ASUS ROG Ally X vs Microsoft Surface Go 4
The Verdict
Comparing these Windows 11 devices reveals fundamentally different use cases. ASUS ROG Ally X is a handheld gaming console with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, 24GB RAM, 1TB storage, and 120Hz display optimized for portable gaming at 1920x1080. Microsoft Surface Go 4 is a lightweight productivity tablet featuring Intel N200, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, and larger 10.5-inch 1920x1280 touchscreen designed for work and content consumption. Battery performance heavily depends on usage: the Ally X achieves 3-10 hours gaming versus Surface Go 4's 12.5 hours for productivity tasks. Build quality differs significantly, with Surface Go 4 offering premium magnesium construction versus Ally X's plastic chassis. Storage and RAM favor Ally X substantially. For gaming enthusiasts seeking portable AAA gaming, the Ally X delivers superior performance at $799. For professionals prioritizing portability, battery life, and general computing, Surface Go 4 at $579 offers better value and practicality. Recommendation depends entirely on primary use case.
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 Microsoft Surface Go 4 if…
- →Ultra-portable at 1.22 lbs — lightest Windows tablet/laptop
- →Windows 11 Pro included — enterprise-ready out of the box
- →Surface Pen and Type Cover support for versatile use
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
Microsoft Surface Go 4
Pros
- Ultra-portable at 1.22 lbs — lightest Windows tablet/laptop
- Windows 11 Pro included — enterprise-ready out of the box
- Surface Pen and Type Cover support for versatile use
- PixelSense touchscreen with excellent touch and pen accuracy
- microSD slot for expandable storage
Cons
- Intel N200 is slow for anything beyond basic web browsing
- 128 GB storage fills up quickly with Windows updates
- Type Cover keyboard sold separately at $99-$129
- Only one USB-C port — no USB-A, no HDMI
Full Specifications
| Spec | ASUS ROG Ally X | Microsoft Surface Go 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 | Windows 11 Pro |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 678 g | 1.22 lbs (0.55 kg) |
| Material | Plastic chassis with improved ergonomics | Magnesium alloy |
| Dimensions | 280.0 x 114.0 x 36.9 mm | 9.65 x 6.9 x 0.33 inches |
| Ports | ||
| USB-C ports | 2 | 1 |
| Microsd | — | |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| SD card | — | |
| Memory | ||
| Storage options | 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD | — |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 3-10 hours (game dependent) | Up to 12.5 hours |
| Capacity | 80 Wh | 28 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 7 inches | 10.5 inches |
| Type | IPS LCD | PixelSense IPS touchscreen |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1280 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 400 |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB LPDDR5x (7500 MT/s) | 8 GB LPDDR5 |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, RDNA 3 (12 CUs) integrated GPU | 4 cores |
| Chipset | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4, 8-core / 16-thread, up to 5.1 GHz) | Intel N200 |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | — |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | — | 128 GB UFS |
| 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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