New ROG Ally X arrives as a generation update

ASUS was one of the companies that came out ahead in the race for the portable gaming consoles market, and therefore this leadership gave it some advantages. One of them has just been confirmed, which is the new ROG Ally X, a kind of update to your standard console that brings very welcome improvements.

After a year on the market, the already ROG Ally has just received a significant redesign, giving rise to the ASUS ROG Ally X. This update is not a complete sequel, but an improvement that takes the device’s capabilities to a new level, something like with what Nintendo did with the Switch in 2019.

Let’s take a look at some of the improvements introduced in Ally X in detail, as well as the internal and external changes that promise to transform the players’ experience.

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Battery and storage improvements for ROG Ally X

One of the most notable upgrades to the ROG Ally X is the substantial increase in battery capacity. The device now has an 80Wh battery, double the capacity of the previous 40Wh model. This improvement is quite interesting, as battery life was one of the main weaknesses of the original model, which often didn’t last more than an hour in modern games.

With the new battery, the device’s autonomy is expected to be significantly increased, thus ensuring a longer and more satisfying gaming experience. And, even with the increased battery, the new ROG Ally X weighs 678g, being just 70g heavier than the original, and is just 4.5mm thicker at its thickest point.

In addition to the battery, the storage also received an important upgrade. The Ally X comes with a 1TB M.2 SSD, compared to the previous model’s 512GB. This change not only provides more space for games and applications, but also utilizes a full-size 2280 module, allowing for future expansions with third-party accessories.

To top it off, the RAM memory has been increased to 24GB of LPDDR5X 7500, a significant improvement over the predecessor’s 16GB, providing faster and more efficient performance.

New model features a cooling system and external design

To support the increased performance, ASUS has implemented a new ventilation system in the Ally X. This system is 23% smaller but offers 24% more airflow, ensuring the device stays cool even during intense gaming sessions. This improvement is essential to maintain the stability and durability of the hardware, preventing overheating.

Externally, the Ally X features a new black finish and a slightly thicker design, allowing for more ergonomic grips and an improved button layout. The addition of a new Precision D-Pad is a welcome change, replacing the previous one, which was criticized for being insensitive. Furthermore, ASUS opted for joysticks with stiffer springs, increasing durability and responsiveness, although they did not adopt Hall Effect technology.

On the back, the Ally X now has small, repositioned rear buttons to prevent accidental presses. This improvement is subtle but important to the overall user experience, especially during games that require precise controls.

Sean Hollister, from The Verge, revealed in his analysis some interesting points that he identified in the new console:

• The D-pad is now not only eight-way, but also larger and more comfortable. I much prefer it.
• The front buttons are 3mm taller, inside a longer tube for greater stability. I thought they had a flatter press.
• The speakers have a slightly larger chamber for a little more volume and bass.
• The haptic actuators have been moved to the edges of the device, under the palms, for more pronounced feedback and weight distribution.
• The shoulder buttons are mounted differently to the plate so they don’t break as easily in a fall.
• The triggers are wider and made of smokey semi-transparent plastic that looks cool.
• The rear intake openings are slightly larger.
• The tops of the joysticks are now secured with screws, so you could theoretically 3D print your own tops or rod extenders.
• Likewise, the new back buttons now screw into the back casing, so you could theoretically move their position on your own 3D-printed back casing.
• There is a ring around the power button with fingerprint reader now to find it more easily by touch.
• Turbo mode still operates at 25W, but Silent has been increased from 10W to 13W and Performance from 15W to 17W.
• The battery is now rated to have 80% capacity remaining after 3 years of cycling, instead of 70%.
• The laptop uses a different IMU now.
• It still has Hall Effect magnetic triggers, but they’ve been slightly revised to ensure they don’t interfere with the speakers or vibration motors.
• Although it now supports 100W charging, it still comes with the same 65W adapter.
• It’s not compatible with existing cases and stands, but Asus is in touch with fan favorites like JSAUX, Deckmate, and Dbrand to offer new ones.
• Existing Ally owners will be able to migrate settings to an Ally X with a cloud backup.

Another very significant change to the ROG Ally X is the replacement of the proprietary XG mobile connector with a second USB-C port. This new port supports USB 4 and Thunderbolt 4, offering enough speeds to connect an external GPU, while the other port can be used for charging or other accessories. This change not only increases the device’s versatility, but also makes it easier to use as a pseudo desktop in emergency situations.

ROG Ally X price and availability

With these improvements, ASUS further consolidates its leadership position in the gaming notebook market, ensuring its advantage in this race. This is because some competitors, such as the Legion Go, are still in their first generation, while ASUS is already improving its device, offering a solid foundation for future developments.

It is worth noting that the new ROG Ally

The ASUS ROG Ally X is available for pre-order at Best Buy, with official sales starting in July.

Fonte: Engadget