In a recent analysis, early comparisons between SteamOS and Windows 11 on identical hardware have revealed a significant disparity in gaming performance, with SteamOS emerging as a formidable contender. This development poses a potential challenge to Microsoft, particularly among gaming enthusiasts. As Microsoft continues to expand Windows 11 with features that many users find unnecessary, the overall performance has noticeably declined.
Valve’s SteamOS, along with its Proton compatibility layer, appears to be shifting the gaming landscape. The latest insights from tech reviewer Dave2D shed light on the performance differences observed in the Lenovo Legion Go S, a device that initially faced criticism for its Windows 11 performance and battery life. With the introduction of SteamOS, the Legion Go S is now demonstrating its true potential, making a compelling case for its hardware capabilities.
One of the more striking findings from Dave2D’s review pertains to battery life. When running 2D games, the Lenovo Legion Go S equipped with SteamOS outperformed its Windows counterpart, delivering over six hours of gameplay on indie titles such as Dead Cells. In contrast, the Windows version managed only 2.75 hours. While battery performance on graphically intensive games like Cyberpunk 2077 showed similar results across both platforms, the substantial gains in battery life for less demanding titles highlight Windows 11’s inefficiencies in this area.
Can it be fixed?
Critics have pointed out that the initial review of the Legion Go S was titled “disappointing, but SteamOS could save it,” and the evidence suggests that this may indeed be the case. As various tech outlets continue to report on the performance discrepancies, it becomes increasingly clear that Windows 11 users may be at a disadvantage.
Despite the challenges posed by SteamOS, Windows 11’s advantage has traditionally been its compatibility with a wide range of gaming platforms. The kernel-level anti-cheat systems can create hurdles for some games on SteamOS, while Windows 11 seamlessly supports every major gaming launcher, including PC Game Pass and the Riot Client. However, it could be argued that SteamOS might find it easier to integrate additional launchers than it would be for Microsoft’s Windows team to enhance gaming performance.
Over the past few years, Windows 11 has faced mounting criticism, from intrusive ads to privacy concerns and an array of features that users did not request. These issues have raised questions about Microsoft’s commitment to user satisfaction, which CEO Satya Nadella once emphasized as a priority. Meanwhile, Microsoft is reportedly working on PC-oriented gaming initiatives, including the next Xbox console and potential handheld devices like Project Kennan, which may adopt a more tailored approach compared to Windows 11’s broad strategy.
While Windows maintains a dominant market share of approximately 70% in the desktop operating system arena, history has shown that market leaders can quickly lose their position when faced with a customer-focused alternative. The rise of SteamOS could very well be a catalyst for change in the gaming landscape, prompting Microsoft to reassess its approach.
