The ROG Xbox Ally X and the Legion Go 2 seem to be approaching upgradability extremely differently — and it could hurt one of them in the long run

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I’ve noticed ASUS ROG and Lenovo are taking different approaches to making their handheld devices upgradeable, and I think this could cause problems for one of them down the line. Here’s what I mean…

When preorders began last week for the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, SanDisk announced two new WD_BLACK SSDs created specifically for these handheld gaming devices. This suggests that ASUS ROG worked closely with SanDisk during the SSD’s development and built the Ally and Ally X to be easily upgraded with new storage.

While I was pleased to hear the news, it wasn’t surprising – I’d been anticipating it. I’ve already successfully upgraded the storage drives in my ROG Ally and ROG Ally X, so I’m confident the upgrade process for these new Xbox Ally handhelds will be just as straightforward.

I was really bummed out while reviewing the Legion Go 2. When I unboxed it, I was super disappointed to discover that Lenovo didn’t make it easy to upgrade parts inside. It just doesn’t seem like they thought about letting users customize or improve it down the line.

I upgraded the storage in my Legion Go before, and it was a bit tricky but manageable. This time, though, it’s proving to be much more difficult.

Replacing the storage drive in the Legion Go 2 is pretty risky, so I’d only suggest attempting it if you’re comfortable building or upgrading PCs.

To replace the Legion Go 2’s SSD, you first need to remove the fan. The fan has a metal plate attached to it that covers and is glued to the SSD – this is done to help keep the device cool and running well. However, this design makes SSD removal trickier, as you have to be careful not to damage anything else in the process.

I mentioned this as a drawback in my Legion Go 2 review, as the ability to upgrade components is crucial for any PC. And making a handheld device upgradable generally increases customer satisfaction.

The Steam Deck is popular partly because it’s highly customizable – you can easily tailor it to fit your specific needs and preferences.

Why would you even want to upgrade your handheld’s SSD?

But why would you even want to upgrade your handheld gaming PC? I’m glad you asked.

I consider the ability to upgrade the SSD a must-have for handheld gaming PCs – and any PC I own, really – for five key reasons.

Being able to replace individual components lets me select a setup that fits my current budget and then improve it over time as I can afford better parts.

Having more storage on my handheld device lets me store more games and helps it run smoother.

Generally, solid state drives (SSDs) are much quicker than microSD cards. For the fastest game loading and file transfers, using internal storage is the best option.

I believe it’s important to be able to fix my own devices and replace broken parts. This is more cost-effective over time, as I won’t need to replace the entire device if just one component fails.

I really enjoy building and personalizing my own computer hardware. It feels like a much more personal connection to my devices when I install the parts myself.

Upgradability isn’t just about convenience; it’s also about community and fulfillment

I haven’t been able to test the ROG Ally X yet, as it’s not out yet. But, as I mentioned before, it’s likely the SSD will be easily replaceable, especially since Western Digital makes SSDs specifically for this handheld.

Don’t worry. I’ll double-check as soon as I can.

The Xbox handhelds are likely to attract people who enjoy customizing their devices because they were specifically created to be easily upgraded. Plus, if something goes wrong, tech-savvy users might be able to repair them on their own, instead of needing to go through official support or repair services.

I’m seeing more reports that if you need to replace the SSD in your Legion Go 2, you might need to take it to a professional. It doesn’t seem like it’s a straightforward DIY fix for many people.

So there’s the obvious convenience factor. Of course, there’s another aspect as well.

Personalizing products and services strengthens the bond between customers and businesses. When people see that a product is built to be easily updated or improved, they develop a more positive feeling towards the company that made it.

Plus, being able to easily customize devices helps fans connect with each other, as they enjoy sharing their modifications. The Steam Deck community is a great example of this kind of shared enthusiasm and creativity.

Allowing users to upgrade parts of the Xbox Ally – whether just a few or many choose to do so – could give it an advantage over the Legion Go 2 and help it stay relevant for a longer time.

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2025-10-02 17:10