ROG Xbox Ally
DROP ITby ASUS / Microsoft
Last verified September 12, 2026
Independent benchmarks found the ROG Xbox Ally runs up to 32% faster on Linux than on the Windows-based Xbox experience it ships with, undercutting Microsoft's optimized-experience claim.
Microsoft and ASUS marketed the ROG Xbox Ally as a purpose-built Xbox handheld gaming PC, with the custom Windows-based "Xbox full-screen experience" positioned as the optimized way to play on the device.
Tom's Hardware ran independent benchmark testing comparing the device's stock Windows/Xbox experience against a Linux install, and found Linux delivered up to 32% higher frame rates, more stable frame times, and quicker sleep/resume — directly contradicting the idea that the Windows-based Xbox experience is the optimized way to run this hardware. This was one of the more-discussed hardware stories in its category (155 points, 200 comments on Hacker News).
The hardware itself is capable — capable enough that a different OS gets meaningfully better performance out of it than the software it ships with. That's a real knock against the "optimized Xbox experience" pitch: the bottleneck independent testers found was Microsoft's own software, not the silicon.
ROG Xbox Ally X - a PC Gamer's Perspective — Linus Tech Tips
ROG XBOX ALLY With Linux – The Steam Deck SUPER!? — ETA PRIME
Does the ROG Xbox Ally perform better on Linux?
Yes — Tom's Hardware's independent benchmarks found up to 32% higher frame rates and more stable performance running Linux instead of the stock Windows/Xbox software.