Lenovo Legion Go 2 Pre-Order Problems Cast Doubt On ROG Xbox Ally Release

I find the lack of transparency as to its pricing to be baffling. Surely opening up the pre-orders means that Microsoft are able to gauge interest in the product? I mean, why produce a million units, when only 100K pre-orders are placed? Or, why produce 100K units, only for pre-orders to sell out within minutes, thus demonstrating that there is a real interest in the product, and a lot more will be disappointed in not getting it straight away? Obviously, I'm using silly numbers, but you get my point.

I do understand that market conditions means that Microsoft want to get the price right from the outset so that they can sell the item, and hopefully turn a profit, but how do they have any idea of how many units to make? Seeing loads and loads of availability everywhere can be seen as a sign that you made to many units, and cannot sell them, showing a lack of interest in your product. Equally, don't make enough, and you risk people being impatient and buying a competitors product instead. At least by opening up pre-orders early, you know whether you need to step up production, or at least temporarily slow it down...

It would be interesting to know how many units have been made before the launch of the xbox ally and the Lenovo go 2. Guessing the demand for such a niche product must be tough. I dont think this thing will sell very much more or less than the other non steam deck pc handhelds.

They probably won't convince too many others that own a pc handheld to convert to this one and people that wanted a pc handheld probably already have one. I think this will be a very cool product that doesn't have much of an audience but that's true of all pc handhelds.

I would think that part of how they’re predicting how much inventory they need for launch (for the ROG Xbox Ally units) is how many people have signed up by email to be notified when it launches. It doesn’t mean you’ll buy but you’re openly telling them you are looking to buy.

MS is panicking trying to find a way to make it cost less than a grand.

Im saving up for the X like im sure many are, yet when nobody has given a price then that leaves many in well how much do I need limbo.

Im looking forward to it, but I can see there being delays as there hasn't been much talk about apps, frame rate etc because its all been look a how nice this screen looks and oohh aahhh its got a baby fan in there.

Obviously people do like to hear all that, but considering its released next month we haven't heard much of anything.

I think its a very difficult situation for Global businesses right now and that is the major reason for their 'Lack' of transparency, commitment and/or Communication.

They could announce a price and a week later, get hit by some Tariff or issues with their supply chain of certain materials/parts that suddenly means its costing them significantly more to manufacture and distribute.

I know its frustrating and annoying for consumers - we've seen Consoles going up in price, not down despite years on the market, Companies closing down Studios and shedding staff and some markets 'collapsing' or sanctioned so can't trade there anymore, losing a chunk of potential sales revenue.

I think some are waiting for Economic forcasts, Interest rates/inflation - they don't want to announce a Price and within a few months have to put their prices up but don't want to price it 'high' that it doesn't sell at all but also maybe won't see a price increase in the first year or two

So the official reason Lenovo gave for the issue on their AMA was demand being higher than anticipated and Corden does talk about how handware companies like Lenovo need to do really strict inventory. The problem is that they released an overpriced premium product and GREATLY underestimated how much niche gamers are willing to pay in this market and how much excitement there was for a Legion Go 2. Sure it's not Switch numbers, but it's still pretty high considering this is a niche product within a niche market.

If we look at the Legion Go 2 lead up, Lenovo just didn't prepare for this AT ALL. We had an announcemell8nt of an announcement bagmck in CES. And then it was just leaks. Up until a few a few weeks ago. They practically shadow-dropped the device.

Xbox Ally is up in the air. Microsoft and ASUS have been marketing the heck out of this device, so they expect it to sell. The question is how much demand are they anticipating? ASUS is still an OEM, so they wouldn't want inventory left over. The big issue to me is how these companies are putting out pre-orders at the last minute. Put that stuff up several months in advance, so ya'll can get a fix on who wants one. Only companies like Apple can pull off last minute pre-orders for products like iPhones which have a pretty fixed demand every year. The Xbox Ally will probably be the most sought after gaming OEM to date just from the Xbox collaboration.

The whole thing just feels odd. No price a month before launch is a bit nuts.

@Millionski Yep, I agree. Ive said all along this is just gonna be an app that comes to everything. Like you say, its probably gonna happen to desktops also.

It is good that windows gaming is getting better, lord knows it needed it, but in my opinion we are basically seeing the 1st steps of xbox becoming an app rather than a device.

For the price and the performance of the product the people that can't get these devices should just get a cheap second hand series x or a brand new series s and a cheap 4k TV.

Jeez, you could get games pass, dominos, some Doritos and plenty of other things as well.

A month delay??? 😂 Try really testing someone's patience like Analogue and Polymega do to me!

Take as long as you can Microsoft, just don't released a buggy meas.

@EdgarTheBug I've got a keen eye on FB marketplace and eBay right now. I assume we won't get the price of the Xbox Ally till the 25th part of Tokyo games show. As soon as we get the price, I'll have to decide on used Rog Ally X 24gb or a MSI Claw 8 (intel or AMD versions). Currently a used Ally X 24gb 1tb is £650-£700 in the UK eBay/FB, it seems too high, but unlikely to drop. A new 2tb claw aI+ is £999 and seems like a better deal

@Sir_Bobbins I'd like to guess they may reduce the price on the standard rog models which would than put the rog xbox ally x at the current price of the original products so if it is the case you may get one of them cheaper but it's Asus after all.