Asus ROG Xbox Ally X

There's a lot we loved about the ROG Xbox Ally X, the first-ever gaming handheld from Xbox. Essentially, it's a full-powered Windows gaming laptop you can play anywhere, and there are tons of games available at launch. However, performance issues make us question the $999 price tag.

The ROG Xbox Ally X is a team up between Asus and Xbox that took people by surprise, but don't think this is a portable version of the Xbox console - it's a Windows 11-powered gaming handheld PC, and despite some innovative hardware and software choices, it still offers a lot of the pros and cons previous, sometimes much cheaper, gaming PC handhelds come with.

Asus and Microsoft's ROG Xbox Ally X is an impressive update to the Ally X, adding console-style controller grips and a full-screen Xbox interface. The whole package feels like a portable Xbox with maximized performance for handheld play.

While its $1,000 price may be an obstacle, ASUS and Microsoft's collaboration on the ROG Xbox Ally X has created a top-tier handheld with strong performance and better software than all of its Windows-based rivals.

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X has excellent ergonomics thanks to controller-style grips, and Microsoft's handheld-focused Xbox experience is far better than using the Windows 11 desktop. The AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme delivers improved performance, but it may not be worth upgrading if you have an existing Ally.

If you want uncompromising performance and high-end capabilities, though, the ROG Xbox Ally X is a clear winner. It breezes through everything the baseline Ally does, and delivers authentic AAA gaming to boot. It’s exceptional. In doing so, it’s clearly, unabashedly targeting the “hardcore” gamer—and it’s going to financially bleed them for the privilege.

Despite the addition of the Xbox name, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X still doesn't really feel like a proper console-like Windows gaming handheld. However, thanks to a great AMD processor and competitive price, it's the handheld to beat right now.

The ROG Xbox Ally X takes the crown as the best PC gaming handheld you can buy, and it rightly should given that gargantuan $999 price tag. The ergonomics are stellar, the performance uplift is pronounced (especially at lower wattages), and that means power efficiency has improved by quite the amount too. If you’re serious about your gaming on the go, this is a great option.