In the rapidly evolving world of handheld gaming PCs, Asus has made a bold statement with the release of the ROG Ally X. This powerful device aims to push the boundaries of what’s possible in portable gaming, offering significant upgrades over its predecessor and positioning itself as a formidable competitor to established players like the Steam Deck.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into what makes the ROG Ally X tick, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and overall value proposition in the current market.
Introduction and Specifications
The Asus ROG Ally X represents a significant leap forward in handheld gaming technology. Building upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, Asus has addressed key pain points and introduced substantial improvements across the board. Let’s start by taking a look at the core specifications:
These specifications paint a picture of a device that’s not just incrementally better than its predecessor, but one that’s aiming to redefine what’s possible in the handheld gaming space.
Design and Build Quality
Asus has made several thoughtful refinements to the design of the ROG Ally X, addressing user feedback and enhancing overall ergonomics:
Improved Grip: The device now features a more ergonomic grip design with a textured surface, significantly improving comfort during extended gaming sessions. This change addresses one of the main criticisms of the original ROG Ally.
Enhanced Controls: The face buttons, thumbsticks, and D-pad have all been refined. The thumbsticks now have better tension and a more grippy surface, while the D-pad has been redesigned for improved precision in diagonal movements. These changes contribute to a more responsive and satisfying gaming experience.
Weight Distribution: Despite the increase in battery size, Asus has managed to keep the weight gain to a minimum (only 70 grams heavier than the original). More importantly, the weight is better distributed, making the device feel more balanced in hand.
Cooling Improvements: An additional vent has been added to the top of the device, resulting in better thermal management. This not only helps maintain performance over longer gaming sessions but also contributes to quieter operation, especially in less demanding games.
Color and Finish: The ROG Ally X comes in a sleek black finish, which gives it a more premium look compared to the white of its predecessor. While this is largely a matter of personal preference, the black color does a better job of hiding smudges and wear over time.
Overall, these design improvements demonstrate Asus’s commitment to refining the user experience. The ROG Ally X feels more like a mature, well-thought-out product rather than a first-generation device.
Display and Audio
The 7-inch IPS display of the ROG Ally X is a standout feature:
Resolution: The 1920x1080 (Full HD) resolution provides sharp visuals that are a noticeable step up from the 720p displays found on some competitors.
Refresh Rate: The 120 Hz refresh rate is a game-changer for handheld gaming, offering smoother motion and more responsive gameplay.
Brightness: With 500 nits of brightness, the screen is easily visible in most lighting conditions, including outdoor use.
Color Accuracy: The display covers 100% of the sRGB color space, ensuring vibrant and accurate colors for both gaming and media consumption.
Audio quality on the ROG Ally X is impressive for a handheld device:
The stereo speakers provide clear and punchy sound, with good separation and minimal distortion at high volumes.
Dolby Atmos support enhances the audio experience, particularly when using headphones.
The 3.5mm headphone jack supports high-impedance headphones, a nice touch for audiophiles.
Performance
The ROG Ally X boasts significant performance improvements over its predecessor, thanks to its upgraded components and refined power management. Let’s dive into some real-world performance metrics:
These numbers tell an interesting story:
Raw Performance Boost: The ROG Ally X shows a clear performance advantage over both its predecessor and the Steam Deck, especially in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077.
Resolution Scaling: The device’s ability to maintain playable framerates at 1080p is impressive, offering a visual quality boost over 720p alternatives.
Optimized Settings: When using optimized settings (like the Steam Deck preset), the ROG Ally X pulls even further ahead, showcasing its ability to balance performance and visual quality effectively.
Consistent Performance: Thanks to improved cooling and power management, the ROG Ally X maintains its performance better over extended gaming sessions compared to the original model.
It’s worth noting that the performance gains aren’t solely due to raw power increases. The combination of increased RAM (24GB vs 16GB), more efficient cooling, and refined power management all contribute to a smoother, more consistent gaming experience.
Real-world gaming tests show that the ROG Ally X can handle a wide range of titles with impressive results:
AAA games from 1-3 years ago run smoothly on medium to high settings at 1080p.
Modern, graphically intensive titles may require some settings tweaks but are generally playable at 30-60 fps.
Less demanding or well-optimized games can take full advantage of the 120 Hz display, offering an incredibly smooth experience.
The device’s “Performance” mode strikes a good balance between power consumption and gaming performance, making it a great default for most AAA titles.
Battery Life and Power Management
One of the most significant improvements in the ROG Ally X is its battery life, addressing a major criticism of the original model. The doubling of battery capacity to 80Wh has led to substantial gains in gaming endurance:
Key takeaways from these battery life results:
Significant Improvement: The ROG Ally X nearly doubles the battery life of its predecessor in most scenarios, making it much more viable for on-the-go gaming.
Competitive, But Not Leading: While the improvements are substantial, the ROG Ally X still falls short of the Steam Deck OLED in some games. However, the gap is much smaller now, and the trade-off may be worth it for the increased performance.
Flexible Power Profiles: The device offers multiple power profiles (Silent, Performance, Turbo) that allow users to balance performance and battery life according to their needs and the games they’re playing.
Charging Speed: The 65W fast charging support means you can quickly top up the battery during short breaks, adding to the device’s overall portability.
It’s important to note that battery life can vary significantly depending on the game being played, settings used, and even environmental factors like screen brightness. However, the overall trend is clear: the ROG Ally X offers a much more usable battery life than its predecessor, addressing one of the biggest concerns with the original model.
Software and User Experience
The ROG Ally X runs on Windows 11, which brings both advantages and challenges to the handheld gaming experience:
Advantages:
Wide Compatibility: Access to the vast library of PC games and applications, including multiple game stores (Steam, Epic, GOG, etc.).
Flexibility: The ability to use the device as a full-fledged PC when connected to external displays and peripherals.
Regular Updates: Benefit from the latest Windows features and security updates.
Challenges:
UI Navigation: Windows 11’s interface is not optimized for small touch screens and controller navigation, leading to occasional awkwardness in menu navigation.
Performance Overhead: Windows consumes more system resources compared to more streamlined gaming-focused operating systems.
Sleep/Wake Issues: Some users report inconsistent behavior when putting the device to sleep or waking it up.
To address these challenges, Asus has made significant improvements to its custom software:
Armoury Crate SE: This launcher provides a more console-like interface for accessing games and adjusting system settings. It’s more responsive and stable compared to the version on the original ROG Ally.
Performance Overlay: An easily accessible overlay provides real-time information on system performance, helping users optimize their settings.
Custom Control Mapping: The ability to create custom control schemes for games that don’t natively support controllers.
While these software improvements go a long way in enhancing the user experience, it’s important to note that the inherent challenges of running Windows on a handheld device remain. Users should be prepared for occasional software quirks and the need to sometimes navigate Windows interfaces designed for larger screens.
Gaming Experience
The gaming experience on the ROG Ally X is where all its features come together:
Visual Quality: The 1080p resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate provide sharp, smooth visuals that enhance the immersion in games.
Performance: The device handles a wide range of games impressively, from indie titles to AAA blockbusters. While some graphically intensive games may require settings tweaks, most games run smoothly at medium to high settings.
Controls: The refined buttons, sticks, and ergonomic design contribute to a comfortable and responsive gaming experience, even during extended sessions.
Versatility: The ability to switch between handheld mode and docked mode (connecting to external displays) adds flexibility to how and where you can play.
Game Compatibility: Thanks to Windows 11, the ROG Ally X can run virtually any PC game, giving it a significant advantage over more closed ecosystems.
Emulation: For those interested, the device’s power makes it an excellent emulation machine, capable of running games from a wide range of classic consoles.
While the gaming experience is generally excellent, it’s worth noting that some games may require tweaking or community mods to work optimally on the handheld form factor. Additionally, the lack of trackpads (which are present on the Steam Deck) can make some PC-centric games more challenging to play without connecting an external mouse.
Connectivity and Ports
The ROG Ally X offers a range of connectivity options:
2x USB-C Ports: Both support DisplayPort and Power Delivery, offering flexibility for charging and connecting external displays.
MicroSD Card Slot: Allows for easy storage expansion.
3.5mm Audio Jack: For connecting headphones or external speakers.
Wi-Fi 6E: Ensures fast and stable wireless connectivity.
Bluetooth 5.2: For connecting wireless peripherals.
The decision to replace the proprietary eGPU port with a second USB-C port is a welcome change, improving versatility and future-proofing the device.
Pricing and Value Proposition
At $800, the ROG Ally X positions itself as a premium offering in the handheld gaming PC market. To understand its value proposition, let’s compare it to its main competitors:
The ROG Ally X justifies its higher price point through:
Superior raw performance
Larger battery capacity
More RAM and storage
Higher refresh rate display
However, the value proposition depends heavily on individual needs and preferences:
For users who prioritize Windows compatibility and cutting-edge performance, the ROG Ally X presents a compelling option.
Those more focused on affordability or a console-like experience may find alternatives like the Steam Deck more attractive.
The additional cost may be justified for users who plan to use the device as a portable workstation in addition to gaming.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Excellent performance across a wide range of games
Significantly improved battery life
High-quality 1080p 120Hz display
Refined ergonomics and controls
Versatile connectivity options
Access to the full Windows ecosystem
Cons:
Higher price point compared to some competitors
Windows OS can be cumbersome on a handheld device
Heavier than some alternatives
Lack of trackpads may impact some games
Battery life still lags behind the Steam Deck in some scenarios
Conclusion
The Asus ROG Ally X represents a significant step forward in the handheld gaming PC market. It successfully addresses many of the shortcomings of its predecessor while pushing the boundaries of performance and battery life in a portable form factor. The combination of a powerful AMD chip, ample RAM, and a high-quality display makes it a versatile device capable of handling both modern AAA games and productivity tasks.
However, its premium pricing and the inherent challenges of running Windows on a handheld device mean that it may not be the ideal choice for every gamer. The ROG Ally X is best suited for enthusiasts who value raw performance and flexibility over a more console-like experience or budget-friendly options.
Ultimately, the Asus ROG Ally X proves that handheld gaming PCs can offer a compelling alternative to traditional gaming laptops and consoles. While it may not be perfect for everyone, it sets a new benchmark for what’s possible in portable PC gaming and paves the way for even more exciting developments in the future.
For those who can justify the price and are comfortable navigating the occasional quirks of Windows on a handheld, the ROG Ally X offers an unparalleled combination of power, versatility, and portability. It’s a device that not only pushes the boundaries of mobile gaming but also challenges our expectations of what a handheld computer can be.