Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstalliTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Microsoft reportedly paused work on its own Xbox handheld, but there is no confirmation that it permanently cancelled the project. A May 2025 report said the company redirected effort toward improving Windows 11 for handheld gaming and supporting third-party devices. The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are separate ASUS-built Windows gaming PCs made with Xbox—not the paused first-party Xbox console.
What the report says about Microsoft’s handheld
On May 30, 2025, Windows Central’s Jez Corden reported that Microsoft had parked its internal handheld project “for now.” Corden attributed the account to unnamed sources, which said Microsoft was prioritizing Windows 11 gaming improvements, including work relevant to third-party handhelds such as ASUS’s partner project. The report described prototypes and said the first-party project might return, but those details were not confirmed by Microsoft. The report also cautioned that the codename it gave for the internal device might be wrong. Read the Windows Central report.
That evidence supports “paused” or “reprioritized,” not a definitive claim that Microsoft permanently cancelled the handheld. Xbox President Sarah Bond later told Windows Central that the company was looking at making hardware in the future and had next-generation hardware in development. Those broad remarks did not establish whether this particular handheld project had resumed. Read the interview coverage.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsIs the ROG Xbox Ally a real Xbox console?
No. The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X are ASUS Windows gaming handheld PCs developed in collaboration with Xbox. Their Xbox-oriented full-screen experience gives them Xbox branding and software integration, but they are not first-party Xbox consoles. They also support Windows PC games and storefronts. Xbox’s announcement explains the partnership and devices.
#1 Best Overall
- [Xbox experience brought to life by ROG] : The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- [Never stop gaming]: Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- [Game-ready storage and fast memory]: Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 512GB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
Xbox announced the pair in June 2025 for the holiday season. The company said on October 16, 2025 that they were available in 45 countries, with additional markets to follow. In that same post, Xbox described a Play Anywhere catalog of more than 1,000 games; that is Xbox’s published catalog figure, not an independent count. Availability and catalog size can change over time. See Xbox’s availability announcement.
How the Ally and Ally X differ
The June 2025 Xbox announcement presented the standard Ally as the value-oriented option and Ally X as the higher-performance model. These are vendor-published specifications, not independent performance test results.
Rank #2
- 🖥️ High-Performance 7" Gaming & Productivity Display | 1920x1080 Glare TFT LCD with 120Hz refresh rate delivers ultra-smooth visuals for gaming & streaming; 10-point capacitive multi-touch panel + precision pointing device ensures intuitive control. Powered by Windows 11 Home 64-bit, this black handheld balances portability (11.4"x4.8"x1.1", 1.6 lbs) and immersive play.
- ⚡ Top-Tier AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor | 8-core/16-thread chip paired with integrated AMD Radeon Graphics, 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 onboard memory & 1TB PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD for lightning-fast load times, seamless multitasking & crisp gaming graphics. Max power consumption of 65W optimizes performance without excessive energy drain.
- 🔋 Long-Lasting Battery & Flexible Power Options | 4-cell 80Wh lithium polymer battery offers up to 13.9hrs of video playback or 22.3hrs of idle use—ideal for all-day gaming marathons or remote work.
- 🎮 Professional Gaming Controls & Smart Features | Full layout with left/right sticks, D-pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, bumpers/triggers, 2 macro buttons & dedicated Xbox/display/library keys for customized gameplay. Built-in accelerometer/gyroscope for motion control; Windows Hello fingerprint recognition ensures secure, one-touch login.
- 🔌 Versatile Connectivity & Complete Accessories Kit | Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.4 for lag-free online gaming & device pairing; 2 Type-C ports (USB 4 + USB 3.2 Gen2) support data transfer, video output & PD charging.
| Device | Processor | Memory | Storage | Positioning in Xbox’s announcement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROG Xbox Ally | AMD Ryzen Z2 A | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD | Value model |
| ROG Xbox Ally X | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme | 24GB RAM | Double the Ally’s storage | Higher-performance option |
What “play Xbox games” means on these handhelds
Xbox describes several ways to play: run supported PC games locally, stream supported games through cloud gaming, or use Remote Play from an Xbox console. These are different routes, and each depends on game, service, account, network, or console support as applicable. The Ally is a Windows PC, so it does not natively run the full Xbox console game library. Play Anywhere applies to supported titles; it should not be read as universal access to every console game. Xbox’s product announcement and its availability post describe the device and play options.
Why Windows handheld improvements matter
The reported shift focused on Windows 11 gaming performance and handheld usability rather than only on a single Xbox-branded machine. Microsoft documentation for handheld-oriented Windows development highlights practical issues that can affect the experience: readable interface text, controller-specific icons, gamepad text entry, display support, and suitable handheld defaults. These are developer compatibility concerns, not a guarantee that every Windows game already handles them well. See Microsoft’s handheld optimization guidance.
Rank #3
- [Xbox experience brought to life by ROG] : The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- [Never stop gaming]: Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- [Game-ready storage and fast memory]: Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 512GB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
Xbox’s stated direction also emphasizes a broader Windows and cross-device experience. In March 2026, Xbox said its Xbox mode would roll out to Windows 11 after debuting on ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. That indicates continued work on the Windows experience, but it does not confirm a restart of the specific paused first-party handheld. Read Xbox’s Project Helix announcement.
What Project Helix confirms—and what it doesn’t
In March 2026, Xbox identified Project Helix as its next-generation first-party console and said developer alpha hardware was planned to begin shipping in 2027. That date is for developer hardware, not a consumer release window, and Project Helix is a console announcement—not evidence that Microsoft’s separate handheld project has returned. Xbox’s public statements and the cited reporting leave that handheld’s specific status unresolved as of October 4, 2026. Xbox’s announcement.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →
