The ROG Ally is arguably the biggest competitor to Valve’s Steam Deck. However, unlike its meaty competitor, the ROG Ally focuses on Windows 11 gaming. Furthermore, the pièce de résistance has to be the stellar 1080p 7″ display that is capable of up to 120Hz display. Accordingly, graphic-hungry gamers will not be left disappointed by what they see. Yet, I cannot overlook the customisation options of the Steam Deck and the ability to play Windows-based games if you are willing to put the effort in.
Therefore, where does this leave this incredible handheld gaming PC? Well, it is on par with its high-end competitor on many levels. In fact, for many gamers, it will come down to the UI and the operating system. Therefore, which is the better option? Well, if you want a straightforward affair that is simple to follow and easy to understand, the ROG Ally wins hands down. Yet, if you are more tech-savvy, the intuitive SD UI is incredible! Consequently, I believe the ROG Ally is a more user-friendly device that is potentially somewhat restrictive.
What’s in the box of the ROG Ally?
- The alluring packaging is representative of the ASUS brand. The silver livery is attractive but refined. Moreover, it is sturdy and can be recycled.
- The ROG Ally is lightweight, comfortable to hold, and striking to look at. The white livery is complemented by the black accents and the dull-coloured buttons. Furthermore, the audio jack, XG mobile interface and USB-C port, and the SD card port are located at the top of the device.
- A simple device stand is provided to support the device.
- Charge the unit with the high-powered wall to USB-C cable.
- Understand the fundamentals with the user manual.
Technical aspects.
This machine is undeniably powerful. Accordingly, it can handle most top-end PC games without a sweat. As such, if you don’t want to lug around your gaming laptop, or you wish to be unshackled from your PC, this is the perfect option. Thanks to the whopping Zen-4 processor, this outperforms the Steam Deck with ease. The AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Processor delivers a 5.10 GHz boost. Therefore, you enjoy an unbelievably smooth performance that doesn’t let you down.
The compatibility with modern Windows Games and Microsoft’s Game Pass library was thoroughly impressive. However, unlike Valve’s library of SD-compatible games, you occasionally run into issues when playing on this handheld. Additionally, though it takes effort to make some games work on Steam Deck, the intuitive system is easier to work with if you have the right mindset.
It’s all about the display.
Where the ROG Ally shines is its incredible display. From the first moment, I was amazed by the clarity and brightness. Furthermore, the depth of colours and the buttery smooth refresh rate are jaw-droppingly good. Moving from the limitations of 720p to a more modern 1080p was incredible. Furthermore, this device delivers consistent frame rates across a range of display settings.
High-performance titles such as Starfield worked well when you pushed the settings to a medium or moderate standard. During testing, I was able to enjoy a steady frame rate that only dropped in heavy resource areas. However, this wasn’t disappointing, as the game ran smoothly throughout.
I was impressed that the small 7″ display delivered such vivid and crisp imagery. Though there was a noticeable difference between lower-end titles and high-demand games, I never experienced anything that was unplayable.
Usability.
Usability is the biggest bugbear for gamers. If a device is unusable or tough to work with, it makes for a horrific experience. Thankfully, the ROG Ally is an extremely user-friendly device that has gamers at the heart of everything it does. Additionally, the excellent Armoury Crate App allows you to access every downloaded game no matter the launchable program. However, this is nothing when compared to Steam Deck’s phenomenal UI.
Though this device isn’t as intuitive, I had no issues with installing games or apps. Subsequently, it uses a brilliant plug-and-play approach that is wonderful to experience. Furthermore, if you haven’t used the Steam Deck, you will not be disappointed by how it works. From the opening gambit, the device is a joy to work with. Moreover, setting it up and registering it is a cinch. Accordingly, if you want a relatively straightforward experience, you should consider this as a serious contender.
Build quality.
If you have a portable device, it must be sturdy, robust, and able to take some knocks. Thankfully, this handheld console is noticeably hardy. The hardened plastic shell can take some roughhousing, but I still suggest that you don’t throw it around. The button placement and travel distance are comfortable and intuitive. Additionally, the rear buttons are seated in a natural position. Accordingly, it doesn’t feel alien whenever you try to use them.
Alongside this, the excellent touch-screen display is responsive and a joy to use. Whether you are playing a touch-screen-specific game or navigating the UI, the screen doesn’t let you down. Moreover, using the keyboard or number pad was equally good. Consequently, I had no issues when searching for games or when I went online.
Is the ROG Ally worth it?
Undoubtedly, the ROG Ally is an incredible machine. Thanks to its compatibility with Windows gaming and the upgraded Armoury Crate App, this is as user-friendly as it comes. Furthermore, its screen is impressive, and I adored the undeniably smooth performance and the rapid loading times. On top of this, the build quality is fantastic. However, you were not provided with a travel case and this was annoying. What’s more, a new competitor has been announced by Lenovo. Consequently, it will be interesting to see how the Lenovo Legion Go compares with this amazing handheld PC. Alternatively, GPD tests the water with its GPD WIN Mini and GPD WIN 4 (2023). Yet, if you want a simple-to-use handheld device that ticks many boxes, then I recommend that you buy it here!
(More information on ROG.Asus can be found here!)
(The final gallery is credited to the #whereismyALLY campaign.)
