ROG Xbox Ally X Unboxing, Setup, Comparison and Overview

The ROG Xbox Ally X is a powerful, portable gaming PC featuring a 120Hz 1080P display and AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, designed for gaming on the go despite its initial Windows-like setup and multiple update processes.

• The ROG Xbox Ally X offers powerful portable PC gaming with premium hardware.

• Initial setup requires managing multiple Windows, Xbox, and Armory Crate updates, which can be time-consuming.

• Despite setup complexities, the device delivers strong in-game performance and PC-like versatility.

The ROG Xbox Ally X, priced at $999, is a high-end portable gaming PC with 24GB RAM and 1TB storage, building upon the base ROG Xbox Ally model. It features a 7-inch, 120Hz 1080P IPS display and an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, delivering a significant hardware upgrade for playing PC games on the go. While its performance is strong, the setup process is criticized for feeling like a traditional Windows PC, requiring updates from multiple sources (Windows, Xbox, Armory Crate) rather than a streamlined console experience.

Unboxing & First Impressions

• 00:00:00 The ROG Xbox Ally X is introduced as a $999 device, featuring 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, distinguishing it from the base ROG Xbox Ally. The unboxing reveals a compact package including a simple cardboard stand and a 65-watt USB-C charger. The device itself is notably heavy, highlighting its robust internal components, and includes essential accessories right out of the box.

Hardware & Design Features

• 00:02:23 The ROG Xbox Ally X boasts several hardware enhancements, including impulse triggers similar to Xbox controllers, and a variety of ports such as a 3.5mm headphone jack, SD card slot, and a USB4 port. It features a 7-inch HD 120Hz display with AMD FreeSync Premium and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus Plus. Internally, it's powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB of LPDDR5X 8000 RAM, and a 1TB M.2 2280 SSD, offering significant performance for portable gaming. The device weighs 715 grams and has an 80-watt-hour battery, an increase from the base model.

Initial Setup Experience

• 00:05:11 The initial setup of the ROG Xbox Ally X is characterized by a cumbersome Windows-like experience rather than a streamlined gaming console boot. Users are required to navigate through Windows updates, region settings, network connections, and multiple software updates (Windows, Xbox, Armory Crate SE), which can take a significant amount of time. This setup process is viewed as a drawback for casual gamers, making it feel more like setting up a new PC than a dedicated gaming machine, despite the integrated Xbox experience.

Gaming Performance & User Experience

• 00:12:10 Despite the challenging setup, the ROG Xbox Ally X delivers strong gaming performance, capably running titles like 'Battlefield 6' at around 60 frames per second at 1080p, and 'Forza Horizon 5' smoothly with high textures. It supports external peripherals like a USB-C mouse, demonstrating its PC-like versatility for games such as 'Cities: Skylines'. The device also features decent speakers with a volume of around 75 decibels, enhancing the immersive gaming experience once all updates are installed and managed across the different platforms.