Logitech’s G Cloud has quietly reclaimed a place in the handheld conversation by surfacing at a steep discount that cuts its effective price to less than half the entry MSRP of the newly announced ROG Xbox Ally — and for many players who prioritize cloud gaming, that arithmetic makes a persuasive argument to choose the G Cloud over an Ally at launch. The refurbished G Cloud deal being promoted in coverage this week pushes the cloud-first handheld into true budget territory while leaving the Ally positioned as a premium, full-Windows handheld aimed at a different set of buyers. This piece unpacks what those choices mean in practice: hardware and software realities, cloud performance trade-offs, battery and ergonomics, long-term platform support, and which gamers should consider saving money with the G Cloud — or pay up for the Ally’s broader capabilities.
When Logitech launched the G Cloud in late 2022 it was notable for a simple idea: make a comfortable, controller-first Android handheld that treats cloud streaming as the primary gaming model. The G Cloud deliberately sacrifices local compute for battery life and a light chassis, leaning on services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, and Steam Link to deliver high-end titles without native hardware demands. That strategy produced one of the longest-lived handhelds by battery per charge, but it bound the user experience tightly to network quality and the evolution of cloud services.
In parallel, ASUS and Microsoft took a different tack with the newly announced ROG Xbox Ally family: full Windows 11 handhelds tuned with an Xbox-first shell, more powerful AMD Z2-series silicon, and a price that aligns with full-blown portable PC capabilities rather than a streaming-first device. The base Ally’s estimated retail price (ERP) is listed at USD $599.99, with a higher-end Ally X at around $999.99 — positioning the Ally as an investment in local performance, flexibility, and the ability to run installed PC titles natively in addition to cloud play.
That divergence — cloud-first, low-power handheld versus powerful Windows handheld — is where buyer decisions should start. But with the G Cloud briefly appearing refurbished for roughly $279.99 on major retail channels, the purely numerical argument becomes compelling for players whose primary goal is mobile access to Xbox Game Pass and GeForce NOW libraries.
By contrast, the Ally’s bigger batteries and higher-power APUs provide more local performance at the cost of shorter runtime under heavy loads. ASUS lists the Ally’s base battery at around 60 Wh — substantially larger in energy capacity than the G Cloud — but real-world playtimes will vary heavily by title, TDP settings, and whether you’re streaming or running games natively. For players who value consistent high-fidelity, high-framerate local play, that trade-off is reasonable; for those who prioritize unplugged endurance, the G Cloud currently wins.
Ergonomically the G Cloud is notably comfortable and light; many reviewers praised its button layout and grip. The Ally, meanwhile, packs more hardware into a similar-sized chassis and aims to preserve ergonomics while delivering higher thermal headroom — a more modern “handheld PC” design that leans into performance rather than minimalism. Buyers should weigh how much they value comfort and battery life against raw power and software flexibility.
However, the G Cloud trades versatility for endurance. If you require native PC performance, broad compatibility with desktop titles, or future-proofing for local emulation and mods, the ROG Xbox Ally provides those capabilities out of the box — at a price premium that reflects the difference between a streaming client and a portable Windows PC. ASUS and Xbox’s marketing and official specs place the Ally firmly in that higher-capability category, and the ERP reflects real hardware and system-level differences.
Both choices are defensible depending on use case: the G Cloud at a refurbished $279.99 is a smart, economical handheld for Game Pass and cloud players; the Ally at $599.99 is the right choice for players who need true handheld PC performance and the flexibility of Windows. That trade-off — cloud convenience and battery life versus native power and flexibility — is the central decision every buyer must make.
Selecting a handheld in 2025 means choosing the trade-offs you’re willing to live with: Logitech’s G Cloud at a strong refurbished price leans heavily into convenience, endurance, and the cloud ecosystem; ASUS’ ROG Xbox Ally stakes its case on native horsepower, Windows flexibility, and the ability to run more demanding, latency-sensitive games without an internet dependency. For many Game Pass subscribers, the G Cloud at $279.99 will do almost everything they need — for others, the Ally’s $599.99 will be a necessary investment in capability rather than compromise. Either way, the current market makes clear that handheld buyers are finally able to pick the device that matches what they actually play and where they play it.
Source: Windows Central This Cloud gaming handheld is now less than an Xbox Ally
Background / Overview
When Logitech launched the G Cloud in late 2022 it was notable for a simple idea: make a comfortable, controller-first Android handheld that treats cloud streaming as the primary gaming model. The G Cloud deliberately sacrifices local compute for battery life and a light chassis, leaning on services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, and Steam Link to deliver high-end titles without native hardware demands. That strategy produced one of the longest-lived handhelds by battery per charge, but it bound the user experience tightly to network quality and the evolution of cloud services. In parallel, ASUS and Microsoft took a different tack with the newly announced ROG Xbox Ally family: full Windows 11 handhelds tuned with an Xbox-first shell, more powerful AMD Z2-series silicon, and a price that aligns with full-blown portable PC capabilities rather than a streaming-first device. The base Ally’s estimated retail price (ERP) is listed at USD $599.99, with a higher-end Ally X at around $999.99 — positioning the Ally as an investment in local performance, flexibility, and the ability to run installed PC titles natively in addition to cloud play.
That divergence — cloud-first, low-power handheld versus powerful Windows handheld — is where buyer decisions should start. But with the G Cloud briefly appearing refurbished for roughly $279.99 on major retail channels, the purely numerical argument becomes compelling for players whose primary goal is mobile access to Xbox Game Pass and GeForce NOW libraries.
What the Logitech G Cloud actually is
Key hardware and software facts (verified)
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (octa-core).
- Display: 7.0-inch IPS, 1920×1080 (FHD), 60 Hz.
- RAM / Storage: 4 GB RAM, 64 GB internal storage, microSD slot for expansion.
- Battery: 6,000 mAh (advertised up to ~12 hours under light/cloud use).
- OS: Android 11 with preinstalled cloud apps (Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce NOW), plus Google Play access.
- Weight / Ports: about 463 g, USB-C charging, 3.5mm jack, Bluetooth 5.1.
What the G Cloud is optimized for
- Cloud streaming via the PWA or native clients for Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce NOW. The G Cloud’s hardware is intentionally modest to preserve long battery life and keep thermals low. That design choice yields benefits for long sessions, but it imposes limits: native AAA performance and local emulation headroom are constrained relative to modern Windows handhelds.
- Remote play / Steam Link for streaming from a local PC or console on the same network. This mode is often higher quality (and lower latency) than internet-facing cloud sessions, assuming a strong local network.
- Android native titles and emulators, accessible via the Play Store, but with caveats on CPU/GPU limitations and compatibility given the Snapdragon 720G and 4GB of RAM.
The ROG Xbox Ally: what you’re paying for at $599.99
ASUS and Microsoft built the ROG Xbox Ally family as Windows PCs for handheld play: higher-performance APUs, more RAM, user-upgradeable storage, and a tighter Xbox experience layered on Windows 11. The base Ally lists these high‑level specs and positioning:- Chipset / Performance: AMD Ryzen Z2 A class silicon for the base Ally; Z2 Extreme / “AI” variants for the Ally X. These APUs offer substantially more local GPU horsepower than mid-range mobile SoCs.
- Memory & Storage: Base Ally typically ships with 16 GB LPDDR5X and a 512 GB M.2 SSD (user-upgradeable). The Ally X increases RAM and storage.
- Display / Controls: 7-inch 1080p 120 Hz touchscreen and controller layout tuned for longer sessions.
- Battery & I/O: Significantly larger batteries (base ~60 Wh) versus the G Cloud’s ~23 Wh (6,000 mAh) cell, and more robust port and expansion options.
Performance and real-world cloud gaming: expectations vs. reality
What the G Cloud can and cannot do
- The G Cloud can stream Xbox Game Pass titles and GeForce NOW sessions at high visual settings from the cloud endpoint to the handheld at up to 1080p/60 in many cases; however, performance is sensitive to network conditions and the session’s encoding bandwidth. Windows Central documented near-flawless 1080p/60 streaming in ideal network scenarios and praised the device’s battery efficiency for this streaming model.
- For twitch-sensitive competitive titles, network latency and packet loss matter far more than raw device specs. The G Cloud’s advantage is endurance — you can realistically play for many hours — but if you need the lowest possible input lag, streaming to a local PC or a handheld with lower overall latency (e.g., via a high-quality Steam Link session) or a local native handheld will usually be better. Lifewire and hands-on reviewers flagged the network dependency repeatedly as the central trade-off.
Ally’s strengths for local play
- The Ally’s local GPU performance and Windows environment allow it to run native PC releases at playable framerates without depending on internet quality. That means modern AAA titles, modded games, and high-refresh competitive titles will often run better natively on an Ally than streamed on a G Cloud. For users who want an all-in-one handheld PC — including potential for emulators, heavy single-player titles, and broad Steam/Epic compatibility — the Ally justifies its higher price.
Battery life, thermals, and ergonomics: meaningful differences
Logitech’s battery design is one of the G Cloud’s defining trade-offs: a large 6,000 mAh cell paired to a low-power Snapdragon SoC and a 60 Hz display yields exceptional real-world endurance for cloud sessions (Windows Central reported up to ~10–12 hours depending on usage). That endurance is the G Cloud’s headline appeal: long flights, long commutes, or long couch sessions where power outlets are scarce.By contrast, the Ally’s bigger batteries and higher-power APUs provide more local performance at the cost of shorter runtime under heavy loads. ASUS lists the Ally’s base battery at around 60 Wh — substantially larger in energy capacity than the G Cloud — but real-world playtimes will vary heavily by title, TDP settings, and whether you’re streaming or running games natively. For players who value consistent high-fidelity, high-framerate local play, that trade-off is reasonable; for those who prioritize unplugged endurance, the G Cloud currently wins.
Ergonomically the G Cloud is notably comfortable and light; many reviewers praised its button layout and grip. The Ally, meanwhile, packs more hardware into a similar-sized chassis and aims to preserve ergonomics while delivering higher thermal headroom — a more modern “handheld PC” design that leans into performance rather than minimalism. Buyers should weigh how much they value comfort and battery life against raw power and software flexibility.
Price and value: the current deal calculus
The core headlines driving this coverage are simple and verifiable:- The ROG Xbox Ally is being marketed with a base ERP of $599.99 in the U.S., and the premium Ally X is around $999.99. These prices are published by ASUS, Xbox, and multiple major outlets.
- The Logitech G Cloud has periodically dropped below its $299 retail price in refurbished and open-box channels; recent reporting flagged a refurbished price of about $279.99 on Amazon, making it a much cheaper portable that’s purpose-built for cloud gaming. That price point places the G Cloud at roughly half the base Ally’s ERP.
Risks, support, and long-term considerations
For the G Cloud buyer
- Network dependency is the single largest operational risk. Cloud performance varies by ISP, home network, and local congestion; reviewers consistently emphasize that a great cloud experience on the G Cloud depends on a strong, stable Wi‑Fi connection (ideally 5 GHz or wired + access point on the same local network for Steam Link). If your home Wi‑Fi is marginal, the G Cloud’s advantage evaporates quickly.
- Software and firmware maturity matter. The G Cloud’s Android-based stack has seen multiple firmware iterations, and community reports indicate occasional regressions that can affect emulation or video playback. Refurbished units may ship with older firmware and some buyers report mixed experiences. Factor in firmware update steps and be prepared to update out of the box.
- Refurbished warranties and returns. Buying refurbished lowers cost but increases variance in warranty coverage and expected longevity. Check the seller’s refurbished policy and return window before buying; Amazon’s refurbished marketplace and manufacturer-refurbished listings differ in protections. Community threads show both positive and negative refurbished experiences, so treat it as a savings measure that carries slightly elevated risk.
For the Ally buyer
- Early Windows handhelds face software compatibility quirks. The ROG Xbox Ally ships with a custom Xbox-fullscreen shell layered on Windows 11 and Microsoft’s Handheld Compatibility Program — useful but also new. Early hands-on reports suggest that anti-cheat and some legacy drivers can create friction until patches and driver updates mature. Buyers should expect some early firmware/driver updates post-launch.
- Price sensitivity and market alternatives. At $599.99 the Ally competes with other portable PCs and larger-format handhelds that may be on sale; shoppers should compare performance-per-dollar for the specific titles they want to play. Independent coverage and hands-on previews recommend weighing the Ally against competing handheld PCs and evaluating whether the Windows openness is worth the premium for your use case.
Who should buy which device?
Buy the refurbished Logitech G Cloud if:
- You primarily stream games via Xbox Cloud Gaming or NVIDIA GeForce NOW and want many hours of battery life for commuting, travel, or casual play.
- You want the cheapest practical path to mobile access for Game Pass titles, and you can accept dependence on Wi‑Fi quality.
- You value a comfortable, controller-first form factor and long real-world battery life more than native local performance.
Buy the ROG Xbox Ally if:
- You want to run games natively from Steam, Epic, or the Windows PC ecosystem at higher sustained frame rates and fidelity.
- You need the flexibility of a full Windows environment for mods, emulators at high resolutions, or productivity tasks beyond streaming.
- You’re willing to pay a premium for local power, upgradable storage, and an experience that is less reliant on internet quality for acceptable performance.
Buying advice and practical steps
- Confirm the seller and warranty: if buying refurbished, check whether it’s manufacturer‑refurbished or a third‑party refurbisher; prefer listings with clear return policies.
- Assess your network: test Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce NOW on a phone/tablet in the same location to estimate likely performance before committing. If your home network struggles, consider local Steam Link streaming instead.
- Plan for firmware updates: both Logitech and ASUS have shipped updates that change behavior and performance; update devices after initial setup.
- If you are a competitive multiplayer player, prefer local/native play when low latency matters; streaming introduces variable latency.
Strengths, weaknesses, and final assessment
The discounted Logitech G Cloud represents one of the clearest value propositions in handheld gaming when the buyer’s primary objective is cloud access to modern libraries: long battery life, a comfortable chassis, and well-integrated cloud apps make it an excellent budget choice for Game Pass subscribers and GeForce NOW users. Multiple major reviews and product pages verify the G Cloud’s 7-inch 1080p display, Snapdragon 720G internals, 6,000 mAh battery, and Android-based cloud-first software stack. That combination is exactly what you want if you value hours of untethered play for streamed titles.However, the G Cloud trades versatility for endurance. If you require native PC performance, broad compatibility with desktop titles, or future-proofing for local emulation and mods, the ROG Xbox Ally provides those capabilities out of the box — at a price premium that reflects the difference between a streaming client and a portable Windows PC. ASUS and Xbox’s marketing and official specs place the Ally firmly in that higher-capability category, and the ERP reflects real hardware and system-level differences.
Both choices are defensible depending on use case: the G Cloud at a refurbished $279.99 is a smart, economical handheld for Game Pass and cloud players; the Ally at $599.99 is the right choice for players who need true handheld PC performance and the flexibility of Windows. That trade-off — cloud convenience and battery life versus native power and flexibility — is the central decision every buyer must make.
Verification notes and cautionary flags
- The ROG Xbox Ally MSRP and launch details have been confirmed across official ASUS and Xbox press materials and mainstream reports; multiple outlets cite the $599.99 ERP for the base Ally and $999.99 for the Ally X. Readers should treat ERP as a region- and retailer-dependent starting point.
- The Logitech G Cloud’s hardware claims — Snapdragon 720G, 7” 1080p display, 6,000 mAh battery, and preinstalled cloud apps — are supported by product pages and multiple reviews. Firmware revisions have added features such as higher-resolution Xbox Cloud client toggles and UI changes; those software-level improvements mean experience can vary by firmware version. If purchasing refurbished, verify the unit’s firmware level and update to the latest public release after setup.
- Some claims in community threads (third‑party benchmarks, battery life in specific mixed workloads) are inherently variable. Any statement that depends heavily on local network conditions (e.g., “will stream at 1080p/60 reliably”) should be understood as conditional on ISP bandwidth, local Wi‑Fi quality, and server-side encoding availability. Treat these network-linked performance claims with caution until you can test them in your environment.
Selecting a handheld in 2025 means choosing the trade-offs you’re willing to live with: Logitech’s G Cloud at a strong refurbished price leans heavily into convenience, endurance, and the cloud ecosystem; ASUS’ ROG Xbox Ally stakes its case on native horsepower, Windows flexibility, and the ability to run more demanding, latency-sensitive games without an internet dependency. For many Game Pass subscribers, the G Cloud at $279.99 will do almost everything they need — for others, the Ally’s $599.99 will be a necessary investment in capability rather than compromise. Either way, the current market makes clear that handheld buyers are finally able to pick the device that matches what they actually play and where they play it.
Source: Windows Central This Cloud gaming handheld is now less than an Xbox Ally
