Valve’s Steam Tab Dream – How a Ryzen AI Max+ Tablet Outperforms the Steam Deck

Introduction

Imagine a handheld gaming tablet that runs SteamOS natively, sports a 13‑inch 180 Hz display, and houses a powerful Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 APU. While Valve has never announced such a device, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13—a 2‑in‑1 laptop with a detachable keyboard—demonstrates exactly what a “Steam Tab” could look like. In this article we explore the process of installing official SteamOS on the Flow Z13, dive into its performance across a range of AAA titles, and assess its battery life and usability as a portable gaming machine.

Hardware Overview

• Processor: AMD Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 (16 cores, 32 threads)
• Graphics: Integrated Radeon RX 6800 Series 8060 SI GPU
• Memory: 32 GB LPDDR5 (16 GB allocated to the iGPU, 16 GB for system RAM)
• Display: 13‑inch, 180 Hz, 2560×1600 resolution
• Storage: 1 TB NVMe SSD (user‑configurable)
• Battery: 70 Wh lithium‑polymer
• Form factor: 2‑in‑1 tablet with detachable keyboard, weighs more than a Steam Deck but remains portable

The Flow Z13 is currently the fastest x86 tablet on the market, comfortably eclipsing the Steam Deck OLED in raw computing power.

Installing Official SteamOS

The device originally shipped with Windows, but a main‑line SteamOS 3.9 build can be installed directly onto the tablet’s firmware. After flashing the OS, the system boots into the familiar Steam Deck UI, allowing users to access the full Steam library without any third‑party compatibility layers.

Required Third‑Party Plugin

SteamOS does not expose native TDP (Thermal Design Power) control for the Ryzen AI Max Plus APU. To manage power budgets we install the open‑source Decky Loader plugin, specifically the Simple Decky TDP module. This addition enables:

• Adjustable TDP range (up to 120 W, though 65 W is more practical for handheld use)
• Separate GPU and CPU power profiles
• Options to prefer CPU or GPU performance, or balance both

With Decky installed, the system offers the same granular power management found on Valve’s own handhelds.

Performance Tuning

The SteamOS UI presents several performance toggles that mirror the Steam Deck’s options:

• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
• Frame limiter (can be disabled for uncapped FPS)
• Half‑rate shading
• Manual GPU clock (though the 8060 SI does not currently expose overclocking beyond its default 2.9 GHz)
• Scaling mode

Using Simple Decky TDP we set a balanced 65 W profile for most gaming sessions, reserving the 120 W ceiling for demanding benchmarks.

Gaming Benchmarks

Borderlands 4

• Resolution: 1440 p, High settings
• FSR Frame Gen enabled
• Average FPS: ~68 W boost, smooth but still benefits from frame generation

Marvel’s Spider‑Man 2

• Resolution: 1440 p, High settings, FSR set to Balanced
• No frame generation required
• Average FPS: mid‑70s, stable performance

The Witcher 3 (RDR2)

• Resolution: 1440 p, Ultra settings, no FSR
• Nvidia HairWorks disabled (AMD GPUs struggle with this feature)
• Average FPS: ~42 fps when HairWorks is forced on; otherwise, comfortably above 60 fps

Genshin Impact (Ragnarok)

• Resolution: 1440 p, Ultra settings, FSR Quality
• On AC power: 70‑plus FPS without frame generation
• On battery (≈52 W): Frame Gen required to stay in the 70 fps range

Cyberpunk 2077

• Resolution: 1440 p, Ultra preset, FSR 2.1 Quality
• Average FPS: >70 fps on 65 W boost
• Frame Gen further raises performance for those who accept the visual trade‑off

Left 4 Dead 2 (Legacy Test)

• Resolution: 1440 p, all settings maxed, frame limiter disabled
• FPS fluctuates around 300, limited primarily by the monitor’s refresh rate
• Demonstrates that the tablet can push legacy titles far beyond typical handheld capabilities

Indie Title (Battery Test)

• Resolution: 1080 p, 60 fps target
• TDP set to 8 W via Simple Decky TDP
• Power draw: ~11 W total (CPU, GPU, display, speakers, fan)
• Expected battery life: over 6 hours of continuous play

Battery Life and Power Efficiency

The 70 Wh battery provides a respectable runtime, especially when the TDP is throttled to 8‑10 W for less demanding games. At a modest 11 W draw, the tablet can sustain six to seven hours of indie gaming. Heavier titles that demand higher TDP (≈65 W) will see proportionally shorter sessions, but still remain viable for portable play.

Compatibility and Limitations

• Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth work flawlessly under SteamOS.
• Side button (Armoury Crate) cannot be remapped in the current SteamOS build, though the device offers ample physical controls via attached controllers.
• Integrated graphics: despite being an APU, the 8060 SI outperforms most mobile discrete GPUs, but certain Windows‑only features (e.g., Nvidia HairWorks) are not supported.
• Thermal performance: The fan remains quiet at low TDP; higher power budgets increase fan speed but stay within acceptable noise levels.

Conclusion

Installing official SteamOS on the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 transforms a high‑end 2‑in‑1 tablet into a handheld gaming powerhouse that dwarfs the Steam Deck in raw performance while retaining the flexibility of a full‑featured PC. With the addition of Simple Decky TDP, users gain precise control over power consumption, enabling both marathon indie sessions and high‑intensity AAA gaming on the go.

While Valve has yet to release a dedicated “Steam Tab,” the Flow Z13 demonstrates that the hardware exists and runs remarkably well under SteamOS. For enthusiasts seeking a portable Windows‑level gaming experience without compromising on the Steam ecosystem, the Ryzen AI Max Plus tablet offers a compelling preview of what could be the next evolution in handheld gaming.