Escalating Steam Deck's hype, the ASUS ROG Ally enters the scene with an impressive Windows 11 competitor, now priced affordably below $500, creating a stir in the portable gaming market.
### News Article: ASUS ROG Ally Handheld Gaming PC Offers Power and Performance, But at a Cost
The ASUS ROG Ally, a handheld gaming PC, has made waves in the gaming community, offering a powerful alternative to the popular Steam Deck. With its launch on the ASUS ROG Ally, the device has become a frequent choice among gamers who value performance and compatibility over battery life and simplicity.
The ASUS ROG Ally, particularly the Ally X model, boasts a significant leap in power and performance, thanks to its laptop-grade AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and larger RAM/SSD options. This results in smoother gameplay and better multitasking on modern AAA titles. Additionally, it offers a higher resolution screen than the Steam Deck, often with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) support, leading to sharper visuals and better motion clarity.
However, the Ally X's high-power hardware is less energy-efficient than the Steam Deck, meaning it can drain quickly during intensive gaming. Furthermore, as a Windows 11 device, it may come with bloatware, and users might need to troubleshoot typical Windows issues, making it less user-friendly for those unfamiliar with PC maintenance.
Another point to consider is the price. The ASUS ROG Ally is priced at $549.99 at Walmart.com and Newegg.com, while the Steam Deck is more affordable. It's also worth noting that the Steam Deck includes a carrying case, while the Ally's accessories must often be purchased separately.
The ASUS ROG Ally's compatibility with virtually any PC game, launcher, or streaming service, such as Xbox Game Pass, Battle.net, and Epic Games, is a significant advantage. Users can also easily upgrade storage, and it features dual USB-C ports for enhanced connectivity. The device is ergonomically designed for comfort during long gaming sessions, with improved grips and a sleek, ergonomic form factor.
In terms of gameplay, using the ASUS ROG Ally is as enjoyable as using the Steam Deck, especially when launching games from Steam itself. The device is also rated as the second-best option behind the Steam Deck by the article's readers.
For those who prioritise battery efficiency, a user-friendly interface, a superior OLED display, and value simplicity and affordability over raw power, the Steam Deck might be the better choice. However, for those who want maximum performance, compatibility with all PC games and launchers, a high-resolution display, and don't mind managing Windows quirks and shorter battery life during intensive use, the ASUS ROG Ally could be the ideal choice.
The ASUS ROG Ally can be found at BestBuy.com, and it is currently available at a discounted price of $499.99, a decrease from its original MSRP of $649.99. The device comes with a storage capacity of 512GB, which can be manually upgraded to a 1TB variant. It's also worth mentioning that community-made Steam Input controller profiles are preferred for older games that didn't support traditional joypads on the ASUS ROG Ally.
Lastly, it's worth noting that the ASUS ROG Ally's post-launch patches have not completely fixed the overheating issue with the microSD card slot. Additionally, it is possible to replace Windows 11 on the ASUS ROG Ally with SteamOS, and the device can be installed with SteamOS. If you find that the ASUS ROG Ally isn't meeting your expectations, it can be returned to Best Buy if it is in good condition.
- The ASUS ROG Ally, a Windows 11 device, offers compatibility with various software like Xbox Game Pass, Battle.net, and Epic Games, enhancing its gaming capabilities.
- With an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and larger RAM/SSD options, the ASUS ROG Ally X model offers smooth gameplay on modern AAA titles and better multitasking performances.
- For gamers who prioritize utilizing their existing PC games, launchers, or streaming services, the ASUS ROG Ally's hardware is well-suited to deliver a powerful gaming experience.
- Community-made Steam Input controller profiles can help improve the experience of older games on the ASUS ROG Ally that didn't natively support traditional joypads.
- Despite an overheating issue with the microSD card slot that hasn't been entirely fixed by post-launch patches, it is possible to replace Windows 11 on the ASUS ROG Ally with SteamOS, providing alternative software choices.
