ROG Ally X & Ally: Powerful Handhelds with Price & UI Challenges

The ROG Xbox Ally and the newer ROG Xbox Ally X are presented as high-power, high-performance handheld gaming PCs, offering a robust portable gaming experience. While lauded for their exceptional gaming capabilities, both devices face challenges regarding their steep pricing and the cluttered Windows 11 user interface, which can detract from an otherwise premium experience.

The original ROG Ally features an AMD Z1 Extreme processor, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 40Wh battery. It boasts a vibrant 7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz display, making PC gaming on the go visually appealing. Its ability to run a vast library of PC games, not just Xbox titles, is a significant benefit for its target audience of serious gamers seeking desktop-level performance in a portable form factor.

The ROG Ally X introduces several key enhancements, addressing some of the original model's shortcomings. It retains the powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor but upgrades to 24GB of faster LPDDR5X RAM and a more generous 1TB SSD. Crucially, the Ally X doubles the battery capacity to 80Wh, significantly extending playtimes, and features an improved cooling system for sustained performance. The chassis has been redesigned for better ergonomics, and it includes enhanced joysticks and buttons. Connectivity is also improved with two USB-C ports, one of which is a versatile USB4. These upgrades come at a “lot higher” price point and result in a slightly heavier device.

Despite these advancements, the core issue of navigating Windows 11 on a small screen remains, potentially hindering the user experience. The ROG Ally series targets gamers who prioritize raw power and access to a full PC game library over a streamlined, console-like interface, and who are willing to invest significantly in a premium handheld gaming solution.

(Source: https://www.wired.com/review/review-xbox-rog-ally-and-rog-ally-x/)