Wed Oct 15 17:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: A New Benchmark for Handheld Gaming PCs

**[City, State] -** Asus is poised to redefine the handheld gaming PC market with the launch of the ROG Xbox Ally X on October 16, 2025. Priced at $999, the device boasts a powerful Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, setting a new standard for performance and user experience. A lower spec Ally, powered by the Z2 A processor, will launch the same day for $599.

The ROG Xbox Ally X distinguishes itself with its innovative integration of Microsoft’s new Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE). This feature allows the handheld to boot directly into the Xbox App within Windows, bypassing the traditional Windows 11 desktop and streamlining the gaming experience. It’s like Microsoft’s answer to SteamOS, offering a more user-friendly interface for gamers.

IGN Hardware and Buying Guides Editor Jackie Thomas notes the device feels like “a clear evolution of handheld gaming PCs, and a sign of what’s to come once the Full Screen Experience launches for all PCs sometime in 2026.”

The design of the ROG Xbox Ally X also receives praise for its comfort. The handheld includes two plastic grips meant to emulate an Xbox controller. Despite weighing slightly more than its predecessor, the Ally X, the new device feels even more comfortable during extended gaming sessions.

Beyond the software and design, the ROG Xbox Ally X excels in performance. Benchmarks demonstrate improved frame rates in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 5 compared to competitors like the Lenovo Legion Go 2. The device also offers impressive battery life, lasting approximately 2 hours and 34 minutes while playing Cyberpunk 2077.

While the $999 price tag may seem steep, the ROG Xbox Ally X offers a compelling value proposition, especially considering its performance, innovative software, and comfortable design. The device is set to make a significant impact on the handheld gaming landscape, and will only get better as Microsoft refines the Full Screen Experience over time.

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