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Asus ROG Ally X Review: The Ultimate Windows Gaming Handheld

7/31/2024

Asus ROG Ally X Review: The Ultimate Windows Gaming Handheld

The Asus ROG Ally X has set a new standard for Windows gaming handhelds. With its comfortable grip, smooth gameplay, and impressive battery life, it delivers a truly portable PC gaming experience. Let’s dive into the details that make this device stand out.

Performance and Battery Life

  1. Smooth Gameplay: Asus pairs the ROG Ally X with AMD’s powerful Ryzen chips and a variable refresh rate screen. This combination ensures seamless gameplay, even in demanding titles.

  2. Long-Lasting Battery: The Ally X boasts an 80-watt-hour battery, the largest we’ve seen in a handheld. This substantial capacity allows you to keep the AMD chip running at higher power levels for extended periods.

  3. Surprising Competition: The Ally X competes head-to-head with the Steam Deck OLED, my gold standard for handhelds. If you’re willing to invest a bit more and navigate Windows, the Ally X is a worthy contender.

Real-World Testing

  1. Battery Endurance: During my 24-hour gaming marathon, the Ally X held up well. While Persona 3 Reload provided 2.5 hours of playtime, more demanding games like Armored Core 6 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider delivered impressive results.

  2. Alan Wake II: The Ally X even tackled Alan Wake II, a demanding PC game. With 24GB of shared memory and AMD’s FSR 2.1 tech, it offered a playable experience at 540p render resolution.

Performance Metrics

  1. Benchmark Improvements: The Ally X outperforms its predecessor, thanks to faster memory, efficient cooling, and power tweaks. Games like Returnal now hit 38fps in 720p benchmark mode.

  2. Battery Efficiency: Even at its lowest wattage (7W TDP), the Ally X excels. It provided over eight hours of gameplay in Slay the Spire, making it a reliable companion.

Ergonomics and Physical Changes

  1. Improved Design: The Ally X features meatier grips, tighter buttons, and a more comfortable overall feel. The symmetrical analog sticks are a plus, though I miss the larger screen of other handhelds.

  2. Windows Woes: Windows 11 on a touchscreen remains a challenge. Frequent wake-up issues and occasional glitches persist. SteamOS’s ease of use and community support still outshine Windows.

Trusting Asus

  1. Customer Support: Asus has learned from past mistakes. While the SD card reader issue remains, the Ally X’s overall performance and build quality inspire confidence.

  2. Final Verdict: If you prioritize Windows compatibility and top-tier gaming performance, the ROG Ally X is your best bet. It’s time for bigger batteries and VRR screens to become the norm.