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One of the bigger announcements from the Xbox Games Showcase today was the reveal of an Xbox handheld device. It had been rumored for a while, though the final product might be a bit unexpected. Called the ROG Xbox Ally, the system is a variant of the already existing ROG Ally, with Xbox buttons and a more controller-type grip. It will run Windows 11, though it will have a more Xbox-themed UI for your games library. As it uses Windows, you'll be able to install Steam, Epic, and whichever launcher you prefer.

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There will be two variants of the handheld, in the form of the ROG Xbox Ally, and the ROG Xbox Ally X. The former will feature an AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor, with 16GB of DDR5X RAM, 512GB storage, and a 120Hz screen. The more powerful X will have impulse triggers, 24GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and a USB4 Type C port. The full specs can be seen on the official Xbox website. They'll both be out later this holiday season. Pricing will also be announced later.

Source

 

[a_username_that_is_cool]

Supposedly runs a much lighter version of Windows that doesn't take up as many resources, but will still probably lose out to SteamOS in head-to-head comparisons. Beyond that, as ergonomic as it might be, the thing is just plain ugly. It'll be in the bargain bin the second Steam Deck 2 is announced.

If Windows Lite isn't out to the public I will always assume it's 7 or 8.1 with a compatibility layer. Give me Sads, I don't care. I'm tired of Microsoft saying newer is better. Sometimes it's not

 

[isoboy]

I need windows for modding. That said, I haven't looked into modding on steam OS so I can't speak to that. Maybe it's great?

 

[Augusto101]

I don't really understand this "consoles" just use a laptop with a 4060 and that's it...maybe the gamepad but nah just redundant stuff

 

[The Catboy]

“It runs Windows 11”
Tragic

 

[RedoLane]

No SteamOS, still using LCD, reeks of Windows dirt, and probably won't be as customizable as using Decky.

Community support is also gonna be lacking comparing to it's competitors.

 

[AngryCinnabon]

I need windows for modding. That said, I haven't looked into modding on steam OS so I can't speak to that. Maybe it's great?

It usually takes a few more steps but it is possible if you have the time and patience.

 

[DeadSkullzJr]

I'll be honest, I am kind of tired of seeing handheld computers all over the damn place. Another Windows or Linux device, good for you if that's your thing, but some of us want a console, not another handheld computer. Other than the Nintendo Switch 2, can we just have proper handheld consoles anymore? Something like the (3)DS(i) (Lite) family of systems, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, etc..

 

[KingVamp]

I really hope Sony's portable is a proper handheld console and not another PC. Nintendo not doing it right now, so Microsoft has to carry the bad names tradition.

The prices are probably not low either way. I wonder if they should have just focused on one version, power wise.

 

[donaldgx]

Too late to the party

 

[Skv0ra]

Like I said in the other thread - M$ is officially dead if they're partnering up with ASsUS of literally ALL the other, better designed and executed brands. And if this POS won't be $500 flat - Legion Go is more than worth extra couple hunns.

Post automatically merged: Jun 8, 2025

Like I said in the other thread - M$ is officially dead if they're partnering up with ASsUS of literally ALL the other, better designed and executed brands. And if this POS won't be $500 flat - Legion Go is more than worth extra couple hunns.

No SteamOS, still using LCD, reeks of Windows dirt, and probably won't be as customizable as using Decky.

Community support is also gonna be lacking comparing to it's competitors.

lmfao WHY would a M$ system need SteamOS? Just install linux at that point.

 

[NinStar]

I'm an avid Linux user, but are the people in this thread out of their mind or something? This is clearly running a custom Windows build designed primarily for gaming. I'm 100% confident that it will easily outperform any Linux distro when it comes to running native Windows games.

 

[kingaz]

I'll be honest, I am kind of tired of seeing handheld computers all over the damn place. Another Windows or Linux device, good for you if that's your thing, but some of us want a console, not another handheld computer. Other than the Nintendo Switch 2, can we just have proper handheld consoles anymore? Something like the (3)DS(i) (Lite) family of systems, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, etc..

Sadly, we really cannot have proper handheld consoles anymore. There are niche devices, like FPGA throwbacks or Raspberry Pi powered emulation machines, and then there's the little mini platform Playdate (the one with the crank), but that's it. Everything else is phones, Switches and handheld PCs.

 

[subcon959]

I'm not bothered about the hardware itself (even if the Z2 Extreme is a bit tasty) but that handheld version of Windows has the potential to be very interesting if it's as cut down as I'm hearing.

 

[Skv0ra]

I really hope Sony's portable is a proper handheld console and not another PC. Nintendo not doing it right now, so Microsoft has to carry the bad names tradition.

The prices are probably not low either way. I wonder if they should have just focused on one version, power wise.

Are they even? And IMHO just to play, literally GT7, just isn't worth the likely price tag with Win systems offering a heap more these days. PSP and Vita RULED back in their day because they had superb features for the price, but tech has boomed since into quite the glory.

Post automatically merged: Jun 8, 2025

Sadly, we really cannot have proper handheld consoles anymore. There are niche devices, like FPGA throwbacks or Raspberry Pi powered emulation machines, and then there's the little mini platform Playdate (the one with the crank), but that's it. Everything else is phones, Switches and handheld PCs.

Absolutely nothing wrong with a handheld, game-centric PC that can use all the wireless/usb hub peripherals and that's able to HDMI out, but price point is the new name of the game as well as performance. If it's cheaper to just get a used gaming lappy, then these become pretty moot.

 

[Vixi]

I tried making a Windows based console years ago and was disappointed by the OS experience on something I built to be used under my TV with a controller.

If this version of Windows becomes available, the DIY console experience will be much better.

I'm planning to build a Linux based console in the near future and I'd be keen to use this in a VM for games I can't get working in Wine (notably, my Xbox Play Anywhere game library)

 

[kingaz]

Absolutely nothing wrong with a handheld, game-centric PC that can use all the wireless/usb hub peripherals and that's able to HDMI out, but price point is the new name of the game as well as performance. If it's cheaper to just get a used gaming lappy, then these become pretty moot.

This isn't a knock on portable PCs, but rather just a small lament that they don't quite fill the void left by Gameboys, DSs, or PSPs.

 

[Skv0ra]

This isn't a knock on portable PCs, but rather just a small lament that they don't quite fill the void left by Gameboys, DSs, or PSPs.

That's the thing though - pricing.

PCs always were and are $1k-2k of a cash dump, and old handhelds cost $100-200 which was absolutely perfect. Now that they're $500-800, a used gaming laptop just makes much more sense to dump money into vs a modern UMPC with castrated performance.

 

[LightyKD]

I feel like a lot of you are missing the damn plot. This machine is obviously meant for the consumer that is fully entrenched in the XBox ecosystem.

 

[icantfly]

if it cant match ps5 in graphics this is not an xbox

 

[SecureBoot]

I really like my Rog Ally. If this is priced appropriately (being subsidized by Microsoft should take off cost for the windows license at least) I can see it being compelling