The updated ASUS ROG ALLY X improves on the criticisms of the original, adding in smoother performance and better battery life in a re0designed, more ergonomically friendly body. While Microsoft Windows isn't designed for handheld gaming devices, the ASUS Armoury Crate software improves the experience and helps makes the ROG ALLY X the best Windows handheld gaming device.
- Design
ASUS announced their second gen Windows handheld, the ROG ALLY X back in June. It’s now on-sale and time to take it for a spin thanks to ASUS sending a unit over to check out.
At $1,599, the ROG ALLY X is a pricey device,but it’s received a few key updates from the original including upgraded storage, RAM, and battery life. The unit itself has also been redesigned for better ergonomics, and there’s a new all-black colour scheme.
The original handled pretty well, but how does this upgraded model handle? I spent the last couple of weeks with the ROG ALLY X and here’s how it went.
What’s New
The ROG ALLY X has seen a number of updates both inside and out, with the result being a smoother running handheld that’s more comfortable to hold and play with for longer periods.
Under the hood, the ROG ALLY X uses the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme CPU as the original, with ASUS adding more memory bumping the original 16GB to 24GB.
ASUS has also upgraded the size, as well as the form factor with a 1TB M.2 2280 Gen 4 SSD inside – with the 2280 M.2 drives offering larger capacity above 2TB, as well as being more commonly stocked making it easier to upgrade down the track.
The major criticism of the gen 1 ROG ALLY was the battery life, which has been doubled for the ROG ALLY X with a whopping 80WHr battery powering the unit.
On the outside, that new black colourway looks clean and shows off the RGB LEDs around the thumbsticks even better than the white and the unit has a more rounded shape to feel more comfortable in the hand.
The ROG ALLY X keeps the fingerprint sensor enabled power button on the top which supports Windows Hello login, however ASUS has replaced their XG Mobile eGPU slot with another USB-C port which allows for more accessories to be plugged in and more.
In terms of ergonomics, the ROG ALLY X has changed the arrangement of buttons and thumbsticks to a better angle, as well as changing the slant on the triggers making them easier to press. The macro buttons on the rear have been shrunk to reduce accidental taps.
ASUS have also replaced the thumbsticks with more durable modules, as well as replaced the D-Pad with a more functional 8-way option more suitable for fighting and retro games.
Finally, ASUS has worked their magic on cooling with smaller fans that use thinner fan blades but move more air, and cooling the ROG ALLY X more efficiently over longer periods.
What’s Great
The ROG ALLY X has improved a number of things between generations, though the two biggest for me have been smoothness of performance and the dramatically improved battery life.
The original saw around an hour of gaming before you began experiencing performance issues, but the ROG ALLY was easily able to get to at least two hours of hard-core gaming on Turbo mode.
Charging is pretty decent with the 65W charger getting you back to full in a little over an hour and a half – however I used my Anker 737 powerbank on the move to keep it running for a fair bit longer.
The other major difference for me was the smoothness of performance. The bump in RAM up to 24GB has meant an decrease in loading times, and overall smoother performance.
The games load quickly, but you also get very decent Frames Per Seconds from the AMD Z1 Extreme platform – with games like Fortnite, Sons of the Forest and Cyberpunk 2077 hitting 40-50fps easily.
The whole design feels a little more comfortable in the hand, even if it is a little heavier – 70 grams to be exact. The change in design has shifted the weight to sit where your thumb and forefinger lie while gripping the device, keeping it balanced.
Lastly, the star of the show for me has been the improved ASUS Armoury Crate app, which launches when you first login to Windows.
From Armoury Crate you can install the various game storefronts, then launch into them. You can also change key mappings, hardware settings and loads more in the command centre. Armoury Crate also handles updates and more, leaving you free to jump into games when you want.
The final bonus is the 3-months of Xbox GamePass Ultimate, letting you access the pretty extensive library of games available through Microsoft’s subscription service on the ROG ALLY X. At $17.99/month though, just remember when Microsoft is set to charge you and decide if you want to continue.
What’s not so great
While ASUS has listened to the feedback and from a technical standpoint have delivered a fantastic second-gen device, there are some things that aren’t great. My two big bug-bears for the ROG ALLY X are the price, and Windows.
The improvements in hardware across the board on the ROG ALLY X have really helped ASUS to nail this new model. Those improvements come at a cost though, and $1,599 is a pricey option.
There are a number of options available – even from ASUS offering NVIDIA RTX graphics and decent specs for around the $1599 mark. This makes it more of a decision on whether you want a portable handheld gaming device or laptop.
At a cheaper price point, the ROG ALLY X would really shine, but the reality of rising parts and manufacturing costs, as well as shipping has led to this price point.
The other factor for me is the Windows system really isn’t suited for a handheld gaming device.
ASUS’ Armoury Crate software really makes an effort to offset the clunky Windows interface on the 7” display – like entering your password on the on-screen keyboard when the fingerprint sensor doesn’t work.
While Windows really shouldn’t be navigated on a 7” display, the touch display does make it a little easier to get around – but it takes you out of what you’re doing, having to fight Windows to navigate or do things.
Overall it’s just Windows that needs to change but Armoury Crate tries its best and the ASUS developers are continuing to work to make it a little easier – even if Microsoft isn’t.
Final Thoughts
The improvements to the device design, as well as internals have made for a great second gen device in the ROG ALLY X.
The only drawbacks are the jump in price to $1,599 and the clunky Windows experience that you have to endure when Armoury Crate can’t pick up the slack.
Overall though, the jump in RAM, bigger battery and the changes to the design have meant for improvements all round that make the ROG ALLY X the best Windows Handheld gaming system you can get right now.
You can check out the ROG ALLY X over on the ASUS eShop and JB Hiifi.
