NPC: Next Portable Console Budget Android Handhelds Rise as the Xbox Ally X Stumbles
Oct 21, 2025
The hosts dive into the rise of budget Android handhelds, highlighting the MagicX One35's quirky design and affordability. They also discuss the Mangmi Air X, a sub-$100 device boasting impressive specs. Meanwhile, the ROG Xbox Ally X faces harsh reviews for its performance and reliability issues. Thunderbolt 5 eGPUs are priced steeply, yet fall short on gaming performance. With talks on the future of handheld tech, the conversation pivots to how low-cost options might redefine gaming experiences.
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Brendon Finally Gets Ally Full-Screen
- Brendon describes finally getting full-screen Windows on the Ally and enjoying a small performance gain.
- He also complains about Xbox and Microsoft ads cluttering the interface and a non-loading Copilot feature.
Apple Sells PSVR2 Controllers At High Price
- Federico notes Apple will sell PSVR2 controllers with a charging dock at Apple Store for $250.
- John and Federico call the pricing 'insanity' and question the added value of the dock inclusion.
Thunderbolt 5 Cuts eGPU Penalty
- Thunderbolt 5 eGPUs significantly reduce external GPU performance loss to ~20–30%.
- Federico says Thunderbolt 5 shows promise for compact desktop-grade GPU use over long cables.