We do often include affiliate links to earn us some pennies. See more here.

Work is underway to better support ASUS ROG laptops on Linux

By - | Views: 45,744

ASUS ROG (Republic Of Gamers) is a brand of special hardware primarily aimed at PC gaming and work is now underway by the community to better support their laptops on Linux.

Being spearheaded by software engineer Luke Jones, the rog-core utility is starting off with the Zephyrus GX502GW which is being used as the basis for it. They're going to expand to support others, if they can get more data from other ASUS ROG laptop owners.

They've got big plans for what it will be able to do including: Setting/modifying built-in LED modes, Per-key LED setting, Fancy LED modes (custom programs), running as a Daemon (background process), system control including things like Sleep / Brightness and everything you would expect to be able to do with a fancy "gamer" laptop from ASUS.

I think it's incredible we have projects like this, where the hardware vendor doesn't usually give Linux a second thought. If you wish to help out you can find the rog-core utility on GitHub.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
19 Likes
About the author -
author picture
I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
See more from me
The comments on this article are closed.
51 comments
Page: 1/6»
  Go to:

Linas Apr 19, 2020
View PC info
  • Supporter Plus
I really don't get this RGB trend. All the blinking lights is a distraction and totally breaks the immersion. But better support is always welcome, because it means that I can turn the blinking lights off. :D
Dragunov Apr 19, 2020
So they chose a $2000 laptop that almost no one can afford to start on? That makes perfect sense.

Usually when I install Linux on a Laptop most things already work out of the box. I've never bought an Asus before though.

They look really nice, but for the price they better be lol
Liam Dawe Apr 19, 2020
Quoting: DragunovSo they chose a $2000 laptop that almost no one can afford to start on? That makes perfect sense.
They're quite clearly using what they have. We're also talking about ASUS ROG gaming laptops, none of them are cheap.
jordicoma Apr 19, 2020
Quoting: LinasI really don't get this RGB trend. All the blinking lights is a distraction and totally breaks the immersion. But better support is always welcome, because it means that I can turn the blinking lights off. :D
I think the same. RGB lights are anti-gaming. It distracts from the action, it makes you worse, it's more expensive, and sometimes it decrises the performance.
I saw a video a sdd drive with lights that were so hot, that made the drive unusable (the chips has a minimum and maximum temperature).
yahya Apr 19, 2020
There's a similar effort for the ASUS TUF Gaming series laptops:
https://github.com/hackbnw/faustus

Fan control by pressing Fn+F5 is the best thing I can get, which works on Linux
cybik Apr 19, 2020
Quoting: DragunovSo they chose a $2000 laptop that almost no one can afford to start on? That makes perfect sense.

To be fair, I've been looking at a Zephyrus G14 and I kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinda want to help?
Eike Apr 19, 2020
View PC info
  • Supporter Plus
Quoting: yahyaFan control by pressing Fn+F5 is the best thing I can get, which works on Linux

Fans being controlled automatically is the best thing I can get.


Last edited by Eike on 20 April 2020 at 6:22 am UTC
eldaking Apr 19, 2020
Republic of Gamers? What a stupid name. I'd be ashamed to use something with that name.

Quoting: jordicoma
Quoting: LinasI really don't get this RGB trend. All the blinking lights is a distraction and totally breaks the immersion. But better support is always welcome, because it means that I can turn the blinking lights off. :D
I think the same. RGB lights are anti-gaming. It distracts from the action, it makes you worse, it's more expensive, and sometimes it decrises the performance.
I saw a video a sdd drive with lights that were so hot, that made the drive unusable (the chips has a minimum and maximum temperature).

Being a gamer is not about playing games. It is about a culture and a community, and you can play games a lot without being part of it* or be part of it and barely play anything. One element is of course the aesthetic: RGB leds, ugly overpriced chairs with random neon colored patches, big monitors and custom rigs, styles of clothing, etc. There is also the general toxicity and politics, the internal jokes and memes, and etc. So, considering all that: products targeted at "gamers" aren't necessarily better for gaming, they just appeal to many people from a particular community.

*In fact, some games just don't count, and might even mark you as "not a real gamer"... gamer culture is just horrible in pretty much every way. The leds are silly but probably the least toxic thing.
Projectile Vomit Apr 19, 2020
I've used Asus gaming laptops for years and swear by them (although, I need to build a desktop computer when I have the funds, specifically for music production and Nvidia is not the graphics processing I need for a RT kernel). I look forward to seeing this feature on my next laptop. It is nice to see companies giving Linux some love.
Eike Apr 19, 2020
View PC info
  • Supporter Plus
Quoting: eldaking*In fact, some games just don't count, and might even mark you as "not a real gamer"... gamer culture is just horrible in pretty much every way. The leds are silly but probably the least toxic thing.

Don't let those people take away the word gamer from you. I'm playing games, so I'm a gamer.
(Well, I'm mostly a parent at the moment, but I would...! ;) )
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
The comments on this article are closed.