A version of Windows 11 for handheld gaming? Yes, please

By Aaron Leong Published April 13, 2023

Microsoft might have just given us a small, but hopeful glimpse of a possible Windows 11 gaming UI designed to be used with small handheld gaming devices. It might also be a sign that Redmond is finally taking portable PC gaming more seriously.

During an internally-hosted Microsoft hackathon event back in September, an experimental Windows interface has gotten the attention of the portable gaming device community, thanks to a tweeted leak. Called “Windows Handheld Mode”, the interface essentially brings a gaming shell or launcher in lieu of a regular Windows 11 desktop UI.

Returnal running on the Steam Deck. — Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

While many handheld gaming devices come with Windows 11 pre-installed, it’s no secret that Windows isn’t meant for smaller devices that navigate with a mix of gaming controls and touch. It’s been one of the main concerns about possible Windows-based handhelds, such as the recently announced Asus ROG Ally.

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The tweet shows an enlarged taskbar, and a gaming-specific launcher with equally large icons, among other highlights. Apparently, the designers of the “Handheld Mode” had their heads to the ground and thus made navigating Windows and quickly accessing games easier with gaming controls.

While there is no guarantee that experiments like these may see the light of day, it’s great that Redmond seems to be acknowledging the growing popularity of cloud gaming plus the limitations of Windows on handheld gaming PCs, especially with more brands jumping onto the handheld gaming PC arena.

Valve’s Steam Deck may be the halo device in the category, but with a Windows Handheld Mode, brands like Asus (with its ROG Ally) and GPD (with its Win series) now look like they may have a chance at offering a fitting alternative.

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Aaron enjoys all manner of tech - from mobile (phones/smartwear), audio (headphones/earbuds), computing (gaming/Chromebooks)…

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Careful — the new Jackbox game is corrupting Steam Decks

The Steam Deck OLED sitting in a case.

The Steam Deck is easily the best handheld gaming PC you can buy, but a new game that launched with native Linux support for the Steam Deck is corrupting some devices. The Jackbox Megapicker, a free launcher for Jackbox party games, is corrupting the installation on SteamOS on the Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED, according to multiple sources.

GamingOnLinux first reported the story, which has been confirmed by both the developers and Valve's Pierre-Loup Griffais, following user reports of corrupted installations on Reddit and Discord a few days ago. After installing the game, the Steam Deck would refuse to load. It doesn't completely ruin the device, but if you install The Jackbox Megapicker, you'll be forced to reinstall SteamOS from scratch. That includes creating your own recovery media with Valve's SteamOS image and completely wiping all data from the device.

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Asus ROG Ally X vs. Steam Deck OLED: Has the champion been dethroned?

The Asus ROG Ally X console.

It's not much of an overstatement to say that when Valve released the original Steam Deck, it started a real handheld PC revolution. Launching the Steam Deck OLED only emphasized that while there may be other, more powerful consoles on the market now, Valve's offering still stands strong against the competition. But can it hold its ground against the Asus ROG Ally X?

The two handhelds have more in common than it might seem at first glance. While both are refreshes, neither is a full-blown version 2.0. How do they stack up against each other, though? We've reviewed both ourselves, so we now know the answer to that question. Read our comparison to find out which device wins in a battle between the Asus ROG Ally X and the Steam Deck OLED.
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I put the new ROG Ally X up against the original ROG Ally

asus rog ally x review 07

Asus is making the ROG Ally better. Although the original ROG Ally is one of the best handheld gaming PCs you can buy, the new ROG Ally X improves on the original design in almost every way. It sports better specs, better ergonomics, a larger battery, and a new black colorway -- but Asus is also asking for more money. The ROG Ally X comes in at $800, while you can often find the original for less than $600.

We've tested both handhelds extensively, as you can read in our Asus ROG Ally review and Asus ROG Ally X review. The updated ROG Ally X is certainly a better handheld overall, but it struggles to justify its premium over the original design.
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