Key Takeaways
1. The Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are Microsoft’s first handheld gaming consoles, designed to provide a smooth gaming experience similar to traditional consoles.
2. The hardware performance of the ROG Xbox Ally X is better than the Ally, but both have shortcomings, particularly the less capable Ryzen Z2A in the standard model.
3. Pricing is a significant concern, with the ROG Xbox Ally priced at $599 and the Ally X at $999, leading to questions about their overall value.
4. Initial supply for both models is limited, with the Ally X having particularly low stock and no anticipated consistent restocks, which may impact sales.
5. The ROG Xbox Ally X received a “Good” rating of 86%, but potential buyers might consider waiting for Intel’s upcoming Panther Lake APUs, which are expected to offer better graphics performance.
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally and the Xbox Ally X mark Microsoft’s entry into handheld gaming consoles under the Xbox label. Gamers had high expectations for these devices, hoping they would provide a smooth gaming experience similar to traditional consoles, avoiding the typical issues that come with portable Windows setups. For the most part, both the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X meet these expectations, offering a full-screen gaming experience that is fast and user-friendly, designed specifically for gaming.
Hardware Concerns
Nonetheless, the hardware for the ROG Xbox Ally X and especially the ROG Xbox Ally has some shortcomings. For example, while the Ryzen Z2 Extreme performs better than the Ryzen Z1 Extreme, it still falls short of being impressive. The Ryzen Z2A found in the ROG Xbox Ally is even less capable.
Pricing Issues
Pricing is another point of concern. The Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X do not shine in terms of value, as the former is priced at $599 and does not offer much bang for your buck, while the latter, costing $999, may be tough for many to justify.
It’s not shocking to think that the Xbox Ally handhelds may struggle in sales. Microsoft might be aware of this, as Moore’s Law Is Dead reports that the initial supply of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally and the Ally X is quite limited.
Supply and Demand
According to a source from a “Major US Retailer” mentioned by MLID, the stock of the ROG Xbox Ally X is on par with the RTX 5080, boasting only hundreds of units available across the company. However, this supply is “nowhere near” what other console launches have previously seen. The outlook for the ROG Xbox Ally X’s availability appears worse, as MLID’s source doesn’t anticipate any “consistent restocks” for this model.
Interestingly, there may be more units of the standard ROG Xbox Ally available, but “not many seem to be interested in that version.” This is not surprising since the ROG Xbox Ally is powered by a weaker Ryzen Z2A APU.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is not a bad console at all. We rated it a “Good” 86% in our review. If you’re looking for a handheld gaming console that runs Windows and are okay with spending around $1000, it’s wise to buy a ROG Xbox Ally X before the stock runs out.
On the flip side, Intel’s new Panther Lake APUs are said to have superior graphics performance compared to the Ryzen Z2 Extreme. Thus, waiting a few months, perhaps until CES 2026, could be beneficial to see if any Intel Panther Lake gaming handhelds are released.
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