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The ROG Ally X RC72LA is basically an improved version of the ROG Ally.
It offers better battery life along with a larger SSD and RAM than the original Z1 Extreme handheld.
ROG Ally X vs ROG Ally
Outwardly, it looks the same but with a black casing.
Some internals have been moved around including the microSD card reader.
Battery life isn’t great, but the ergonomic grips make it comfortable to hold.
Since it runs Windows 11 it’s basically a small gaming laptop with controllers attached.
you might access any game service that you would on computer.
I also included Black Friday deal advice.
ROG Ally X vs ROG Ally
I got a Z1 ExtremeROG Allyshortly after thegaming handheldoriginally released and have been using it regularly ever since.
It’s a fantastic rig that serves as aWindows 11gaming laptop with controllers attached.
Now, ASUS ROG has launched theROG Ally X, an improved gaming handheld.
The ROG Ally X with a Z1 Extreme has a $799.99 MSRP.
But just how does the ROG Ally differ from the ROG Ally X?
More importantly, which one is a better fit for your gaming needs?
I’ve broken this page into different categories, where I discuss the pros and cons of both models.
ROG Ally X offers 24GB RAM and up to 1TB SSD to handle your gaming needs.
Read on to see which gaming handheld you should get.
First off, the new gaming handheld model has the same ROG Ally Z1 Extreme and 7-inch touchscreen.
However, it also has more memory and a larger storage capacity for your game files.
ROG Ally X stays cooler overall than the original ROG Ally.
Now that you’ve seen the specs, let’s dive into what they mean for you.
This makes the ROG Ally X the most expensive option.
Meanwhile, the black ROG Ally X has an MSRP of$799.99 at Best Buyand ASUS.
The 7-inch ROG Ally IPS display gets plenty vibrant and supports VRR.
So, that makes it $100 more than the white ROG Ally.
However, that doesn’t mean they’ll offer the same kind of performance.
When evaluating these devices, we need to take into account memory and storage in addition to the processor.
The ROG Ally has Hall Effect triggers and potentiometer joysticks.
For instance, having more RAM can allow a system to be more responsive and have faster frame rates.
Of course, it’s easy enough toupgrade the ROG Ally SSDif you want more storage space.
The ROG Ally X really outshines the Ally with its SSD.
ROG Ally and Ally X can both run Game Pass and other gaming services.
ROG Ally X vs ROG Ally: Display
TL:DR DISPLAY WINNER:We have atiefolks!
The company probably kept the screen the same so that keep the cost of the handheld down.
However, some changes have indeed happened under the hood.
The original ROG Ally uses Hall Effect triggers, but the joysticks are just potentiometers.
Meanwhile, there are some button and joystick changes to the ROG Ally X.
Plus, the D-Pad now offers “more precise 8-direction input for fighting and retro games.”
Armoury Crate SE 1.5 provides several additional customization options for ROG Ally users.
Another important button change is that the ROG Ally X has smaller M1 and M2 buttons.
Overall, these changes provide very nice improvements overall.
Additionally, users are able to create and share button mapping profiles with others.
The ROG Ally typically only lasts up to 51 minutes when playing more demanding games at max TDP.
Armoury Crate SE 1.5 isn’t as integrated with AMD Software as I’d like.
My battery life testing shows that it can last more than twice as long.
When playing games, the ROG Ally usually only runs for up to about an hour and 38 minutes.
The backside of the ROG Ally (2023) features M1 and M2 back bumpers.
When running more demanding games at max TDP, the system only lasted about 51 minutes.
It’s not great, but it’s pretty standard battery life for PC gaming handhelds.
Obviously, that’s not an ideal situation.
The M1 and M2 buttons are smaller on the ROG Ally X.
Plus, I accidentally press those back buttons all too often when just trying to grasp the system.
Despite this, the Ally X is very comfortable to hold.
Now you know the differences and similarities between these devices.
The ROG Ally can be used with the ROG XG Mobile eGPU to boost performance.
The ROG Ally X is the better equipment between the two when it comes to cold, hard specs.
But, which model is a better purchase for you specifically?
This really comes down to a matter of preference.
JSAUX 6-in-1 Multifunctional Docking Station was designed to fit the ROG Ally X.
So who should get the ROG Ally X?
It offers longer battery life, more RAM, and a higher SSD capacity.
Even though the processor is the same, having more RAM can sometimes make games play more smoothly.
ROG Ally X with a Z1 Extreme being played in bed.
So, that alone could make the new ROG Ally X appealing.
Plus, the buttons, joysticks, and back buttons have all been improved.
All around, it’s the better machine for gaming enthusiasts.
It also has a few physical changes that improve upon the playing experience.
The original ROG Ally has been a very popular Windows 11 gaming machine.
It can access most games and services that gaming laptops can.
Battery life isn’t great, but performance is very good for a handheld.
