ChimeraOS 43 has been released today adding in support for running this SteamOS inspired Linux distribution on the ASUS ROG Ally handheld. Quite an exciting release, since Linux projects like this can help extend the lifespan of devices like the ROG Ally well past when the original vendor moves on.
The initial ROG Ally support includes:
- Audio support (With DSDT Override enabled).
- Functional WiFi.
- Functional face buttons.
- Functional Bluetooth.
- Experimental partial TDP control in OpenGamepadUI.
- Suspend functionality is still a work in progress. We recommend disabling auto suspend on the ROG ally and shutting the unit down after each gaming session.
On top of that they've also added support for fan control on the AOKZOE A1 Pro, games should boot up faster overall, the ability to switch ChimeraOS update channels via the Steam UI and they've added support for the following handhelds using HandyGCCS (Handheld Game Console Controller Support):
- AOKZOE A1 Pro
- ASUS ROG Ally
- AYANEO 2S and GEEK 1S
- AYN Loki Max
Some of the other changes:
OpenGamepadUI has been updated with a new CardUI, support for many more handhelds, and numerous bug fixes that improve the user experience. Additionally, Lutris and Yuzu plugins have been added to the plugin store. See the OpenGamepadUI GitHub page to review the full list of changes.
DSDT overrides can be enabled for the AYANEO 2021 series and the GPD WinMax2 series that will enable the gyro to properly load in the BMI-160 driver.
Blackscreen issues for multiple handheld devices have been resolved by forcing gamescope to see some built-in panels as a external monitors. This has the effect of exposing the resolution options in the display settings in the Steam UI. Do not change the resolution from these options or the device could be forced into an unsupported resolution. Changing the UI Scale is the preferred way to adjust the readability of UI elements.
The AMD P-State driver will now be used on supported devices.
Added a Thai font.
Users will no longer experience errors that falsely indicate an upgrade failure during future upgrades.
Added screen rotation quirk for the AYN Loki Max and AOKZOE A1 Pro.
Intel OneXPlayer devices should now have much better compatibility.
See more on the GitHub and the official site.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
)And the only two nice things I could say about it so far:
1. It looks fancy
2. The hardware is powerful
Everything else I think the Steam Deck is better. But I might be biased, as I **love** my Steam Deck.
But to some details:
- Haptics:
I don't like the arrangement of the buttons and sticks. Being able to have my thumbs without bending to switch between dpad/buttons and sticks feels much better on Deck than on the Ally.
Also when having my thumb on the left stick, while having the other thumb on the right buttons, I cannot hold it "symmetrically". Which feels odd.
The analog sticks are more easy going than the Deck ones. This might just be an issue of getting used to, but I prefer the Deck's analog sticks.
The Deck feels much better in the palm of my hands due to its case. The Ally has different edges, which doesn't feel as pleasant to hold.
- Software:
Well, it's Windows, so I expected things. But gosh how can people take this. It takes like up to an hour to have everything setup. First the Windows 11 setup routine, where they of course ask you several times if you want to give them your data. You have to have a Microsoft online account. Then updates. Not only for Windows, also for the Armory Crate (ASUS way to bridge the gap between keyboard and gamepad issues). And BIOS updates.
The BIOS update routine gave me a shock: first it said three times, the update needs a reboot. After three reboots, I found in a different dialog, the BIOS update routine needs power attached. Then the device shut down, and I couldn't start it up anymore. I thought it was bricked. Had to hold the power button for 15 seconds, until it booted up and finally installed the BIOS update. A horrible experience.
Windows with touch is not a nice experience. I had severe trouble entering the Wi-Fi password, if you think you mistyped, you can click (touch) on the eye, but it only shows for a second. So if you keep touching the eye, it goes into select mode, doesn't show the entered password anymore and if you continue typing it'll overwrite the current entered chars.
- Gaming:
When a game runs, it runs great due to the more powerful hardware. The 1080p screen is indeed nice. But it comes at a cost. Battery is empty after an hour. But well, it runs Fortnite directly, and Mini-Corben is pretty happy about that.
I tried my kinda most favorite game: Fall Guys. It took 2 reboots to install the C++ redistributable runtime for 32 bit and 64 bit. The game runs then flawless, except if you want to accept a friend invite. Unlike on Deck where you can just use the touch screen, or steam button + right trackpad for mouse, you have to open the Asus Control Center thingy, switch from gamepad input to keyboard input, use the right analog stick for mouse movement, right shoulder button for click. After accepting the invite, closing the menu by "clicking" somewhere else and then re-open the control center to switch back to gamepad controls. Very annoying procedure, especially in comparison to the Deck.
Short conclusion: it's a nice piece of hardware, and I guess the user experience would have benefited much from a SteamOS install. Too bad ASUS probably took a deal with Microsoft. So I'm looking forward to try ChimeraOS on it!
hardpenguin Jul 6, 2023
Quoteadding in support for running this SteamOS inspired Linux distribution on the ASUS ROG Ally handheldLmao the Ally will finally be usable 😛 But it's still no Steam Deack.
Quoting: CorbenShort conclusion: it's a nice piece of hardware, and I guess the user experience would have benefited much from a SteamOS install. Too bad ASUS probably took a deal with Microsoft. So I'm looking forward to try ChimeraOS on it!
All of that sounds absolutely brutal and reminds me of everything I hated about Windows when I used it for gaming over ten years ago. Never again!
And one hour of gaming. Oof. Isn't this suppose to be a hand held console?
The unit looks pretty though so there's that...
5 minutes, 5 minutes took me to realize I don't want to have anything to do with that... thing. Trying to navigate the windows desktop with a pair of joysticks is probably one of the most painful experiences I've ever had on a computer. It really is that bad.
And then you have to add the price to the pack. 800€ here, that's almost double the entry price for a deck. I so don't need that handheld. Of course, we don't talk about the battery life, that would be embarrassing.
QuoteQuite an exciting release, since Linux projects like this can help extend the lifespan of devices like the ROG Ally well past when the original vendor moves on.It may just be past experience of how quickly Asus dropped the Linux-based Eee PCs talking here, but I get the feeling that the official support for the ROG Ally may not end up being long-lived. So, it is indeed nice to see this - it looks like the ChimeraOS folks have done a sterling job here! Hopefully they can iron out the remaining issues before too long.
It's also nice to see that they're adding support for more handheld PCs besides, too.
Quoting: scaineAnd one hour of gaming. Oof. Isn't this suppose to be a hand held console?
Quoting: BelaptirOf course, we don't talk about the battery life, that would be embarrassing.The way that the Nintendo Game Boy triumphed over the Atari Lynx and the Sega Game Gear is playing out again here, it feels like - there's much to be said for lateral use of so-called "less powerful" established technology in the portable space, or else you end up with something "cutting-edge" that can only be portable until you reach the end of your power-cord.
Last edited by Pengling on 6 July 2023 at 6:33 pm UTC
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