The $1,000 Asus ROG Ally Xbox X is suddenly the best-value gaming handheld
Handheld gaming PC prices have exploded, pushing previously affordable models far higher. After watching the market, the Asus ROG Ally Xbox X—once criticized for its steep launch price—is now the best value at $1,000.
This month I've been testing the Steam Machine and trying to get my head around its price tag, while also finding myself surrounded by refreshed gaming laptops. I like handheld gaming PCs—note I say “like,” not love—but I wish they were faster or more portable. Concessions are inevitable if you want to play demanding games on the go, but lately it’s price that’s killed the argument for me. The Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS, a handheld we fell in love with last year at its $830 MSRP, is now listed for $1,332. The MSI Claw 8 AI+, which I scored 90% and called rather expensive at $900, is now rarely under $1,200, and its Panther Lake–powered successor is $1,799 at pre-order. I can’t think of a PC hardware category more hammered by the memory crisis than handhelds. I update our handheld deals every week, and reluctantly admitted that the Asus ROG Ally Xbox X—criticised for its “super-high price tag” on release eight months ago—is now the best value proposition on the market for a cool $1,000.
