The official Xbox Ally handheld is so exciting.
-
It’s everything I want in an Xbox handheld.
It runs Windows. But it’s not stock Windows but an optimized version for gaming. And you have access to Steam, GOG, EGS, itch.io–and of course, Xbox Game Pass.
The Zen 2 Extreme chip is a giant step up in terms of mobile APUs, and offers a 30% gain on the Zen 1 in terms of graphical performance.
Apparently, people who’ve tried it say it feels like an Xbox controller. Which is good. I like the Xbox controller.
Now am I going to buy it?
Unlikely. My household already has two handhelds, and they each fit our needs very well.
But you know what? I’m glad Microsoft is taking the handheld market seriously. Both Nintendo and Valve should feel pressure to perform.
It can go straight into the landfill with the windows phone and zune
-
It’s mostly an iteration on existing handhelds with extra Microsoft changes on top. It’s exciting if you don’t want to leave the comfort of Windows. Unfortunately, it’s just as much of a nightmare for privacy and other ethical reasons as other Windows handhelds. It also seems like it’s going to be power hungry and not aimed at directly competing with the Steam Deck, which is still the industry standard right now. Handhelds need more efficiency, not more performance.
Also it’s Z2 Extreme, not Zen 2 Extreme. The Steam Deck’s APU is based on Zen 2, the Z2 is based on Zen 5.
The Steam Deck’s APU is based on Zen 2, the Z2 is based on Zen 5.
Well, “Z2 Extreme” is, as you noted, Zen 5 based.
“Z2”, though, is anything from zen2 to zen5, depending on the specific SKU
-
The Steam Deck’s APU is based on Zen 2, the Z2 is based on Zen 5.
Well, “Z2 Extreme” is, as you noted, Zen 5 based.
“Z2”, though, is anything from zen2 to zen5, depending on the specific SKU
Good point (I shouldn’t drop words). The Z2 A, which is in the lower-end Xbox Ally X, is basically the Steam Deck’s chip. AMD naming is so strange.
-
It’s everything I want in an Xbox handheld.
It runs Windows. But it’s not stock Windows but an optimized version for gaming. And you have access to Steam, GOG, EGS, itch.io–and of course, Xbox Game Pass.
The Zen 2 Extreme chip is a giant step up in terms of mobile APUs, and offers a 30% gain on the Zen 1 in terms of graphical performance.
Apparently, people who’ve tried it say it feels like an Xbox controller. Which is good. I like the Xbox controller.
Now am I going to buy it?
Unlikely. My household already has two handhelds, and they each fit our needs very well.
But you know what? I’m glad Microsoft is taking the handheld market seriously. Both Nintendo and Valve should feel pressure to perform.
The software side is definitely the most exciting part for me, since it’s not just for the Ally devices, but for all Windows handhelds, and even desktop PCs.
-
It’s mostly an iteration on existing handhelds with extra Microsoft changes on top. It’s exciting if you don’t want to leave the comfort of Windows. Unfortunately, it’s just as much of a nightmare for privacy and other ethical reasons as other Windows handhelds. It also seems like it’s going to be power hungry and not aimed at directly competing with the Steam Deck, which is still the industry standard right now. Handhelds need more efficiency, not more performance.
Also it’s Z2 Extreme, not Zen 2 Extreme. The Steam Deck’s APU is based on Zen 2, the Z2 is based on Zen 5.
Also it’s Z2 Extreme, not Zen 2 Extreme
um akshually
It’s the AI Z2 Extreme in the Xbox Ally X. There is a non-AI variant, which is the same, except of course the AI hardware, but that’s not used for these.
Couldn’t be AMD without dogshit mobile processor names.
-
It’s everything I want in an Xbox handheld.
It runs Windows. But it’s not stock Windows but an optimized version for gaming. And you have access to Steam, GOG, EGS, itch.io–and of course, Xbox Game Pass.
The Zen 2 Extreme chip is a giant step up in terms of mobile APUs, and offers a 30% gain on the Zen 1 in terms of graphical performance.
Apparently, people who’ve tried it say it feels like an Xbox controller. Which is good. I like the Xbox controller.
Now am I going to buy it?
Unlikely. My household already has two handhelds, and they each fit our needs very well.
But you know what? I’m glad Microsoft is taking the handheld market seriously. Both Nintendo and Valve should feel pressure to perform.
This reads exactly like an astroturfing bot post lol
-
It’s everything I want in an Xbox handheld.
It runs Windows. But it’s not stock Windows but an optimized version for gaming. And you have access to Steam, GOG, EGS, itch.io–and of course, Xbox Game Pass.
The Zen 2 Extreme chip is a giant step up in terms of mobile APUs, and offers a 30% gain on the Zen 1 in terms of graphical performance.
Apparently, people who’ve tried it say it feels like an Xbox controller. Which is good. I like the Xbox controller.
Now am I going to buy it?
Unlikely. My household already has two handhelds, and they each fit our needs very well.
But you know what? I’m glad Microsoft is taking the handheld market seriously. Both Nintendo and Valve should feel pressure to perform.
It runs Windows
You lost everyone here
-
It’s everything I want in an Xbox handheld.
It runs Windows. But it’s not stock Windows but an optimized version for gaming. And you have access to Steam, GOG, EGS, itch.io–and of course, Xbox Game Pass.
The Zen 2 Extreme chip is a giant step up in terms of mobile APUs, and offers a 30% gain on the Zen 1 in terms of graphical performance.
Apparently, people who’ve tried it say it feels like an Xbox controller. Which is good. I like the Xbox controller.
Now am I going to buy it?
Unlikely. My household already has two handhelds, and they each fit our needs very well.
But you know what? I’m glad Microsoft is taking the handheld market seriously. Both Nintendo and Valve should feel pressure to perform.
It’ll be a long time before I trust Asus again
-
This reads exactly like an astroturfing bot post lol
Yeah, me – an astroturfing bot who gave away 50 games to members of this community just a few weeks ago. All part of my master plan.
-
It’s everything I want in an Xbox handheld.
It runs Windows. But it’s not stock Windows but an optimized version for gaming. And you have access to Steam, GOG, EGS, itch.io–and of course, Xbox Game Pass.
The Zen 2 Extreme chip is a giant step up in terms of mobile APUs, and offers a 30% gain on the Zen 1 in terms of graphical performance.
Apparently, people who’ve tried it say it feels like an Xbox controller. Which is good. I like the Xbox controller.
Now am I going to buy it?
Unlikely. My household already has two handhelds, and they each fit our needs very well.
But you know what? I’m glad Microsoft is taking the handheld market seriously. Both Nintendo and Valve should feel pressure to perform.
The ROG Ally and similar devices have already existed for years. What’s the big deal with just an Xbox branded one?
-
Yeah, me – an astroturfing bot who gave away 50 games to members of this community just a few weeks ago. All part of my master plan.
I make no claims for what you are. I said it reads like .
Very generous of you to give games away to the community for free. Thanks for your contributions. A bit odd to bring it up though.
-
The ROG Ally and similar devices have already existed for years. What’s the big deal with just an Xbox branded one?
I think they’re supporting “suspend” and other OS/software improvements so it feels more like an xbox handheld and has optimizations for battery and performance. They’re also introducing updating the microsoft store to have a “steam deck” compatible – like system with caveats and stuff.
If you own an Xbox series X or whatever they have now, you can stream seamlessly and stuff.
-
It’s everything I want in an Xbox handheld.
It runs Windows. But it’s not stock Windows but an optimized version for gaming. And you have access to Steam, GOG, EGS, itch.io–and of course, Xbox Game Pass.
The Zen 2 Extreme chip is a giant step up in terms of mobile APUs, and offers a 30% gain on the Zen 1 in terms of graphical performance.
Apparently, people who’ve tried it say it feels like an Xbox controller. Which is good. I like the Xbox controller.
Now am I going to buy it?
Unlikely. My household already has two handhelds, and they each fit our needs very well.
But you know what? I’m glad Microsoft is taking the handheld market seriously. Both Nintendo and Valve should feel pressure to perform.
Sorry you’re getting downvoted too much. I mean, the joke is that Lemmy is all about Linux so it gonna be bad, but I didn’t think this much
I’m kinda excited too? Kind of?
Like this isn’t for me. I’m more of a Steam Deck guy.
If this lives up to the MS Marketing BS, this would be a handheld that I’d buy for a friend or I’d recommend a friend to buy.
-
I make no claims for what you are. I said it reads like .
Very generous of you to give games away to the community for free. Thanks for your contributions. A bit odd to bring it up though.
But you kind of did.
You arrived here five days ago and already have the cojones to claim that I, someone very active in this community, is an astroturfing bot.
Can it just be possible that I enjoy PC gaming and welcome competition in this space?
I already mentioned the Xbox Ally isn’t for me but if it brings console gamers to PC, that’s good.
-
Sorry you’re getting downvoted too much. I mean, the joke is that Lemmy is all about Linux so it gonna be bad, but I didn’t think this much
I’m kinda excited too? Kind of?
Like this isn’t for me. I’m more of a Steam Deck guy.
If this lives up to the MS Marketing BS, this would be a handheld that I’d buy for a friend or I’d recommend a friend to buy.
I’m not motivated by upvotes, so it’s fine.
And at least the Linux zealots aren’t as insufferable as elsewhere.
-
But you kind of did.
You arrived here five days ago and already have the cojones to claim that I, someone very active in this community, is an astroturfing bot.
Can it just be possible that I enjoy PC gaming and welcome competition in this space?
I already mentioned the Xbox Ally isn’t for me but if it brings console gamers to PC, that’s good.
Also a bit odd to bring up account creation date as if it improves your status - this is the internet, no “cojones” needed.
-
Also a bit odd to bring up account creation date as if it improves your status - this is the internet, no “cojones” needed.
Dude. You turned this into a status game.
Everyone here can see what’s happening: I’ve been around, contributed, engaged like a real human. You? You showed up five days ago and already act like you run the place.
You know I’m not a bot. But instead of being part of the conversation, you’re posturing—like some self-declared gatekeeper no one asked for.
Who exactly do you think you are?
-
Dude. You turned this into a status game.
Everyone here can see what’s happening: I’ve been around, contributed, engaged like a real human. You? You showed up five days ago and already act like you run the place.
You know I’m not a bot. But instead of being part of the conversation, you’re posturing—like some self-declared gatekeeper no one asked for.
Who exactly do you think you are?
You seem very concerned with being recognized for your contributions to the community. This isn’t a good look. I’ll save us both some time with a block.
Edit - OP deleted comment:
Dude. You turned this into a status game. Everyone here can see what’s happening: I’ve been around, contributed, engaged like a real human. You? You showed up five days ago and already act like you run the place. You know I’m not a bot. But instead of being part of the conversation, you’re posturing-like some self-declared gatekeeper no one asked for. Who exactly do you think you are?
-
The ROG Ally and similar devices have already existed for years. What’s the big deal with just an Xbox branded one?
it’s not stock Windows but an optimized version for gaming
-
It’s everything I want in an Xbox handheld.
It runs Windows. But it’s not stock Windows but an optimized version for gaming. And you have access to Steam, GOG, EGS, itch.io–and of course, Xbox Game Pass.
The Zen 2 Extreme chip is a giant step up in terms of mobile APUs, and offers a 30% gain on the Zen 1 in terms of graphical performance.
Apparently, people who’ve tried it say it feels like an Xbox controller. Which is good. I like the Xbox controller.
Now am I going to buy it?
Unlikely. My household already has two handhelds, and they each fit our needs very well.
But you know what? I’m glad Microsoft is taking the handheld market seriously. Both Nintendo and Valve should feel pressure to perform.
“Exciting” is not the word I would use. It is nice to see Microsoft at least attempting to show up to the PC gaming arena to create competition. My expectations are low though.
What is interesting and unexpected is to see it supporting 3rd party stores. I thought for sure it would be limited to XBOX store. Probably later.
I suspect it will be released for other PCs as well.