We hope you like augmented reality
While the X20’s internals are unchanged from last year’s ROG Xbox Ally X, the surface improvements sound like a welcome update to Asus’ promising line of handheld gaming PCs. Unfortunately, Asus is positioning the X20 as a limited-edition curiosity rather than the new standard bearer for handheld gaming.
That’s because today’s announcement of the ROG Xbox Ally X was really the announcement of the “All-New ROG Xbox Ally X20.” closure,” as Asus said (emphasis added). The hardware is currently available as part of a special “20th anniversary” bundle that includes only a pair of Xreal R1 AR glasses. Connecting those glasses to the X20 hardware via USB promises users a 171-inch virtual display that Asus promises will either move with them or stay fixed in virtual space.
This AR glasses bundle was the only one Asus announced today.
Credit: Asus
This AR glasses bundle was the only one Asus announced today.
Credit: Asus
Such “virtual screen” glasses have fansthey seem better suited to be a premium optional accessory than a standard addition to each device. Asus already sells the Xreal R1 glasses for $850and the ROG Xbox Ally X sold for $1,000 last year before RAM and storage prices factored in. game consoles and other computing devices flying
While Asus hasn’t discussed pricing yet, it doesn’t seem out of the question that the X20 will be priced closer to or above $2,000 when the X20 goes on sale later this year. That price, plus the ‘Asus 20th Anniversary’ branding for the hardware would suggest a device with a very limited market and thus limited production.
It would be a shame – if the improvements available in the X20 weren’t literally tied to a pair of expensive AR glasses, they could have found a decent audience. Hopefully, Asus will offer a standalone version of the ROG Xbox Ally X20 hardware that will be around long after the 20th anniversary bundle ends.
