More from Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and more: all the news about the handheld PC gaming revolution
I had no idea that Jsaux’s Steam Deck docks were updatable — but the company’s now letting you flash a new BIOS that supports the Asus ROG Ally’s 30W Turbo Mode.
Some of them need a 100W USB-C PD charger for 30W turbo, while others can do it with the OG 65W brick. Either way, Jsaux proves yet again that it’s paying attention!
Windows is still the vast majority of gaming PCs — over 96 percent — but the Steam Deck has thrust Linux into second-place, according to Valve’s latest hardware survey.
A full 42 percent of those Linux gamers are on SteamOS Holo specifically, which (for now) only officially ships on the Steam Deck. Is it time for Apple to finally get gamers in gear?
[GamingOnLinux]
That’s all we know, save it may use the same AMD Phoenix chips as Asus’ ROG Ally. The report speculates it’ll be a Windows handheld because it has a Ryzen chip, but that doesn’t follow — the Linux-based Steam Deck shipped with Ryzen guts.
It also speculates the ROG Ally’s Z1 Extreme chip might have an advantage over AMD Phoenix. But since Z1 Extreme is a Phoenix, I’d take that with a grain of salt.
So far, the port looks... pretty OK! Also — LOL — they tried running it on an original PS4 hard drive to bust the myth that it never needed a new console.
Wondering whether it’ll truly play well on Steam Deck? An early test on YouTube suggests it’s actually pretty smooth, but relies on dynamically adjusting AMD FSR 2.1 which can make the game look mighty low-res in graphically intensive moments.
$40 for the RGB back cover, $60 combo with the front plate for the fully transparent look, $36 for front plate by itself, $60-$90 for the RGB docks.
Don’t miss our report on how Jsaux rode the Steam Deck to escape the Amazon wilderness.
I’ve been playing Sony’s troubled PC port on the gaming handheld... and my 16-year-old launch PS3.
There’s a lot to love about portable Joel and Ellie, but graphics ain’t it.
Note: Valve’s “verified” and “playable” lists of titles haven’t always been reliable, since Valve doesn’t playtest the entirety of a game last we checked. Also, some verified games run at 30fps and/or drain battery quick. But it’s a good ballpark.
For me, it never ceases to amaze: We now live in a world where a Linux handheld can competently play Windows games.
A note from Asus in late June mentioned issues with failing SD cards and said a future update would boost fan speed as a precaution. Now that update is here, labeled BIOS 322. It raises the fan curve when using it in Turbo mode, both on battery power and plugged in (via Windows Central).
Our updated review of the ROG Ally showed that, like the Steam Deck before it, software updates could go a long way to improving the handheld PC gaming experience.
If you’re relying on the original May reviews of the ROG Ally for your purchasing decision, you should know that those reviewers didn’t get final hardware and software. I’m still seeing lower performance today with my retail unit than I did with my original review unit, despite Asus’ new statement and AMD’s graphic driver hotfix.
Could be a bad unit. But I’m not the only one who saw the dip.
Turns out they’re sometimes just picked off a list. That’s the case with Jsaux, whose founder told me “There’s not any specific meaning.” Yet the brand cornered the market on Steam Deck accessories by beating even Valve to the punch.
Its Chinese name is Shenzhen Wuyishi Technology Co, which sounds like many Shenzhen-based gadget makers — save the “Wuyishi,” which means consciousness. Jsaux told us it symbolizes freeing your mind to think of innovative designs.
So there is more to some of these brand names.
How Jsaux rode the Steam Deck to escape the Amazon wilderness
A Chinese accessory maker with an alphabet-soup name struck while the iron was hot. Now, it wants to be the next Anker.
We knew that swapping the Windows gaming handheld’s SSD and battery was a breeze — but it turns out most every Asus part is easier to remove than Steam Deck!
Unfortunately, Asus hasn’t yet committed to actually offering replacement parts. Valve, meanwhile, lets iFixit sell almost every Steam Deck component at its website.
I keep thinking about the ROG Ally’s weird internal layout. Lotta unused space — see how two smaller batteries are connected with a bridge instead of a single bigger one? Why a small vertical SSD slot instead of a long horizontal one? Email me if you make it better!
ETA Prime just got a fork of SteamOS running, and while there’s no indication of battery life (he plays plugged in), it looks like Windows won’t be the only answer for long. I can confirm that HoloISO is also working to support the Ally’s processor.
In a recent Q&A, Asus says owners can absolutely install whatever they like, but it won’t provide customer support for SteamOS issues.
Valve, March 14th: “The idea that you could just swap in a new screen and be done—it would need more than that to be doable.” Today: F(x)tec reveals “DeckHD”.
Even if Valve’s exaggerating, the Deck’s advantage over competitors is battery, which might suffer with a “better” screen, and F(x)tec is best known for a mediocre crowdfunded phone that arrived two years late. Plus, 60Hz is so last year. (via GamingOnLinux)
