Two and a half years since Valve shook up the market with the original Steam Deck, and the PC handheld landscape is healthier than ever. Recently joined by the Asus ROG Ally X, a new standard has been met to which all other systems will be compared. It might be a little costly, but this new platform brings another level of performance to gaming handhelds.
What Sets the Asus ROG Ally X Apart?
The Asus ROG Ally X is essentially just a more powerful version of PC gaming handheld platforms that have come before. According to the official specs, this means a 7-inch 1080p display, 120hz support, 12GB of RAM, an AMD RDNA™ 3 GPU, and an AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme Processor.
If you’re unfamiliar with the latest techs and specs, this means the Ally X is capable of outputting better graphics and higher speeds, which is aided by improved battery life and power management. You can think of it kind of like a generational leap in iPhones, where the newer systems tend to be faster while functioning practically the same as older models.
Why Go with a PC Gaming Handheld?
If you’re the type of person who wants to push gaming to the limits of what modern graphics and physics can accomplish, then this isn’t the device for you. A gaming handheld is more like a mid-range laptop, capable but not really anything to call home about when compared to the specs of the PS5 or the Xbox Series X.
Where these systems shine is in comparison, where their close competitor in the console space is only seen in the Nintendo Switch. A modern PC handheld like the Asus ROG Ally X is far faster than the Switch, though it won’t have access to Nintendo’s range of games. Instead, the PC backing of these handhelds provides infinitely more options in modern online entertainment and traditional video games.
If you’re a fan of online casino games over the web, like you’ll see in a New Jersey online casino, you won’t have much luck on consoles, and certainly not on the Switch. Since PC-based systems are just small computers, you’ll have full access to what online browsing allows. From collecting deposit matches and free spins to playing games like slots and blackjack, PC handhelds feature everything at full speed without compromise.
The flexible nature of PCs also means that these new handhelds have access to thousands of titles throughout gaming’s long history. While they’ll only be suited to those featuring controller support, this still means libraries dating back to the 1980s. The support for emulators also opens up possibilities in retro console gaming, where everything from the PS2 era and before will run without issues.
“SteamDeck Game Device” (CC BY-ND 2.0) by TheBetterDay
If you don’t mind not running the newest games at high settings and are looking for a new way to play on the go, consider what platforms like the Ally X offer. There are systems here for players of all budgets, and there are more than enough games available already than you could ever play. There’s a lot to love, and they’re only getting better, which must be making Nintendo sweat as we come ever closer to the eventual release of the Switch 2.