Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: A Powerful Handheld Gaming PC with Room to Grow

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The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X has arrived, aiming to blend the power of a PC gaming handheld with the user-friendliness of an Xbox experience. Early reviews highlight its comfortable ergonomics and improved performance thanks to the new AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip. However, questions remain about its premium price point and whether it truly delivers on the ‘Xbox’ promise.

Key Takeaways

Ergonomics and Design: The redesigned grips offer superior comfort for extended gaming sessions, though they add to the device’s bulk.
Performance Boost: The new AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor provides a noticeable performance uplift over its predecessor, handling demanding games more smoothly.
Xbox Full Screen Experience: This new software aims to simplify the Windows 11 interface for handheld gaming, offering a more console-like feel and potentially improving performance.
Price and Value: The $999.99 price tag positions it as a premium device, leading to discussions about its value proposition compared to competitors.
Software Polish: While the Xbox Full Screen Experience is a significant step forward, some rough edges and the need to access the traditional Windows desktop for certain tasks indicate room for improvement.

Enhanced Ergonomics and Design

The most striking physical change to the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is its redesigned chassis, featuring elongated, controller-style grips. Reviewers consistently praise these grips for significantly improving comfort during long gaming sessions, making it feel more natural to hold than many other handheld PCs. Despite a slight increase in weight and size compared to the original ROG Ally X, the weight distribution is well-balanced, mitigating fatigue. The overall aesthetic retains Asus’s ROG branding, with the addition of an Xbox button, a much-requested feature for Windows handhelds.

A More Powerful Core

Under the hood, the Ally X boasts the new AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor. This chip offers a performance boost over the previous Z1 Extreme, particularly noticeable in demanding titles. While not a revolutionary leap, the improved CPU and RDNA 3.5 graphics allow the Ally X to run games at higher frame rates and settings, especially at its native 720p resolution. The device also features 24GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, providing ample resources for modern gaming.

The Xbox Full Screen Experience

A major talking point is the new Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE). This software layer aims to streamline the Windows 11 interface for handheld gaming, booting directly into an Xbox-centric UI that aggregates games from various launchers. Early impressions suggest it’s a significant improvement over navigating standard Windows 11 on a small screen, offering better performance and a more intuitive user experience. However, it’s not a complete replacement for Windows, and users will still need to access the desktop for certain updates and applications. Microsoft has indicated that this FSE will eventually be available for all Windows handhelds.

Mixed Reception on Value and ‘Xbox’ Identity

The $999.99 price tag has drawn considerable attention. While the hardware improvements and the new software experience are noted, many reviewers question whether the premium cost is justified, especially when compared to competitors like the Steam Deck OLED or Lenovo Legion Go. Furthermore, the ‘Xbox’ branding has sparked debate, as the device primarily plays PC games and doesn’t offer native compatibility with the full Xbox library. While it integrates with Xbox services like Game Pass and Remote Play, its identity as a true ‘Xbox’ device remains a point of contention.

Battery Life and Display

Battery life remains a typical challenge for powerful handheld PCs. The Ally X, with its 80Whr battery, offers a few hours of gameplay, depending heavily on the game’s demands and power settings. The 7-inch 1080p IPS display is competent, offering a 120Hz refresh rate, but reviewers note it doesn’t quite match the vibrancy of OLED panels found in some competitors. Despite this, the screen is bright enough for most environments and the variable refresh rate ensures smooth visuals.