On the Asus ROG Ally I don’t see how Windows on a dedicated handheld gaming device is an advantage. A built-for-purpose OS like SteamOS or any other Linux distro that’s specifically built for the device is a much better idea.
I can't wait to see this handheld running #linux :) #AsusROGAlly #handheld #gamingonlinux #gaming
PS: This thing is pretty though! I like the looks a lot and I hope we get many many more PCs in this form factor.
@FartsMusically I guess that's probably it. Maybe we will start to see a divide, some devices going the tailor-made Linux gaming distro route and others opting to be sub-optimal with Windows 11.
@gpowerf I'd accept an asus-created distro, then at least the elements of it could be branched into custom firmware, but they're likely also considering that as a potential security hole.
@FartsMusically I wouldn't even trust SteamOS with security to be honest. I treat the SteamDeck as 100% a gaming device.
@gpowerf as most would but I'm talking more about intellectual property. Valve freely gives away their designs, drivers... Asus is going to do everything in their power to lock all of that up.
@FartsMusically OK yes, I understand and agree.
@gpowerf I've been gaming on Linux on ROG for years and the first thing I will be doing when I get one of those is sticking Ubuntu on it. :)
Agreed on the form factor thing too. I love my Steam Deck but I had secretly hoped it would trigger a bunch of competition around open, PC based handhelds.
@gpowerf it is, but it is essentially not about what is better. This is Microsoft throwing everything to keep their firm grip on PC gaming. Some people will install SteamOS there and that is cool, but majority of Windows users still won't see reason to switch - and it is a goal of this device.
I predict it will crash and burn marketing wise. But it will have done it's job.
@peteriskrisjanis I want handheld PCs to succeed as I love the form factor. I don't want the Steam Deck to be the sole tiny gaming PC.
But yeah, I struggle to see how easy it is for something like this to succeed if it hasn't got Valve's money behind it. Valve's subsidised model is hard to fight against unless you are perhaps GOG... or Microsoft itself.
@gpowerf I feel like I've chimed in to be that guy on this multiple times now, but...
... I want Windows on a dedicated handheld because I've had a Steam Deck since day one and every time I forget that I own a game on GOG instead it sucks and I go do something else.
Given that the performance case is irrelevant based on the hardware and the compatibility issue is clearly real this isn't a mystery.
It's ok to prefer the alternative, but the faux puzzlement seems weird to me.
@gpowerf I'm a big fan of ASUS, but not a big fan of Windows on my game consoles. Or on anything.
@ben I don’t mind it in the Xbox because it is an Xbox specific version of Windows. Although, I’m not going to pretend the Xbox is problem free… it does so weird stuff sometimes that’s only fixable by a reboot… mind you, the Steam Deck isn’t bug free either.
@gpowerf True... at least with Linux when it's broken I know it's really broken. When Windows breaks it's not really broken
@gpowerf
It gives me nightmarish flashbacks to the Samsung UMPCs from the mid aughts. I was writing video games specifically for them and they did NOT handle it well.
@gpowerf it sells. Their customer base will expect Windows. Some want it or nothing.
Doesn't make it suck any less, but money decides everything.