ASUS ROG Ally X vs Dell XPS 15 (2023)
The Verdict
ASUS ROG Ally X and Dell XPS 15 target fundamentally different use cases. Ally X excels as a portable gaming handheld with its 7-inch 120Hz IPS display, AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, 24GB LPDDR5x RAM, and 1TB storage optimized for high-performance gaming at 678g. Battery life ranges 3-10 hours depending on game intensity. Conversely, XPS 15 serves as a premium productivity ultrabook featuring a stunning 15.6-inch 3456x2160 OLED display, Intel Core i7-13700H with 16GB DDR5 RAM, and extended 13-hour battery life in a 1.92kg aluminum chassis. XPS 15 offers superior display quality and portability for work, while Ally X dominates gaming performance in hand-held form. For gaming enthusiasts seeking portable AAA titles, Ally X is exceptional. For professionals prioritizing screen real estate and battery endurance, XPS 15 wins decisively. These aren't competitors but category leaders.
Who Should Buy
Buy the ASUS ROG Ally X if…
- →Massive 80 Wh battery doubles the Ally's endurance to 3-10 hours
- →24 GB LPDDR5x RAM is generous for gaming and multitasking
- →1 TB SSD is double the original — more room for games
Buy the Dell XPS 15 (2023) if…
- →Gorgeous 3.5K OLED display with perfect blacks and vivid colors
- →86 Wh battery provides solid all-day battery life
- →13th-gen H-series processor with strong sustained performance
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
ASUS ROG Ally X
Pros
- Massive 80 Wh battery doubles the Ally's endurance to 3-10 hours
- 24 GB LPDDR5x RAM is generous for gaming and multitasking
- 1 TB SSD is double the original — more room for games
- Two USB-C ports allow charging while connecting accessories
- Improved ergonomic grips and button layout over original Ally
Cons
- Heavier at 678 g due to the larger battery
- Same Z1 Extreme chip — no generational performance leap
- Removed microSD slot compared to original ROG Ally
- IPS LCD still lacks OLED contrast and HDR capability
- $799 puts it close to full laptop pricing territory
Dell XPS 15 (2023)
Pros
- Gorgeous 3.5K OLED display with perfect blacks and vivid colors
- 86 Wh battery provides solid all-day battery life
- 13th-gen H-series processor with strong sustained performance
- SD card reader is a welcome inclusion for photographers
- Compact footprint for a 15.6-inch laptop
Cons
- No USB-A or HDMI ports — USB-C/Thunderbolt only
- Discrete GPU (RTX 4050/4060) models are significantly more expensive
- 4.23 lbs is heavier than many 15-inch competitors
- OLED display limited to 60Hz — no high-refresh option
- Palmrest can get warm during extended CPU-heavy tasks
Full Specifications
| Spec | ASUS ROG Ally X | Dell XPS 15 (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 678 g | 4.23 lbs (1.92 kg) |
| Material | Plastic chassis with improved ergonomics | CNC machined aluminum |
| Dimensions | 280.0 x 114.0 x 36.9 mm | 13.56 x 9.06 x 0.73 inches |
| Ports | ||
| USB-C ports | 2 | 2 |
| Microsd | — | |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| HDMI | — | |
| SD card | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | — | 2 |
| Memory | ||
| Storage options | 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD | — |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 3-10 hours (game dependent) | Up to 13 hours |
| Capacity | 80 Wh | 86 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 7 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED anti-reflective |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3456 x 2160 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 400 |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB LPDDR5x (7500 MT/s) | 16 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, RDNA 3 (12 CUs) integrated GPU | 14 cores (6P + 8E) |
| Chipset | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4, 8-core / 16-thread, up to 5.1 GHz) | Intel Core i7-13700H (13th Gen) |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | — |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | — | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | — | |
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | — | |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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