I Replaced my Gaming PC with a ROG Ally X For 30 Days

Summary

In this video, the creator tests whether the ROG Ally (Alx) can truly replace a desktop PC for everyday tasks, including gaming, video editing, and streaming. After using the device exclusively for 30 days, the creator shares both the strengths and limitations of the handheld PC. While it works well for lighter gaming and basic productivity tasks, it struggles with higher resolution gaming, complex video editing, and advanced networking needs. Ultimately, it can replace a desktop for casual users, but power users with specific needs may find it lacking.

Takeaways

• 😀 The ROG Lix is essentially a handheld computer with Windows, designed for gaming but capable of functioning as a PC when docked with peripherals.
• 🎮 The device can be used for gaming and basic PC tasks but has limitations, especially when running games on larger resolutions like 3440x1440p.
• 💡 External peripherals, such as docks, hubs, and external GPUs, can help enhance the Lix's PC capabilities but can be costly.
• 💻 Using the Lix as a full-time replacement for a laptop and desktop is feasible for lighter gaming and basic tasks, but it struggles with more demanding applications like high-resolution video editing.
• 🖥️ The Lix works well for cloud gaming (e.g., GeForce Now) and lightweight PC tasks but has difficulties with heavy-duty graphics and performance in certain applications.
• ⚡ The device has Thunderbolt 4 ports for connecting to external devices, but it's limited by hardware, including a lack of dedicated GPU for demanding games.
• 💾 Video editing in Adobe Premiere Pro was possible, but slowdowns occurred during the use of animations and transitions, and storage speed limitations were noticed when accessing files from a NAS.
• 📡 Networking options are limited to gigabit Ethernet, which doesn't meet the needs of a power user who requires faster local network speeds like 10 Gbit Ethernet.
• 📝 The Lix works for writing, office tasks, and basic productivity applications, but typing on the 7-inch screen is impractical for extended use, making it less ideal for serious work on the go.
• 🔌 Live streaming on the Lix was surprisingly smooth, even while gaming at 1080p, though it may struggle with more intensive games at higher settings.
• 😅 The 30-day challenge revealed that while the Lix could handle most tasks, it fell short for users who need higher performance, specialized peripherals, or a more powerful system overall.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on testing whether the ROG Ally (Alx) can replace a full desktop PC, with the creator experimenting for 30 days without using a traditional laptop or desktop.

What was the biggest challenge faced during the 30-day test?

The biggest challenge was the limitations of the ROG Ally’s performance, especially when using it on a large 39-inch monitor at a resolution higher than 1080p. It couldn’t deliver a good gaming experience at resolutions like 1440p or 4K.

How did the Alx perform in gaming on a large monitor?

While the games ran well on the Alx, when stretched to a 39-inch monitor at 1440p, the experience was subpar, with graphics quality not meeting expectations, especially for high-demand games.

What external peripherals were used to enhance the experience?

The creator used several peripherals, including a docking station, keyboard, mouse, wireless headphone adapter, and even a 10Gb Ethernet adapter to mimic the desktop experience.

How did cloud gaming perform during this challenge?

Cloud gaming via services like GeForce Now was a great substitute for local graphics, especially when playing single-player games, and it filled out the screen well at high resolution, giving a good experience without needing a dedicated GPU.

What networking setup did the creator require, and how did it impact the test?

The creator uses a 10Gb Ethernet network at home, but since the Alx only supports gigabit Ethernet, they had to forgo using their 10Gb connection. Despite this, the test still worked for most editing tasks, although slower speeds were noticeable.

What was the performance of the Alx when editing video footage?

The Alx performed reasonably well for basic video editing in Premiere Pro, handling 4K timelines with minimal issues. However, complex animations or transitions caused slowdowns due to the device's reliance on its integrated graphics.

Did the Alx meet the creator’s expectations for productivity tasks?

For productivity tasks like writing, office work, and general computing, the Alx performed well, handling software like Notion, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel flawlessly, though the creator did note potential slowdowns with larger Excel files.

Was live streaming possible with the Alx, and how did it perform?

Live streaming worked surprisingly well, even with 1080p webcam and mic inputs. The Alx could handle 10K bitrate output without drop frames, though higher-end gaming or streaming in more demanding games may cause performance issues.

Did the creator ever cave and use a traditional PC during the 30-day challenge?

Yes, on day 27, the creator caved and used a desktop PC to play Path of Exile 2 Early Access, as the game demanded more performance than the Alx could provide.