ASUS ROG Ally X vs MSI Cyborg 15
The Verdict
Comparing these $799 Windows 11 laptops reveals fundamentally different purposes. ASUS ROG Ally X is a 7-inch handheld gaming device with AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 24GB RAM, 1TB storage, and 120Hz display optimized for portable gaming with 3-10 hour battery life. MSI Cyborg 15 is a traditional 15.6-inch laptop featuring Intel Core i7-12650H, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 512GB storage, and 144Hz display designed for gaming and productivity at a desk. Ally X excels in portability and gaming optimization with superior CPU/GPU architecture for handheld emulation and indie games. Cyborg 15 offers better multitasking performance with more RAM flexibility, larger screen real estate, and traditional laptop connectivity including HDMI. Battery life favors Ally X despite being handheld. For mobile gaming enthusiasts, Ally X is superior. For traditional laptop users needing portable gaming capability, Cyborg 15 delivers better overall versatility despite lower storage capacity.
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 MSI Cyborg 15 if…
- →RTX 4050 Laptop GPU at $799 is excellent entry-level gaming value
- →Unique translucent chassis design stands out visually
- →Lighter than most gaming laptops at 4.19 lbs
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
MSI Cyborg 15
Pros
- RTX 4050 Laptop GPU at $799 is excellent entry-level gaming value
- Unique translucent chassis design stands out visually
- Lighter than most gaming laptops at 4.19 lbs
- 144Hz display is smooth for competitive multiplayer games
- Expandable M.2 slot for storage upgrades
Cons
- 250-nit display is too dim for bright environments
- 53.5 Wh battery delivers only 3-4 hours of real use
- 12th-gen processor is one generation behind at launch
- Plastic build feels flimsy under pressure
- Speaker quality is mediocre — external audio recommended
Full Specifications
| Spec | ASUS ROG Ally X | MSI Cyborg 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 678 g | 4.19 lbs (1.9 kg) |
| Material | Plastic chassis with improved ergonomics | Plastic (translucent design) |
| Dimensions | 280.0 x 114.0 x 36.9 mm | 14.09 x 9.95 x 0.88 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 5 hours |
| Capacity | 80 Wh | 53.5 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 7 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 250 |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB LPDDR5x (7500 MT/s) | 16 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, RDNA 3 (12 CUs) integrated GPU | 10 cores (6P + 4E) |
| Chipset | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4, 8-core / 16-thread, up to 5.1 GHz) | Intel Core i7-12650H (12th 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.
Explore more in laptops, see all ASUS products or all MSI products. View full details for the ASUS ROG Ally X or the MSI Cyborg 15.
Press ? for keyboard shortcuts