you're using. So, you'll still need to check a game's PC system requirements to see if it should run on your machine.

There are a number of pros and cons to SteamOS coming to other devices, one of the biggest being that you don't need to get a Steam Deck or Legion Go S to use it.

For instance, if you already have a laptop, desktop, or handheld, you could install SteamOS on it instead of purchasing SteamOS-specific hardware.

A SteamOS handheld that keeps getting more expensive before launch

Earlier today, I noticed that the price of the Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS had actually gone up yet again, likely due to the US-China tariff situation.

When the gaming handheld was announced back in January, Lenovo mentioned a starting MSRP of $499.99 for the Z2 Go configuration with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. However, the starting price of this handheld is now $100 higher, $599.99 at Best Buy.

Meanwhile, the beefier Z1 Extreme configuration with 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD has gone up $80 from $749.99 to $829.99 at Best Buy.

This being the case, the Legion Go S SteamOS is definitely more expensive than the $399.00 256GB Steam Deck LCD and the $549.00 512GB Steam Deck OLED.

However, Lenovo's newest handheld does have some nicer features like better hand grips, a larger 8-inch screen, higher storage capacity, a second USB-C port, and more that might be more appealing to some.

You can learn more at our Steam Deck vs Legion Go S guide.

Everything's coming up SteamOS

Whether you're excited to get a Legion Go S SteamOS or are looking forward to putting this Linux-based operating system on a different device, it's good to see Valve preparing the way for SteamOS Compatibility.

It likely won't be perfect, especially not a first. But having a system that makes it a little easier to tell when a game can and cannot be played on SteamOS will be helpful.

Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS has seen yet another price increase ahead of its approaching May 25, 2025, release date (as listed at Best Buy). Currently, the starting price is 20% higher than what was initially revealed.

It's very likely this price increase is in relation to the tariff situation in the U.S., which will continue to affect the prices of various imported electronics.

How much does Legion Go S SteamOS sell for now?

I've been keeping an eye on gaming handheld prices over the last few weeks to see if they are affected by tariffs.

When Lenovo revealed the SteamOS Legion Go S at CES 2025, the starting MSRP for the configuration with an AMD Z2 Go chip, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD was listed as $499.99.

A few weeks later, I reported that the upcoming SteamOS version of the Legion Go S gaming handheld was listed as $50 higher, bringing the total starting price to $549.99.

But now, the starting price of the Legion Go S SteamOS has gone up another $50, bringing the total to $599.99 at Best Buy — that's $100 more expensive than initially revealed in January.

As you'd expect, the more expensive configuration for the Legion Go S SteamOS, which features an AMD Z1 Extreme chip, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD has also increased by $80, bringing it up from $749.99 to $829.99 at Best Buy.

Lenovo isn't the only with costlier handhelds. Since the tariffs were announced, the MSI Claw AI+ gaming handhelds' pricing also increased by $100, so it isn't too surprising to see Lenovo's handhelds do the same.

Will the Legion Go S SteamOS price go back down?

Just this morning, the US and China agreed to pause most tariffs for 90 days. "The agreement reduces U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, and China's tariffs on American goods from 125% to 10%, marking a significant de-escalation in the trade dispute."

So, does this mean Legion Go S SteamOS prices will go back down? It's possible, but not guaranteed.

When I previously reported Legion Go S price increases, I reached out to a Lenovo rep for comment and was told:

"As with many consumer tech products, pricing can vary slightly depending on the retail channel and launch timing. We announced a starting price of $499 to reflect the expected entry point for this product. Final pricing however may vary slightly depending on configuration, channel, and other factors. Retailers may set their own pricing based on their promotional strategies or offers."

Tariffs have certainly been affecting the "retail channel" of the Lenovo Legion Go, which is largely manufactured in and imported from China. That said, the China-US trade deal has been rather volatile, with wild fluctuations over the last few weeks.

It's possible the price of the Legion Go S SteamOS could go up or could go down in the next few months, but that could largely depend on the state of the tariff situation and how retailers decide to price the handheld.

What is the Legion Go S SteamOS?

In case you didn't already know, the Legion Go S SteamOS stands out as the very first PC gaming handheld that will launch with SteamOS officially installed on it. This, of course, makes it the first true, direct-competitor to the Steam Deck.

My colleague, Zachary Boddy, and I were able to go hands-on with both the Windows and SteamOS versions of the Legion Go S in January. We both walked away feeling impressed by the physical feel and balance of the hardware.

Since then, the Windows version has launched. As you can see in Zachary's Legion Go S (Windows) review, we weren't really impressed by the Windows version, but believe that the SteamOS version could be a noteworthy gaming handheld.

Another thing to note here is that SteamOS will officially be made available to more devices soon.

I've previously written about the pros and possible cons of SteamOS coming to other gaming handhelds. One thing I couldn't have foreseen when writing that up was how costly the Legion Go S SteamOS would get by launch.

To be fair, the starting price of the Legion Go S SteamOS is cheaper than some Windows gaming handhelds, but it's no longer the budget option I initially saw it as.

As its name suggests, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a next-gen hybrid handheld console that features improved specs compared to the original Switch.

Meanwhile, the Steam Deck is the most popular PC gaming handheld that runs SteamOS, so you can easily access your library of Steam games.

These devices might both be handhelds with somewhat similar layouts, but they offer wildly different playing experiences.

On this page, I discuss their pros and cons to help you figure out which device is best for you.

Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: Specs

Before I dive into different categories and compare the Switch 2 against the Steam Deck, take a look at their specs.