News Asus partners with Microsoft launch first Xbox gaming handhelds, the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X

[Admin]

The new ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X are technically the first Xbox handheld gaming consoles

Asus partners with Microsoft launch first Xbox gaming handhelds, the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X : Read more

 

[Heat_Fan89]

The problem with these handhelds vs traditional console handhelds like the Switch and Switch 2 is that these PC and XBOX handhelds tend to be moving targets. Whereas with the Switch or Switch 2 you can lock down your initial investment as developers find ways to tweak and improve performance on those locked in platforms. That's why I shy away from the SteamDeck and other such portable devices.

 

[Geef]

I like the specs for this setup compared to the Xbox Series X. Series X runs an 8 core CPU with 16GB of memory. It was built for a 4k/60 screen though.
The Ally will run games just fine at 1080p/120 even with 4 cores less. The Ally X will probably be amazing for any 1080p games out there since it has 8cores and more of everything else.

 

[txfeinbergs]

The problem with these handhelds vs traditional console handhelds like the Switch and Switch 2 is that these PC and XBOX handhelds tend to be moving targets. Whereas with the Switch or Switch 2 you can lock down your initial investment as developers find ways to tweak and improve performance on those locked in platforms. That's why I shy away from the SteamDeck and other such portable devices.

Your argument is false. The Steam Deck is exactly what you are claiming to want. Valve specifically said they aren't going to release one every year. The Steam Deck is now over 3 years old. It is why I have one but would never buy a Nintendo product because I don't like cartoon games.

 

[txfeinbergs]

I like the specs for this setup compared to the Xbox Series X. Series X runs an 8 core CPU with 16GB of memory. It was built for a 4k/60 screen though.
The Ally will run games just fine at 1080p/120 even with 4 cores less. The Ally X will probably be amazing for any 1080p games out there since it has 8cores and more of everything else.

I just wish the screen was larger and OLED. The internals are definitely powerful enough though.

 

[watzupken]

The problem with these handhelds vs traditional console handhelds like the Switch and Switch 2 is that these PC and XBOX handhelds tend to be moving targets. Whereas with the Switch or Switch 2 you can lock down your initial investment as developers find ways to tweak and improve performance on those locked in platforms. That's why I shy away from the SteamDeck and other such portable devices.

I have a Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck OLED, and in my experience, I actually prefer the Deck. I understand what you are saying, but I do question if games are actually running smoothly in the latter part of Switch’s lifespan. In most cases, Switch games are rendered at super low resolution just to make it run in the 30 FPS range with frequent dips. I played Dragon Dogma on the Switch for many hours, and I find the very low resolution quite distracting even on the 6 inch screen. I kept at it because I love the ability to just pause the game, put the Switch to sleep and start playing when I have pockets of time. With the Steam Deck OLED, it does the same, and in general, Deck verified games will run as well.
Ultimately, I am not directly comparing the 2 devices here. My point is that yes, games will run on consoles like Nintendo Switch or PS5, but it’s often at very drastic visual cutbacks to make it work. That’s also the case with something like a Steam Deck or Ally.

 

[Air2004]

What's really the difference between this and say buying a Backbone controller to use with your game pass subscription ?

 

[watzupken]

I like the specs for this setup compared to the Xbox Series X. Series X runs an 8 core CPU with 16GB of memory. It was built for a 4k/60 screen though.
The Ally will run games just fine at 1080p/120 even with 4 cores less. The Ally X will probably be amazing for any 1080p games out there since it has 8cores and more of everything else.

The Ally is likely good for people not playing demanding games like indie and older game titles. I feel the new Ally X is powerful, but it’s still going to run into performance issues, especially when running games using Unreal Engine 5. Hence, 1080p may not be feasible all the time. I am not sure why it is so difficult for Asus to create a 32GB version, noting that they are using 24GB again. It is not a deal breaker, but I feel it can improve performance consistency.

 

[Notton]

I just wish the screen was larger and OLED. The internals are definitely powerful enough though.

Ditto.
I'm waiting for the Legion Go 2, which is supposedly an 8.8" OLED 1920x1200.
If it was just a 7" OLED, Zotac Zone has that.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Your argument is false.

No it's not. A pure gaming console gets games created for it that are optimized as time goes as developers learn to squeeze as much as they can with the hardware and in many cases games tend to look and run better as time goes on. This has been the case with dedicated consoles especially the original Nintendo Switch.

 

[ilukey77]

Not sure there is really a place for ANOTHER handheld ..

disregarding the fact that me personally like to play my games on a TV /Monitor well a big screen ..

I have a Nintendo switch and it gathers dust basically most of the time in fact i cant remember the last time i turned it on ..

Then i get the kids today but to start what kid under 18 or who doesnt have their licence OR and life would be able to afford them ..

And can still use a phone which most children / kids have phones anyway ..

After watching my partener's sons addiction to Video games on his computer god help giving him a hand help console

Any one over that age and still young has there phone glued to their hand 24/7 and there is more of a reason to have a phone with you than a bulky handheld ..

I had a psp back in the day and still preferred my console / tv over it ..

 

[ezst036]

A pure gaming console gets games created for it that are optimized as time goes as developers learn to squeeze as much as they can with the hardware and in many cases games tend to look and run better as time goes on.

Valve has continued doing this, word for word, with the Steam Deck.

ACO compiler, driver optimizations, WINE/Proton streamlining, and a whole host of other things. And direct optimizations in the games that they produce themselves in house.

 

[txfeinbergs]

Valve has continued doing this, word for word, with the Steam Deck.

ACO compiler, driver optimizations, WINE/Proton streamlining, and a whole host of other things. And direct optimizations in the games that they produce themselves in house.

Yep, and even 3rd party developers are optimizing specifically for the Steam Deck because they want that coveted Steam Deck verified label.

 

[TerryLaze]

Huh?! This will still be windows and games will have all the options that games on windows have.

YOU will be able to optimize any game to play exactly the way you want it to, no forced 30FPS no forced 420p (like switch 1 titles on the switch 2) no forced nothing, all the settings will be there for you to play with.