Microsoft and Asus' ROG Xbox Ally: A New Chapter in Handheld Gaming PCs Amid Windows 11 Optimization Efforts
Microsoft and Asus' ROG Xbox Ally: A New Chapter in Handheld Gaming PCs Amid Windows 11 Optimization Efforts
The collaboration between Microsoft and Asus has birthed a compelling addition to the handheld gaming PC lineup — the ROG Xbox Ally. As this device joins the ever-expanding world of portable gaming computers, Microsoft is intensifying its push to refine Windows 11 for handheld use.
For many Video Games enthusiasts and handheld gaming fans, the experience of navigating Windows 11 on compact devices has been less than ideal. Launching game clients or returning to the desktop from fullscreen gameplay often leads to frustrating lags and clunky transitions. When compared to alternatives like Valve’s SteamOS, Windows 11 feels undercooked — especially in terms of game performance and user experience.
Valve, through SteamOS, has set a benchmark by continuously updating and optimizing for portability. It delivers a smooth, console-like interface that’s fast and easy to use. With support for community tools like Decky Loader, gamers can install performance-enhancing plugins like Decky Lossless Scaling, which offers frame generation for smoother gameplay — all without compromising system performance.
Microsoft’s answer to this growing demand comes in the form of a new Xbox PC app experience, tailored specifically for the ROG Xbox Ally. This new fullscreen interface, aimed at improving the handheld gaming PC experience, is set to debut exclusively on the Ally. Broader compatibility with other Windows 11 handhelds is scheduled for 2026.
That delay may give Valve and its SteamOS-powered ecosystem a further edge. While Microsoft is just now rolling out improvements, Valve is already expanding SteamOS support beyond its own Steam Deck. Devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S now officially run on SteamOS, and users like myself have adopted Bazzite, a robust SteamOS fork, on devices such as the Asus ROG Ally.
Whether this new Xbox mode on Windows 11 will finally deliver better gaming performance remains a key question — and arguably, the most critical one.
It’s worth saying that Microsoft’s renewed focus on handheld gaming is a step in the right direction. However, as someone who has extensively used SteamOS, I remain skeptical that the improved Xbox app and fullscreen experience alone will sway dedicated users away from Linux-based setups.
Still, Windows 11 holds value, especially for specific Video Games. Popular multiplayer titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which come with strict anti-cheat mechanisms, won’t run natively on SteamOS. Additionally, modding some games on Linux can involve extra complexity compared to Windows.
This is where a dual-boot gaming PC setup shines. By partitioning your drive or using a secondary SSD, players can seamlessly switch between Windows 11 and SteamOS, depending on the game or task. On devices like the Asus ROG Ally, toggling between operating systems offers flexibility and performance without the need for compromise.
As for myself, I plan to continue running Bazzite on my main desktop gaming computer, which has enough storage capacity to accommodate both systems. The new fullscreen Xbox mode might simplify the Windows experience just enough to make it worthwhile for certain titles.
The real test for Microsoft will be whether these improvements can convert gamers who already rely on SteamOS for their primary Waypoint of gaming. While I remain doubtful, I’m open to being proven wrong — and I’m watching closely to see how this plays out in the competitive world of handheld gaming PCs.
