Microsoft finally made a handheld. Not alone — with ASUS ROG — and it's called the Xbox ROG Ally X. This is the first third-party PC to ever carry the Xbox name, and more importantly, it's the first time the Xbox team has been allowed to reach into Windows itself and change how it works. Linus Tech Tips got an early hands-on, and the verdict is: Valve may have woken a giant.
What Makes This Different From Every Other Windows Handheld
The big story here isn't just the hardware — it's what Microsoft did to Windows. The Xbox team wrote code directly into a Windows branch so the device boots straight to a full-screen Xbox UI. No desktop to navigate, no startup clutter. Non-essential Windows processes simply don't load, freeing up roughly 2 GB of RAM right away. Standby efficiency is already tripled, and they say they're not done yet.
Xbox Ally X vs. Xbox Ally: Don't Buy the Wrong One
Two versions, very different inside. The Xbox Ally X (black) runs an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme — 3 Zen 5 cores plus 5 Zen 5C cores — paired with 24 GB of LPDDR5X RAM at 8,000 MT/s, a 1 TB M.2 SSD, an 80 Wh battery, impulse triggers, and a Thunderbolt-compatible USB 4 port for external GPUs.
The standard Xbox Ally (white) runs the Ryzen Z2A — which, based on early leaks, is closer to the Zen 2-era Aerith chip inside the original Steam Deck. Microsoft explicitly positions it as a 720p gaming device. Same screen, slightly lighter build, lower price — but meaningfully slower. Know before you buy.
The Display: Good Enough, But Not OLED
Both models share the same 1080p, 120 Hz, FreeSync Premium panel at 500 nits — the same one in previous Ally generations. That's fine for most gaming sessions, but it's not in the same league as the Steam Deck OLED's HDR, response time, or low-brightness comfort. If display quality is your top priority, manage your expectations here.
The New Xbox UI Actually Makes Windows Gaming Make Sense
The full-screen Xbox UI ties together your Windows library, Game Pass, cloud gaming, and remote play from a home Xbox console in one place. A redesigned game bar — navigated by shoulder buttons — is intuitive within seconds. Progress, achievements, and recently played titles sync so you can grab and go.
Microsoft is also building an Xbox Verified program. Unlike Steam Deck Verified, it doesn't target a single piece of hardware; instead it uses telemetry data to match similar systems and give you a realistic sense of what will run well on yours.
Verdict
The Xbox ROG Ally X is the most compelling Windows handheld since the Steam Deck. The Z2 Extreme with 24 GB RAM is serious hardware, but the real story is what Microsoft did to Windows beneath it — trimming waste, building a console-quality UI, and planting seeds for improvements that could eventually reach all Windows gamers. Skip the non-X unless budget forces your hand. Pricing isn't confirmed yet, but Linus puts it plainly: it'll sting.
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