TechGamingAsus ROG Ally could run Steam Deck OS in the futureCould there be SteamOS on your ROG Ally soon?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechGamingAsus ROG Ally could run Steam Deck OS in the futureCould there be SteamOS on your ROG Ally soon?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Could there be SteamOS on your ROG Ally soon?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Quick summaryValve is still interested in bringing SteamOS to the ROG Ally and other handheld consoles.Sadly there’s no timeline for when this might happen.
Valve is still interested in bringing SteamOS to the ROG Ally and other handheld consoles.Sadly there’s no timeline for when this might happen.
Valve is still interested in bringing SteamOS to the ROG Ally and other handheld consoles.Sadly there’s no timeline for when this might happen.
Valve is still interested in bringing SteamOS to the ROG Ally and other handheld consoles.
Sadly there’s no timeline for when this might happen.
That might just happen, meaning that you can turn your handheld Windows device into a Steam Machine and benefit from a streamlined OS designed for a handheld device, rather than for a desktop computer.
While talk about the creation of a standalone install of SteamOS has been circulating for some time, an interesting reference to the ROG Ally appeared inSteamOS' release notes, claiming “Added support for extra ROG Ally keys”. This has reignited speculation around Valve releasing SteamOS for the ROG Ally, with the expected excitement ramping up to 11.
The Vergehas followed up with Valve designer Lawence Yang to get confirmation that “the team is continuing to work on adding support for additional handhelds on SteamOS”. So while Valve is still working towards releasing SteamOS for devices including the ROG Ally, if you want SteamOS now, your best bet is still theSteam Deck.
That works in the other direction too. We’d previously reported that there was work on makingSteam Deck compatible with Windowstoo, with Yang saying “As for Windows, we’re preparing to make the remaining Windows drivers for Steam Deck OLED available … There’s no update on the timing for dual boot support - it’s still a priority, but we haven’t been able to get to it just yet.”
What advantages would dual boot options bring to handheld consoles?
Widening support sounds great, but why might you want to do that? The obvious thing is that it give you choice, so you can choose what OS your device runs when you turn it on. The appeal of SteamOS is that the user interface is better for smaller displays and the sort of controls you have on a handheld console.
Beyond that, many games just work on SteamOS without having to tinker with any settings which is sometimes the case with Windows. Optimisation could also reduce demands on the battery, for example, as you’re not running all of Windows at the same time.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
SteamOS’s Proton compatibility layer makes many games playable on SteamOS, but at the same time, the advantage of having Windows on your device means you can run pretty much anything - and for many people, it’s a familiar environment from laptop or desktop use, so it’s versatile.
Exactly when any changes might come down the line for SteamOS, the ROG Ally or the Steam Deck remain to be seen. From what Valve says, it wants to do all these things, but isn’t quite there yet.
Today’s best ASUS ROG Ally deals$499.99View$499.99View$803.82ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best ASUS ROG Ally deals$499.99View$499.99View$803.82ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best ASUS ROG Ally deals
$499.99View$499.99View$803.82View
$499.99View
$499.99View
$499.99View
$499.99
$499.99
$499.99View
$499.99View
$499.99View
$499.99
$499.99
$803.82View
$803.82View
$803.82View
$803.82
$803.82
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review: sensational sound, ordinary ANCBowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Bowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Try this 4-week core workout plan to build strength, stability, and definitionUnlock full-body power with this simple yet effective core routine – no endless crunches, just real results
Unlock full-body power with this simple yet effective core routine – no endless crunches, just real results
