Right now, the world of handheld PC gaming is buzzing like never before. SteamOS has been the go-to operating system for Valve’s Steam Deck, and rumors say it’s about to pop up on even more devices—starting with Lenovo’s upcoming Legion Go S. Meanwhile, Microsoft hasn’t been shy about eyeing the scene, with whispers of a special Xbox-branded ROG Ally from Asus just around the corner. It’s a wild time to be a gamer on the go.
Most manufacturers are picking between Windows 11 and SteamOS as their OS of choice for new handheld consoles. But Zotac, best known for its GeForce GPUs and long partnership with Nvidia, still wants to shake things up. They’re betting on a different Linux distro altogether, and that decision could make for a very interesting showdown at Computex 2025.
Zotac Goes Linux (But Not SteamOS)
Zotac stepped into the handheld console game earlier this year with the original Zotac Zone. Despite solid specs and that coveted Nvidia backing, it flew mostly under the radar. Now, they’re gearing up to unveil a successor at Computex 2025 in Taipei, and it’s clear they’re serious about making a splash.
Instead of adding another Windows 11 or SteamOS option to the field, Zotac chose to roll with Manjaro. If you’re not familiar, Manjaro is built on Arch Linux but aims to be more user-friendly and stable out of the box. It’s far from the mainstream gaming distro Valve has polished for years, so this decision raises plenty of eyebrows. Will it deliver the performance and compatibility that gamers expect, or will it trip up on the steep learning curve of a less common OS?
Under the Hood: Specs of the Upcoming Zotac Zone
Beyond the operating system, the upcoming Zotac Zone is packing some seriously compelling hardware. Zotac has confirmed the new model will boast an OLED display, delivering deeper blacks and more vibrant colors for your favorite games. That alone would make it a standout in the crowded handheld market, but there’s more under the hood.
The real power boost comes from the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 chip. It’s said to outperform the Z2 Extreme from earlier this year, though it might sacrifice some battery life in the process. Performance-per-watt is always a balancing act for handhelds, so we’ll be keen to see if Zotac found the sweet spot between raw power and usable battery endurance.
Manjaro Moves: What the Switch Means for Gamers
On paper, Manjaro on a gaming handheld sounds exciting: you get a super-customizable environment, a vast repository of software, and Arch’s cutting-edge packages. But stepping away from SteamOS comes with potential downsides. Valve spent years refining SteamOS to handle Proton compatibility layers, controller mappings, and GPU drivers to perfection. Can a relatively fresh distro match up to that level of polish?
If everything goes smoothly, the Manjaro-based Zotac Zone could still lean on Proton to run Windows-only games, and drivers for Radeon or Nvidia graphics are pretty solid on Linux these days. But gamers might have to fiddle with updates or configurations more often than they would on a Valve-approved platform. That tinkering might appeal to Linux enthusiasts, but it could alienate casual players who just want a hassle-free plug-and-play experience.
Why Zotac’s Bet Matters
By choosing Manjaro, Zotac is making a big statement: they believe there’s room for more than just SteamOS and Windows in the portable gaming world. If their gamble pays off, we could see a wave of handhelds running all sorts of Linux flavors, each tailored to niche audiences. Want a distro optimized for emulation? Someone might build it. Crave a minimal, performance-first system with exotic window managers? That could be your pick.
Of course, Zotac’s bet could also flop if compatibility issues crop up or if users get tired of distro quirks. That’s the gamble with going off the beaten path. But hey, gaming hardware is all about innovation and risk-taking. At the very least, Zotac’s bold move will light a fire under Valve and Microsoft to keep improving their own handheld ecosystems.
What’s Next? Catching Up at Computex 2025
We won’t have to wait long to see how this story unfolds. Zotac is set to reveal full specs, price, and availability details on May 20 at Computex 2025 in Taipei. Will the Manjaro-powered Zotac Zone deliver the performance, battery life, and polish that handheld gamers crave? Or will it be a cautionary tale about straying too far from the well-trodden path?
One thing’s for sure: with SteamOS spreading to new devices, Windows on the rise, and now Manjaro in the mix, handheld PC gaming is getting more competitive—and more exciting—by the day. Stay tuned for live updates from Computex, and get ready to pick your OS side in this portable console showdown!
