Asus is launching a refined version of its portable device, the ROG Ally X, about a year after the release of the original ROG Ally. This Windows-based machine will be available starting July 22 for $800. After spending a few days with the portable console, I can say that there is a lot to appreciate, especially when it comes to the hardware.
Valve’s Steam Deck, introduced in 2022, played a significant role in popularizing handheld PC gaming. This device set the benchmark for specs, portability, and price, inspiring other manufacturers to enter the market.
This surge in interest led to the release of other handheld gaming devices like Lenovo’s Legion Go and Asus’s ROG Ally. Even niche manufacturers like Ayaneo joined the fray.
The ROG Ally X features a seven-inch display with 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The control layout resembles that of a Nintendo Switch but with larger, more comfortable buttons and joysticks akin to those found on an Xbox controller.
The device also includes additional features like macro keys, a command center button for performance adjustments, and an Armoury Crate button for accessing Asus’s game launcher.
Despite its comfortable design, the ROG Ally X tends to get warm during extended play sessions due to its weight and performance-intensive games.
Performance-wise, the device maintains the AMD Z1 Extreme APU while increasing RAM to 24GB. It comes with a user-replaceable 1TB NVMe storage card and a larger battery for extended playtime. The ROG Ally X excels at running indie games and offers decent performance for AAA titles with some compromises on graphical settings.
An indie game machine
The ROG Ally X presents itself as a gaming device that merges the form factor of a console with the functionality of a PC. While it excels at gaming, the overall Windows experience without peripherals can be challenging. However, it offers versatility in game selection and customization for a tailored gaming experience.
While the ROG Ally X doesn’t promise a flawless console experience like the Nintendo Switch, it offers a glimpse into the future of PC gaming. It serves as a bridge between traditional PC gaming towers and compact, versatile handheld consoles, hinting at what’s to come in the gaming industry.
