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As aSteam Deckowner from the very earliest weeks, it took until now to finally try a Windows-powered alternative.
The gadget itself is incredible.
The biggest problem with the ROG Ally X is the desktop.
But ignoring the price, I still don’t think I’d buy one.
The problem isWindows 11.
Anti-cheat software and the lack ofXbox Game Passare but two which crop up fairly regularly.
ASUS has done a great job with custom software, but there’s still too much traditional Windows involved.
And I agree, they’re issues that exist and that I wish didn’t.
SteamOS 3 has been built and designed to act like a games console first, PC second.
With the Windows machines, it feels like the reverse.
The user experience on the Steam Deck is just so much better.
Every aspect of the SteamOS UI is easily navigated with the built-in controller, touchpads or the touch display.
The ROG Ally X would certainly have benefitted if it had a touchpad.
We went from a modern, intuitive, touch-friendly interface, to basically jabbing at a desktop.
The Xbox UI is so much better suited to handheld play.
I will say that ASUS has done a commendable job working around the problem withArmoury Crate SE.
The Steam Deck is a console, through and through.
I wish the same were true of a Windows 11 handheld.
Say it’s a Game Pass game, does it actually uninstall?
This isn’t a good experience for anyone.
That’s not on ASUS, that’s on how Windows has to work.
Then there’s the setup process.
Compared to setting up a Steam Deck, it takes an eternity.
Resetting it is even worse.
And of course, since it runs Windows 11, there will be constant updates.
An update that is also done from the handheld-friendly UI.
That’s a long way away from using Windows Update.
That’s my biggest frustration.
I’m in a minority on that front, but on a handheld, it’s absolutely essential.
It’s just better to live with.
That’s a shame, because the ROG Ally X is tremendous.
But it’s not ASUS' fault, nor is it their problem to fix alone.
Microsoft simply has to step up and support this category with a better overall software experience.
Valve is eating their lunch on that front.
