I recently did something kind of wild: I swapped out my $1,400 M4 Pro Mac Mini for an ROG Ally X. I wanted to see if this little gaming handheld could actually handle my day-to-day work and let me dive into my favorite games without compromise.https://youtu.be/JWWofucpkeo
Before you think I went completely rogue, I should mention that I kept most of the same desk setup I used with my Mac Mini. The only real changes I made were to optimize the experience for gaming. I’ll go over my full gear and setup a little later in this post.
Performance Comparison: ROG Ally X vs. Mac Mini
One of the biggest things I use the Mac Mini for is editing videos for my YouTube channel. While I knew the Mac Mini had more raw power on paper, I was curious how much I’d actually be giving up in real-world use by switching to the Ally X.
To get a better sense of the difference, I ran Cinebench R23 on both machines. I set the Ally X to Performance mode with 6 GB dedicated to graphics. In single-core performance, the Mac Mini scored 2,232 while the Ally X scored 1,689. The gap widened in multi-core performance, where the Mac Mini hit 19,731 and the Ally X scored 9,895.
Real-World Video Editing
Those numbers definitely showed up in everyday use. On the Mac, I use Final Cut Pro, which is fast, intuitive, and just fits my workflow. On the Ally X, I used DaVinci Resolve 20. Switching between the two wasn’t seamless—there was definitely a learning curve with Resolve—but I was able to get through the essentials. I could cut clips, apply basic color correction, add titles, and even record voiceovers. That last part had a minor quirk, though. I couldn’t get voiceovers to work from the Edit page in Resolve, but when I switched to the Fairlight page, it worked just fine. A small inconvenience, and hopefully one Blackmagic will address in future updates.
In terms of editing performance, the Ally X understandably lagged behind the Mac. I shoot in 4K on a Sony DSLR, and while the Ally X handled the footage decently, I noticed slowdowns. During one playback, when the sequence hit a simple title and transition, the video stuttered and slowed down. It didn’t crash, but it definitely wasn’t smooth. That said, nothing about the experience made it unusable—it just required a little more patience.
Export Speed Test
When it came time to export, I tested a 24-minute 4K video that included light color grading, transitions, and titles. With the Ally X in Performance mode, it took around 16 minutes to export. Switching to Turbo mode at 30 watts brought that time down to about 10 minutes and 30 seconds. So no, it’s not blazing fast, but it’s completely doable if the Ally X were my only computer.
Gaming on the Ally X vs. Mac Mini
Where the Ally X really shines is in gaming. Even though the Mac Mini actually performs better in Geekbench 6 across CPU and GPU scores—3,935 versus around 2,500 in single-core, 20,400 versus just over 11,000 in multi-core, and 60,758 versus just under 30,000 in GPU compute—it’s not the benchmark numbers that matter.
The biggest issue with using the Mac Mini as a gaming machine is game compatibility. I’ve purchased most of my games through Steam, and when I filter for Mac-compatible titles, only about 10 show up. That means no Call of Duty unless I subscribe to a cloud gaming service like Xbox Cloud or GeForce Now.
With the Ally X, I can install and run all my games natively. No subscriptions, no workarounds. When I’m ready to game, I just hit the Armory Crate button and I’m instantly in my library. I still have access to all my quick settings too, like changing power modes, refresh rates, or toggling the performance overlay. I was able to play all my favorite shooters in desktop mode with the right settings. It’s not console-level performance, and it’s certainly not a full gaming PC, but it’s good enough to keep me immersed without making me feel like I need something more powerful.
In-Game Frame Rates and Experience
I played Doom: Dark Ages in Turbo mode at 30 watts with a resolution of 1080p and a 120 Hz refresh rate. The frame rate stayed in the 30s, which isn’t amazing, but it was definitely playable. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 performed better, running up to 70 frames per second. Marvel Rivals hovered in the low to mid 60s, but the graphics quality really impressed me. FragPunk was the standout, consistently pushing over 100 frames per second and feeling smooth throughout.
Everyday Productivity and Browser Use
To test general productivity, I ran the Basemark Web 3.0 benchmark to compare browser-based tasks like Google Docs, YouTube, and Canva. I initially thought internet speed might affect the score, but it turns out the benchmark is processed locally. The Mac Mini scored 2,754, while the Ally X scored 1,895. That’s a 37 percent difference on paper, but in real-world use, I couldn’t really feel it. Writing scripts in Google Docs, editing thumbnails in Canva—it all worked just as smoothly as it did on the Mac.
My Desk Setup and Accessories
Let’s talk about my desk setup. The main screen I use in landscape mode is the Gigabyte M32U, a 4K panel with a 144 Hz refresh rate. My second monitor is a 24-inch KTC display I found on Amazon. It’s 1440p at 100 Hz, and I keep it in portrait mode, which is perfect for previewing files or dragging folders around.
For my keyboard, I swapped my full-size Logitech MX Keys for the Razer DeathStalker. It’s technically a gaming keyboard, but the low-profile design makes it super comfortable for both gaming and typing.
I use two different mice depending on the task. The MX Master has been my go-to for years—it’s incredibly ergonomic, side scrolling is perfect for video editing, and I can switch between devices with the button underneath. For gaming, I switch to the Final Mouse ULX Competition. It’s made of carbon fiber composite, weighs just 40 grams, and has a grippy texture thanks to the cutouts.
For controller gaming, I use the Scuf Envision Pro. It’s one of the best controllers I’ve ever held. The grip texture feels right, and all the buttons, sticks, and triggers feel solid and responsive. The adjustable triggers are especially useful for shooters. It also supports remapping with Scuf’s IQ software, which I haven’t needed yet, but it’s nice knowing the option is there.
Everything runs through my CalDigit TS4 dock. It connects my monitors and accessories and includes SD card slots, so I can quickly transfer video from my Sony camera to the Ally X. The dock is excellent, though it’s around $400. If that’s a bit much, there are plenty of affordable docks that can get the job done for less.
Final Thoughts
As much as I enjoyed using the Ally X as my primary desktop PC, I eventually returned to the Mac Mini. I invested a lot into that machine—not just money, but time learning Final Cut Pro—and it just didn’t make sense to abandon it. But the great thing about my setup is I don’t actually have to choose. Thanks to the CalDigit dock, I can switch between the Mac Mini and the Ally X with a single cable. I get the best of both worlds.
If you’re thinking about using the Ally X as your only desktop system, yes—it can absolutely do the job. It’s not the fastest setup, but it’s way more capable than I expected.
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