Handheld gaming PCs have had an operating system problem since day one. Windows 11 is simply not optimized well for handheld gaming PCs, leaving SteamOS as the preferred handheld operating system. With the Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Asus ROG Xbox Ally X coming soon, Microsoft is working to make a better version of Windows designed for handheld gaming PCs.

Recently, we got a brief look at what the Windows 11 handheld mode could look like, and it just might be enough to save the ROG Xbox Ally from getting absolutely destroyed by the SteamOS handhelds like the Steam Deck or Lenovo Legion Go S.

Windows 11 handheld mode preview looks slick

We've gotten a brief look at Windows 11 handheld mode.

Microsoft hasn't given us much about the expected Windows 11 handheld mode, but what we've seen so far looks promising. Based on early looks, the handheld-optimized version of Windows even comes with custom controls for Windows 11's setup so you can use the built-in game-pad controls to navigate even the most fiddly parts of the Windows experience.

The early leak was spotted in a test build of Windows 11, and other references were found in the code of additional Windows 11 preview builds, so it seems pretty clear that Microsoft is heavily invested in optimizing Windows 11 for handheld devices. Which, honestly, just makes sense considering Microsoft is slapping the Xbox branding on two Asus handhelds.

SteamOS isn't perfect either

We may love SteamOS, but Linux has its limitations.

SteamOS is currently the best option for a handheld operating system, not only because its cleaner and easier to use for a handheld, but also because SteamOS requires less overhead and can get better performance out of the same hardware. In fact, choosing SteamOS over Windows 11 can get you up to 75% better performance. However, SteamOS isn't perfect.

Underneath the Valve custom UI is a variant of Linux, which means not all of your digital game libraries will transfer over. Without any modifications, SteamOS gives you access to your Steam library and the Steam store, with most games being playable. You can also download a third-party launcher to gain access to your Epic Games Store account, but there aren't workarounds for every digital storefront just yet.

Though with how invested gamers have become in SteamOS, I wouldn't be surprised if that changes in the near future.

And while most popular games are available on SteamOS through the Steam store and Proton translation layer, there are issues where the occasional game update breaks things a bit. Like any Linux system, SteamOS isn't perfect. But it is the best option for handheld gaming PCs right now. At least if power efficiency, performance, and ease of use are your main concerns.

Windows handhelds aren't down for the count yet

Building a better Windows UI is a necessary step

Aside from what I just mentioned above, if you have an app or a game that you just can't put down, and it doesn't work well on Linux, SteamOS is not an option. Which leaves you with Windows 11. But Windows 11 is notoriously tricky on gaming handhelds. Not only is the user interface rather poor, Windows 11 also requires a lot of operational overhead. And that's mostly used for features you don't want on a gaming handheld, like Microsoft 365 or Copilot.

However, if the revamped Windows 11 handheld UI ends up being even half as useful as it looks, the Xbox handhelds could actually give the Steam Deck, and other SteamOS handhelds, a run for their money. After all, usability is a major hurdle for most handheld gamers.

Sure, we all like getting the best performance, but a handheld that can't operate cleanly is an even bigger problem than one that has worse performance on paper. Linux tends to give better performance across the board because it's less intensive on your hardware, but that doesn't mean PC gamers are flocking to Linux in droves, even with the SteamOS improvements.

The ROG Xbox Ally will benefit the most

Though other Windows handhelds will obviously get a boost.

While all Windows handhelds will benefit from a handheld-first version of Windows OS, it's the Xbox-branded Asus ROG Ally that will get the biggest boost. After all, the ROG Xbox Ally will be the first of the two Xbox handhelds to launch, and the new version of Windows 11 is expected to come alongside the new system.

Sure, folks who already own a Windows handheld will likely get the same UI rolled out in a Windows update, the initial hype for the new OS variant will focus on the Xbox Ally. And considering how under-powered that handheld is, an operating system adjustment just might make it worth the high sticker price. Because, as things stand, the ROG Xbox Ally really is just a worse version of the existing Asus ROG Ally. It just has an Xbox label on it.

But if Microsoft can get the slick, handheld-optimized version of Windows 11 ready to launch on the ROG Xbox Ally there may actually be a reason to buy that handheld. And if the Xbox Ally gets the better version of Windows before other handhelds, well, that's just one more point in its favor.