ASUS ROG Ally X vs Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
The Verdict
Comparing a handheld gaming device against a traditional gaming laptop reveals fundamentally different use cases. ASUS ROG Ally X offers portability with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 24GB LPDDR5x RAM, 1TB storage, and a 7-inch 1920x1080 120Hz display, delivering desktop-class performance in pocket form at 678g. Battery life ranges from 3-10 hours depending on game intensity. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 features a 15.6-inch display with lower brightness (250 nits), 8GB DDR5 RAM, and 256GB storage, powered by the weaker Ryzen 5 7535HS with 6 cores. Its 60Wh battery manages around 6 hours. For serious mobile gaming and emulation, the Ally X dominates with superior specs and 678g weight. For desk-based gaming and productivity, the IdeaPad's larger screen and traditional form factor suit better. At equal pricing, the Ally X represents stronger technology value.
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 Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 if…
- →RTX 4050 at $799 is excellent value for entry-level gaming
- →120Hz display is a noticeable upgrade over 60Hz
- →Upgradeable RAM and storage via accessible panels
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
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
Pros
- RTX 4050 at $799 is excellent value for entry-level gaming
- 120Hz display is a noticeable upgrade over 60Hz
- Upgradeable RAM and storage via accessible panels
- Ryzen 5 7535HS handles both gaming and schoolwork
- Decent thermals for a budget chassis with dual-fan cooling
Cons
- 250-nit display is too dim for well-lit rooms
- 8 GB base RAM needs upgrading for modern games
- 256 GB SSD fills up fast — plan to add a second drive
- All-plastic build feels flimsy and creaks
- Speaker quality is poor — headphones are recommended
Full Specifications
| Spec | ASUS ROG Ally X | Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 678 g | 5.07 lbs (2.3 kg) |
| Material | Plastic chassis with improved ergonomics | Plastic |
| Dimensions | 280.0 x 114.0 x 36.9 mm | 14.19 x 10.14 x 0.91 inches |
| Ports | ||
| USB-C ports | 2 | 1 |
| Microsd | — | |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| HDMI | — | |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| SD card | — | |
| Memory | ||
| Storage options | 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD | — |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 3-10 hours (game dependent) | Up to 6 hours |
| Capacity | 80 Wh | 60 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 7 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS anti-glare |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 250 |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB LPDDR5x (7500 MT/s) | 8 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, RDNA 3 (12 CUs) integrated GPU | 6 cores / 12 threads |
| Chipset | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4, 8-core / 16-thread, up to 5.1 GHz) | AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | — |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | — | 256 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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