How can Microsoft compete against the Steam Deck or the Lenovo Legion Go? That’s where the ROG Xbox Ally X comes in. The prospect is a potentially mouthwatering one: combining ROG Ally’s excellent design with Xbox’s casual console experience. I’ve been putting Asus’ brand-new device through its paces over the last two weeks, and I’m left feeling conflicted rather than overjoyed.
That’s because when it comes to the best Steam Deck alternatives, I’m a firm believer that the ROG Ally Z1e is the go-to choice to consider. Backed by enough power to play plenty of high-profile FPS games or massive RPGs, the flexibility it offers appeals to me far more than Valve, Lenovo, or MSI’s portable gaming consoles. There’s no denying that Windows 11 can be a clunky obstacle to overcome on the go, but using the Z1e for work is also extremely valuable when I’m away from home.
Although the Steam Deck still manages to beat out most handheld PCs on the price front, the Z1e usually sells for around $450/£450 brand-new, with second-hand units beating that by at least $100. Jumping up to the ROG Ally X, its more expensive cousin, is where things can get complicated. And that’s where a hurdle for the ROG Xbox Ally X appears.
Read the full story on Pocket Tactics: ROG Xbox Ally X review – good, but not $999 worth of greatness
