XXL
Banned
Last edited:
Little Chicken
Gold Member
Switch 2: Mass market
Xbox x ASUS: High end
Xbox x ASUS + eGPU: High end enthusiast
Playstation: retro/sunset gaming
Xbox x ASUS: High end
Xbox x ASUS + eGPU: High end enthusiast
Playstation: retro/sunset gaming
HeisenbergFX4
Member
We definitely have some of the same stomping grounds in Indiana and now live about 2 ish hours apart in Florida
Dorfdad
Gold Member
Ahh but you just did my friend. If there wasn’t going to be one there would be no need for a NDA!
Confirmed now I’m running to post on every site it’s official!!
Last edited:
NonPhixion
Member
If the price is subsidized, and not $800-$900 like the Ally X, I can see this doing well. Id buy one if it’s on the under, otherwise Switch 2 for me.
XXL
Banned
bitbydeath
Gold Member
CLW
Member
eNT1TY
Member
I'll take whatever the MS Surface team cook up over anything ASUS puts out. ROG aesthetics are terrible on ANY of their products and often feel cheap despite premium billing where as most surface products look sleek and feel premium with nicer materials. I'd rather have a solid brushed aluminum uni-body high precision machined shell over a creaky plastic pos.
StereoVsn
Gold Member
Surface team sells outdated and limited hardware for too much money. That’s been their motto for years now.
ZehDon
Gold Member
Well, it can run DOOM, which they own.This is an XBox
Fess
Member
This seems like a spreading out device, similar to the ROG Ally with SteamOS but with some sort of Windows new Xbox UI variant. Xbox Aspen, at death new sprouts pop up everywhere… Or it’s just an April fools joke. Official Xbox account posting a meme makes me question everything, if Microsoft was truly fully into this as a collaboration for an Xbox future there should be an event.
There is talk about an actual Xbox handheld too, in this thread, but no info.
Anyway if this is real and if they nail the OS I’ll get one. Steam Deck is too restricted for multi store usage. But I wish it had the Deck touch pads, how do you play mouse games on this?
Seomel
Member
Theres no hardware yet tp justify bump. Itd probably gonna be around specs of ally x, just xbox branded
HerjansEagleFeeder
Member
Doesn't this then just reinforce that?
RetroGamingUK
Member
Because it’s the future of the Xbox brand at this point.
What is the difference between this and a non-Xbox branded handheld PC?
It’s like asking what the difference between a Microsoft Surface Pro and other Windows tablets.
Basically you’ll have one that serves as a halo device and then other OEMs will go a similar route.
Wrong. This will undoubtedly have a Z2 Extreme chip, over the Z1 Extreme in the Ally X. Likely also an OLED display.
Darkkahn
Member
Whats left of it.
Mownoc
Member
No because Microsoft actually design and make the surface. It's not just someone else's hardware with a badge on it.
Cyberpunkd
Member
For anyone that read anything about Microsoft over the years it is obvious there is close to zero chance they will do anything about Windows on a handheld - the market is too small ; I don't think Microsoft even has the required expertise to do anything. They are all about scale, Azure, AI, etc. Dedicated portable PCs is pennies for them that risk diverting attention from other much more lucrative and strategic projects. Phil can spin it all he wants but it is obvious the Xbox division is where all the failed execs go to die.
I’m just in for a more powerful PC handheld with an OLED display and improved Windows UX. Hopefully with the big battery of the Ally X.
The limitations of my Steamdeck OLED are becoming more glaring with time.
I believe i clearly explained the context for that statement. Look at the next paragraph.
Also, all indications are that there’s quite a bit of collaboration between MS and Asus, covering the hardware and software.
StereoVsn
Gold Member
Surface ain’t a halo device and hasn’t been one for years. That whole line produces uninspired, underpowered, not upgradable, but overpriced line of computers that increasingly nobody wants to buy.
Also, we know essentially nothing about this Asus Ally Xbox edition. There is no guarantee of either OLED or Z2, that’s just speculation. Same as hoping the device will have interface improvements and will be more than Ally 2 with an Xbox sticker.
One thing for sure, it will be pricey as neither MS nor Asus will subsidize this and both need to make a profit.
rodrigolfp
Haptic Gamepads 4 Life
Because the more handheld PCs, the better.
Sensible speculation. Obviously there won’t be a Z1 flagship Ally in 2025, Microsoft has spoken openly about interface improvements coming in 2025.
No guarantee of OLED display but all their flagship competition are fully on OLED, and ASUS put some effort into explaining why the Ally X didn’t have an OLED display.
An Ally 2 with an Xbox sticker and improved Windows UX is exactly what i imagine this is. Why does this need to be more than that?
You mean priced in line with the Ally/Allly X? Well Duh. Who expects this to have console level subsidies?
SportsFan581
Member
Hopefully it gets a nice boost from the previous model.
StereoVsn
Gold Member
I think the new device will have to be priced higher since MS needs to take a cut in addition to Asus. Which is why they might cut OLED or other functionality to save on cost.
I also have some doubts about MS capability to actually provide well implemented Win11 handheld UI, but we should see the results in next few months.
StereoVsn
Gold Member
That depends on the deal MS would give them I think. So if MS pays enough, no SteamOS support.
MS isn’t taking a cut. don’t be ridiculous. They’re going to be bundling this with at least 3 months GamePass, and it’s in their best interest that this - and other Windows devices like this that would be running the new UI - succeed, especially to stave off any pressure from SteamOS.
it’s a pretty safe prediction that it’d have OLED. They couldn’t get OLED + VRR for the Ally X, but the Legion Go 2 is confirmed to be OLED + VRR, so very very likely the next Ally also follows suit
StereoVsn
Gold Member
What’s the upside for MS on this then? Vast majority of people will just go to Steam or other stores as usual.
There has to be a reason for Microsoft to push the device. 3 months of GP is going to do jack in driving people to GamePass considering all the options folks have had over the years.
Also, I fully expect Legion Go 2 to be $1K or higher.
The upside for them is:
1. They get to keep people on Windows and stave off Valve’s attempts. If you don’t know already, SteamOS is set for wide release on other hardware this year. It won’t make a significant dent on Desktop, but could secure a large toehold in the PC handheld space.
2. They’d probably have a button that defaults to opening the Windows Store, so at least more traffic there.
3. Possible boosts to PC Gamepass if the Ally 2 resonates with the market.
They’re WAY more likely to be giving Asus incentives than for Asus to be giving them any cut whatsoever.
StereoVsn
Gold Member
It’s going to be interesting to see what happens. I don’t think the above is going to be particularly helpful to MS, but we shall see that soon.
Personally I am going to be eyeing Legion Go 2 with SteamOS, but Ally 2 with good hardware and updates Win11 UI would be good to see.
Cyberpunkd
Member
How is a literal OEM hardware in a plastic shell "best handheld ever made"? Also, you misspelled Steam Deck.
Truth be told, I’m not that confident in MS ability to execute with the Windows UI improvements, but fingers crossed.
Legion Go 2 should be pretty good indeed! OLED + VRR, Z2 Extreme and likely 24GB RAM, I think. The Go v1 was kinda big though…
After the Ally X, I think most of the upcoming flagships will also ship with big batteries in them. Looking forward to seeing them.
Little Chicken
Gold Member
I wonder if Microsoft could cut a deal with AMD or NVIDIA to create a market-friendly $499 eGPU that leaves consoles for dead
Mr Hyde
Member
ROG Ally X steamrolls the Steam Deck without breaking a sweat. It´s the king of PC handhelds and you know it.
StereoVsn
Gold Member
I think Go 2 is rumored to have a 32GB options which would be excellent.
Minsc
Gold Member
Yes, Ally X can run a 2160p 4k monitor at 120hz (probably even 240hz) with HDR and VRR without a sweat for me. Deck does NOT give the same experience.
I actually like using it as a desktop, low power, runs games with AFMF2 which look great. Very flexible and nice piece of hardware.
The extra 8GB of RAM over almost every other handheld is amazing too.
Last edited:
Mr Hyde
Member
It really is a fantastic piece of hardware. I like to use it as a desktop too as it's both powerful and flexible. So far, it's played every game I've thrown at it with ease. Amazing when it comes to emulation. ROG Ally X reminds me of the old PS3 slogan that Sony used to run.
"IT ONLY DOES EVERYTHING"
OctopusBox
Neo Member
If the next Xbox was a cardboard box that Phil Spencer farted in it would still get some amount of hype from the die hards. This thing will be directed at that group of people. I have an Ally X and it’s great, but I can’t imagine how making it green is going to do anything better than what exists. Any Windows changes will move to the current handhelds. It’s not going to play Xbox games natively, so I expect it to be attractive to maybe the people who want a handheld AND shop on the Windows game store.
Zacfoldor
Member
Will Asus make the next Xbox home console as well?
I'm pretty sure this will have Steam. If it uses Windows it's probably gonna have Steam.
Asus makes good stuff.
I expected Microsoft to go with more of an Acer type of partner. I think they threw us an expensive bone going Asus. I don't think they would have ever lived down an Acer Series X.
I'm pretty sure this will have Steam. If it uses Windows it's probably gonna have Steam.
Asus makes good stuff.
I expected Microsoft to go with more of an Acer type of partner. I think they threw us an expensive bone going Asus. I don't think they would have ever lived down an Acer Series X.