Xbox Evolves: The Battle for Handheld Gaming PC Dominance
▼ Summary
– Xbox announced two new handheld devices, the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, which resemble Xbox consoles but run Windows 11 and are made by Asus.
– The ROG Xbox Ally X features high-end specs, including a 1080p 120Hz screen, 24GB RAM, 1TB storage, and an 80Wh battery, while the ROG Xbox Ally has weaker hardware like the Z2 A processor and a 60Wh battery.
– Microsoft emphasizes the Xbox branding with a custom UI for these devices, integrating Game Bar and Xbox PC app features, but they remain Windows-based PCs rather than traditional Xbox consoles.
– The article highlights Microsoft’s shift in marketing, now distinguishing “Xbox PC” as a separate platform from Steam, reflecting growing competition with Valve in the handheld gaming PC space.
– Valve’s SteamOS poses a challenge to Windows on handhelds, offering better performance and battery life, though Valve claims it aims to provide choice rather than replace Windows entirely.
Microsoft is making bold moves in the handheld gaming space with two new Xbox-branded devices set to launch later this year. The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X resemble traditional Xbox controllers but with a built-in screen, offering a fresh take on portable gaming. Despite the Xbox branding, these devices run Windows 11 and are essentially repurposed versions of Asus’ popular ROG Ally series, featuring custom AMD processors.
The ROG Xbox Ally X stands out with impressive specs: a Z2 Extreme processor, 16 GPU cores, and 24GB of RAM, paired with a 1080p 120Hz display and a massive 80Wh battery. Storage isn’t an issue either, thanks to a 1TB M.2 SSD. Meanwhile, the ROG Xbox Ally opts for a more modest Z2 A chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, though its 60Wh battery still promises solid endurance.
What makes these devices “Xbox” isn’t the hardware but the software. Microsoft has crafted a custom UI that integrates Xbox Game Bar and the Xbox app, offering quick access to Game Pass, cloud gaming, and PC launchers. The design also leans into console familiarity, with Xbox-style controls and ergonomic refinements for better handheld comfort.
However, the bigger story here is Microsoft’s shifting strategy. The company now explicitly labels games for “Xbox PC” alongside Steam and PlayStation, a subtle but significant acknowledgment of Valve’s growing influence. With SteamOS gaining traction on devices like the Lenovo Legion Go, Microsoft faces real competition in the handheld OS space.
Valve insists it isn’t trying to dethrone Windows, but the performance advantages of SteamOS, better battery life and lower overhead, could sway users. Microsoft’s response? Doubling down on Windows optimization and Xbox integration, betting that a seamless experience will keep gamers in its ecosystem.
The battle for handheld dominance is just heating up. Whether Microsoft’s Xbox-branded approach or Valve’s Linux-powered alternative wins out, one thing’s clear: gamers have more choices than ever.
(Source: PC Gamer)
