SteamOS benchmarked on Asus ROG Ally as beta general release nears

Something to look forward to: Valve's SteamOS is expected to become available for third-party devices in the coming weeks, potentially challenging Windows in the PC gaming sector. An early benchmark of the Steam Deck's operating system recently produced intriguing results on the Asus ROG Ally, though many questions remain.

A recent video from YouTuber The Phawx shows SteamOS running on an Asus ROG Ally. Although the unofficial installation isn't flawless, early benchmarks suggest that the upcoming general release could run smoothly on various handheld gaming PCs.

Launching in May, the Lenovo Legion Go S will be the first device besides the Steam Deck to officially support SteamOS. The operating system enables playing PC games through a controller-friendly user interface. Valve plans to open a beta for other devices before the May launch, but 'The Phawx' went ahead with early testing on the Asus ROG Ally – one of the Steam Deck's most popular competitors.

Although SteamOS patch notes have previously mentioned the ROG Ally, this installation of version 3.8 doesn't fully recognize the device. Interestingly, it supports the ROG Ally's VRR and high-refresh-rate capabilities, but some buttons don't work, and performance is limited to 15W.

Benchmarks for games like Batman: Arkham Knight, Half-Life 2, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Returnal, and Cyberpunk 2077 showed the original LCD Steam Deck and the ROG Ally trading blows at roughly the same wattage. The official SteamOS release – and potential optimizations for the ROG Ally – will likely improve performance by unlocking more of the device's power and efficiency.

Oddly, 'The Phawx' didn't benchmark SteamOS on the ROG Ally against its default Windows installation. While SteamOS's controller-friendly UI is one of its key advantages over Windows (which can feel cramped on smaller screens), many users are waiting to see whether SteamOS also offers better performance and efficiency.

The Windows 11 version of the Legion Go S is already available starting at $729, but customers will be able to choose between a $599 Windows configuration and a $499 SteamOS edition in May. Though it's currently the only licensed third-party SteamOS device, comments in Valve's code and patch notes suggest the company's general release beta is just around the corner.

Once released, SteamOS will likely be tested on numerous handheld PCs – and possibly even desktops – allowing for more direct comparisons against Windows. Microsoft has hinted at a response, suggesting it may "combine" elements of Xbox and Windows for future handhelds, but the company's plans remain vague.