Competition between SteamOS and Windows 11 on devices gaming handheld is heating up. Through the latest test on the Lenovo Legion Go S by YouTuber Dave2DHowever, a comparison of the two shows striking results. SteamOS not only outperformed Windows 11 in FPS performance, but also in power efficiency and user experience.
Higher Gaming Performance on SteamOS
Benchmark results show SteamOS is up to 25% ahead of Windows 11 on the same device. One example is seen in the game The Witcher 3For example, in Windows 11, we had a game that ran at 76 FPS on SteamOS, while in Windows 11 it only reached 66 FPS. For heavy games like Cyberpunk 2077SteamOS is also capable of running games more smoothly and stably.
This improvement is believed to come from Linux kernel optimization as well as more efficient thermal management on SteamOS. This makes the experience of playing AAA games on portable devices much more enjoyable and less performance-impaired.
Significant Battery Efficiency
In the battery life test, SteamOS once again proved its superiority. When running light games such as Dead Cells, devices using SteamOS were able to last more than 6 hours. In contrast, the Windows 11 version of the same device only lasted about 2.75 hours.
This power saving is especially important in the context of handheld gaming, as mobile gamers usually rely on batteries for long gaming sessions. This is a crucial point that has prompted many users to start considering SteamOS as an alternative.
Friendlier User Experience on SteamOS
One important thing that this comparison also highlights is the usage experience. Windows 11 is designed for desktops and laptops, not for small devices without a keyboard or mouse. The navigation interface on gaming handhelds feels unnatural in Windows 11.
In contrast, SteamOS offers a much more seamless experience. Full controller support, touchscreenSteamOS is the ideal platform for platforms like the Legion Go S and ROG Ally, and the interface is optimized for small screens.
Impact on Handheld Gaming Industry
SteamOS' advantages in performance and battery efficiency open up great opportunities for redefining standards in the ecosystem gaming handheld. Valve has officially provided support for SteamOS 3.7 on the Lenovo Legion Go S device, and even provided installation instructions for other devices such as the ASUS ROG Ally.
If Microsoft doesn't make significant optimizations to Windows 11, it could be that device manufacturers start turning away from their operating system in favor of more responsive and power-efficient platforms.
A recent comparison between SteamOS and Windows 11 on handheld gaming devices shows the overall superiority of SteamOS. From FPS, to battery life, to user experience, SteamOS proves itself to be the better choice for today's handheld gaming devices. With more and more manufacturers starting to open support for SteamOS, Windows 11's position in this ecosystem could be threatened if it doesn't improve soon.
