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Geeky Gadgets
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Geeky Gadgets
How to Install SteamOS on Your ROG Ally or Legion Go Portable Games Consoles
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to transform your handheld gaming console into a dedicated Steam-powered machine? For gamers who own devices like the ROG Ally or Legion Go, the prospect of running Valve's streamlined, gaming-focused operating system—SteamOS—can feel like unlocking a hidden level of performance and convenience. But here's the catch: installing SteamOS isn't exactly a plug-and-play process. It requires careful preparation, a bit of technical know-how, and a willingness to embrace the challenges of customization. The good news? With the right guidance, you can turn your portable console into a seamless gateway to Valve's ecosystem, complete with optimized performance and access to your entire Steam library. In this step-by-step walkthrough, ETA Prime shows you how to install SteamOS on x86-based handhelds like the ROG Ally, Legion Go, and other compatible devices. You'll learn how to prepare essential tools like a recovery image and flashing software, configure BIOS settings, and navigate the installation process without a hitch. Along the way, we'll also address potential hurdles—like data loss and feature gaps—and share tips for post-installation optimization to ensure your device runs smoothly. Whether you're a tech-savvy tinkerer or a curious gamer looking to explore new possibilities, this guide, inspired by the expertise of ETA PRIME, will help you unlock the full potential of your handheld console. What could your gaming experience look like with a system built entirely around play? Let's find out. Installing SteamOS on Handhelds Compatible Devices and Requirements SteamOS is specifically designed for x86-based handheld gaming devices, making it compatible with a range of popular models. Supported devices include: ROG Ally and ROG Ally X: Known for their robust hardware and gaming performance. Known for their robust hardware and gaming performance. Legion Go and Legion Go S: Lenovo's portable gaming consoles with versatile features. Lenovo's portable gaming consoles with versatile features. Zotac Zone: Compact devices offering solid gaming capabilities. Compact devices offering solid gaming capabilities. Other x86 portable gaming consoles: Ensure your device meets the hardware requirements for compatibility. Before proceeding, confirm that your device meets the minimum hardware specifications for SteamOS. This step is crucial to avoid compatibility issues during installation. Preparation: Essential Tools and Resources Proper preparation is the foundation of a successful SteamOS installation. Gather the following tools and resources: SteamOS Recovery Image: Download the official recovery image from Valve's website to ensure you have the latest version. Download the official recovery image from Valve's website to ensure you have the latest version. USB Drive: Use a high-speed USB drive with at least 8GB of storage capacity to store the recovery image. Use a high-speed USB drive with at least 8GB of storage capacity to store the recovery image. Flashing Tool: Tools like Rufus (for Windows) or Etcher (for Mac/Linux) are recommended for writing the recovery image to the USB drive. Before flashing the recovery image, ensure the USB drive is formatted correctly. Double-check the flashing process to avoid errors that could disrupt the installation. Taking these steps minimizes the risk of installation failures and ensures a smoother process. SteamOS on the ROG Ally, Legion GO and Other Consoles Watch this video on YouTube. Enhance your knowledge on SteamOS by exploring a selection of articles and guides on the subject. Configuring BIOS Settings for SteamOS To install SteamOS, you must first adjust your device's BIOS settings. Follow these steps to configure your BIOS: Access the BIOS: Restart your device and press the designated key (commonly F2, F10, or Delete) during the boot process. Restart your device and press the designated key (commonly F2, F10, or Delete) during the boot process. Disable Secure Boot: This step is necessary to allow the installation of unsigned operating systems like SteamOS. This step is necessary to allow the installation of unsigned operating systems like SteamOS. Set Boot Priority: Configure the USB drive as the primary boot device in the boot order menu to ensure the system boots from the recovery image. After making these changes, save your settings and exit the BIOS. Properly configuring the BIOS ensures that your device can boot from the USB drive and proceed with the SteamOS installation without interruptions. Step-by-Step Installation Process With your USB drive prepared and BIOS configured, you're ready to install SteamOS. Follow these steps for a successful installation: Insert the prepared USB drive into your device and restart it. You may need to manually select the USB drive as the boot device during startup. Once the system boots from the USB drive, follow the on-screen prompts to initiate the installation process. Select the 'Wipe device and install SteamOS' option. Note that this will erase all existing data, including any installed operating systems like Windows. Complete the initial setup by selecting your preferred language, time zone, and network settings. The installation process may take several minutes. Avoid interrupting the device or powering it off during this time to prevent errors or incomplete installations. Post-Installation Configuration After successfully installing SteamOS, complete the following steps to finalize the setup and optimize your device: Log In: Use your Steam account credentials to access your game library and other features. Use your Steam account credentials to access your game library and other features. Run System Updates: Update the system to ensure you have the latest software, drivers, and security patches. Update the system to ensure you have the latest software, drivers, and security patches. Optimize Network Settings: Configure your network for stable and reliable connectivity during online gaming sessions. Additionally, explore the system settings to customize performance and tailor the gaming experience to your preferences. This may include adjusting display settings, allowing performance modes, or configuring controller inputs. Device-Specific Adjustments for Optimal Performance Different handheld gaming devices may require unique configurations to maximize performance and battery life. Consider the following adjustments: TDP Control: Adjusting the Thermal Design Power (TDP) can help balance performance and battery efficiency. For Legion Go devices, TDP settings can be modified directly in the BIOS. ROG Ally users may need third-party software for this adjustment. Adjusting the Thermal Design Power (TDP) can help balance performance and battery efficiency. For Legion Go devices, TDP settings can be modified directly in the BIOS. ROG Ally users may need third-party software for this adjustment. Resolution Settings: SteamOS supports various resolutions, but setting the display to 720p can improve performance on smaller screens without compromising visual quality. SteamOS supports various resolutions, but setting the display to 720p can improve performance on smaller screens without compromising visual quality. Power Management: Advanced power management features may require additional plugins or manual configuration to optimize battery usage during extended gaming sessions. These adjustments can significantly enhance your gaming experience by making sure smooth performance and efficient power consumption tailored to your specific device. Key Considerations and Limitations While SteamOS offers a robust and gaming-focused operating system, it's important to be aware of its limitations before proceeding: Data Loss: Installing SteamOS will erase all existing data on your device, making dual-booting with other operating systems, such as Windows, impossible. Back up important files before starting the installation process. Installing SteamOS will erase all existing data on your device, making dual-booting with other operating systems, such as Windows, impossible. Back up important files before starting the installation process. Feature Gaps: Some features may not work out of the box and could require third-party software or manual adjustments to enable full functionality. Understanding these limitations allows you to make an informed decision and prepare adequately for the transition to SteamOS. Enhancing Your Gaming Experience with SteamOS Installing SteamOS on handheld gaming devices like the ROG Ally, Legion Go, and similar consoles provides a streamlined and immersive gaming environment. By carefully preparing your USB drive, configuring BIOS settings, and following the installation steps, you can transform your device into a dedicated gaming powerhouse. While there are some limitations, such as the lack of dual-boot support, the benefits of a portable SteamOS experience—seamless integration with Valve's ecosystem, optimized performance, and access to a vast library of games—make it an appealing choice for gaming enthusiasts. With proper setup and customization, SteamOS can unlock the full potential of your handheld gaming device. Media Credit: ETA PRIME Filed Under: Gaming News, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Forbes
Valve Unleashes SteamOS for ROG Ally and Legion Go
Pictured: Steam Deck OLED Limited Edition White Valve For years, Valve promised to extend support for SteamOS beyond the Steam Deck, and today the company's first major step toward fulfilling that promise sees the light of day. Nope, the Legion Go S powered by by SteamOS isn't quite here yet. But today's SteamOS update not only adds several welcome features for Steam Deck owners, it also marks the release of an official installer for SteamOS on other AMD handhelds like the ROG Ally from Asus. At first glance, the headlining feature of SteamOS 3.7.8 (aptly codenamed 'Go Country') appears to be a welcome improvements like a newer Arch Linux base and updated graphics driver, but for non-Steam Deck owners who want Valve's polished, console-like experience on their Windows handheld, the real gem is this line in the patch notes: Before this, you had to use an alternative OS like Bazzite, or jump through some hoops to get the official SteamOS image installed on Windows-powered AMD handhelds like the original Legion Go, current Legion Go S, and ROG Ally. Valve's SteamOS recovery image probably isn't ready for prime time just yet, but more people testing it beyond Steam Deck will certainly help smooth out any rough edges. Just be aware that within the current installation instructions, Valve warns that 'support for all devices that is not officially 'Powered by SteamOS' is not final.' Other highlights of SteamOS 3.7.8 – especially for power users and those of you not using a Steam Deck – include being able to tweak AMD P-State frequencies, as well as support for frame limiting with both internal and external VRR displays. The SteamOS update of course adds official support for the Legion Go S powered by SteamOS, which is days away from release. The Windows version of that handheld nails the aesthetics, is ridiculously comfortable, and boasts a terrific display. Hopefully the SteamOS-powered version will unlock its true potential, without the clunkiness of Windows dragging it down. Click here to read Valve's patch notes and see what additional features Steam Deck owners can look forward to.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Yahoo
Lenovo Legion Go S review (Windows version): Not so fast
Lenovo has already teased the second-gen version of its flagship gaming handheld. But that won't be out until much later this year, so in the meantime, it's come out with the Legion Go S, a slightly sturdier and more portable way to frag while you're out and about. Now the tricky thing about this device is that it will be available in a bunch of different configurations including one that comes pre-installed with SteamOS — a first for any portable PC not made by Valve. Frankly, that's the version we're most interested in. However, the one running Windows 11 is out now, so it's a good time to get familiar with it and see if it's worth the money or if you should just wait for the variant that comes with Valve's OS instead. Design and display: A mid-cycle streamlining Lenovo 75 100 Expert Score A more streamlined take on the original Legion Go Lenovo Legion Go S (Windows version) The Legion Go S takes a lot of the good stuff from its predecessor and distills it into a slightly more compact and portable package. However, the launch model currently costs more than the original Legion Go, while offering worse performance, a smaller screen and no detachable controllers, which makes this a hard handheld to love. Pros Big 120Hz 8-inch screen Handy little built-in touchpad Solid design with adjustable triggers Hall effect joysticks Dual USB ports Cons No fingerprint reader Lackluster vibration motor Too pricey for the performance Legion Space app is still kind of finicky $730 at Best Buy Regardless of what platform they're based on, both models feature the same design with the only difference being that the Windows 11 version comes in white while the SteamOS variant features a dark purple shell. However, unlike the original Legion Go, the Go S doesn't have detachable controllers. But aside from that, many of the highlight features from its predecessor are still there. It sports a 1,920 x 1,200 display with a 120Hz refresh rate. At 8 inches, that's larger than most handhelds, though it is a slight downgrade from the 8.8-inch panel on its predecessor. You also get joysticks with precise Hall effect sensors, an assortment of face and shoulder buttons, dual USB 4 ports (which both support power and data), 3.5mm audio and a microSD card reader. Another small tweak is that instead of four paddles in back, you only get two, with Lenovo trading out the second pair for a set of toggle switches that let you adjust how deep you want the handheld's triggers to go. It's a nice touch for people who enjoy things like racing games where a bit of extra analog sensitivity can go a long way, but still want the freedom to have a shorter pull when playing stuff like fighting games, where longer triggers hurt more than they help. And while the touchpad on the Legion Go S is much smaller than the one on the original, I'm really glad Lenovo didn't axe it altogether as it makes navigating through settings and menus in Windows so much easier than relying strictly on the joysticks or touch support. The Legion Go S features an 8-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The one feature I wish Lenovo had included is an onboard fingerprint sensor. Without it, you need to use a PIN or password to get into Windows 11. On a system without a keyboard, that means every time you pick up the system, you have to shift your hands away from the joysticks and tap the middle of the touchscreen, because the tiny touchpad doesn't even work for this. Frankly, it's just kind of awkward and could have been avoided entirely if Lenovo had opted for a power button with a built-in finger scanner like many of the Legion Go's rivals including the ROG Ally X and the MSI Claw 8 AI+. Finally, while the Go S does have a built-in rumble motor, the vibrations it puts out are hilariously one-note, especially when it's set to buzz anytime you use the touchpad. So I ended up turning it off entirely. Performance: Not as fast as you might expect The Legion Go S will eventually support a handful of processors and configurations, but right now it comes with an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chip along with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. And if you're comparing it to its predecessor, you might think this thing would offer better performance. After all, the original Legion Go has less RAM and an older Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU, and two is higher than one, right? Well not so fast, because the Z1 Extreme features a base clock of 3.3GHz with eight cores and 16 threads compared to the Z2 Go's base clock of 3GHz with just four cores and eight threads. Furthermore, the older Z1 Extreme also has a GPU based on AMD's newer RDNA 3 architecture compared to RDNA 2 for the Z2 Go. So in actuality, the Legion Go S with this chip is about 10 to 15 percent less powerful than the model that came before it. The Legion Go S has good thermals tanks to huge intake fans in back and a row of vents along the top. This becomes a lot more obvious when looking at benchmarks where the Legion Go S delivered 45 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at 800p and medium settings with FSR upscaling set to performance, while the original Legion Go hit 51 fps with both systems set to the same 15-watt performance mode. Meanwhile in Returnal, we saw a similar pattern with the Go S reaching 23 fps on medium graphics at 800p compared to 34 fps for the older Legion Go, once again with both devices set to 15 watts. Advertisement Seeing poorer performance on the new model might set off alarms for some people, but before anyone panics, consider this: The Legion Go S is supposed to be a more streamlined and affordable take on the original, so in some respects not being able to achieve the same or higher framerates is to be expected. To me, the real issue is that 32GB of RAM is sort of overkill for this chip, which means you're paying more for memory that can't be fully utilized. And remember, while the Go S' launch config comes with a Z2 Go, there are other versions that are expected to get a Z1 Extreme and possibly a vanilla Z2 at some point in the future. Of course, if you want higher framerates, you can always adjust how much power you're sending to its processor. Lenovo's default balanced setting uses 15 watts, while performance mode pumps things up to 30. But if you want more precise control, the custom mode can go from as little as 5 watts all the way up to 40, though you'll want or need to be plugged into the wall to utilize its full TDP (thermal design power). Battery life: Good enough Naturally, whatever performance mode you choose will ultimately impact your battery life. I found that when playing Metal Slug Tactics using the 15-watt balanced setting, the Legion Go S lasted for around two and a half hours, which is pretty solid. When playing more demanding titles, longevity wasn't quite as good, with runtimes closer to an hour and a half. Though, with the Go S featuring a 55.5WHr battery compared to something like the 80WHr pack in the ROG Ally X, that kind of discrepancy isn't entirely unexpected. Software: Better, but still clunky The Legion Go's quick settings menu can be easily accessed by hitting the top button to the right of the screen. Lenovo has done a lot to improve the Legion Space app since it came out a couple years ago. Not only is it much better as a general place to launch games from, it's a lot easier to adjust settings or download new drivers or software updates. Even the UI is more spacious and intuitive. However, at the end of the day, the handoff between Legion Space and the rest of Windows 11 still feels awkward. Depending on what you're trying to tweak, you have to jump between menus from Lenovo and Microsoft while switching between joystick and touchpad to navigate. I also noticed some bugs like when trying to install Steam from the Legion Space app. It failed every time, which meant I had to download the app directly from Valve and do things manually. In a lot of respects, this is where Windows-based handhelds lag behind the most, so it's a shame it'll be another few months before the SteamOS model goes on sale sometime in May. Wrap-up The Legion Go S has all the makings of a solid portable gaming PC. It's got a straightforward design with good ergonomics, Hall effect joysticks and a sensible button layout. Lenovo also includes some nice perks like dual USB-C ports, a decent-sized battery and a handy little touchpad for navigating Windows. I just wish there was a built-in fingerprint scanner too. And while its 8-inch OLED display is a touch smaller than the one on its predecessor, there's not much to dislike about it. You even get more storage (1TB) than a base Legion Go (512GB). The Legion Go S has a good foundation, but the $730 launch config doesn't make a ton of sense compared to other gaming handhelds on the market right now. Advertisement The hard thing to come to terms with is that right now a Legion Go S costs $730 for worse performance, no detachable controllers and the lack of bonuses like an included carrying case or vertical mouse functionality like on the original Legion Go, which can be had for $30 less ($700). Normally, that would be a death sentence for a new system because that value proposition simply doesn't make sense. But in this case, the issue is that Lenovo hasn't fully rolled out all of its variations. I still think 32GB of RAM on this device is excessive; not even the ROG Ally X has that much. But more importantly, the Legion Go S' other configs aren't available yet. So even if you aren't holding out for the SteamOS variant, you'd be silly not to wait for less expensive versions to come out with starting prices closer to $600 (or even $500 for the one with Valve's platform), which will instantly make this handheld a lot more attractive.
