Asus ROG Xbox Ally X review: A compact powerhouse for Xbox and PC games

Price When Reviewed

$999.99

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Asus Rog Xbox Ally X specs:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, 3 x Zen 5 as much as 5 GHz, 5 x Zen 5c as much as 3.3 GHz
• NPU: AMD XDNA NPU, 50 TOPS
• Graphics: AMD RDNA 3.5, 16 CU
• Memory: 24 GB lpddr5x
• Storage: 1 TB SSD, micro-SD slot
• Display: 7-inch shiny IPS, 1920 x 1080p, 120 Hz, 500 cd/m2
• Connections: USB-C 4 with DP 2.1 and PD 3.0, USB-C 3 gen 3 with DP 2.1, headset
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.4
• Operating system: Windows 11 Home
• Battery: 80 Wh, 2 hrs (excessive load, excessive brightness, 120 Hz) to 19 hrs 40 minutes (low load, low brightness, 60 Hz)
• Size: 11.45 x 4.78 x 1.99 inches
• Weight: 1.58lbs

The two new handheld gaming computer systems from Asus, the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X, have been the main focus of a variety of controversy. Most of it has to do with the title. They are referred to as Xbox, and are promoted by Microsoft as an Xbox. But they price far more than the desktop consoles do. “It’s too expensive!” xbox followers shout, complaining about Microsoft, which shrugs it off by saying that Asus units the costs.

As a PC-based gamer, I take a look at the fuss and don’t get it. Is this costly? The top-of-the-range ROG Xbox Ally X that I examined right here shouldn’t be costly in comparison with different handheld gaming PCs. It’s nearly double the value of its predecessor, however there are clearly dearer options, and the brand new mannequin has extra reminiscence, double the storage, and naturally a brand new, sooner processor.

It has the Xbox title, Xbox-style gamepad, a separate Xbox button, and an Xbox interface. But it’s an everyday, compact Windows 11 PC similar to all the opposite handheld gaming PCs from Asus, Lenovo, and MSI—and prices accordingly.

Mattias Inghe

More than simply Xbox

In the Xbox app, working in a brand new “Full Screen Experience” mode, you should buy Xbox video games or join Gamepass. It’s not the Xbox dashboard you get on the TV with a console, however the Windows app interface, tailored for mouse management. Regardless, it really works nicely to navigate with the system’s D-pad, trackballs, and buttons. Or with the display screen’s pointer. Even although Microsoft has not too long ago raised costs for Gamepass, it’s nonetheless a great deal for an energetic gamer.

However, you’ll be able to soar out of the Xbox field, head over to Windows desktop, and do no matter you need on the pc. Plug in a mouse, keyboard and exterior monitor and surf the net, stream motion pictures, run Office, speak to Copilot, edit images, or reduce video. Nothing stops it.

The massive shops are even properly built-in with the Xbox interface. I attempted putting in some Steam video games and so they present up (after a reboot) within the Xbox app below “My Games”. That makes this the one “Xbox” that may run Playstation video games which might be in any other case console-exclusive to Sony—a possible promoting level by itself.

Mattias Inghe

Well thought out, nicely constructed and comfy

Asus and Microsoft have performed an amazing job of kicking you proper into the Xbox interface from startup, and after I’m signed up with my Microsoft account, I by no means actually have to go away that interface. There’s a fast panel with efficiency, mild, sound, and display screen settings that comes up as an overlay.

You can even handle the microphone, Xbox mates listing, screenshots, and Gaming Copilot, a beta-stage AI service that can present technique ideas and advocate new video games.

The system is constructed with prime quality supplies and offers simply the correct management. Two additional buttons on the again are unusually small, however nicely positioned. The display screen, a seven-inch IPS, is sharp, engaging and produces good colours. There’s good distinction, brief response instances and as much as 120Hz body price with VRR. Clean and distinct sound from the built-in stereo audio system isn’t dangerous both. But it could possibly be extra highly effective.

I preferred the 8-inch MSI Claw 8 AI Plus I examined this spring, but it surely has a number of extra pixels to push on its 1200p display screen, which impacts efficiency barely. And it’s a heavier and clunkier machine, in order a complete I desire the ROG Xbox Ally X which is lighter and extra compact—and extra reasonably priced in addition.

Mattias Inghe

Fast sufficient, however no extra

So, what about an important factor, the efficiency? Is this the hand held gaming machine to beat? Well, AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme provides a slight enhance in CPU and graphics efficiency in comparison with Ryzen Z1 Extreme, and in some measurements it beats Intel’s Arc resolution sitting in MSI Claw 8 AI Plus. But is it sufficient?

When I examined the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus, I complained {that a} desired efficiency enhance was lacking in comparison with Ryzen Z1 Extreme machines. MSI disagreed and mentioned that they had higher efficiency, however the distinction is probably going as a result of video games I used to be testing and never optimizing them with the proper settings. The enhance didn’t really feel as apparent as two years of growth ought to although.

I really feel the identical right here. The Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme performs higher in artificial efficiency measurements with Geekbench and 3DMark. That makes it a smoother docked desktop PC, but it surely doesn’t instantly convert to raised body charges in video games.

But definitely not dangerous

Not that it’s sluggish. I take a look at a variety of video games from each Steam and Xbox Gamepass, and might fly round throwing copters in Control, hike Night City in Cyberpunk 2077, and journey across the prairie in Red Dead Redemption 2 with acceptable body charges and stability of 30 fps or extra.

Nothing for a hardcore PC gamer, however at a steady console degree—no less than with out ray tracing. Less demanding video games like Celeste, Hades, and Silksong run with even higher outcomes. With Wi-Fi 6e you get a quick reference to little lag, and might stream video games through Gamepass Ultimate. Or why not even Geforce Now? As I mentioned, it’s a very open PC.

Mattias Inghe

You can even join Asus’ exterior graphics card XG Mobile through usb-4 port in case you play with the system docked. Then you will get full Xbox Series X-level efficiency, and play on a 4K TV with excessive framerates. But that every one prices fairly a bit additional.

Minimal trouble

The CPU cores are extra energy-efficient than the earlier technology, lowering cooling necessities and increasing battery life. Total TDP with the graphics circuit lands between 13 and 25 watts on battery or as much as 30 watts with an influence adapter. You can seamlessly select between Turbo, Performance, and Quiet modes, with completely different power consumption. You can even shortly and easily swap between 720p and 1080p decision to maximise body charges in video games.

It’s one factor that Asus and Microsoft have achieved for Xbox followers: Xbox video games are so nicely custom-made that the necessity for settings is minimal. I don’t know if that’s particular to the ROG Xbox Ally X or normal to Xbox video games on Windows, but it surely offers a smoother “buy and run” really feel than I’m used to. Select the efficiency mode and determination within the context menu, and most issues are taken care of routinely.

The battery lasts between 90 minutes and 5-6 hours relying on the video games I play. Especially for much less demanding video games, it’s clearly extra energy environment friendly than earlier fashions. If you need to do one thing easier, like streaming a movie or browsing, it could possibly final all day with none issues. Obviously, it’s the graphics circuit that saps probably the most power.