Asus ROG Ally X: The Pricier Handheld Gaming Refresh

Highlights

• Pre-orders for Asus ROG Ally X start at 25,999 TWD (~$800).

• Upgraded RAM to 24GB LPDDR5 and 1TB M.2 SSD storage.

• Battery capacity doubled to 80Wh for extended playtime.

• Lacks the XG Mobile port, featuring a USB 4 port instead.

Asus is set to unveil its latest handheld gaming device, the ROG Ally X, at the Computex 2024 event in Taiwan on June 4th.

As the name suggests, this isn’t a direct successor to the regular Ally, but rather a refreshed version with some enhancements over its predecessor.

However, these improvements come at a higher price tag.

Specs and Price Increase

According to a listing for pre-orders in Taiwan, the Asus ROG Ally X will retail for 25,999 TWD, which translates to approximately $800.

In comparison, the non-X version with the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme costs $700, marking a $100 price increase for the updated model.

The listing also revealed the specifications of the ROG Ally X.

It will be powered by the same Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU as the top-end non-X variant, featuring the capable AMD Radeon 780M iGPU for solid gaming performance.

 However, Asus has upgraded the RAM to 24GB LPDDR5 (up from 16GB) and doubled the storage to a 1TB M.2 SSD.

Additionally, the battery capacity has been doubled to 80Wh, promising longer runtimes.

No XG Mobile Port

While the upgrades seem worthwhile for the price hike, there’s a significant drawback –the Asus ROG Ally X lacks the XG Mobile port found on the non-X model.

This proprietary port allowed users to connect the handheld to a compatible graphics card dock, enabling desktop-level gaming performance akin to high-end gaming laptops by leveraging a dedicated GPU.

Instead, the ROG Ally X features a USB 4 port, which can still be used with an external GPU dock, but with a lower maximum bandwidth of 40Gb/s compared to the 63Gb/s offered by the XG Mobile port’s PCIe Gen 3 x8 connection.

For gamers seeking the ultimate handheld gaming experience without the need for external GPU docks, the Asus ROG Ally X offers improved specifications over its predecessor. 

However, the lack of the XG Mobile port may be a deal-breaker for those who prioritize the ability to leverage desktop-class graphics performance on the go.

FAQs

What is the price of the Asus ROG Ally X?

The Asus ROG Ally X is priced at 25,999 TWD, which is approximately $800.

How does the ROG Ally X compare to the regular Ally in terms of performance?

The ROG Ally X features upgraded RAM and storage, offering 24GB LPDDR5 RAM and a 1TB M.2 SSD, enhancing its performance over the regular Ally.

What is the battery capacity of the Asus ROG Ally X?

The battery capacity of the ROG Ally X has been doubled to 80Wh, providing longer gaming sessions without needing to recharge.

Does the Asus ROG Ally X support the XG Mobile port?

No, the Asus ROG Ally X does not include the XG Mobile port, which was available in the non-X version. Instead, it features a USB 4 port.

What external GPU options are available for the ROG Ally X?

The ROG Ally X can connect to an external GPU dock via its USB 4 port, though it offers lower bandwidth compared to the XG Mobile port.

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