In the rapidly evolving handheld gaming market, ASUS has reaffirmed its commitment to Windows 11 as the operating system foundation for its upcoming ROG Ally handhelds. This decision highlights Windows 11's dominance in the gaming ecosystem, supported by its extensive game library, backward compatibility, and robust ecosystem features like Xbox Game Pass and native support for platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store. ASUS's endorsement is driven by a desire to deliver the broadest and most seamless gaming experience possible, especially since Windows 11 supports desktop-grade hardware like AMD’s Zen 4 CPUs and RDNA 3 graphics. Microsoft has also optimized Windows for handheld gaming, introducing features such as Compact Mode for the Xbox Game Bar, which streamlines UI for smaller screens, and ongoing performance optimizations for battery life and peripheral support. While ASUS pre-installs Windows 11 on the ROG Ally, it also leaves the door open for users to install alternative OSes, acknowledging the growing interest in Linux-based platforms like SteamOS. Valve has announced support for SteamOS on the ROG Ally, enabling dual-boot setups and enhanced compatibility with gaming libraries, though Windows remains the more mature and secure platform for mainstream gaming. The choice of Windows 11 aligns with ASUS’s goal to attract a wide range of gamers, from casual to competitive, by ensuring support for anti-cheat systems, performance stability, and a comprehensive ecosystem. Although concerns about Windows performance on portable devices exist, recent updates and optimizations continue to improve the user experience, making Windows 11 the leading OS for handheld gaming on the ROG Ally and future devices.