Asus has confirmed its intention to enter the handheld gaming PC
market with the release of the ROG Ally, which was initially unveiled as an
April Fool’s joke. While details about specs, price, and launch date are yet
to be released, the device appears to offer a more powerful alternative to
Valve’s Steam Deck with one critical difference.
Like the Ayaneo
2 and the most recent GPD Win models, the ROG Ally features a 1080p FHD
screen, Windows 11, and significantly faster chips than the Steam Deck. The
device tries to match Valve’s console-like SteamOS interface with a built-in
version of Asus’ Armory Crate software. However, it’s unknown if the
interface will allow easy navigation of Windows without a mouse or
keyboard.
Despite similarities to other Windows portables, none
of the Steam Deck’s competitors have come close to its $400 starting price.
Valve believes its less powerful hardware and lower-resolution screen offer
better battery life. Asus has yet to confirm the Ally’s price or battery
life but has stated that it will be competitive.
One of the most
unique aspects of the ROG Ally is that it uses a custom Zen 4 RDNA3 APU
assembled by Asus, which differs from the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U APU used by its
competitors. Although the exact specs, such as clock speed, remain unknown,
Asus claims that the Ally can double the Steam Deck’s performance.
The
device’s 120Hz screen is double that of its competitors, and it’s
significantly smaller, lighter, and quieter than the Steam Deck. Dave2D, who
analyzed the device, also noted that the Ally’s SSD and analog sticks are
easily replaceable. Like the Ayaneo 2, the Ally can connect to an external
graphics card through its sole USB-C port, which allows for high-end
gameplay while lying in bed.
In conclusion, Asus is set to launch the ROG Ally, a handheld gaming PC
that aims to compete with Valve’s Steam Deck. With faster chips and a custom
Zen 4 RDNA3 APU, the Ally offers better performance than its competitors,
but its price and battery life are yet to be confirmed. The device’s 120Hz
screen, smaller size, and the ability to connect to an external graphics
card through its USB-C port could make it an attractive option for gamers.