The Xbox Ally X Is Here: Essential Details You Must Know

Microsoft has officially unveiled the Xbox Ally handheld gaming PC at the recent Xbox Games Showcase after months of anticipation. The device comes in two variants: the Xbox Ally and the more powerful Xbox Ally X, the latter featuring a cutting-edge AMD AI Z2 Extreme processor and boasting impressive specs such as 8 cores, 16 threads, and a generous 24GB of RAM. The display promises a high-quality 1080p resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate and VRR support through Freesync Premium. This innovation aims to enhance the gaming experience on handheld devices, highlighting Microsoft's effort to optimize the Xbox App for seamless integration with various PC game libraries, including Steam and Epic Games. Though an exact release date remains undisclosed, both models are expected to hit the market during the holiday season, with speculated pricing around $799 for the Ally X.

The Xbox Ally features an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor with 4 cores and 8 threads, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD storage. The more robust Xbox Ally X variant boasts an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor with 8 cores, 16 threads, 24GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD.

Handheld gaming PCs have soared in popularity since the launch of the Steam Deck in 2022, with various manufacturers striving to refine these devices. The Xbox Ally's partnership with Asus seeks to tackle usability issues in Windows handhelds, specifically optimizing the operating system for a more effective gaming experience. This includes a redefined Xbox App that serves as a central hub for gaming across multiple libraries and mitigates the unwieldy nature of Windows 11 for gamers on the go.