Here’s a bold claim: Microsoft’s ROG Xbox Ally, a handheld gaming PC developed in partnership with Asus, actually performs better on Linux than on its native Windows operating system. Yes, you read that right. Despite Microsoft’s efforts to optimize Windows for the Ally with the Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) and tweaks like disabling background tasks and telemetry, Linux seems to unlock the device’s true potential. But here’s where it gets controversial: does this mean Windows is holding back the hardware? Let’s dive in.
The ROG Xbox Ally is designed to feel like a console, thanks to its streamlined Windows setup. However, YouTuber Cyber Dopamine (https://www.youtube.com/@CyberDopamine) put this to the test using Bazzite, a Linux distribution tailored for gaming handhelds. The results? Linux outperformed Windows in nearly every category. In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, the Ally achieved up to 32% higher frame rates on Linux at the same power level. Even in Hogwarts Legacy, where both systems performed similarly at lower wattages, Linux maintained smoother frame pacing and more consistent output. And this is the part most people miss: Bazzite wakes from sleep instantly, while the Windows version can take up to 40 seconds to enter sleep and another 15 seconds to restart. Controller responsiveness? More reliable on Linux, according to Cyber Dopamine.
Bazzite leverages Steam’s interface but adds custom power management settings, giving users greater control than Asus’ stock software. For gamers who want the best of both worlds, dual-booting is an option—enjoy Linux’s performance for most titles and switch to Windows for exclusives like Battlefield 6. But here’s the thought-provoking question: if Linux can squeeze more power out of the Ally, should Microsoft reconsider its approach to handheld gaming OS optimization? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
