ASUS ROG Ally X Review (2025): Best Handheld Gaming PC Yet?
ASUS ROG Ally X Review (2025): Best Handheld Gaming PC Yet?
🎮 Ultimate Performance in Your Hands – The New ASUS ROG Ally X
ASUS ROG Ally X is the latest innovation in the handheld gaming console space, blending the power of a Windows gaming laptop with the portability of a gaming handheld. Whether you're a casual gamer or a professional on the go, this device promises to deliver desktop-class performance in a compact form factor.
✅ Key Features at a Glance
✅ AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme CPU (8 cores, 16 threads)
✅ RDNA 3 Radeon Graphics with 8.6 TFLOPs
✅ 24GB LPDDR5X RAM – Multitasking Monster
✅ 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD – Fast Load Times
✅ 7-inch FHD 120Hz Display – Crisp, Smooth Visuals
✅ 80Wh Battery – Longer Gaming Sessions
✅ Windows 11 – Full PC Game Compatibility
⚙️ ASUS ROG Ally X Performance Review
The Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip offers blazing-fast speeds and superb energy efficiency. Combined with 24GB RAM, you can run the latest AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, or Forza Horizon 5 smoothly without throttling.
Gamers will appreciate the high-refresh 120Hz display, ideal for shooters and action games. The RDNA 3 GPU delivers PC-level graphics, and with support for FreeSync Premium, you can say goodbye to screen tearing.
🔋 Battery Life: Now Double the Juice
One of the major upgrades in the ROG Ally X is its 80Wh battery, up from 40Wh in the original Ally. This means up to 3–5 hours of real gameplay, depending on your settings and title. That’s a huge leap in the handheld gaming PC market.
❄️ Cooling System: Silent But Powerful
ASUS redesigned the internals with dual anti-gravity heat pipes and fluid dynamic fans. Even under heavy loads, the device remains cool and quiet — a rare feat for portable gaming systems.
🧩 Ergonomics and Build Quality
Weighing only 1.5 pounds, the ROG Ally X feels solid and premium. The new grip design makes long gaming sessions comfortable, and improved button placements give a console-like feel. Plus, with dual USB-C ports, you can connect external GPUs (eGPU), docks, monitors, or peripherals with ease.
🖥️ Windows 11 + Armoury Crate SE
Unlike other handhelds running custom OSs, the Ally X runs full Windows 11, unlocking compatibility with Steam, Epic, Xbox Game Pass, and more. ASUS’s Armoury Crate SE provides fast access to game profiles, system stats, and customization.
While a few Windows optimization issues (e.g. sleep mode, background apps) remain, regular updates are addressing these concerns.
📊 ASUS ROG Ally X vs Steam Deck OLED
| Feature | ROG Ally X | Steam Deck OLED |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme | AMD APU (custom) |
| RAM | 24GB LPDDR5X | 16GB LPDDR5 |
| Display | 7" 120Hz IPS, 500 nits | 7.4" OLED, 90Hz |
| Storage | 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD | Up to 1TB |
| Battery | 80Wh | 50Wh |
| OS | Windows 11 | SteamOS |
| Ports | 2x USB-C | 1x USB-C |
Winner for versatility and raw power: ROG Ally X
🏁 Final Verdict: Is the ASUS ROG Ally X Worth It?
If you’re looking for the best handheld gaming PC in 2025, the ASUS ROG Ally X is the clear winner for:
✨ Power users who want PC gaming in a portable form
✨ Streamers and creators needing high RAM and SSD speed
✨ Gamers who want to connect to an external monitor or GPU
Despite minor software quirks, this device sets a new standard in portable Windows gaming.
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