Asus ROG Ally x 7" 120Hz FHD Gaming Handheld - AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (RC72LA-ALLYX.Z1X)

Handheld PCs have exploded in popularity in the last couple years, and much hype was given to the original ASUS ROG Ally. While the final product’s execution was good, there was still plenty of room for improvement for future models. The ROG Ally X represents the next revision of the popular handheld, addressing nearly every major shortcoming of the original.- Unboxing and SetupLike the original ROG Ally models before it, the Ally X ships with just the essentials: a 65W power cable and a cleverly-packaged stand made out of its recyclable cardboard box. Compared to the first-generation Ally, the Ally X is a couple ounces heavier due largely in part to doubling the size of the internal battery, and the console’s contours are much more prominent for improved comfort ... MoreHandheld PCs have exploded in popularity in the last couple years, and much hype was given to the original ASUS ROG Ally. While the final product’s execution was good, there was still plenty of room for improvement for future models. The ROG Ally X represents the next revision of the popular handheld, addressing nearly every major shortcoming of the original.- Unboxing and SetupLike the original ROG Ally models before it, the Ally X ships with just the essentials: a 65W power cable and a cleverly-packaged stand made out of its recyclable cardboard box. Compared to the first-generation Ally, the Ally X is a couple ounces heavier due largely in part to doubling the size of the internal battery, and the console’s contours are much more prominent for improved comfort in the hand. Some changes were made to the controller buttons and joysticks for this mid-generation refresh, which now feel much more in line with Xbox Series controllers instead of third-party ones.Plug in the Ally X, power it on, and you’re greeted with the familiar Windows 11 setup sequence, which just like with the Ally before it, is the biggest shortcoming of the whole device - Windows is still a desktop-first OS. Entering text with the on-screen keyboard is cumbersome and slow, and tapping the touchscreen to register mouse clicks can become infuriating. Connecting a keyboard and mouse to the Ally X makes the process of setting the device up and installing games much easier.Since it’s running Windows 11 natively, the Ally family of consoles support nearly every game and software application made for Windows PCs since the 90s, as well as every modern game that has anti-cheat software or DRM that other handhelds can’t overcome. However, this does not mean that any given game will work out of the box. This is still a gaming PC, and you’ll need to take some time to configure most titles to run and look their best.- Ally X System ChangesThe Ally X shares the same AMD Z1 Extreme APU as its predecessor, packing 8 Zen4 CPU cores and 12 RDNA3 GPU cores comprising what would be labeled a Radeon 780M in any other guise (indeed, specs of the Z1 Extreme are nearly identical to AMD’s last-generation low voltage 7840u). The major hardware change the Ally X brings is in its memory configuration - faster LPDDR5X is used to bring memory speed up to 7500Mhz (from 6400), and RAM capacity has increased from 16GB to 24GB total.The upgrade makes a significant difference with the Ally X. Graphics performance of the Z1 Extreme is improved about 10% overall, but the extended memory capacity alleviates virtually all bottlenecking seen on the 16GB models. In short, the AMD Z1 Extreme uses a portion of the system memory as graphics card memory, so on 16GB models it was not difficult to max out the memory while gaming. When this occurs, the system swaps data in and out from the SSD, which causes stutter and micro-freezes as the system catches up with game demands. By default, the Ally X configures the 24GB system memory such that 16GB is treated as RAM, and 8GB is treated as dedicated VRAM. This allows virtually every game available today to run stutter-free, though memory allocation can be tuned in the BIOS.- Performance & Power ProfilesBeyond the hardware changes, ASUS has taken advantage of the upgraded battery to tweak the power profiles of the Ally X, which now default to a 17-watt “Performance” profile (which was 15W previously). Two extra watts make a big difference in power, as framerates in the Performance profile land within single-digit percentages of the Turbo (25W) profile in direct comparions. I had no trouble hitting 60FPS in most of the games I own with High details (Wreckfest, Mortal Kombat 11, Halo: Master Chief Collection), with only a few needing to drop to Medium (Forza Horizon 5, Control) while retaining High textures for a consistent, high fidelity gaming experience.Like previous models, ASUS opts for user-switchable performance modes that change the power target of the Z1 Extreme. User-configurable as low as 7 watts, default modes are Turbo (25W battery, 30W on AC), Performance (17W), and Silent (13W). Performance mainly pulls back GPU performance, while Silent pulls both CPU and GPU power down to maximize battery life. I found Performance to be the best balance of power consumption to graphics muscle - performance gains at Turbo were minimal compared to the hit in battery life.- Noise & ThermalsASUS notes a redesigned cooling solution for the Ally X, featuring fans with thinner blades, a rearranged heatpipe system, and relocated ports to avoid excess heat from reaching the SD card slot. All told, the cooling performance of the Ally X is a marked improvement as fan noise is so minimal as to be unnoticeable when using the Performance preset with a heavy gaming load. At full bore, the fans are still reasonably quiet, getting no louder than a thin and light office laptop might under the same level of duress.Thermal performance varies based on the power mode in use, but with the Performance preset the Z1 Extreme is kept well within operating limits. I saw a peak of 76C at 17W power, which is nearly 25C below the chip’s throttle point. Since the APU is located centrally with heat pipes and fans located away from where your hands sit, the Ally never feels hot to the touch.- Screen & BatteryThe Ally X shares the same 120Hz, IPS, 100% sRGB panel as the original Ally, and is still gorgeous to behold. Its FreeSync implementation is not the best I’ve used, but it definitely helps keep noticeable framerate dips to a minimum. The panel can be manually toggled to 60Hz mode for better battery life.The Ally X’s battery is an enormous improvement for the device overall. With double the capacity (80WHr) of the previous model, runtime is greatly improved to the point that even with the Performance power profile, I achieved over 3 hours of graphically intense gameplay before the system threw a low battery (<10%) notification. Though perhaps not as impressive as some other handhelds in the segment, this is still proper PC gaming on the go without much, if any compromise. Manually configuring a 9W power profile and dimming the screen slightly, I was able to eke out 7 hours of mixed video streaming and indie gaming.Note that these battery results are from the latest BIOS available as of July 26, 2024. Extra life may be gained through future BIOS updates.- ASUS Control Center & Armoury Crate SEThese two programs ship with the ROG Ally’s Windows installation, and both are immediately accessible via shortcut buttons next to the screen. Control Center is an overlay that allows quick toggles of the most common system settings, and can be configured to display any combination of them. The overlay worked reliably in my testing, letting me change power modes and control schemes on the fly - including the ability to toggle the controller buttons to a “Desktop” mode, where the right stick controls the mouse and shoulder buttons click. Each of the controller buttons can be configured to custom bindings or macros and saved to individual app profiles.Armoury Crate SE is a handy launcher and control profiler that consolidates game shortcuts automatically - unifying multiple storefronts and local installations into a single launcher that can be called at any time. Though not a flashy launcher, once games have been installed and configured for play it’s nearly seamless to boot the Ally, play games, and shut the system down without seeing the Windows desktop. For the launch of the Ally X, Armoury Crate SE saw an update to version 1.5 for all Ally models. The updated launcher is noticeably more responsive and better laid out.- Upgradeability, Quality ControlWith a redesigned system board, the Ally X now uses the common M.2 2280 size SSD instead of the rarer, and usually more expensive 2230 size. This is user-upgradeable by removing the rear casing, and the disk is immediately visible and easy to change out. Similarly, major components of the Ally X’s integrated controller such as joysticks and shoulder triggers are on modular daughterboards, which should make future repair, replacement, or even upgrades possible. The core system (CPU, GPU, memory) is not upgradeable, as to be expected with an APU.I would be remiss not to mention ASUS’ current track record for both quality control and customer service. My unit has no QC flaws I can find, though my first Ally did (see my Best Buy review titled “The Italian Sports Car of PC Gaming” on the Z1 Extreme Ally model).I have no firsthand experience with ASUS customer service, but as with any company I highly recommend keeping records of all communication for warranty matters, as well as taking pictures of the device immediately before sending for return, and making copies of any provided documents or shipping information. Remember that warranty repairs are separate matters from the cosmetic condition of a unit, but major damage can be grounds to invalidate a warranty claim.- Bottom LineA flawed but popular device is usually worth waiting for the next revision, and with the ASUS ROG Ally X, the refinement for what’s just short of a second generation device is substantial. Most of the major flaws of the original Ally are resolved, and what’s left is a capable, portable, and compatible handheld that makes full power PC gaming on the go much more palatable.That all being said, the revised device comes with a revised price. Had this matched the Ally’s original $649 MSRP it would have been an easy recommendation, but $799 is a harder sell. If you’re looking for a plug-and-play solution to play your PC games on the go, there are many options below this price point worth researching. But if you must have the most powerful PC gaming handheld on the market today, you won’t find a more powerful device in this form factor, and the Ally X comes recommended.

UNBOXING:Inside the box, you’ll find the ROG Ally X, a couple of paper stands for the Ally X, and a 65W USB-C wall adapter. And just like the 2023 Ally, there is no case or screen cloth included. Other than that, you’ll have your warranty card, manual, and safety info.BUILD:The Ally X uses a sturdy plastic build. Compared to the 2023 Ally, it’s thicker because of its much larger battery. And while this makes it heavier, ASUS also improved the ergonomics by making the corners more rounded, so they don’t dig into my palms as much as the 2023 Ally did.PORTS, EXPANSION & UPGRADES:When it comes to expandability, the Ally X improves upon the 2023 Ally in a couple significant ways.ASUS decided to forego the ROG XG Mobile external GPU dock in favor of a new ... MoreUNBOXING:Inside the box, you’ll find the ROG Ally X, a couple of paper stands for the Ally X, and a 65W USB-C wall adapter. And just like the 2023 Ally, there is no case or screen cloth included. Other than that, you’ll have your warranty card, manual, and safety info.BUILD:The Ally X uses a sturdy plastic build. Compared to the 2023 Ally, it’s thicker because of its much larger battery. And while this makes it heavier, ASUS also improved the ergonomics by making the corners more rounded, so they don’t dig into my palms as much as the 2023 Ally did.PORTS, EXPANSION & UPGRADES:When it comes to expandability, the Ally X improves upon the 2023 Ally in a couple significant ways.ASUS decided to forego the ROG XG Mobile external GPU dock in favor of a new Thunderbolt 4 Type C port which can support Thunderbolt eGPU enclosures, Thunderbolt docking stations, and much more. But they also kept the original USB 3.2 gen 2 Type C port, so now you have access to 2 Type C ports that also support both DisplayPort & Power Delivery. This also opens up more opportunity to use USB-C peripherals like headsets while also charging using the included USB-C wall adapter. Given how expensive the XG Mobile graphics were, I think this was a smart move by ASUS.In addition to that, ASUS has seemingly revised a design flaw from the original Ally with Micro SD cards being destroyed from thermal stress. On the Ally X, the SD Card slot has been moved to the right on the top side. Only time will tell if this has truly fixed the issue. Other than that, you have a 3.5mm combo audio jack on top, as wellAs far as hardware upgrades are concerned, ASUS managed to fit a standard 2280 size m.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. This is an improvement over the original Ally which used a 2230 size m.2 which is significantly more expensive to buy. Overall, I’m very happy with the improvements made over the 2023 Ally.CONTROLS:Compared to the 2023 Ally, the face buttons feel a bit more tactile, but I don’t feel it’s a drastic departure for me—I’d be happy with either. The D-Pad has also been revised with a matte texture instead of glossy. For some reason, my unit sometimes squeaks when pressing the left side of the D-Pad, and I didn’t have that problem on the original Ally X. The shoulder buttons seem to be using more tactile switches, so they are a bit louder, but they also feel less mushy and are easier to click. The triggers are also noticeably louder. Both the shoulder buttons and triggers appear to be a bit larger compared to the original Ally, so they’re more comfortable for bigger hands.The thumbsticks have also been improved from the original Ally, as they now seem to have a bit more of an indentation like the Xbox Series controller, so your thumbs will never slip.Additionally, the rear macro buttons have been slimmed down and relocated to prevent false triggers. Personally, I think this was a good decision because there were times where I unintentionally triggered a hotkey, and most people probably won’t use these macro buttons, so it’s better to keep them out of the way until they’re occasionally needed.The Command Center button on the left of the display gives quick access to various performance settings like power profiles, an FPS limiter, a real-time performance monitor, a 60Hz/120Hz refresh rate toggle, and 720p/900p/1080p resolution toggle. Having this quick button is super helpful so you can dial in your performance needs for different types of games.And on the right of the display you have the Armoury Crate button which will give you access to your game content and settings, letting you skip the need for interfacing with Windows most of the time.And also on the top, you have the volume buttons and power button that also functions as a fingerprint reader.DISPLAY:The Ally X leverages the same display as the 2023 Ally. It uses a 7” 1080p IPS touch screen display that can operate at 60Hz or 120Hz and with FreeSync Premium support.The display is sufficiently sized for handheld PC gaming, and the display gets plenty bright for daytime usage, and reasonably dim for darker environments, as well. I also really appreciate that it supports FreeSync since there are plenty of performance-demanding PC games that can’t run at a locked 60fps or higher, and having FreeSync can reduce screen tearing and stuttering.MICROPHONES:The onboard dual array microphones are positioned just above the view and menu buttons. In my testing, they are very clear and do a great job at isolating speech. I played online games and used Discord for voice chat, and I got compliments about the microphone quality, but I did have to lower the game volume so it wouldn’t bleed into the microphones.In the Realtek Audio Console or in the Armoury Crate Audio settings, I used the Directional Recording Mode, but using the Conference AI Noise Canceling mode will yield even better noise cancellation, but may impact battery life.SPEAKERS & HEADPHONE:Audio continues to be well-implemented on the Ally X. The two front-firing speakers deliver clarity while also being plenty loud. Compared to the original Ally, the X delivers better treble performance along with better bass while also being louder , but the original Ally sounded great, so this is just icing on the cake.Headphone performance is also sufficient for most consumer grade headphones and IEMS. I’m still glad to see ASUS still offering a headphone combo output since it’s conceivable some folks may play the Ally in environments where speakers aren’t appropriate, so having the ability to use some IEMs is a good way to game without disturbing others.PERFORMANCE & BATTERY:Performance on the Ally X will be more akin to the original Ally Z1 Extreme since they both share the same Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, but the Ally X increases the memory to 24GB and uses faster memory clocked at 7500 MT/s. This means that the Ally defaults to 8GB of memory dedicated to the GPU, whereas the original Ally defaulted to 4GB—which isn’t always enough for many modern games. In my testing, more games were able to run at 60fps with appropriate settings. And if you’re coming from the Z1 non-extreme, the jump in performance can be significant for modern 3D titles. The Z1 Extreme uses 8 cores and 16 threads and 12 RDNA3 compute units. 2D titles will be a breeze on the Ally X, and 3D games will yield a more stable experience compared to the original Ally.I spent a lot of time playing Enshrouded—which is a quite demanding 3D title. And it plays reasonably well on the Ally X. When plugged in on the 30W turbo profile, I am able to achieve 60fps without having to dial everything to low, and when on battery, I can opt to make some graphical concessions and still achieve 30fps so that I can play unplugged for a couple hours.I also played another title Lost Castle 2 which appears 2D, but is actually built in Unity 3D. This game is much less demanding than Enshrouded, but still demands quite a bit of performance to achieve 60fps. A game like this looks great even at lower resolutions. At 720p under the 17W Performance profile, I’m able to achieve around 60fps on highest settings, and even at the 13W Silent profile, I’m able to achieve 40-60fps. And thanks to FreeSync, those framerate drops are not as impactful to the experience. Under the 13W setting over a 74 minute play session with Discord voice chat, I went from 100% battery down to 77%—estimating over 5 hours of gameplay on battery using these settings.Frankly, most of my gaming library is much less visually demanding than either of these two games. But there’s no doubt that I could not play these games unplugged nearly as long if it weren’t for the bigger 80 Whr battery in the Ally X.CONCLUSION:Ignoring price, the ROG Ally X is a great handheld gaming console. In my experience, it improves upon all of the major things that I complained about with the original ROG Ally. While it isn’t impenetrable to the performance demands of many modern 3D titles, it takes a great product and makes it even better. The Ally X brings improved comfort, stability, controls, battery life, performance, sound, and expandability.However, there’s no doubt that the ROG Ally X is expensive, and while it absolutely has competition, I feel that ASUS has one of the best implementations for a premium handheld console at this time. So if you’re willing to pay the premium price tag, I do think you’ll be getting a good product that delivers on its mission.

Looking at the specs sheets, the Ally X offers a little more than the original that came out a year or so ago. After spending a week with it, I found that Asus has addressed all the shortfalls of the original Ally, especially the major one: battery life. For most, this might be the biggest reason for upgrading or choosing it over the Ally.To improve battery life, Asus doubled the capacity from 40Whr to 80WHr. On games like Modern Warfare 3 that played best under the performance profile, I’ve gone from 1.2 hours to almost 3 hours of gameplay before needing to plug the charger in. On some games that are not graphically intense, like 2D games, expect up to 6-8 hours of gameplay.Storage also saw significant upgrades, such as doubling the storage from 512GB to 1TB, ... MoreLooking at the specs sheets, the Ally X offers a little more than the original that came out a year or so ago. After spending a week with it, I found that Asus has addressed all the shortfalls of the original Ally, especially the major one: battery life. For most, this might be the biggest reason for upgrading or choosing it over the Ally.To improve battery life, Asus doubled the capacity from 40Whr to 80WHr. On games like Modern Warfare 3 that played best under the performance profile, I’ve gone from 1.2 hours to almost 3 hours of gameplay before needing to plug the charger in. On some games that are not graphically intense, like 2D games, expect up to 6-8 hours of gameplay.Storage also saw significant upgrades, such as doubling the storage from 512GB to 1TB, and the form factor is now a standard size 2280. Going from 2230 to 2280 is a good change since now you can go up to 4TB of SSD storage and cheaper options than 2230 NVME drives. You also still have the option to add storage via the UHS-II microSD slot.The RAM was also upgraded from 16GB-6400 to 24GB LPPDR-7500 (16% faster). In some games, you may see an increase of 5-10% in additional fps.One feature that did not make it over from the ROG Ally was the proprietary port for connecting to external GPUs; instead, the Ally X sports a USB-4 (40 Gbps) Type C port. You now have more options available for external GPUs. With 2 USB C ports, you can connect to an external monitor and charge simultaneously with charging speeds up to 100w compared to 65w.Thermal was also improved with quieter fans. This is great since the speakers were excellent in the original Ally and are even better now with the Ally X.The joysticks are slightly different now. They feel less loose when moving, and overall durability was increased to 5mil cycles compared to 2mil. The face buttons have more feedback due to the more extended travel. The triggers are slightly chunkier now.The design looks very similar to the Ally, but Asus made minor tweaks to improve comfort when holding it. The corners are much more rounded.The display is still the same as the 7-inch IPS VRR 120hz 1080p from the ROG Ally. I would have loved to see an OLED panel, but the IPS panel is still a good one and the only display that supports VRR in the mobile PC gaming handheld market.I wanted to focus on the upgrades since the performance will be similar to that of the ROG Ally. The chipset is the same Z1 Extreme, which has proven to provide a good gaming experience at 1080p low-medium quality settings on most games. Upgrading from the ROG Ally is tricky since the only noticeable change you will see is battery life, especially if you often carry your device when traveling. I recommend going with the Ally X for those purchasing one for the first time. The added battery life and the additional RAM and storage are well worth it. 512GB can quickly get filled with 3-4 triple AAA titles. Even though micoSD is a good alternative, it’s not the best since speeds are way slower than those of an internal NVMe drive.