More companies are beginning to see there is a market for a PC gaming handheld, with Asus planning to release the ROG Ally. Initially, this seemed like an April Fools joke but it turned out to be real.
For the GamingOnLinux readership it might not be exactly what you're going to instantly sign up for, since it will be coming with Windows 11, but it's interesting to see more companies jump in and no doubt after a while Linux drivers will appear like they do for pretty much everything. We may even see Valve support it with their eventual release of SteamOS 3.
Coming in a bit smaller than the Steam Deck with no touchpads, it will limit what you're able to play a bit more but it will have a 16:9 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a custom AMD APU they claim is the "fastest yet", a dual-fan design and eGPU support. Asus claim it will offer double the performance on the Steam Deck but they're not giving out any tech specs or battery life details.
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Asus are a much bigger name than the likes of AYANEO, GPD and Onexplayer so they could potentially offer prices a bit lower since they're likely able to take on a bit more of the costs. Naturally though, they will still have to price it at a point where it makes enough money to be profitable to a point where it makes sense, so I still expect it to be a fair bit higher than the Steam Deck pricing since they can't make up for it by the 30% cut Valve get from Steam games.
LinusTT and Dave2D managed to take a look at it:
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They're only prototypes right now, so there's of course every chance that Asus don't actually end up releasing it but given how far along it is, I imagine they will. You can follow it on Best Buy if you want to be notified of when it's available, no word yet on availability in various regions.
Given how Valve have clearly said there's no planned Steam Deck refresh for some time, as they're waiting for it to be truly worth it, this is the closest I've been to believing it has some real competition. It all depends on the price.
What do you think about this?
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Quoting: Purple Library GuySo, given the potential problems involved with running Windows 11, let's assume that Valve, or even somebody else, get Steam OS running for this thing. Turning around the question that got asked so much before the release of the Steam Deck but then disappeared without a trace after a while, how many people will rip out Windows on this thing and put in SteamOS (or maybe ChimeraOS)?
As long as the experience is fine, not many people will do either I guess (which is supported by the hardware survey for Steam Deck). "IJW" - it just works, and that's fine and that's it.
BlackBloodRum Apr 4, 2023
Quoting: Purple Library GuySo, given the potential problems involved with running Windows 11, let's assume that Valve, or even somebody else, get Steam OS running for this thing. Turning around the question that got asked so much before the release of the Steam Deck but then disappeared without a trace after a while, how many people will rip out Windows on this thing and put in SteamOS (or maybe ChimeraOS)?That's assuming it's even possible.
No technical details are out yet, it's entirely possible there's no way to put Linux on this device (for example, can it even boot from USB?). But it's also possible it can be done. But either way, we don't know for sure.
With that said, honestly, I think most "average users" will leave the OS as stock, just like they do with the Steam Deck.
If there's one thing, I think both Valve and Asus could do to improve their devices:
Multiple M.2 support.
If space is an issue, perhaps one that's buried deep inside for the OS and another that's easily user accessible for storage. Perhaps even a little openable flap like old laptops used to have for quick access.
Last edited by BlackBloodRum on 4 April 2023 at 7:54 pm UTC
Quoting: BlackBloodRumPerhaps even a little openable flap like old laptops used to have for quick access.Hm… HDDs in the olden days were a lot less sensitive to ESD than M.2 SSDs. So that might be a case of increased support load.
BlackBloodRum Apr 4, 2023
Quoting: KlaasThat's true, but we had the same openings for RAM, WiFi cards and what-not back then too. Besides, you could just stick a "Change at your own risk, make sure to ground yourself" clause on it.Quoting: BlackBloodRumPerhaps even a little openable flap like old laptops used to have for quick access.Hm… HDDs in the olden days were a lot less sensitive to ESD than M.2 SSDs. So that might be a case of increased support load.
Quoting: BlackBloodRumWith that said, honestly, I think most "average users" will leave the OS as stock, just like they do with the Steam Deck.Well, yes. To be honest, I just find it amusing to be in a position to ask the question.
TheRiddick Apr 5, 2023
Plus more Windows as a handheld OS... at least try and make a custom build somehow...
Last edited by TheRiddick on 5 April 2023 at 2:03 am UTC
Quoting: MrowlNow is the perfect time for Valve to consider releasing a "Steam Deck Mini", and sell it at the same $399 starting price point, but perhaps with 128GB eMMC, instead of 64?A Steam Deck Mini exactly as you describe here sounds exactly like the sort of thing that I would want to buy, and I know a few other folks for whom that would tick exactly the right boxes for convenient PC gaming. I would love to see this, and if it comes along before I manage to get a standard Steam Deck, it's what I'd go for.
All these companies keep using Steam Deck's large size as a selling point for their product, so a Steam Deck Mini would just outright kill that rhetoric.
It should use the same tech specs as the Deck, but with a larger capacity battery (50Wh, instead of 40Wh). And no, it doesn't need to have an OLED screen, it just needs to have a more vibrant IPS screen, with higher SRGB range (Steam Deck currently only covers around 60-68%).
If they can't do a Joy-Con style design, then they should consider taking off the trackpads, and emulating their functionality via "virtual trackpads" on the touchscreen. It wouldn't be as good as the physical ones, but it's better than nothing.
Lastly, I really want to see removable front and back plates, so we can customise the entire look of the thing. I would like to see the same level of modularity and user-replaceability, too.
Quoting: UberkeyserThat time ASUS took the time to explain that the device needs a special desktop for the low spec CPU, tiny SSD and the small screen.I was around that community back then, and for a great many users it was the same as with anything else - they were happy with what it came with and just wanted to learn more about using it.
People refused to think and still demanded Windows.
So ASUS evetually shipped EeePCs with Windows.
People's reaction: Oi, we dont like this. Windows does not work well with the low spec CPU, the tiny SSD the small screen...
So ASUS incrased CPU, SSD, sceen... and price... to adjust to the needs of Windows, essentially killing the original idea of a netbook.... but it rans Windows well.
That said, there were certainly those who sought to seed the idea that people should be asking for Windows on those devices, but from what I saw they were never the majority, at least amongst genuine users.
Quoting: KlaasThat story still makes me sad.Same. That was how I got started with Linux, and then a category of portables that I particularly liked* went away far too soon.
*I'm a portables enthusiast across the board, and affordable mini laptops were a fab idea for so many use-cases.
Quoting: PenglingQuoting: KlaasThat story still makes me sad.Same. That was how I got started with Linux, and then a category of portables that I particularly liked* went away far too soon.
*I'm a portables enthusiast across the board, and affordable mini laptops were a fab idea for so many use-cases.
My original EeePC is 16 years old and still going strong! I put Ubuntu on it as soon as I had it though. It was used for years (daily, up until a couple of years ago) as my daughter's media centre (with Arch) and never a problem with the hardware failing, surprisingly.
Last edited by fabertawe on 5 April 2023 at 10:20 am UTC
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