Gaming Handheld Shows Remarkable Linux Performance Advantage
Microsoft and Asus’ collaborative ROG Xbox Ally handheld gaming PC appears to deliver significantly better performance when running Linux rather than its native Windows operating system, according to recent independent testing. The device, which features Microsoft’s Xbox Full Screen Experience to create a more console-like Windows environment, reportedly achieves higher frame rates and smoother gameplay on alternative operating systems.
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Comparative Testing Reveals Substantial Gains
YouTuber Cyber Dopamine conducted performance comparisons using Bazzite, a Linux distribution specifically designed for gaming handhelds that builds upon Steam’s Big Picture Mode. The analysis indicates that the hardware can achieve notably better results when running Linux rather than the optimized Windows version that Microsoft and Asus developed for the device.
Sources indicate that in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, the handheld reached up to 32% higher frames per second at identical power levels when running Linux compared to Windows. For Hogwarts Legacy, analysts suggest the performance improvements were more modest at lower wattage settings, but Linux still maintained superior frame pacing and more consistent output according to the reported findings.
System Responsiveness and Wake Times
The report states that Bazzite offers dramatically faster sleep and wake functionality, waking instantly similar to Valve’s Steam Deck, while the Windows version reportedly requires up to 40 seconds to enter sleep mode and an additional 15 seconds to power back on. Controller responsiveness was also described as more reliable on the Linux platform according to the testing.
Flexibility and Dual-Boot Options
Bazzite utilizes Steam’s interface while incorporating custom settings for power profile management, providing users with additional flexibility compared to Asus’ stock software. For gamers who want to benefit from Linux performance while maintaining access to Windows-exclusive titles like the anticipated Battlefield 6, analysts suggest dual-boot configurations represent a viable solution.
Industry Implications
The performance differential raises interesting questions about optimization strategies for handheld gaming devices. Despite Microsoft’s implementation of an optimized Windows version that disables background tasks and telemetry to boost performance without increasing power limits, third-party testing suggests alternative operating systems can extract even more capability from the same hardware.
Industry observers note that as handheld gaming PCs continue to evolve, the operating system landscape may become increasingly competitive, with Linux distributions specifically tailored for gaming devices challenging Windows’ dominance in this emerging product category.
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References
- https://www.youtube.com/@CyberDopamine
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handheld_game_console
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_(console)
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asus
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows
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