Asus ROG Ally X Review: It puts a gaming PC in your hands

I don’t have a stacked Steam library, I’m not deep into AAA titles, and I don’t even have an Xbox Game Pass subscription (yet). But lately, the universe seems to be nudging me to up my game…quite literally.

Reviewing the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X felt like the biggest step in that direction. For someone new to gaming and still figuring out what to play, from free titles to paid ones, the Ally X seems to make things easier by offering access to a wide library in a familiar setup. It essentially feels like having a Windows PC in your hands.

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For someone who has never used a handheld console before, the idea of gaming anywhere — on a couch, in bed, or in between work — feels far less intimidating than sitting in front of a full setup.

Today, the Ally X sits in a crowded and fast-growing market. On one side, you have the Steam Deck, still widely seen as the benchmark for handheld PC gaming. On the other, devices like the Lenovo Legion Go are pushing for better performance and flexibility.

Then there’s the Nintendo Switch, which still dominates in terms of sheer popularity, but plays a very different game, focusing on exclusive titles and a console-first experience rather than PC-like flexibility.

A strong first impression

The Ally X is immediately likeable. It feels less like a gadget and more like something familiar. An Xbox controller with a screen in the middle.

That familiarity matters when you’re new to gaming. The grips are comfortable, the buttons feel intuitive, and nothing about the hardware feels intimidating. At around 700 grams, it doesn’t feel too heavy either, especially with the polycarbonate chassis.

Ergonomically, the Ally X is comfortable enough for long gaming sessions. But if you have smaller hands, you might start to feel a little strain after a while. It’s similar to how your pinky finger feels when you use your smartphone with one hand for too long.

Looking at the competition, I’d still pick this primarily because of how much it feels like holding a controller. Some of the other handhelds feel bulkier or more slab-like in comparison.

And then there’s the interface. Microsoft’s Xbox Full Screen Experience is clean, controller-friendly, and designed to make things simple. At least, that’s the idea. Initially, the setup can feel a little jarring for those who haven’t used an Xbox controller or played on a PC before. But the device does help you along the way, with most games guiding you with on-screen prompts that explain what each button or trigger does.

Specs that pack serious power

Under the hood, the Ally X is far from a casual device.

Priced at Rs 1,30,990, the device runs on AMD’s Z2 Extreme processor with integrated Radeon 890M graphics, paired with 24GB LPDDR5X RAM and a 1TB SSD. It features a 7-inch Full HD IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync Premium support.

The Ally X has an 80Wh battery, which is pretty solid for a handheld. In my experience, you’ll get around 2–3 hours of playtime, depending on the game and power mode. Lighter titles last a bit longer, but if you’re pushing it in Turbo mode, expect closer to the lower end. For a device that basically feels like a tiny gaming PC in your hands, the battery life is decent, but definitely something to keep in mind if you plan to game on the go.

Asus has also equipped the Ally X with a good range of ports. You get a USB4 Type-C port with Thunderbolt 4 support, a second USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, both supporting power delivery and DisplayPort, along with a UHS-II microSD card reader.

For controls, you’ve got A, B, X, Y buttons, a D-pad, two full-size thumbsticks with RGB lighting, Hall Effect analog L/R triggers, L/R bumpers, and two assignable grip buttons. The Armoury Crate and Command Center buttons give you quick access to settings, while the HD haptics make every tap and trigger pull feel satisfying. Honestly, it’s the kind of setup that makes you forget you’re basically holding a tiny Windows PC.

When the PC shows up

However, spend a little more time with it and the cracks start to show.

Despite the Xbox-like interface, the Ally X is still very much a Windows 11 machine underneath. And that comes with all the usual baggage. Logins, launchers, pop-ups, and moments where you’re not quite sure what to do next.

Perhaps the first game I installed was Asphalt 8 but through the Microsoft Store and for some reason I could get past the screen where I had to enter my age because the keyboard would not show up.

As someone just starting out, I found this a bit confusing. You expect a console-like experience — download a game and start playing — but here, there are extra steps. Sometimes a lot of them, which is usually the case with a Windows machine.

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The part that slowed things down

What made this more noticeable was the setup process itself.

Since I didn’t already have games downloaded or accounts ready to go, I was starting from scratch and that’s where things felt slower than expected. I ran into some Wi-Fi issues, and downloads took longer than they should have — at one point even days, even for something that was under 10GB.

For a device that promises quick, on-the-go gaming, that initial friction stands out.

Performance and display: hard to complain

There’s no denying the power here.

Even without pushing it too far, everything runs smoothly. The display is one of the highlights. It’s sharp, bright, and very responsive. The 120Hz refresh rate makes a noticeable difference, whether you’re navigating menus or actually playing games.

While playing Asphalt Legends, I was getting between 60 and 70 FPS, which is in line with what you’d expect from lighter titles on the device, though the numbers dipped slightly as the handheld warmed up.

In general, the Ally X delivers anywhere between 40-60 FPS in most modern games and well above 60 FPS in lighter titles, depending on settings and power mode.

As a beginner, I didn’t feel like I was missing out by not having an OLED panel. This screen is good enough to make games look and feel great.

The experience overall

When it all comes together, the Ally X is genuinely fun to use.

The combination of comfortable design, responsive controls, solid haptics, good sound, and a sharp display makes for an overall great experience. It’s easy to pick up, and once you’re in a game, it’s easy to stay there.

But getting to that point isn’t always seamless.

The Windows layer, occasional interface quirks, and slower setup process make it feel less like a console and more like a compact gaming PC, which, to be fair, is exactly what it is.

The verdict

After using the Ally X, I’m not sure I’d recommend it as a starting point for someone like me.

What initially feels accessible like a familiar interface and a wide library, quickly turns into something more complex once you start navigating Windows, launchers, and setup.

It feels better suited to people who already know their way around gaming. Those with existing libraries, subscriptions, a clear idea of what they want to play, and want it on the go.

If you’re already in that ecosystem, this device probably makes a lot of sense. If you’re just getting started, it might feel like jumping in at the deep end.

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is powerful, well-designed, and genuinely impressive.

I loved the comfort, the smooth display, and the sheer idea of it. But I also found myself slightly overwhelmed by the Windows interface and unsure if I was really making the most of what it offers.