ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X to go on sale globally October 16

Microsoft and ASUS have announced that their co-developed handheld PCs, the ROG Xbox Ally and the higher-end ROG Xbox Ally X, will go on sale globally on October 16, with preorders and pricing information to be revealed in the coming weeks. The two devices, unveiled earlier this year and demonstrated at Gamescom, are positioned as Windows-based handhelds that can run PC games natively or stream Xbox titles from a console or Microsoft’s cloud service, rather than true next-generation portable Xboxes. The release marks a tangible step in a niche but growing segment that pits these machines against established rivals like the Steam Deck.

Hardware distinctions set the two models apart. The Xbox Ally uses an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor with 16 GB of LPDDR5X memory and 512 GB of NVMe storage, paired with a 60 Wh battery. By contrast, the Xbox Ally X upgrades to an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24 GB of RAM, a 1 TB SSD, and an 80 Wh battery. Both retain a 7-inch, 1080p LCD display at 120 Hz with VRR, and both support USB-C connectivity and expandability via a microSD card slot. The design of the Ally X emphasizes ergonomic improvements with Xbox-style grips and additional physical...