How to Install SteamOS on ROG Ally: Ultimate Guide and Experience

¿How to install SteamOS on ROG Ally? We tell you in depth. There is a growing interest in lbring the SteamOS operating system to devices outside of the popular Steam Deck, and one of the main targets for the gaming community is the ASUS ROG Ally laptop. If you're looking for a Windows alternative that makes the most of your hardware, especially for gaming, installing SteamOS may be just what you need.

In this article you will find all updated and detailed information on how to install SteamOS on your ROG Ally, including the benefits, current challenges, experiences the community has already shared, and important considerations regarding compatibility and performance. Forget jumping from forum to forum or getting lost in videos—here's everything that really matters, summarized and expanded.

What is SteamOS and why install it on ROG Ally?

SteamOS It is a Linux-based operating system that Valve Originally developed for its Steam Deck, but in recent months has expanded its compatibility and support to other handheld devices, especially those with AMD hardware and NVMe storage, such as the ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. Thanks to the new versions, Valve aims to enable almost any device with AMD architecture to run SteamOS..

The main motivation for installing SteamOS on a ROG Ally is to search for Better performance, longer battery life, and a more optimized gaming environment than Windows offers, as well as faster launches and updates than other gaming-oriented Linux distributions. For more information on compatibility, you can also check out How to tell if a game is compatible with Steam Deck.

Valve has been releasing important What's new with SteamOS 3.7, which include expanded compatibility, power consumption improvements, and support for booting from external drives. Although the integration is not final, there have already been numerous tests with quite promising results.

SteamOS compatibility and current status on ROG Ally

At present, Valve only provides official native support for the Steam Deck and some models of the new Legion Go.But ROG Ally now supports SteamOS Although not officially. Valve engineers have clarified that compatibility will be expanded progressively but, for now, some manual intervention is necessary and tolerate the occasional minor bug.

Among the main requirements for SteamOS to work on the ROG Ally are:

• AMD processor and NVMe storage.
• Ability to boot from an external USB drive.
• Disable Secure Boot in BIOS.
• The ability to reboot the system for additional configurations if needed.

The user community has confirmed that, once these phases have been completed, The system is functional and quite stable, with notable improvements over Windows in key aspects.

Advantages and improvements when using SteamOS on ROG Ally

The decision to install SteamOS on a ROG Ally is not only a matter of personal preference but also a objective gains in daily use and gaming experience:

• Greater optimization of battery usage: SteamOS manages power consumption much better on laptops, allowing ROG Ally to last longer gaming sessions before needing a charge.
• Better performance in recent titles: By being optimized for gaming and not dragging unnecessary processes, SteamOS manages to Higher and more stable FPS. For example, games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 easily reach the 60 stable FPS (when on Steam Deck they move between 45-50 FPS).
• Efficient sleep mode: Sleep mode is better implemented, which helps conserve battery when not playing.
• Removing secondary Windows layers and processes that affect performance.

Many users have also reported that Some problematic games on Windows run better and smoother on SteamOS, and that titles like Mega Man 11 run perfectly at 60 FPS on both platforms.

Precautions and considerations before installation

Before you rush into changing the operating system on your ROG Ally, It is essential that you take into account several critical points:

• Compatibility is not yet finalAlthough the progress is enormous, the full integration is still under development. You may encounter minor bugs or temporarily unavailable features. For a detailed review, please visit How to know the money spent on the Steam platform.
• Disable Secure Boot: This is required to boot SteamOS from a USB drive. This may leave your device somewhat less protected against external threats, although the risk is low if you maintain good security practices.
• Installation may require reinstalling Windows if you decide to go back, so back up your data before you begin.
• SteamOS is primarily geared toward Steam games, which may limit compatibility with other game launchers or general-purpose software used on Windows.

Valve has no intention of replacing Microsoft or eliminating Windows. of the portable market, but it does seek to offer a much more optimized alternative for gaming on AMD portable devices like the ROG Ally.

Step by Step: How to Install SteamOS on the ROG Ally

If you have already decided to take the plunge, here is a summary of the general steps to install SteamOS on your ROG Ally. Remember that while the process is simple for those with some experience, it requires careful follow-through and some risk.

1. USB drive preparationDownload the latest official SteamOS image from the Steam support page. Use a tool like Rufus or balenaEtcher to create a bootable USB drive.
2. Disable secure boot: Access the ROG Ally BIOS upon startup (usually by pressing F2 or Del) and look for the Secure Boot option to disable it.
3. Connect the USB and boot from it: Insert the USB and select the drive from the BIOS quick boot menu (usually the F12 key).
4. Follow the instructions in the SteamOS installer: The process is guided and allows you to install SteamOS on a specific partition or overwrite the disk (it deletes everything on it, so be careful here).
5. First boot and configuration: Set your language, username, and connect your Steam account. Some drivers or specific features may require manual adjustments.

The option of test SteamOS from the same USB Before installing it permanently, it is very useful to check compatibility and general operation.

Real-life experiences with SteamOS on ROG Ally

Information gathered from the community, especially on forums like ResetEra and other networks, reveals that Most users report noticeable improvements both in autonomy and pure performance, especially in demanding titles.

Some notable examples:

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 It runs at a solid 60 FPS on ROG Ally versus the 45-50 achieved on Steam Deck.
• En sleep mode The autonomy increases significantly compared to Windows and the Steam Deck itself.
• Mega Man 11 and Capcom titles run perfectly at 60 FPS and have no drops or compatibility issues.

The overall feedback is very positive, and some users are opting to remove Windows altogether to work solely with SteamOS given the improved performance and battery life.

Differences between SteamOS and Windows on ROG Ally

The main difference lies in the approach: Windows is a general-purpose operating system, and although it allows you to run any type of app or game, drags processes and services that consume resources and affect performance, especially on portable devices. SteamOS, on the other hand, It is designed exclusively for gaming, with a tailored interface and no unnecessary processes.

Another noteworthy feature is the battery management and sleep modeSteamOS is much more efficient and keeps the machine running longer. Additionally, updates and patches tend to be more targeted to address real-world issues facing the gaming community, which is highly appreciated.

On the other hand, If you need to use Game Pass, non-Linux-compatible apps, or Windows-specific tools, you'll need to consider keeping both systems or installing SteamOS in dual mode.

What does the future hold? SteamOS on more devices

Valve has confirmed that the future of SteamOS is to continue expanding to more AMD-powered handheld devicesThe company has also mentioned possible deals to include Steam on new consoles or similar devices in the future.

As compatibility continues to be refined, the trend is clear: Portable gaming is looking for an alternative to Windows, and SteamOS is leading the way., offering greater stability and performance on PC platforms.

Deciding to install SteamOS on your ROG Ally is taking a chance on the future of portable gaming. You'll enjoy Better performance, better battery life, and an active community that continually provides improvements.For users who value customization and complete system control, SteamOS is the perfect option to transform your laptop into a true gaming center. For more information on the Asus Rog Ally, you can always visit the official Asus Rog website.