Asus is set to release an updated version of its portable gaming device, the ROG Ally X. This new Windows-based machine is scheduled to start shipping on July 22, and it comes with a price tag of $800. Having had the chance to play with the device for a few days, it’s clear that there are a lot of impressive features, particularly when it comes to the hardware.
Valve’s Steam Deck, which was released in 2022, played a significant role in popularizing handheld PC gaming. Although it wasn’t the first company to explore this form factor, Valve managed to strike the right balance between specifications, portability, and pricing. This success caught the attention of PC manufacturers, leading to the likes of Lenovo with their Legion Go and Asus with their ROG Ally, also entering the handheld PC gaming market. Other niche manufacturers, including Ayaneo, have also joined the fray.
One of the standout features of the ROG Ally X is its bright seven-inch display with a 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The display is accompanied by the standard array of gaming buttons and joysticks, similar to those found on a Nintendo Switch. However, unlike the Switch, the controls on the ROG Ally X do not feel frustratingly small. Instead, they provide a full-size controller experience, with joysticks that look and feel like those on a modern Xbox controller. The A/B/X/Y buttons are large and clicky, and the analog triggers have a good amount of travel.
On the downside, the D-pad does feel a bit mushy, similar to what you might find on a budget third-party controller. Additionally, the View and Menu buttons are positioned in a way that makes them hard to reach, requiring the user to stretch their thumbs to access them. However, there are two additional macro keys at the back of the device that can be configured as View and Menu buttons, which helps alleviate this issue.
The ROG Ally X features a command center button and an Armoury Crate button on each side of the screen. The command center button allows users to adjust performance settings on the fly, while the Armoury Crate button displays Asus’ game launcher. The main software interface of the device, Armoury Crate SE, acts as a game launcher and centralizes all installed games from platforms such as Steam, the Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Connect. It also allows users to change various device settings, including joystick LEDs and gamepad profiles. While the Armoury Crate SE gets the job done, there are some bugs and performance issues, such as slow menu opening and occasional crashes.
In terms of comfort, the ROG Ally X is suitable for short gaming sessions. One of the main challenges with PC gaming handhelds is their weight and the heat they generate during gameplay. To put this to the test, I compared it to the Logitech G Cloud, an Android handheld designed for cloud gaming and remote play. The G Cloud provides a satisfying experience with its quiet, fanless design, and extended battery life. However, we are still at the early stages of the shift from traditional PC towers to more compact and capable handhelds. In time, gaming handhelds will become smaller, lighter, and quieter, resembling Android-based handhelds. Despite the weight, the ROG Ally X still manages to provide an immersive gaming experience for several hours at a time.
In terms of performance, the ROG Ally X features the same APU as its predecessor, the AMD Z1 Extreme, but with an increase in RAM from 16GB to 24GB. This boost in memory has a positive impact on gaming performance, as it allows for better utilization of VRAM and system RAM. The device comes with a user-replaceable 1TB NVMe storage card and an 80Wh battery, which is twice as large as its predecessor. The proprietary eGPU port has been replaced with a more standard USB Type-C with USB 4 support.
The ROG Ally X performs well with games that do not require high-end PC specs. Titles like Jusant, Cocoon, and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown can easily achieve 60 to 120 frames per second in 1080p without utilizing the 30W boost mode. However, with AAA games, there are some compromises that need to be made. For example, enabling the high graphics preset in Marvel’s Spider-Man results in around 45 frames per second. AMD’s resolution upscaling feature, RSR, can be used to optimize performance. Games that struggled on previous handhelds may still require lower settings and aggressive resolution scaling to maintain a stable frame rate, as seen in The Last of Us: Part I.
The battery life of the ROG Ally X varies depending on the type of games played and the power mode selected. Playing less demanding games like Baba is You in “silent mode” allows for longer playtime, while more graphically intense games like The Last of Us will significantly impact battery life when played in “boost mode.” While I didn’t have enough time with the device to conduct thorough battery life tests, reviewers will likely release benchmarks that provide more detailed information.
One notable aspect of the ROG Ally X is that, despite its console-like form factor, it is still a PC that runs Windows. While users have the freedom to install any games and use it in a desktop environment, navigating Windows without a mouse and keyboard can be frustrating. The device is suitable for installing game launchers and playing games, but for other tasks, a traditional laptop or smartphone may be more convenient.
Although the ROG Ally X provides a console-like experience, it should not be considered a direct competitor to the Nintendo Switch. Instead, this handheld form factor represents an early preview of the future of PC gaming, a future that combines the convenience of a console with the power and flexibility of a PC. As the market continues to evolve, gaming handhelds will become smaller, lighter, and more efficient, providing an even more accessible and immersive gaming experience.
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