Asus ROG Ally X Review: The Ultimate Xbox Handheld?
▼ Summary
– The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is the best handheld gaming PC the reviewer has ever used but is too expensive to recommend to most people.
– It features an improved AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, a comfortable ergonomic design, and runs quietly even at high performance settings.
– The device includes a new Windows overlay interface that improves usability but doesn’t match the seamless experience of SteamOS.
– Despite the Xbox branding, it delivers a PC gaming experience without console features like Quick Resume and disappoints as an Xbox alternative.
– Its high price makes it difficult to justify compared to more affordable alternatives like the original Legion Go or devices with similar Z1 Extreme performance.
The Asus ROG Ally X stands as a premium handheld gaming PC that delivers exceptional performance and comfort, yet its high price creates a significant barrier for many potential buyers. This device represents a curious blend of impressive engineering and questionable market positioning, leaving users with a product that excels in many areas but struggles to justify its cost for the average gamer.
Microsoft’s involvement adds another layer of complexity. By branding it as an Xbox device, they set certain expectations, yet the reality is that this remains fundamentally a Windows PC. It’s not a dedicated console, and anyone hoping for a pure Xbox experience will likely be disappointed. The core of the device is a new AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, which provides a noticeable performance uplift over previous handheld chips. The redesigned chassis is remarkably comfortable, featuring elongated grips that make extended gaming sessions far more ergonomic than most competitors.
Performance is undoubtedly a highlight. In testing, the ROG Ally X proved to be the fastest handheld available, outpacing rivals like the MSI Claw and OneXPlayer. The Radeon 890M integrated graphics, based on the RDNA 3.5 architecture, handles modern games admirably, especially at lower power settings. Running in its 17-watt Performance mode, the device remains surprisingly quiet and cool, a notable achievement for a machine of this caliber. Frame rates are consistently strong, though the difference from other top-tier handhelds is often just a few frames per second rather than a generational leap.
A key new feature is the custom Windows overlay, designed specifically for handheld use. Dubbed the “Xbox full screen experience,” it offers a streamlined interface that’s far more navigable than the standard Windows desktop on a small screen. You can easily swipe between different game storefronts like Steam, the Xbox app, and the Epic Games Store. However, it doesn’t fully unify the experience. You’ll still need to interact with Asus’s Armoury Crate software for some settings, creating occasional confusion. It also lacks the Quick Resume feature found on Xbox consoles, a notable omission for those accustomed to console convenience.
The design initially appears unconventional, but in practice, it’s a triumph of ergonomics. The extended grips make it feel like holding a standard Xbox controller, which greatly enhances comfort and control accessibility. The device is slightly larger and heavier than the original Ally, but this extra bulk contributes to its excellent thermal management and quiet operation. It features a 7-inch, 1080p IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. While responsive and smooth, the screen is a point of contention. It lacks the vibrancy and contrast of competing OLED panels, feeling somewhat flat even at its peak 500-nit brightness.
Battery life is respectable, thanks to a large 80Wh cell, placing it among the longer-lasting handhelds on the market. The internal specifications are robust, including 24GB of fast LPDDR5x memory and a 1TB NVMe SSD. Connectivity is comprehensive, with multiple USB-C ports and a UHS-II microSD card reader.
So, who is this device for? If budget is no concern and you desire the most powerful and comfortable handheld PC available, the ROG Ally X is an easy recommendation. Its performance, ergonomics, and quiet operation are top-class. However, for the vast majority of gamers, the value proposition is harder to swallow. The original ROG Ally X or devices like the Legion Go offer similar core experiences at a significantly lower cost. The ROG Ally X is a fantastic piece of hardware, but its premium price tag makes it a niche product rather than a mainstream must-have.
(Source: PCGAMER)
