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ASUS ROG Ally X: A New Era in Portable Gaming

5/09/2024

The Asus ROG Ally X: A New Era in Portable Gaming

Asus has officially unveiled the Asus ROG Ally X, the next-generation handheld gaming PC that promises to take portable gaming to new heights. Gamers and tech enthusiasts alike are eagerly awaiting its release, and here’s what we know so far:

1. The Hardcore Audience’s Dream

The “X” in ROG Ally X stands for the hardcore audience who crave major hardware changes and fixes. Asus has listened to feedback and made significant overhauls to enhance the gaming experience.

2. Hardware Upgrades

  • RAM: The ROG Ally X will feature upgraded RAM, ensuring smoother multitasking and better performance.
  • Ports: Asus has addressed issues with the SSD port, promising a proper fix.
  • Battery Life: Expect improved battery life for extended gaming sessions.
  • UI Armoury Crate: The UI will receive an upgrade, with Armoury Crate SE 1.5 arriving in July 2024. This update brings quality-of-life changes, including customizable menu layouts, quick access to games, and the ability to share game profile templates.

3. Full Reveal Delayed Until June 2

While the full stream featuring all the changes is scheduled for June 2, 2024, Asus has given us a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come. The ROG Ally X aims to be the ultimate handheld gaming companion, combining power, portability, and innovation.

4. Competing with Valve’s Steam Deck

Asus is positioning the ROG Ally X as a direct competitor to Valve’s Steam Deck. With both devices set to launch later in 2024, gamers will have exciting options for portable gaming.

ASUS ROG Ally X Specs

  1. Processor: The ROG Ally X is rumored to feature a powerful processor, likely an AMD or Intel chip. Expect high clock speeds and multiple cores to handle demanding games and applications.

  2. Graphics: The device will likely come equipped with a dedicated GPU, ensuring smooth gaming performance. Asus might opt for an NVIDIA or AMD graphics card.

  3. Display:

    • Size: The screen size is expected to be around 7 to 8 inches, providing a balance between portability and immersive gameplay.
    • Resolution: A Full HD (1920x1080) or higher resolution display is likely, offering crisp visuals.
    • Refresh Rate: Gamers can anticipate a high refresh rate (possibly 120Hz or more) for fluid animations.

  4. Storage:

    • SSD: The ROG Ally X should feature fast storage, possibly an NVMe SSD. Expect capacities ranging from 256GB to 1TB.
    • Expandability: Asus might allow users to expand storage via additional M.2 slots or external drives.

  5. RAM: Look forward to at least 16GB of RAM, which is essential for multitasking and smooth gaming performance.

  6. Battery Life: Asus aims to improve battery life compared to its predecessor, the ROG Flow X13. Expect several hours of gaming on a single charge.

  7. Connectivity:

    • Wi-Fi 6E: The latest Wi-Fi standard for faster wireless connections.
    • USB-C/Thunderbolt: Ports for peripherals and external displays.
    • Bluetooth: For connecting accessories.

  8. Operating System: The ROG Ally X will likely run Windows 10 or Windows 11, optimized for gaming.

  9. Design and Build:

    • Expect a sleek, premium design with RGB lighting accents.
    • The build quality should be robust yet lightweight for portability.

  10. Price and Availability: While exact pricing isn’t confirmed, the ROG Ally X is expected to be competitive with other handheld gaming devices. Availability details will be revealed during the official announcement.

PC Gaming Handheld Competition

  1. Lenovo Legion Go vs. ASUS ROG Ally:

    • Legion Go:
      • Pros:
        • Detachable controllers.
        • Trackpad and mouse wheel for easier navigation.
        • Large 8.8-inch QHD touchscreen.
        • Supports Super Rapid Charge.
        • 144Hz refresh rate.
      • Cons:
        • More expensive.
        • Back button placement can be awkward.
        • Shorter battery life.
        • No VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) support.
    • ROG Ally:
      • Pros:
        • Great performance.
        • 7-inch FHD touchscreen.
        • Customizable RGB lighting.
        • Comfortable grips.
        • Two price points.
        • 120Hz refresh rate.
        • VRR support.
      • Cons:
        • Heat can cause microSD card malfunctions.
        • Short battery life.
        • Clunky Armoury Crate software.

  2. MSI Claw vs. ASUS ROG Ally:

    • ROG Ally:
      • Pros:
        • Lower starting price.
        • VRR support.
        • Regular updates with new features.
        • Comfortable design.
      • Cons:
        • Susceptible to joystick drift.
    • MSI Claw (not mentioned in the previous comparison):
      • Pros:
        • Not specified.
      • Cons:
        • Not specified.

  3. Why Choose the ROG Ally?

    • The ROG Ally offers excellent game performance, customizable settings, and a gorgeous 7-inch display.
    • Regular updates from Asus enhance convenience and features.
    • It’s a great choice for budget-conscious gamers due to its lower starting price and frequent sales.
    • VRR support ensures smoother gameplay.
    • However, be aware of the potential joystick drift issue.

ASUS ROG Ally X vs Nintendo Switch

The Asus ROG Ally and the Nintendo Switch are both popular handheld gaming devices, but they cater to different audiences. Let’s explore their differences:

  1. Performance and Hardware:

    • Asus ROG Ally:
      • Pros:
        • Superior Performance: The ROG Ally boasts powerful hardware, including an AMD Ryzen Z1 processor, a sharp Full HD display, and a 120Hz refresh rate.
        • Windows Compatibility: It runs on Windows, allowing access to a vast library of games.
        • Comfortable Controls: The controls are designed for extended gaming sessions.
      • Cons:
        • Terrible Battery Life: Unfortunately, the ROG Ally suffers from poor battery life.
        • Lacks Motion Controls: Unlike the Switch, it doesn’t have motion controls.
        • Higher Price: The ROG Ally is twice as expensive as the standard Nintendo Switch.
    • Nintendo Switch:
      • Pros:
        • Nintendo Exclusives: The Switch offers iconic Nintendo games like “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” “Super Mario Odyssey,” and “Animal Crossing.”
        • Hybrid Design: It seamlessly transitions between handheld, TV, and tabletop modes.
        • Up to 9 Hours of Battery Life: The Switch provides decent battery life.
        • Motion Controls: Joy-Con controllers allow for interactive gameplay.
      • Cons:
        • Performance: The Switch’s performance lags behind modern hardware.
        • Comfort: Some users find the Joy-Con controllers less comfortable.
        • Limited Game Library: While it has exclusives, the overall game library isn’t as extensive as Windows-based systems.

  2. Price and Availability:

    • The Asus ROG Ally will be available starting June 13 in the U.S., priced at $700 for the high-end model with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor. A lower-end Ryzen Z1 model will launch later for $600.
    • The Nintendo Switch has been around since 2017 and comes in various versions:
      • Standard Switch: $300
      • Switch Lite (handheld-only): $200
      • Switch OLED model (with an advanced OLED screen): $350

  3. Design and Form Factor:

    • The ROG Ally is larger, heavier, and thicker than the Switch. It prioritizes performance over portability.
    • The Switch is sleek, slim, and versatile, making it easy to carry and play anywhere.

In summary:

  • If you want raw power and a Windows gaming experience, the Asus ROG Ally is the better choice.
  • If you prefer Nintendo exclusives, versatility, and affordability, the Nintendo Switch remains a solid option.

Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the official release date. The Asus ROG Ally X is coming soon, and it’s poised to redefine handheld gaming. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, this sleek device promises an unforgettable gaming experience.