8 things that make Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X stand out
While full-blown console wars may have devolved into skirmishes and lines that seem less and less clear, handheld gaming battles are picking up steam. It's not enough to sit in front of a monitor or relax on the couch; people want to take their favorite AAA games with them everywhere. Devices like Steam deckLenovo Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally cater to a large and growing audience. Enter Asus ROG Xbox Ally Xa portable Windows 11 device with an Xbox controller in its form factor, targeting the Xbox ecosystem.
ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are powerful machines. But in the crowded battlefield of handheld devices, it helps to go into the fray fully armed with the facts to make the right purchasing decision. We're here to help.
1. ROG Xbox Ally X is NOT an Xbox portable console, however…
It's pretty close. With the Xbox ROG controller form factor, the Xbox Ally and Ally X are Windows PCs optimized for gaming. The Xbox PC app control panel and Game Bar are front and center, always one dedicated button away. Just like on your laptop or desktop, the app brings together all your PC games from different stores. ROG Xbox Ally X does not support legacy Xbox games. But if you have Game Pass Ultimate, you CAN stream older games.
2. You don't NEED Game Pass.
Technically, you don't need a Game Pass subscription to use ROG Xbox Ally or Ally X. You can still access and download purchased games from your Xbox library, Steam games, etc. And, of course, you still benefit from the user-friendly design and processing power of a portable device. However, you'll obviously need a subscription to access Game Pass games, legacy games via streaming, and multiplayer or online games.
3. A gun chest is usually your best friend.
If you've played ROG Ally handhelds, you know about Armory Crate. This is a software layer that allows you to monitor the performance of your device and make important adjustments for optimal use. In the Armory Crate command center, you can set frame rate limits to improve battery life. You can customize the RGB lighting and customize fan speed profiles. Pro Tip: If something isn't working as it should, check your Armory Crate settings. The small display makes it easy to make unintentional changes that make the input unresponsive. Trust me.
4. Budget for additional services
Both the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are outstanding portable devices, but they don't come with a lot of extras in the box. Not really. You'll definitely want to buy a protective case, which can range from $30 for a regular soft bag to $70 for the Asus branded version. The included “stand” is a step above the packaging material, so you'll probably want to upgrade. If you have money to spend you can add ASUS ROG XG Mobile (2023) Dock for external video card. Apart from the 330W power adapter, it boosts your Ally's graphics with a GeForce RTX 4090. It will set you back almost $2k.
5. Is the ROG Xbox Ally X worth the extra $400?
The ROG Xbox Ally is a great portable computer that has most of the features of its more expensive brother. The ROG Xbox Ally X has the same form factor, but is slightly heavier due to a larger battery and motorized impulse triggers. The biggest differences are the size of the SSD (512GB for ROG Xbox Ally vs. 1TB for ROG Xbox Ally X) and processors (AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor for ROG Xbox Ally and AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme ROG Xbox Ally X). Value is subjective, but the ROG Xbox Ally X is definitely more promising. After all, video games aren't getting LESS technically demanding.
6. Ergonomics of Steam Deck vs. ROG Xbox Ally X
Full disclosure: I have never held or used the Lenovo Legion Go 2, so I can't comment on the comfort or ergonomics of this device. I've always liked the Steam Deck's even weight distribution and overall easy handling. Overall, the ROG Xbox Ally X is extremely comfortable to hold, especially if you're a longtime Xbox controller user. It's like an Xbox controller with a screen in the middle. On the other hand, it is a little heavy and I noticed that the longer I held it, the more it sank a little. Overall, the ROG Xbox Ally X has the edge, but as with mice and keyboards, there is some subjectivity and personal preference involved.
7. Load up Xbox Full Screen Mode.
You have a choice. When you turn on ROG Xbox Ally X, you can go straight to Xbox full screen or the Windows desktop. Setting up your device—in Windows Settings, you can find it under the Games tab—to open the Xbox app first helps the device feel like a portable Xbox. You can go one step further and disable Windows' requirement to log in with a PIN or password. Of course, this can be risky, especially if you take the ROG Xbox Ally on the road.
8. Much more to come
Asus and Microsoft promise that the launch of the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X versions is just the beginning, with a long list of features and improvements coming after October 16th. Some of these upcoming new features include improved game management on MicroSD cards, improved save reliability in low-power mode, AI-powered highlight capture, and automatic super resolution (Xbox Ally X), which adds neural processor scaling to a wide range of games. The ROG Xbox Ally X is already a fantastic portable device and the future looks bright for continued support.
