Frustrated with Windows handheld issues? The ROG Xbox Ally promises to rectify the most prominent predicament, transforming your gaming experience.
It's About Time: Windows Reborn for the ROG Xbox Ally - A New Era in Handheld Gaming
Remember the days when I yearned for the Steam Deck to switch from Linux to Windows? Boy, was I wrong. Fast forward to today, and I'm pleasantly surprised by Microsoft's reveal of the ROG Xbox Ally. Initially, I harbored fears of another finicky Windows handheld, but Asus and Microsoft have seemingly anticipated the concerns of the gaming community.
Let me tell you, the ROG Xbox Ally isn't your run-of-the-mill handheld with an Xbox logo slapped on the box. Sure, there are similarities under the hood, but significant changes have been made – starting with the design. The Xbox Ally, unlike its rounded-edge cousin, boasts traditional controller grips. This design adjustment brings it closer to the comfort level of a gamepad, putting it somewhere between the ROG Ally and the PlayStation Portable. However, it weighs a bit more, which can lead to some wrist strain after extended play sessions.
The highlight of this redesign is the overhaul of the Windows UI for a focused gaming experience. Microsoft has taken a page straight out of Valve's playbook by creating a bespoke gaming interface inspired by the Steam Deck. The main menu neatly showcases recently played games and is compatible with more than just Game Pass titles, linking it to a one-stop PC gaming hub under the Xbox branding.
Unlike the cumbersome nature of handheld Windows, the Xbox Ally UI minimizes unnecessary windows and background processes, providing a distraction-free environment. Plus, crucial features like Wi-Fi settings and the sign-in process have been optimized for controller navigation. Although a full version of Windows is still accessible, the primary start-up-and-play experience now bypasses it.
With the introduction of the ROG Xbox Ally, Asus seems to have solved the biggest problem plaguing its devices – the painful Windows user experience in handhelds. In my short demo, the Xbox Ally ran Gears of War: Reloaded surprisingly well, offering a clearer image and a stable frame rate. Microsoft plans to add performance indicators similar to Steam Deck’s compatibility verification, informing players not just if a game can run, but how well it will perform on the device.
The new UI streamlines the various menus, and players can access essential features quickly with the Xbox button on the side of the device. Notably, Asus' Armoury Crate app is now integrated into the main menu, reducing the need for multiple menu hops.
In conclusion, the revamped Windows UI in the ROG Xbox Ally brings a breath of fresh air to handheld gaming. By combining the flexibility of Windows gaming with the streamlined console-like experience of the Steam Deck, Microsoft and Asus have created an innovative attempt to challenge Valve's SteamOS platform.
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[2] A. Corner. (2023, April 18). The ROG Ally's Windows 11 UI in all its glory – first look at the whole interface. Windows Central. [https://www.windowscentral.com/rog-allys-windows-11-ui-first-look-entire-interface]
[3] S. Walker. (2023, June 6). ROG Xbox Ally: ASUS handheld console with Windows 11 custom interface revealed. Game Rant. [https://gamerant.com/rog-xbox-ally-handheld-console-windows-11-interface/]
[4] J. Long. (2023, January 18). How Valve is crushing the competition with Steam Deck's Linux-powered gaming revolution. VentureBeat. [https://venturebeat.com/2023/01/18/how-valve-is-crushing-the-competition-with-steam-decks-linux-powered-gaming-revolution/]
The ROG Xbox Ally boasts a revamped Windows UI, reminiscent of Valve's Steam Deck, for a focused gaming experience with streamlined menus and distraction-free environment. Asus, in an attempt to challenge Valve's SteamOS platform, combines the flexibility of Windows gaming with the streamlined console-like experience of the Steam Deck in the ROG Xbox Ally.
