A YouTuber experimented with installing Bazzite, a Linux distribution inspired by SteamOS, on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X handheld to achieve a smoother gaming experience than Windows 11. The test revealed improved interface responsiveness but highlighted hardware compatibility issues and inconsistent functionality. Performance in games showed minor gains in fluidity without major boosts in frame rates.
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, a gaming handheld pre-installed with an optimized version of Windows 11, represents an upgrade over its predecessor, the ROG Ally. Some users prefer Linux-based systems like SteamOS for their console-like feel, which has influenced Microsoft's gaming-focused updates to Windows and partnerships such as Lenovo's Legion Go S with Valve.
YouTuber Dawid Does Tech Stuff sought to replicate this on the ROG Xbox Ally X by installing Bazzite, a Fedora-based Linux distro modeled after SteamOS. He downloaded the Ally-series image from the official site and created a bootable USB with Rufus. The initial installation failed with an 'unknown error' due to BitLocker encryption preventing SSD formatting. After disabling encryption and partitioning the SSD for dual-booting, the process succeeded.
On first boot into Bazzite, controller inputs did not work initially, then partially registered after minutes, with menu keys remaining unresponsive. Rebinding via Steam's interface restored partial control. The YouTuber noted immediate improvements in responsiveness: “It almost feels like I’ve decalcified its brain,” as menus opened instantly, inputs felt immediate, and navigation was smoother than on Windows 11. However, RGB thumbstick lighting, power mode controls, and Armoury Crate integration ceased functioning.
In testing Cyberpunk 2077, Dawid installed MangoHUD for the performance overlay before switching to Steam's tool; the game assumed 1080p resolution and ran smoother with slightly higher frame rates and lower input latency than on Windows. Shadow of the Mordor detected the display resolution correctly, yielding nearly identical frame rates across both OSes, indicating Linux's benefits were mainly in interface fluidity rather than raw performance.
Rebooting after switching to Windows caused controls to fail again in Bazzite, but the next day, functionality returned normally, including RGB lighting. Overall, the experiment suggests Bazzite requires further optimization for the new handheld, and users should wait before attempting installation.