Imagine the thrill of finally holding a portable Xbox in your hands after decades of rumors and speculation—only to discover it's a mixed bag that doesn't quite deliver on the dream. That's the ROG Xbox Ally X in a nutshell: a device that promises to blend the simplicity of console gaming with the vast world of PC titles, but often leaves you frustrated instead. If you're a gaming enthusiast or just curious about the latest in handheld tech, stick around—this review dives deep into why this $1,000 powerhouse might not be the game-changer you hoped for. But here's where it gets controversial: Is Microsoft just slapping an Xbox label on a Windows PC, or are they genuinely trying to fix the chaotic mess of PC gaming platforms? Let's unpack it all step by step, and I'll even throw in some tips for beginners to make sense of the jargon.
ROG Xbox Ally X: An Ars Technica Deep Dive
Portable Xbox Meets PC Chaos: A Dream Half-Fulfilled
The ROG Xbox Ally X looks stunning isolated against a void... Image courtesy of Asus
For what feels like forever, Ars Technica has been buzzing about whispers of a portable Xbox (check out our past coverage from 2006 and 2024). Now, with the ROG Xbox Ally and its premium sibling, the ROG Xbox Ally X, Microsoft has turned those rumors into reality—but in a way that's quintessentially Microsoft: convoluted, ambitious, and a tad messy. Priced at $600 and $1,000 respectively, these are the inaugural handheld devices carrying the Xbox name. Yet, unlike the tightly controlled ecosystem of Xbox home consoles with their exclusive games and walled-off software (which we've discussed in detail regarding user rights and platform restrictions), this isn't a sealed-off experience. At its heart, it's essentially Asus's Windows-powered ROG Ally lineup, now sporting an Xbox makeover.
That makeover comes in the form of Microsoft's Xbox Full-Screen Experience (FSE), a late-blooming effort to make Windows gaming feel more like a console—streamlined menus, fewer distractions, and easier navigation. For newcomers to the scene, think of it as turning a cluttered computer desktop into a clean, game-focused interface where everything is at your fingertips. It's a noble goal, aiming for that plug-and-play simplicity. However, in its current state, the FSE is plagued by glitches and hassles that make it a tough sell compared to rivals like the Steam Deck running SteamOS. And this is the part most people miss: While the hardware is impressive, the software experience could alienate even dedicated Xbox fans.
Unfulfilled Hype: Performance That's Barely a Bump
Back in the summer announcements (our coverage here), Microsoft hyped the 'Xbox Experience for Handheld' as a way to cut down on background Windows tasks, freeing up resources for smoother, higher frame rates during gameplay. In theory, this sounds great—more fluid action means better immersion, especially in fast-paced shooters or adventures. But in practice? The gains are so tiny they're almost irrelevant.
During our tests, benchmarks under the Xbox FSE showed only marginal improvements over running the same tests in full Windows 11 Desktop Mode (which you can toggle with just a few button presses). We're talking fractions of a frame per second—often less than one, and rarely more than one or two. On a percentage scale, it's negligible, meaning you probably won't notice a difference while playing. For beginners, frame rate is the number of images the game refreshes each second; higher is smoother, but here, the promise doesn't match the reality. Take Doom: The Dark Ages as an example: The FSE might shave off a tiny bit of lag, but it's not enough to wow anyone.
The Big Library Promise: One Launcher to Rule Them All?
Another major draw was the 'aggregated gaming library,' hyped as a single hub for all Windows games, pulling in titles from platforms like Steam, Battle.net, GOG Galaxy, Ubisoft Connect, and EA Play. Imagine logging in once and seeing your entire collection in one spot—ideal for those with games scattered across services. For PC gaming newbies, this means no more hunting through different apps; it's all supposed to be unified.
Yet, the integration is inconsistent at best. The 'installable' filter on the FSE only highlights games from Microsoft's Xbox ecosystem, including Game Pass subs. For others, you're back to navigating each platform's app separately, and some don't mesh well with the Ally's button controls—think trying to scroll menus with a joystick when they're designed for a mouse. The home screen displays recent games alongside ads for new ones, which is handy but promotional. To illustrate, picture wanting to install an EA Play game via FSE: I hit errors like 'authentication failed,' and even after restarts, it wouldn't let me log in. Switching to Desktop Mode worked, but then it didn't recognize my Xbox Game Pass, blocking access to titles like Battlefield. Frustrating, right? And this is the part most people miss: The FSE tries to simplify, but ends up complicating things further.
Launching into Frustration: More Launchers, More Headaches
Once games are installed, the FSE does a decent job grouping them in a unified list. Seeing Hearthstone from Battle.net next to Cyberpunk 2077 from GOG, Hades II from Steam, and Fortnite from Epic is genuinely useful for multitaskers. Tapping the Xbox button shows your last played games and quick settings, a nice touch for seamless switching.
But launching? Oh boy. Hitting 'Play' often leads to dead-air delays, wondering if anything happened. In the best scenario, a launcher pops up and loads the game (or updates repeatedly). Worse, you might need to close pop-ups or click buttons, impossible without a mouse if docked to a TV. Worst case: 30+ seconds before realizing Battle.net launched invisibly, demanding credentials. Beginners, this is like starting a car that stalls at the ignition—annoying for everyone.
Multitasking adds chaos. Switching games might warn you to close the first, but warnings sometimes vanish, forcing manual shutdowns. Downloading a game in the background? It might work or stall unpredictably. Other quirks include random launcher swaps, updates via clunky Windows menus (even offering to install Notepad), cut-off interfaces in Steam's Big Picture Mode, and freezes. Microsoft deserves some leeway—unifying fractured PC platforms is like herding cats, referencing that XKCD strip about creating yet another standard. But here's where it gets controversial: Did they overpromise simplicity to sell units, or is this just growing pains? If the FSE was advertised as a work-in-progress, it might be forgivable, but the hype painted it as revolutionary.
Solid Hardware: A Brick That Feels Good in Hand
Setting aside the software woes, the ROG Xbox Ally X hardware is a winner in design. Thicker and heavier than the Steam Deck, it balances 'sturdy' with 'a bit hefty,' feeling premium without being unwieldy.
The grips are a standout: Textured, ergonomic bumps fit perfectly in your palms for marathon sessions. Build quality shines in the responsive analog sticks, triggers, loud but powerful speakers (earbuds recommended for late-night play), and satisfying button clicks. Rear buttons are easy to tap with your middle finger, great for advanced players who customize controls. For clarity, analog sticks are the thumb-controlled joysticks for movement; triggers are shoulder buttons for actions like shooting.
The 7-inch 1080p screen is sharp, especially at 120 fps in games like Hollow Knight: Silksong. But at 500 nits max brightness, it's dim in sunlight, and lacks the deep blacks and vibrant HDR of the Steam Deck OLED. The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor delivers solid power: Doom: The Dark Ages at 1080p High settings hits 30+ fps; Cyberpunk 2077 on Ray-Tracing Low at 1080p is playable when plugged in. Beginners, ray-tracing adds realistic lighting and shadows but drains battery—skip it for longer sessions.
Battery life varies: Turbo Mode (full fan for cooling) lasts about 2 hours on demanding games; Silent Mode extends to 5-6 hours but lowers performance. Charge when possible, or use the Armoury Crate overlay for quick mode switches.
The SteamOS Elephant: Why the Competition Shines
In isolation, the ROG Xbox Ally X could be seen as a bold step toward merging console ease with PC freedom. But reality? Valve's SteamOS on the Steam Deck has refined this concept for years.
On SteamOS, no launcher worries, instant 'Play' responses, or mouse-required menus—everything flows. Microsoft claims broader support for all Windows games versus Steam's 'walled garden.' Yet, for most gamers, Steam dominates; even big titles like Fortnite or Destiny appear there, acknowledging Valve's grip. The ROG Xbox Ally accesses exotics like web games via Edge, itch.io titles, or direct installs, plus cheaper versions from sales.
The real ace? Xbox Game Pass. Subscribe, and your library explodes with hundreds of games—perfect for newcomers building a collection without years of hunting deals. At $30/month for Ultimate (or $16.49 for PC), it's a gateway, despite the recent hike. Wired's take on the pricing here is worth a read.
Still, FSE flaws make it hard to endorse over Steam Deck or Legion Go S (our benchmarks show faster performance on SteamOS). We hope Microsoft polishes the FSE—maybe add profiles for platform-specific tweaks or better error handling.
Kyle Orland, Ars Technica's Senior Gaming Editor since 2012, covers gaming's business and culture. He holds degrees in journalism and computer science from the University of Maryland and even authored a book on Minesweeper.
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What do you think? Is the ROG Xbox Ally X a bridge too far for PC-console hybrids, or could it evolve into a must-have? Do you prefer the simplicity of SteamOS over Microsoft's broader but buggy approach? Share your takes in the comments—agree, disagree, or suggest fixes. If Microsoft is trying to unify PC gaming, are they fighting an unwinnable war against fragmentation, or is this the start of something revolutionary? Let's discuss!
