Microsoft's pricey ROG Xbox Ally X handheld gaming PC has finally launched, and the tech community wasted no time picking the device apart. While a recent teardown showed the device was designed with repairability in mind, a new look at its core operating system is less flattering. YouTuber Cyber Dopamine replaced the Windows build preinstalled on the Ally X with Bazzite, a Linux distribution built specifically for handheld devices that uses Steam's Big Picture mode as its boot interface. The first impressions are extremely promising, raising the question of whether Windows is really the best operating system for this handheld.
A Striking Performance Gap: Linux Beats Windows on the Ally X
Early tests show a striking performance gap between the two operating systems on the ROG Xbox Ally X. In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, the Ally X running Bazzite held a steady 62 FPS, compared with just 47 FPS on Windows. Likewise, in Hogwarts Legacy at the 17W power mode, the Linux system again ran the game at 62 FPS, versus only 50 FPS on Microsoft's operating system.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ambCqcFuexk
At a higher power mode (35W), the gap between the two narrows somewhat: Windows hits 60 FPS and Linux hits 65 FPS. Notably, at a low power mode (13W), the difference is just one frame (Windows 38 FPS / Linux 37 FPS), with Windows holding a slight edge.
Another important factor in any discussion of performance is stability. On Windows, Cyber Dopamine noted that the frame rate jumps around erratically, for example from 58 FPS down to 52 FPS and then dropping sharply to 39 FPS before climbing back up. By contrast, running games on Bazzite delivers a much smoother experience, without such abrupt peaks and dips.
ROG Xbox Ally Price and Specs: Two Versions for Gamers
Microsoft launched this Asus-built handheld on October 16 in two different variants. The standard model, the ROG Xbox Ally, includes 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage and is priced at $599.99.
Meanwhile, the Ally X version bumps the memory up to 24 GB and the storage to 1 TB, but comes with a significantly higher price: $999.99.
The ROG Ally and Ally X have created a new wave in the mobile PC gaming market. After looking at these tests, many people may consider returning to PC gaming after a long break, but the steep upfront cost of this device could be a major barrier.
