Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

Asus is devote up on one of the most unique aspects of theROG Allywith its novel mannikin . The ROG Ally X is prescribed , and asa drawstring of teases and leakssuggested , it overhauls Asus’handheld gambling PCin every way . In the process of upgrade the machine , though , Asus gave up on its XG Mobile ecosystem that made the original machine stand out so much .

The original ROG Ally include a gravid , proprietary connector for one of Asus ’ external XG Mobile GPUs . This allowed you to link up the handheld to a more powerful graphics card , as well as a slew of I / O ( remark / output ) , with a single cable system . As we discovered whiletesting the XG Mobile , it does n’t shape quite the way you ’d carry . Driver conflict do n’t give you the seamless experience Asus promised , and Asus is finally recognise that fact .

The ROG Ally X alternatively include dual USB - C larboard . One is used for the charging , but the other supports USB 4 , allowing you to get in touch anyexternal GPU enclosureyou could want . It gives you a lot more option for power up the ROG Ally X , and it fixes a key issue we ’ve go through on handhelds from theSteam Deck OLEDto theMSI Claw . With a 2d USB - C larboard , you could file the equipment while still associate to another add-on .

Elsewhere , the ROG Ally X is a significant upgrade over the archetype . You still get the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip under the hood , along with a 7 - inch 1080p display that ’s capable of a 120Hz refresh rate . Everything else has been upgraded , however . You get 24 GB of memory now , and it ’s quicker at 7500 MT / s. You also get an 80 watt - 60 minutes battery , doubling the sizing of the battery available in the original model .

One of the more signficant acclivity is the computer storage . You get 1 TB of blank space now , but Asus is using an M.2 2280 SSD . This is the same size that you ’ll find in most desktops , which should make upgrades both easier and cheaper . Asus says it redesign the repositing to support drive with module on both sides , allowing you to pack in up to 8 TB of storage with an upgrade .

The other changes are more minor , but they could have a big encroachment . The macro key on the back of the equipment are smaller now , and Asus swapped out the stick with the same ones you ’ll find on the Steam Deck OLED . Asus is also turn with GuliKit to provide Hall Effect joysticks as an upgrade in the hereafter . Asus tells me the plate is slightly more rounded now as well , and it ’s using a slightly larger sound sleeping room with the same speakers .

Similar to the Steam Deck OLED , the ROG Ally X is an chance to cover the nuisance item of the original twist while Asus works on a truthful subsequence . It does n’t do cheap , however . The ROG Ally X will melt you $ 800 , which is $ 100 more than the original model . Preorders are openfor the equipment now , but Asus has n’t substantiate the release date yet .

If you ’re curious about if you should preorder the machine , make certain to read ourhands - on impressions of the ROG Ally X.