Asus ROG Ally X: A Refined and Sophisticated Handheld Gaming PC
Design and Ergonomics: A More Attractive and Comfortable Console
The Asus ROG Ally X is like the attractive and refined brother of the original ROG Ally. While the tweaks may not be groundbreaking, they do bring an air of sophistication and purpose to the device. One notable change is the color option – the ROG Ally X now comes in black instead of white, which is a welcome change for many gamers who want to hide their snacking habits while gaming. The buttons and sticks on the console are sturdy and clicky, providing a satisfying gaming experience. However, some users may find the symbols on the buttons difficult to see, and symmetrical analog sticks would be a nice addition.
Display and Audio: Crisp Visuals and Impressive Sound
The ROG Ally X features a 7-inch, 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a crisp and sharp visual experience. What sets it apart from other handheld gaming PCs is its support for a variable refresh rate, allowing for optimized performance and energy efficiency. While an OLED panel would have been a nice addition, the IPS screen still delivers vivid colors and an enjoyable gaming experience on-the-go. The dual-speaker setup on the front of the console provides loud, impactful, and well-rounded audio. The ROG Ally X’s sound quality surpasses that of the Steam Deck and offers a more immersive experience.
Performance and Battery Life: A Slight Uptick in Power and Longer Playtime
The ROG Ally X boasts an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, an AMD Radeon GPU, 24GB LPDDR5 RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. While the CPU and GPU remain the same as its predecessor, the increased RAM allows for smoother gameplay and better performance in demanding games. Benchmark tests show that the ROG Ally X outperforms the Lenovo Legion Go in both processor and graphics performance. Additionally, the console’s full-sized SSD contributes to faster load times and overall better performance. The doubled battery capacity of 80Whr ensures longer playtime, lasting up to three to eight hours, which is an improvement over the Legion Go’s battery life.
Ports and Software: Enhanced Connectivity and Windows Compatibility
The ROG Ally X offers better connectivity options compared to its competitors. It features an extra USB-C port, including a Thunderbolt 4 port, which opens up possibilities for eGPUs and docks. This provides users with more flexibility in connecting external devices. In terms of software, the ROG Ally X runs on Windows, allowing users to download games from various platforms such as Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store. While the setup process can be a bit cumbersome, it offers more freedom and customization options compared to the Steam Deck’s SteamOS.
Is the Asus ROG Ally X Worth It?
The Asus ROG Ally X is a compelling alternative to the Steam Deck, offering better frame rates in triple-A titles like Cyberpunk 2077, an extra USB-C port for enhanced connectivity, and improved audio quality. However, the Steam Deck still excels in terms of ergonomic design and its dedicated operating system, SteamOS. The ROG Ally X is recommended for gamers looking for a refined and sophisticated handheld gaming PC with impressive performance and battery life.
