Talking Point: Has This Week's ROG Xbox Ally News Sold You On The New Handheld?

So far I've been in the mindset of "I don't need another handheld", as I already own a Switch OLED, Switch 2 and Steam Deck. It all depends on the price, though. Being able to easily run games through Steam, Epic, GOG, etc is a big plus, so when Microsoft finally gets around to telling us how much these things will actually cost, if the price isn't too egregious then I may be swayed to sell the Steam Deck and move over to the ROG Ally. Doing so would also get me to resubscribe to Game Pass, as not being able to use that service on Steam Deck was a big factor in me ditching it.

It's the multiple stores that has sold me

I'm convinced by the product but the price is going to kill it for me. But the X looks incredible. Stick with OG ally for now

I am semi convinced but the Ally will not be available in my region so Microsoft made the decision for me I guess.

It's what I was expecting - although I see a LOT of discourse online about the fact that it 'streams' your Xbox 'Console ONLY' games and so I've seen comments saying this is just a more expensive PS Portal or why not just buy a Steamdeck...

It seems many haven't really understood that this is a PC - albeit with a Xbox App 'boot' screen that turns off some Windows 11 processes to be more 'optimised' for gaming. You can't play your ENTIRE Xbox Library on any PC so why expect to on this? You can't play ANY of your Xbox Library on a steamdeck (out of the Box anyway).

Just because you don't get a 'PC' version or can't download via Game Pass for PC, doesn't mean you can't play those games at all - you can stream from a server in the cloud (Stream your Own games if available with that title) or from your Console (remote play - the ONLY option on a PS portal). Those are the cheapest option, but if you really want to play a game but NOT stream it, you also have another option - buy it again from any of the PC retailers inc MS, Steam, Epic, Battlenet, GoG etc. I'm sure that over 95% of the games on Xbox have a PC version.

Not only that, you can't play games like Spider-man, God of War, Horizon: Zero Dawn etc on your Xbox but can on an Xbox PC.

This is still a 'full' Windows 11 PC - no different from a Desktop or gaming Laptop. The 'only' difference is that instead of loading up the full Windows 11 on boot up, you boot into the Xbox App with numerous Windows 11 processes turned off by default to optimise specifically for 'gaming'. However, you can easily turn those processes on and open the full windows desktop.

Unlike a Steamdeck or dedicated Xbox/Playstation/Switch handheld, this is NOT a locked platform out of the box. Steamdeck maybe able to install windows to get Game Pass and Play Anywhere games, its not the 'default' .

As for price, even the X isn't that 'unreasonable' for a Gaming PC that isn't subsidised and locked to a single store, for a device that isn't locking content and Social gaming behind a Subscription pay wall. A Series X costs £500, requires you to own/buy a display to plug into it, requires at least a £60 a year Sub fee to play online and with friends, to play the FULL library of games/modes etc. So if you own a Series X for 6yrs, paying for Game Pass Core only just for Online gaming, that's £860. Yet if you buy a Handheld PC, its a Complete device (no display required), never have to pay for online access to play with friends and because there isn't a monopoly on store fronts, can also shop around to get the best prices on games...

Microsoft (or anyone to be fair ) can show whatever they want with regard to a handheld device and its all irrelevant to me. I simply have no use for it and will never have a need for a hand held gaming option.

I expect pricing to be 649/949, up from the rumored 599/899 given their delay to evaluate “macroeconomic conditions”. That’s a big chunk of change to play things on the go, no matter now fully featured and capable. 100% waiting for post release evaluations.

I'm not part of the demographic for this. I prefer a big screen to play on.

It looks good and if I had money to burn I would be interested but I’m happy with my Steamdeck.

I'm there, day one. Just tell me when preorders will open.

1: how are these compared to Series S and Series X?

2: do they hook up to the TV?

Short answer: No.

Longer answer: No. No. No...

I don't understand these things, @BAMozzy. You say you can only stream you Xbox games, is that the same with the Steam Deck when playing Steam games, or are Steam games downloaded on to the handset? Is it not possible to download a game on to the ROG or the Steam Deck? I have no interest in either device. I'm just trying to get a better understanding of how it works...

It looks like a competent device. But, I'm currently covered in my different user cases. Also, it's a lot of money to "just buy it, who cares", and no official release in my country (so, it will be even more expensive from importers).

@Spider-Kev These will have lower compute than both, I would imagine. At least when on battery. You can place them in a dock which has HDMI to the TV. If you don't use a dock (the site says the "charger stand" is included), then you would need a USB-C to HDMI cable.

@Fiendish-Beaver Yes, you can download and install PC games from any PC store on the device. It is an upgraded RoG Ally. All modern XB1 --> Series games from Microsoft are Play Anywhere (dual entitlement, cross-save, cross-play). Many third-party games are increasingly featuring Play Anywhere.

• Download and install PC games
• Stream games from console
• Stream games from PC (multiple methods)
• Stream games from XCloud (or any other service e.g. GeForce Now)
• Play Game Pass games

No, as long as many games bypass the Windows Store and are not released with Xbox achievements and features, and it's not possible to play the full library I already have from Xbox, this is not an Xbox, and therefore I'm not interested.

I have a Steam Deck OLED and the app XBPlay downloaded from the Steam store. This app gives me access to the cloud streaming which is enough for me right now. Microsoft is adding more and more purchased titles to streaming and it works well for me while I am home. I think I’ll save my money and buy the next console/PC Hybrid since it will be fairly expensive.

No way I’m buying this. Not being able to play console games natively is a massive negative.
PS Portal was a big turn off for that reason & Xbox deliberately refused to learn that lesson.

@Fiendish-Beaver Steam games bought from steam are playable 'Natively' on a Steamdeck so you don't 'stream' to a steamdeck.

Xbox is NOT just the Console - Xbox is Microsofts Gaming Brand, their 'platform' on PC like Steam is its own Platform on PC. You don't get the 'Steam' versions of Xbox Play Anywhere PC titles, you get the Microsoft 'Xbox PC' version.

So if you have Xbox play anywhere games or those games are on Game Pass for PC, you can download and play because its part of the same 'ecosystem' if a slightly different version (as in its built for Windows PC's, not the Xbox Console). It's like getting the Series S or XB1 version if you play on that hardware instead of a Series X because the Series X version isn't 'optimised' for that hardware.

Because MS only merged their Xbox into Windows a decade ago and made 'Xbox' their entire Gaming brand - not just the Console, its not surprising 'legacy' games from before that are less likely to be play anywhere and many aren't even Back Compat with Series Hardware. Just like on a standard Windows PC, you can't play your Xbox console version of those games. However, you can stream Xbox games because of Stream your Own games, Game Pass Cloud streaming and of course Remote Play - if they weren't 'Play Anywhere' or not on Game Pass PC to download.

However, you also can 're-buy' most, if not all the Xbox games from the multitude of retailers - MS, Steam, Epic, Battlenet, GoG etc. Just like you'd have to buy again if you jumped to a Steamdeck or any other Handheld PC, windows laptop/desktops etc. The cheapest option of course is to Stream if you already 'own' those games, but you also have the option to play via Emulation and a LOT of old Console games from the 360/PS3 era backwards are on PC via emulation. More old Xbox games are playable that way than on a Series S/X via Backwards Compatibility.

You don't expect to play ALL your entire Xbox Library if you decide to move to a Gaming PC - inc the handhelds. The Only difference between this and other PC's is that MS have worked on Windows 1 with the Xbox team so that these more 'power limited' devices are better optimised for Gaming than running the full Windows 11 OS as all other Handhelds currently are. Its the Microsoft PC Xbox app UI essentially with a 'Optimised' Windows 11 OS designed for Controller input (unlike Windows) - but you can easily switch on the full Windows desktop if you choose - its NOT a Xbox Console, its an Xbox PC and plays the PC versions of games.

You can download or stream games like Indiana Jones or Starfield because they are Play Anywhere and on Game Pass and its all Microsoft owned platforms. Steam is Valve so you need to buy from Valve to play on their Platform regardless of hardware style. you can buy games from Steam, Epic, MS etc to play 'natively' on PC if a PC version ever released but if you don't want to 're-buy' and its not a Play Anywhere or Game Pass PC title, then you can stream from server or console to save having to re-buy a PC version.

I don't know how else to explain that this is still a Full PC, but Microsoft have 'Xbox' on PC, their own PC Platform with Windows/DirectX, their own Customers (Sony use Steam/Epic platform on PC and you won't get Spider-Man free on PC by buying it on PS. This is Microsoft trying to make their Windows 11 OS be much more efficient and suited for Gaming Handhelds than them making a Handheld console locked to 'Xbox'

Nope, no interest for me. Don't want a gaming PC, mobile or otherwise.

No, because it's a PC handheld and I'm a console gamer with all my games on console. This wouldn't do me any good. If they ever come out with a handheld that plays your console library I'd be interested, but only at a respectable price. I'm not paying $700-$1000 for something I probably wouldn't get much use out of.

@norwichred To answer your first point, I can't help you with regards to streaming in Dubai but if they don't offer it, then its not going to let you play your 'entire' Console library. I don't know if Remote Play is an option, as in streaming direct from your Console like Playstation Portal offers, but if you can remote play to a laptop/desktop, that maybe your only option - other than maybe re-buying the PC versions of games you want to play.

You can download any 'Play Anywhere' Xbox title (over 1300 games are Play Anywhere) or if they are on Game Pass for PC too with your Game Pass Subscription - chances are you have 'numerous' games you can install and play without needing to spend any additional money (if you already Sub to GPU, you get Game Pass for PC, EA Access and Streaming (if available in your region).

If you want to play 'offline', you can always re-buy the PC version, just like you'd have to do with any other Handheld on the market. You don't get the Steam version with Play Anywhere so won't get the games on a Steamdeck, so won't get ANY Xbox games on that or Switch 2. Won't get your entire Library on any other PC but will get Play Anywhere and Game Pass PC games through 'Microsoft' on ANY PC, the exact same situation applies with this too.

The ONLY difference between all the other Handheld Windows PC's is that this doesn't boot the full Windows 11 but a Gaming Optimised version, doesn't boot to the full windows Desktop, but to the 'Xbox PC App' and its designed by Xbox/Windows team for Controller input - this will be coming to other PC handhelds in the future but this is the first.

Another aspect is that is uses Microsofts Controller layout in Full size to feel like an Xbox Controller, not a typical handheld with 70% scale controls and designed more for slim design than ergonomic comfort. But it is still a 'full' gaming PC and you don't expect your ENTIRE Xbox Library to be playable on a PC gaming rig. The fact you can play 'some' games thanks to Play Anywhere and Game Pass for PC is a 'bonus' - you won't get Spider-man or God of War on PC because you own a PS version, won't get them on a Xbox console at all, but can play them natively on a Xbox branded PC

Not a fan of portsble but If it came with a dock for the same price with seamless connection like the Switch I’d buy it because of the access to Steam so I could play all the pc exclusive indie games. But reading about people docking their ROG, it doesn’t seem plug and play at all. So, no

I think I understood most of that. Thank you, @BAMozzy... 👍

I want one, but I’ve already got Series X, Steam Deck and Switch 2, so I’m set. The Xbox Ally doesn’t really offer anything more for me than I’ve already got, besides a better native game play experience on beefier titles.

Plus the price, can’t afford it. $900 is too rich for my blood currently.

I'm passing on this one. It would be redundant to buy another handheld pc. I'm waiting on the next generation to come around.

It will be interesting to see what the docked situation is like. The current ally docked experience is brutal. Easily the worst thing about the device.

@kmtrain83 A laptop may well be the better option and you can always use a Controller - it's just not as well 'optimised' for gaming specific and a bit more inconveneint to play 'on the go'.

The games options will be the same and you can always access the Xbox App too, if you sign into windows with your Xbox Microsoft account. It's just the 'convenience' and ergonomics of this handheld, along with the 'Xbox' and Windows 11 teams working together to create this Windows 11 'optimised for Handheld gaming' version coming first to this device.

Any PC currently offers the same Library and access so a Laptop may well be the more sensible route for your current situation than buying something more designed for gaming on the Go specifically - but cumbersome to use with a tiny touchscreen keyboard for any other functionality. All Windows PC's these days have the same option to play EVERY PC game available today on it, just the specs decide whether its a graphical showcase with excellent frame rates or low res low settings, choppy mess to play and everything in between as most have some 'GPU' Cores built in to their chips so it comes down to what is 'most' important to you for its use - if you intendto pretty much only use it for gaming 'anywhere' in one 'convenient' easy to use device, then the Handheld PC is 'best', want to do work or use the full versatility of windows to type emails, do any work etc, then a Laptop or Tablet maybe best. Tablets with a keyboard cover - like Surface pro or ipads are very portable but not 'great' for gaming spec wise....

Most 'Gaming' Laptops are designed more for playing at any desk near a plug socket than'playing 'untethered' anywhere. They are awkward to balance on your knees on a bus journey or train journey without a table to put a laptop on, and won't get much battery life in modern games with their separately powered GPU as well as CPU and cooling for everything. They are more 'portable' than a desktop, but not quite as portable as a Handheld device. Trackpads too are awful for gaming so you need a mouse if not using a Controller so you have to take additional items with you regardless to 'game' on the go but Handhelds are 'All in One' (Controller, screen and electronical Hardware) devices designed to be played 'Anywhere' - in bed, on the sofa, in the park, on the bus, in the waiting room of a Drs appointment, where ever you have 'time' to game regardless of where you are.

I don’t own a PC so this is gonna be a yes for me. Travel and get to play some of the PS exclusives. I’m in.

No. The price of these things is absolutely bonkers.
I remember having a GameCube AND a GameBoy SP. This is because the handheld was CHEAPER than the console.
Yes, the graphics weren't even close. But it was a handheld. Does a handheld really need to be just like a console? That's how you wanna play an entire AAA game?
Seems weird to me. Maybe I'm just old.

Nothing is going to sell me a handheld that can't play native Xbox games.

I am mostly convinced. Just need an official price

I never needed any convincing. I already own a Lenovo Legion Go and a Steam Deck. I'd sell my Steam Deck and buy the ROG as my secondary if I could get back the full $600 I spent but it's an LCD model and I doubt that I could. Otherwise the economy is too f***ed up right now and the Z2E doesn't look to offer enough gains over the Z1E for me to justify upgrading. I'd also really want a trackpad. I am certainly even more hyped by the Xbox Full screen mode debuting with this device, but that was always what was most attractive to me. And that will also be eventually going to all devices.

@themightyant It wouldn't have full Xbox compatibility, but once the Xbox Full screen mode is pushed out across windows devices via the Xbox app, you could build your own solid PC, put it under your TV, and call it a day. (if you just want to access all PC stores in the ROG Ally Xbox user interface and with its features).

Doesn't matter if it has a XBOX UI, it's still running windows in the background, which eats up performance, compared to SteamOS.

But if you can dual boot into SteamOS on this device, then maybe.
Though, after getting used to 8 inch screens on Switch 2 and Legion Go S, 7 inch is too small. My old eyes needs bigger screens, when it comes to gaming in 1080p.

I will buy based on reviews and what updates come with my ROG Ally I bought two years ago. If an update comes available for my existing one to use the same OS (less Windows Services at startup and boot straight to XB UI with multiple integrated stores) then I would probably stick with my existieng one until the next generation of consoles/handhelds.

I have two boys both have Meta Quest 3 Xbox series xs and playstation 5s i also have a series x I think these seem cool but dont see a point to them for the price they will be. Especially until Gaming on the go is stable. It will all depend on your wifi/ internet connection where your at for these to work well in my opinion and that is a long shot for most people not in a city or very populated area

I'm at the Gamescom right now. I played a bit Tony Hawks 3+4 on the X model. Not convinced. I will go on with my Series X.

@Exerion76 You don't know that - it maybe running Windows, but its not running the FULL Windows as shuts off some unnecessary (for gaming) processes which in turn leaves more 'resources' for Gaming - it saves upto 2GB's of Memory which can now be assigned to gaming.

That is the 'point' about this device compared to all previous Windows Handheld - that Windows 'bloat' is far more impactful on low powered devices where every resource is extremely limited and power starved too.

It may not exactly match Steam OS, but it will be a LOT closer than it currently is and when it comes to your Lenovo Go in the future, you'll be able to compare and have an actual informed opinion...

@BaldB3lper78 The Lenovo Go will likely get the same Windows 11 OS at some point so will also benefit from a more optimised gaming OS than it currently has.

Other than specs and layout, the rest is pretty much the same - same Library. Unless of course you go for the SteamOS version of Lenovo which basically locks you to Steam and hope that every 'Windows' game plays nicely with the Proton Layer. You won't get your Play Anywhere Xbox games or Game Pass on Steam OS - its basically a 3rd Party Steamdeck.

The 'Xbox' branded RoG Ally is just the 'first' Handheld PC to have a 'new' Handheld version of Win 11 that doesn't boot up the 'full' Windows 11 suite for a more optimised and efficient OS for gaming. That is expected to come to other handhelds sometime next year.

Windows and Xbox are BOTH MS owned, both linked and why MS support PC like their Console. So you need a Windows PC if you want to 'benefit' from Game Pass and Play Anywhere games - not Steam or Steam OS. Steam is its OWN platform like Playstation or Switch so if you have no history on Steam, you'll have to start buying from Steam to have any games to play on Steam...

Hopefully this 'optimized' version of Windows 11 for 'gaming' 'performance' doesn't include the 'bug' that's 'killing' 'SSDs' on 'PC.'

I'm definitely interested based on what we know currently and some early hands on previews.

My current concerns:

• How well will sleep / suspend work?
• What about family game sharing and parental controls?
• How is the docked experience?

If I end up getting the Rog Xbox Ally, it will become my main handheld, probably replacing my OG steam deck, and designating my Switch 2 to exclusives only (with very few exceptions). It will also become my main "xbox", and while I will maybe hold on to the Xbox for now, I would definitely let game pass expire and just use the Ally for my online gaming, keeping Xbox only for the handful of console exclusives that I want to play (Rare replay mostly). If Rare replay ever moves to the PC, and it turns out that games play just as well if not better on the Rog as the Series X, then I can probably abandon the Xbox too.

@Millionski Entry-level prebuilts are still between $1200-1500 USD with the most basic/cheapest components. Even if the next next-gen consoles are $700 base, I'm paying less than half of that thanks to trade-ins.

@Millionski I got my PS5 Pro for $180 cash after trade and promotions. Any PC setup closer to that?

Lmao reading some comments you’d think that PCs have never existed until Microsoft announced this thing.

@Millionski Both those game look fine to me!

I'd also say that $180 compared to $800-900 does count as a night-and-day difference. PC building has never been more expensive in the US thanks to tariffs and corporate greed. Not to mention having to re-buy games...

@Millionski I'm don't care about performance enough to invest hundreds of extra dollars and re-buy games. I'm fully aware of and accept console limitations, and I'm far from some suffering console peasant who needs saved by enlightened PCMR types. Console ecosystems work perfectly for me, and I'd rather invest time and money in platforms I enjoy instead of PC.

I am genuinely very interested, but it will be the price point that seals the deal (or kills it).

I have been a console player my whole life, this will be my first Gaming PC

I haven't had use for a handheld in at least 25 years.

I've got nostalgia for Columns on Game Gear and Tetris on Game Boy but I'm not the market for this now.

I travel often for work, in doing so I’ve come to the conclusion that the original switch is too big to travel with. Taking a laptop size handheld out of my bag through security all the time is just not worth it. I’d rather travel with the old Vita or 3DS. But for those whose life that it fits into, I’m glad you’ll get to play Xbox and other stuff on the go.

Definitely a no for me. I don't travel much so there isn't really a reason for me to play mobile (I have a Switch and think I play it docked 99.5% of the time).
As this RXA docked would just be a less powerfull way to play games I can play on Series X or PC I have no interest at the moment.

It would need to offer a proper generational leap over Switch 2 to tempt me into buying a second handheld. Otherwise, I don’t travel frequently enough to justify having two portable gaming devices.

It's a hard no for me. No reason to pick this up. No interest.

@Lup you are not alone!!

Ill consider the Ally xbox X when that price drops in a year or 2

I do like the look of the Xbox ROG ally X but don't think I could justify the £800+ on it... Same with the cheaper version I like the look of it, Xbox controller feels and even like the ROG ally but it's a bit pricey if you already own another handheld. I own the Legion go which I got for about £350 or just over and a Series X. So I believe in terms of hardware and screen it would be a step down for more money just to have a nicer handheld. I've owned a Rog ally before and I thought it was great just needed a little more juice! I am really hoping that the new UI comes to my legion go, I think that looks fantastic! Just can't afford the £800+ for the x version, and believe you may as well pick up a Rog ally instead of the cheaper version for a couple hundred £ instead.

No go on this one. 24GB of RAM is last-gen tech. They really messed this up. They had alllll the time to let alllll the competition come out with their handheld. They knew what they were supposed to beat, and they didn't. Next gen handheld might be the time, but not now.

I think I just want to reiterate on this thread, what a great product the Xbox ally x is. But the prices are absolutely INSANE. Despite the freedom it offers, and performance looks like it'll be great, it's a handheld PC. Nobody should feel like this is good value compared to a series x, ps5 or even switch 2. Save your money, game elsewhere, and wait for Asus, Xbox and everyone else to sell things for reasonable prices again. The world has gone MAD

This needed to be £350 to stand any sort of real commerical chance.

This will sell less than a quarter of the PS Portal.