Turning the ASUS ROG Ally X into a Steam Deck makes it better

Bazzite is a Linux distro that mimics the Steam Deck OS to a T. I was not expecting how much I would like the Steam Deck experience on a powerful Windows handheld...

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[Drnion]

Because the Deck isn't available in my region but the Ally is, their prices are actually competitive. This is a game changer, Windows was holding back all these competitors

[Brandonhatesmayo]

Pro Tip: If you don't get the wifi option in Bazzite, boot into Windows, turn off fast boot and shut down completely. When you turn it back on it'll boot into Bazzite and be fixed.

[DrummerLocnar]

decky loader is found in the quick access menu on the right, after installed, it adds a plug icon way at the bottom, the look is so clean you probably didnt notice the change lol.

[TeamLinux]

After enrolling the MOK (Machine Owner Key) for Bazzite into the UEFI, you can turn Secure Boot back on without issues. I actually recommend doing so, as it will protect the system in case someone tries to inject malicious drivers/unsigned modules on the Bazzite system.

Once the MOK is installed, you shouldn't have to reinstall it unless a BIOS update wipes the MOK or the keys need to be rotated for one reason.

[HiTechLoLife]

Been following and covering Bazzite since the beginning and it's come a VERY long way.

Props to the Bazzite team for making it so dang easy over the last couple of months.

[joaoboccoli]

bazzite is insanely good, been rocking it on my legion go and it's night and day.

[samuelknytt]

I can point out that SteamOS has less stuttering due in large part to DXVK (DirectX-to-Vulkan). Due to the similarities between Vulkan and DirectX, and the access both APIs have to the bare metal of your GPU, Vulkan is able to very cleanly translate all the calls DirectX makes back to Vulkan, including stuff like shaders. This isn't emulation, it's more a small piece of code that points the GPU to do Vulkan things when equivalent commands for DirectX are called by the game. While shader cache precompiling definitely helps, Vulkan seems to just handle shaders better than DirectX. This DXVK reaps all the benefits of Vulkan from DirectX12 games, including ray tracing, with none of the DirectX downsides, and developers don't even have to do anything. It's magic.

Edit: You can do this in Windows as well. There are other things like the lack of overhead in Linux distros vs Windows 11 and the optimizations Wine/Proton have that can also make stuff run better than on Windows at times, but DXVK famously made Elden Ring Playable on Steam Deck vs the stuttery mess you'd get my default on Windows PCs that were objectively much more powerful than a Steam Deck. As far as I know, this fix applies to Windows as well if you know how to get it working. I haven't done it, but I've seen reports that it does work. Of course, this is all automated through Valve's Proton compatibility layer.

[Yusei]

and now valve have confirmed the Steam OS is coming to the likes of both ROG Ally models, and even the Legion go.

[DrummerLocnar]

this basically just proves we need that official release of SteamOS to kick windows to the curb on ALL OUR DEVICES

[Nuprakh]

You can leave secure boot on. Just need to enroll the keys at first bootup of bazzite - it’s all in their manual.

[tamilvilayattarangam]

This is probably the most layman-ish install I have seen, and its a great way to see how an everyday person who buys this device might go about using Bazzite OS on their Ally X. It still is a lot of hoops to jump through just to circumvent the pitfalls of windows, but atleast it is an option. Great video Bob.

[wyvern]

Feel like a broken record for the last few months saying this but Bazzite turned my legion go into a proper console. I am dual booting a 2tb drive and it's wonderful on the legion go.

[SpiderMitch]

Spit out my coffee at the beginning from the quick "for $800"😆

[WilkoGRACZ]

The trackpads are probably one of the most U N D E R R A T E D feature of the SteamDeck.

[jontechie]

Actually every windows handheld is better with SteamOS

[SamuraiBeavs]

mom, dad. bob is doing something crazy again. he put a steam deck inside of the ASUS rog ally x

[gdcrisanto]

i honestly think that valve should just hire the bazzite team at this point to bring steamOS to other systems

[dogwithoutw]

Remember guys, while Ally x's pricing might not be justifiable for most of us, the very same specs(plus heavier and a bit less battery) was, about a year ago in Ayaneo kun, priced hundreds of dollars more.

[mechanicalmonk]

The characterization that Chimera is for any device and Bazzite is for Ally and Legion Go is false. It's the opposite. Chimera just tries to copy steam os meaning Intel and Nvidia folks are on their own. Bazzite has a whole host of releases for different hardware.

I run bazzite on my intel mini PC connected to my TV. Works great

[Virtualblueart]

My personal conclusion at the moment:
The Ally X is very powerful but also expensive compared to the rest. Also no trackpad and no Oled. (A good screen but I like Oled)
The original Ally has too many mechanical issues and Asus support. Oh boy. No trackpad.
The Legion go is cheaper now and also powerful, has trackpad, Hal effect sticks (a tad small), good screen (no oled) but very big for a portable.
The Deck is ageing compared top the above, but it has great support a great screen on the Oled and is (relatively) cheaper and less hassle to use. Plus you can fix or mod the thing with support from Steam.

So while it's no longer the most powerful one I chose the Deck because of the above.