ROG Xbox Ally X from Asus has not become the handheld Xbox that we had long hoped for. Nevertheless, the hardware combines the ease of use of an Xbox with the flexibility of a Windows PC. The built-in AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme falls short of expectations, but still fulfils its task well.

The collaboration between Asus and Microsoft has paid off, and the ROG Xbox Ally X delivers a great gaming experience. This is due to the sharp 120 hertz screen and good handling. The battery life of two hours is decent. However, the Asus misses its chance with the user interface.

The ROG Xbox Ally X is aimed at gaming enthusiasts who don't want to miss out on their favourite games away from their desk or console. Minor weaknesses such as the creaking of the casing, the complex menu structure and the permanently audible fan noise do not change the very good overall impression of the handheld. Stefan Schasche

The collaboration between Microsoft and Asus is a success: the ROG Xbox Ally X is the top handheld thanks to its great hardware performance. However, Microsoft is missing an opportunity here and is relying on its tried-and-tested but dull PC user interface. Alternatively, there is the technically weaker Steam Deck OLED (1 TB) for just under 680 euros, which relies entirely on Steam as a platform.