Handheld gaming PCs have become increasingly popular in recent years, with various companies releasing compelling devices. ASUS is the latest entrant to this market with its ROG Ally, a sleek and powerful handheld gaming PC that aims to rival Valve’s Steam Deck. Priced at $700, the Ally appears to be more expensive than the Steam Deck, but it offers more storage with its 512GB SSD compared to the Steam Deck’s 64GB of onboard storage. The Ally also runs Windows 11 instead of Steam OS, providing better game compatibility. However, there are some trade-offs for the extra performance, such as a shorter battery life and the absence of touchpads and an included case.
In terms of design, the Ally measures 11 inches wide and weighs 1.34 pounds, making it comparable to the Steam Deck in size. However, the Ally is significantly thinner at 0.83 inches. It features a Xbox-style layout with two joysticks, face buttons, shoulder triggers, and rear paddles. Unlike the Steam Deck, it does not have front touchpads, which may disappoint gamers who prefer to play mouse-and-keyboard games. The device also includes a fingerprint sensor, a volume rocker, a single USB-C port, and a microSD card slot for expandable storage.
One standout feature of the Ally is its 1080p display, which is sharper and more colorful than the Steam Deck’s lower-resolution 800p display. The Ally’s screen is also brighter, with a maximum brightness of around 475 nits compared to the Steam Deck’s 400 nits. The display’s 120Hz refresh rate enhances the overall visual experience, although some demanding games may not fully utilize this feature.
When it comes to performance, the Ally boasts AMD’s new Z1 Extreme APU and 16GB of RAM, giving it an advantage over the Steam Deck. However, initial performance tests showed that the Ally’s performance was underwhelming compared to the Steam Deck. With both devices set to 15 watts, they exhibited similar frame rates in games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Cyberpunk 2077. However, after updating the Ally’s drivers and firmware, its performance improved significantly, with frame rates increasing by 15 to 25 percent. The Ally also has a Turbo mode that boosts power draw to 25 watts, allowing for even higher frame rates in games. While the Ally doesn’t deliver the double the performance promised by ASUS, it still offers impressive power in a handheld device, making it a suitable choice for those seeking a portable gaming PC.
One area where the Ally falls short is battery life. With its powerful hardware, the Ally typically lasts only around an hour and a half to two hours when gaming, while the Steam Deck can provide two and a half to four hours of gameplay. The Ally’s sound quality, on the other hand, is impressive, thanks to its punchy front-firing stereo speakers. Additionally, the device operates quietly, with minimal fan noise compared to the Steam Deck.
The software is another point of differentiation between the Ally and the Steam Deck. The Ally runs Windows 11, providing a familiar operating system for gamers. On the other hand, the Steam Deck uses Steam OS, which may require some adjustments for users who are more accustomed to Windows.
In conclusion, the ASUS ROG Ally offers strong performance, a great display, punchy speakers, and a sleek design. While it may be more expensive than the Steam Deck, it provides better game compatibility with Windows 11 and offers more storage. However, it falls short in terms of battery life and lacks touchpads and an included case. Ultimately, the choice between the Ally and the Steam Deck depends on individual preferences and priorities.
