Asus is axing one main function with the ROG Ally X
Asus is giving up on some of the distinctive features of the ROG Ally with its new mannequin. The ROG Ally X is official, and as a string of teases and leaks recommended, it overhauls Asus’ handheld gaming PC in each approach. In the method of upgrading the system, although, Asus gave up on its XG Mobile ecosystem that made the unique system stand out a lot.
The authentic ROG Ally consists of a big, proprietary connector for one in every of Asus’ exterior XG Mobile GPUs. This allowed you to attach the hand held to a extra highly effective graphics card, in addition to a slew of I/O (enter/output), with a single cable. As we found whereas testing the XG Mobile, it doesn’t work fairly the way in which you’d anticipate. Driver conflicts don’t provide the seamless expertise Asus promised, and Asus is lastly recognizing that truth.
The ROG Ally X as a substitute consists of twin USB-C ports. One is used for the charging, however the different helps USB 4, permitting you to attach any external GPU enclosure you could possibly need. It offers you much more choices for powering up the ROG Ally X, and it fixes a key subject we’ve seen on handhelds from the Steam Deck OLED to the MSI Claw. With a second USB-C port, you possibly can cost the system whereas nonetheless related to a different accent.
Elsewhere, the ROG Ally X is a big improve over the unique. You nonetheless get the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip underneath the hood, together with a 7-inch 1080p show that’s able to a 120Hz refresh price. Everything else has been upgraded, nevertheless. You get 24GB of reminiscence now, and it’s quicker at 7500 MT/s. You additionally get an 80 watt-hour battery, doubling the scale of the battery out there within the authentic mannequin.
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One of the extra signficant upgrades is the storage. You get 1TB of house now, however Asus is utilizing an M.2 2280 SSD. This is identical measurement that you simply’ll discover in most desktops, which ought to make upgrades each simpler and cheaper. Asus says it redesigned the storage to assist drives with modules on each side, permitting you to pack in as much as 8TB of storage with an improve.
The different modifications are extra minor, however they might have a huge impact. The macro keys on the again of the system are smaller now, and Asus swapped out the joysticks with the identical ones you’ll discover on the Steam Deck OLED. Asus can be working with GuliKit to offer Hall Effect joysticks as an improve sooner or later. Asus tells me the shell is barely extra rounded now as effectively, and it’s utilizing a barely bigger sound chamber with the identical audio system.
Similar to the Steam Deck OLED, the ROG Ally X is a chance to deal with the ache factors of the unique system whereas Asus works on a real sequel. It doesn’t come low cost, nevertheless. The ROG Ally X will run you $800, which is $100 greater than the unique mannequin. Preorders are open for the system now, however Asus hasn’t confirmed the discharge date but.
