Can a Linux gaming distro replace Windows on a new handheld? YouTuber Dawid set out to find out by installing Bazzite Linux on the ROG Xbox Ally X, then putting it through a round of real-world testing in Cyberpunk 2077 and Shadow of Mordor. The short answer: there are glimpses of promise, but it’s not ready for prime time on this device.
Getting the basics in place turned out to be the first challenge. In Cyberpunk 2077, the performance overlay refused to show up until MangoHUD was installed, and even then Dawid ultimately switched to Steam’s built-in tool. The game also displayed a blank resolution field, though he assumed it was running at 1080p. Once up and running, Cyberpunk felt smoother than on Windows 11, with slightly higher frame rates and lower input latency. It wasn’t a night-and-day difference, but responsiveness was clearly a touch better under Bazzite.
Shadow of Mordor offered a cleaner benchmark. It detected the display resolution correctly and delivered frame rates that were nearly identical on both operating systems. The takeaway: Linux may improve interface fluidity and input feel in certain cases, but there’s no significant raw performance advantage yet, at least in these tests.
Stability and device support were the bigger hurdles. After booting back into Windows and then returning to Bazzite, the controls stopped working altogether, only to mysteriously fix themselves the next day. Even the RGB lighting came back on without explanation. These start-and-stop quirks suggest that drivers and system integration still need more work for this particular handheld.
If you’re thinking about installing Bazzite Linux on the ROG Xbox Ally X today, it’s best to wait. Based on this hands-on experience, the distro needs further optimization to properly support the latest Xbox-branded handheld. With these devices still fresh on the market, a little patience will likely pay off as updates roll out and compatibility improves.
Quick takeaways:
– Cyberpunk 2077 under Bazzite felt slightly smoother with marginally higher FPS and lower input latency
– Shadow of Mordor performance was essentially the same on Linux and Windows 11
– Performance overlays required extra setup; MangoHUD helped before switching to Steam’s tool
– Intermittent control issues and odd RGB behavior point to immature driver support
– For now, holding off on Bazzite for the ROG Xbox Ally X is the safer move
