The upcoming Xbox is rumored to run on Windows, which is frustrating after my weekend battling glitches in Fallout New Vegas on the Xbox Ally X.

Weekly updates, stories from your favorite gaming communities, and more

You’re now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful

Looking to add more newsletters?

Get your weekly dose of everything you need to know about the games you love, upcoming titles we think you’ll enjoy, and stories from the vibrant communities that support them.

Our dedicated GTA 6 newsletter brings you the latest news, insider insights, and rumor breakdowns from experts in the field.

From the minds behind Edge comes a weekly newsletter focused on the gaming industry, featuring analysis from seasoned writers, advice from industry professionals, and a glimpse into what’s on the horizon.

Tech enthusiasts, join our free tech newsletter for a weekly roundup of the latest innovations, cutting-edge gadgets, and much more.

Subscribe to our new Switch 2 newsletter for weekly updates on Nintendo’s upcoming console, including news and game recommendations.

Receive a weekly summary of the most important movie and TV news, including first-look trailers, interviews, reviews, and in-depth analyses.

Get exclusive previews, competitions, and details about special events each month!

Rumors are swirling again about the next Xbox potentially running on a Windows core. While this isn’t new information, it’s still causing some concern. The buzz about Microsoft’s controversial operating system making its way to next-gen consoles comes after a long weekend of trying to get Fallout: New Vegas to run smoothly on the ROG Xbox Ally X. Spoiler alert: frame rates are significantly more stable on the Steam Deck OLED compared to the $1,000 portable PC.

This leak about the next-gen Xbox may be old, but if you’re experiencing issues with one of the best gaming handhelds running Microsoft’s OS, it’s still relevant. The discussions are being fueled by an article that reiterates the Series X successor will essentially function as a Windows 11 gaming PC.

While that sounds a bit vague, the concept is that the next Xbox will feature a “TV-first console-like interface,” potentially similar to the Full Screen Experience introduced with the ROG Xbox Ally. This means you’ll be greeted by a console-like interface by default, providing quick access to your games, library, and settings via a controller, while Windows operates in the background alongside a desktop mode.

I’m not entirely against the idea of hardware that supports PC compatibility. There are plenty of reasons to consider Windows 11 handhelds like the MSI Claw 8 AI+, Lenovo Legion Go S, and ROG Xbox Ally X. However, while the latter showcases the potential of blending console comfort with broad application and storefront support, it also brings along the quirks and challenges that desktop users face, which seem to multiply with every update.

It’s worth noting that the latest Windows update (KB5074105) has been causing stuttering issues even on high-end gaming PCs, with RTX 5090 owners reporting frame drops. Before diving into the chaos that Microsoft’s updates can create, I want to share my frustrating experience playing Fallout: New Vegas on the ROG Ally X for what feels like the millionth time, especially after the Season 2 finale of the TV show.

I know New Vegas has always had its quirks on Windows. I’m familiar with applying patches to address the odd 64fps frame rate cap, ensuring the game recognizes more than 4GB of RAM, and even swapping DirectX 9 for Vulkan. You can find all those tweaks on modding sites, but despite my efforts, I couldn’t get the game to run nearly as well as it does on the Steam Deck.

To be clear, I did manage to average around 60fps on the ROG Ally X, which sounds decent, but it pales in comparison to the solid 90fps I consistently achieved at 800p on the Steam Deck OLED with the same settings. I suspect Windows is at least partly responsible for this disparity.

For starters, adjusting the screen and game resolution to 900p to match the Steam Deck didn’t improve fps at all, which is puzzling. I have no idea why this change didn’t yield even a slight performance boost, but it felt like frame rates frequently dipped to around 60 or lower. To make matters worse, I couldn’t get AMD’s Fluid Motion Frames technology to help, suggesting that the Vulkan patches might not be functioning correctly.

Now, let’s assume I somehow messed up one of the performance mods. In that case, you could chalk it up to user error, but it raises the question of whether so much tweaking should be necessary to get a game from 2010 running above 60fps in the first place. By opting for Windows, casual console players might face similar challenges in the next generation, while the seamless experience offered by Valve’s handheld suggests that Steam Machine owners will have an easier time.

I encountered several other minor issues while playing New Vegas on the ROG Xbox Ally X, particularly related to the Full Screen Experience and gamepad support. For some reason, the built-in controls would occasionally stop responding, leading to a lot of hassle with closing and reopening tabs. Whether this is linked to the original 360 gamepad support or how the OS interacts with it is unclear, but it served as a reminder that I was using a Windows PC.

I could go on about every little annoyance I faced while trying to navigate the Mojave Wasteland, but each complaint ties back to the current state of Windows 11. I believe the Full Screen Experience is a step in the right direction, and the ability to play games across all storefronts will attract Xbox fans. However, if this approach is carried over to whatever follows the Series X, Microsoft will need to create a streamlined version of its operating system with less bloat, better gamepad support, and a driver approach that can deliver results similar to the Steam Deck when necessary.

Perhaps players of the Xbox Ally X are indeed in a testing phase ahead of the next-gen console, which could mean we’ll see a tailored version of Windows by the time the Series X launches. Ultimately, Microsoft will need to address all the drawbacks of the current version and eliminate any background desktop issues that could hinder performance, all while making the experience feel indistinguishable from a console. Honestly, that seems like a tall order, especially considering that even casual PC use can be a hassle right now.

Already got Valve’s powerhouse? Check out the best accessories and dock options to enhance your hybrid setup.