Asus ROG Ally To Get Steam Deck OS Support

As a long-time gamer with fingers that have seen their fair share of wear and tear from countless hours spent navigating digital worlds, I am beyond excited about the potential transformation of the Asus ROG Ally into a Steam machine! The thought of having a user-friendly, thumb-optimized operating system like SteamOS on my handheld device is music to my tired gaming fingers.


SteamOS, Valve’s Linux operating system designed for the Steam Deck handheld gaming PC, will be making its way to the Asus ROG Ally. Moreover, Valve intends to expand SteamOS to other competing Windows handheld devices, although they have stated that third-party support is not yet fully prepared for immediate use. This announcement follows recent beta update release notes hinting at future compatibility with “additional ROG Ally keys”.

According to Valve engineer Lawrence Yang, speaking with The Verge, the mention of ROG Ally keys refers to the compatibility of third-party devices with SteamOS. In other words, they are still working on expanding the list of compatible handhelds in SteamOS.

Although Asus hasn’t spoken about transforming the ROG Ally into a Steam machine, such an update could resolve a significant concern regarding these handheld devices. Currently, the Asus ROG Ally operates on Windows 11, which allows multiple game clients to be installed; however, using this OS can be awkward because it’s primarily designed for desktops, not thumb-friendly or smaller screens. On the other hand, SteamOS offers a smoother and more user-friendly experience.

Asus ROG Ally X and Ally Deals

Asus ROG Ally To Get Steam Deck OS Support

  • Asus ROG Ally X — $800
  • Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme with free carrying case — $650
  • Asus ROG Ally Z1 with free carrying case — $500

Asus ROG Ally Accessories

  • ROG Ally charger — $30 ($65)
  • Asus Raikiri Pro controller — $110 ($150)
  • Asus Raikiri standard controller — $75 ($100)
  • Asus ROG Cetra earbuds (white) — $65 ($100)
  • Asus ROG Cetra earbuds (black) — $80 ($100)

Fresh off the heels of the unveiling of the Asus ROG Ally X, an upgraded iteration of last year’s ROG Ally, this latest model boasts several enhancements for user convenience. These include faster RAM, extended battery life, and a larger SSD storage capacity, now offering 1TB instead of 512GB. If you’re interested in purchasing one along with some accessories, Best Buy has them available for $800. In case you prefer a more budget-friendly option, with slightly reduced battery life and SSD capacity, the previous year’s Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme model remains a potent handheld device and retails for $650.

By adding suitable accessories, you can transform an ROG Ally into a miniature computer setup. The charger enables connection to a TV or monitor, while the Raikiri controller offers a sleek design. This accessory is available in both standard and pro versions; the higher-end option boasts a small OLED display. Lastly, you might want to consider purchasing Cetra earbuds for audio output. These earbuds are versatile, compatible with devices like the Steam Deck, PC, and more, making them an adaptable choice for your gaming requirements.

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2024-08-14 19:09