SteamOS Challenges Microsoft’s Xbox Handheld:…

The anticipated merger of Xbox and Windows in the realm of handheld gaming PCs cannot come soon enough. Handhelds running Windows desperately require enhancements, and Lenovo’s Legion Go S exemplifies the pressing challenges Microsoft faces with any forthcoming Xbox-related handheld devices.

YouTuber Dave2D recently tested the Legion Go S running both the new SteamOS and the current Windows version. Although the hardware specs are identical, the operating systems differ significantly, yielding impressive results. Games on the SteamOS version outpace those on Windows by about 5 to 10 percent at low or medium settings, thanks to Valve’s remarkable Proton compatibility layer enhancing performance on Linux and SteamOS.

The SteamOS variant of the Legion Go S even surpasses Valve’s Steam Deck in performance, yielding notably better results if users are willing to compromise on battery life. Battery life is a crucial aspect of the handheld gaming experience, and the SteamOS version significantly outperformed the Windows variant in Dave2D’s evaluations.

For instance, in Dead Cells, the Legion Go S with SteamOS manages just over six hours at 60fps, while the Windows model barely scrapes three hours. This is significant, as it demonstrates that choosing Microsoft’s OS halves your battery life. Similar results can be observed with Hades, which runs for over four hours on SteamOS compared to just under two hours on Windows.

My colleague, Sean Hollister, has identified similar inconsistencies in performance between Windows and SteamOS. Additionally, Cary Golomb has pointed out straightforward adjustments that Microsoft should implement to address some battery life concerns on Windows.

Dave2D concludes, “Windows was the problem all along,” effectively encapsulating the current state of handheld PC gaming and the significant challenges that Microsoft faces. A substantial portion of the battery issues stems from Windows being inherently unsuited for handheld gaming devices, as games aren’t being optimized for power management on this hardware.

In addition to the clear performance and battery advantages of SteamOS, Valve has developed a reliable sleep and resume feature. When a Windows handheld gaming PC is put to sleep, users often find themselves needing to reboot and manually resume their games hours later. In contrast, SteamOS devices handle suspend and resume actions far more effectively.