It took a while to get here, but the ROG Xbox Ally is now available for preorder in the United States and demand from die-hard Xbox fans and handheld PC fanatics is hot.
Developed by Asus working with Microsoft, the portable comes in two versions — the base ROG Xbox Ally and higher-spec ROG Xbox Ally X — which cater to players who want a similar experience to Valve’s device with natively integrated Xbox account support and full Game Pass integration.
- Where to preorder the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X in the US
- Pricing and model options for ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X
- Why Xbox fans should pay attention to the ROG Xbox Ally
- Retailer nuances and buying advice for Ally and Ally X
- Bundle perks, preorder extras, and essential accessories
- How the Ally fits in with the handheld PC boom
- Bottom line: should you preorder the ROG Xbox Ally or X?
Where to preorder the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X in the US
Preorders are available starting today at Asus, Amazon, Best Buy, AntOnline, Microsoft, and Walmart. If you buy from any retailer other than Asus’ own store, the more premium ROG Xbox Ally X is a retail exclusive to Best Buy, whereas the standard model carries no restrictions and is sold by all of the above retailers. Availability can vary as retailers stage their inventory, so refreshing the product page or setting up stock alerts may help snap one up.
- ROG Xbox Ally (standard): Asus, Amazon, Best Buy, AntOnline, Microsoft, and Walmart
- ROG Xbox Ally X: Best Buy in the US (retail exclusive) or the Asus Store (direct)
Pricing and model options for ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X
The ROG Xbox Ally is priced at $599, and the ROG Xbox Ally X is priced at $999. The X model is for players who seek headroom for more demanding PC games and/or longer play sessions, while the base model goes for affordability without too many sacrifices of the core Windows handheld experience. So, put simply: if you’re mostly playing indies, retro collections, and slightly less demanding AAA games from your Game Pass backlog, the vanilla Ally will be right at home. But if you plan to fling around newer blockbusters, mod aggressively, or manage large libraries, the X has more forward-looking potential.
Why Xbox fans should pay attention to the ROG Xbox Ally
Unlike a Linux-powered handheld, the ROG Xbox Ally is Windows-based, giving you seamless access to your Xbox account, Game Pass libraries, and cross-save gameplay with your Xbox Series X|S and PC. Microsoft has publicly revealed tens of millions of Game Pass subscribers — most recently citing 34 million — so the temptation’s obvious: You can tote an Xbox-first game library on flights, commutes, or couch sessions without fiddling with workarounds. For those players who already finely mesh inside the Xbox ecosystem, the Ally is certainly cast as the most convenient way to go portable, without ditching all of your Game Pass bells and whistles.
Retailer nuances and buying advice for Ally and Ally X
Best Buy is your go-to retailer for the ROG Xbox Ally X in the US, and the vanilla model can be purchased at Amazon, Microsoft, Walmart, and AntOnline, too. If you want to buy direct, both models are sold by Asus, and the brand may throw in some value-added promotions with a direct order. Many retailers are offering store pickup options, and the service should be faster and safer for you than a risky launch-day shipping window. It’s also wise to log in to your retailer account ahead of time, enter a valid payment method, and verify billing and shipping addresses for quick checkout when stock does drop.
Day-one allocations for first-gen handheld releases tend to be on the low side. Valve’s Steam Deck famously started with waitlists; Windows handhelds, though they generally flow through more standard retail channels, are still subject to short-term sellouts. If you don’t get through the first time, look out for staggered restocks and keep notifications on at retailer pages instead of refreshing the hell out of them forever.
Bundle perks, preorder extras, and essential accessories
Asus is sweetening some direct US preorders with entry to a sweepstakes, the prizes for which range into non-G1TA-region exclusives including the ROG Strix Arion SSD enclosure, ROG Raikiri Controller, ROG Cetra wireless earbuds, the ROG Bulwark charging/TV dock, or premium 2‑in‑1 case. There are no guarantees, but it’s a nice little extra for anyone purchasing straight from the source.
For day-one essentials, consider a fast microSD card from a reputable brand that you can use to expand the amount of storage space; a compact USB‑C charger with enough power for travel (and possibly an international adapter); and a protective case. If you’re playing heavily into cloud gameplay through Xbox Cloud Gaming, low-latency Bluetooth earbuds and a high-powered Wi‑Fi 6/6E-equipped router could make a noticeable difference.
How the Ally fits in with the handheld PC boom
The Ally arrives as laptop PC gaming matures beyond early adopters. Recent years have seen Windows handhelds from a variety of brands in competition to augment, rather than replace, a living-room console. With branding that’s Xbox-first and emphasis on Game Pass, Asus has a clear angle: console familiarity with PC flexibility. For some, that’s the breaking point — and in particular if you want your saves, achievements, and friends list to come with you fuss-free.
Bottom line: should you preorder the ROG Xbox Ally or X?
If you have made up your mind, quickly make a choice between the $599 standard model and the $999 X, select which retailer you’d like to buy it from (Best Buy for X, most majors for the standard), and get all your checkout information ready. With integrated Xbox support and a portable-first design, the ROG Xbox Ally could be the handheld of choice for Game Pass fans who like to keep their library with them wherever they go.
