The New ASUS ROG Ally Review

The ASUS ROG Ally is the latest addition to the renowned Republic of Gamers (ROG) line-up, offering a powerful and portable gaming experience. This handheld gaming console combines the best gaming laptops and consoles into one sleek device. But is this really worth the hype? Let’s check out this first-hand review!

Specifications

Processor: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme

RAM: 16 GB

Boot Drive Capacity: 512 GB

Screen Size: 7 inches

Native Display Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080

Touch Screen: No

Panel Technology: IPS

Screen refresh rate: 120 Hz

Graphics Processor: AMD Radeon Graphics

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 6E

Dimensions (HWD): 0.29 x 22.47 x 7.87 inches

Weight: 1.34 lbs

Operating System: Windows 11 Home

Tested Battery Life: 8 hours and 37 minutes (subjective)

The ASUS ROG Ally joins the ranks of popular handheld gaming PCs like the Nintendo Switch and Valve Steam Deck, offering a unique Windows 11-based handheld gaming experience.

Unlike its competitors, the Ally leverages the familiarity and accessibility of Windows 11, providing full compatibility with PC gaming libraries.

Its “Zen 4”-based AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor showcases impressive power potential, although it’s not as efficient as a full-fledged gaming laptop. If you are a fan of fast-paced gaming, you may have to sacrifice performance to enjoy the portability of a handheld gaming PC.

While the Ally may require adjusting graphics settings and accepting occasional suboptimal frame rates, it still delivers smooth, primarily gaming experiences, similar to the Steam Deck. One concern is the battery life during gaming sessions, which may not last as long as desired.

Additionally, some users may need help finding the Windows controls. However, the overall product design of the Ally is of high quality, and ASUS has implemented dedicated software to enhance the handheld PC gaming experience.

Another fantastic factor is that the ASUS ROG Ally comes at a lower price than even entry-level gaming laptops, making it an appealing option for those seeking a budget-friendly handheld gaming station.

Design and build quality

The ASUS ROG Ally boasts a sleek and stylish design featuring a premium build quality that is both durable and eye-catching. It sports a compact form factor, making gaming highly portable and convenient.

The console has ergonomic controls, including a responsive D-pad, thumbsticks, and shoulder buttons, providing a comfortable and immersive gaming experience.

Display and graphics

The ASUS ROG Ally has a vibrant and crisp display, offering an immersive gaming experience. It features a high-resolution screen with impressive colour accuracy and wide viewing angles.

The console also supports HDR (High Dynamic Range), enhancing the visual quality and providing more detailed and lifelike graphics. With its powerful graphics capabilities, the ROG Ally delivers smooth gameplay and stunning visuals comparable to ASUS gaming laptops.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the ASUS ROG Ally packs a punch with its powerful hardware. It is powered by the latest-generation processor, ensuring fast and responsive performance.

The console also features a dedicated graphics card, efficiently handling graphically demanding games.

With ample RAM and storage options, gamers can enjoy lag-free gaming and have enough space to store their favourite titles. The model we tested had a RAM of 16GB and a boot drive capacity of 512GB; hence, we didn’t face any performance or efficiency issues while playing on the ASUS ROG Ally.

The ROG Ally runs on a customised operating system optimised for gaming, offering a seamless user experience. It provides access to various games and supports popular gaming platforms, ensuring compatibility with a vast library of titles.

Connectivity and Expansion Options

The ASUS ROG Ally offers versatile connectivity options, allowing gamers to connect to external displays, controllers, and other peripherals. It features USB ports, HDMI output, and Bluetooth connectivity, enabling seamless integration with various devices. The console also supports Wi-Fi connectivity for online gaming and software updates.

Battery life and portability

One of the key advantages of the ASUS ROG Ally is its portability. It is designed to be lightweight and compact, allowing gamers to easily carry it.

The console has a long-lasting battery that provides hours of uninterrupted gaming on a single charge.

Whether on a long journey or simply gaming away from a power source, the ROG Ally ensures you can enjoy your favourite games without worrying about battery life.

Pros

Fetching design: The ASUS ROG Ally features a sleek, stylish design that catches the eye. Its premium build quality adds to its aesthetic appeal.
Bright, colourful display: The console boasts a high-resolution display with impressive colour accuracy and wide viewing angles. The visuals are vibrant and immersive, enhancing the gaming experience.
Ergonomic controls: The ROG Ally has ergonomic controls, including a responsive D-pad, thumbsticks, and shoulder buttons. These controls offer comfort and precision during gameplay.
Compatible with multiple launchers: The console supports multiple gaming launchers, providing access to various games. This means you can easily play with your friends without feeling restricted.

Cons

Poor battery life: One drawback of the ASUS ROG Ally is its battery life. While it is designed for portability, the battery may only last briefly during extended gaming sessions. Users may need to keep the charger handy for longer gaming sessions.
Lack of dedicated UI: The console has a customised UI exclusively designed for gamers. As this interface is not generally used on other smart devices, users may need help navigating through the UI.
Good but not outstanding performance: While the performance of the ROG Ally is generally good, it may not match the power and capabilities of high-end gaming laptops. Gamers who require top-tier performance may find the console needing improvement in comparison.

Comparison with ASUS Gaming Laptops

When comparing the ASUS ROG Ally with ASUS gaming laptops, there are some key differences to consider. While gaming laptops offer more power and versatility, the ROG Ally provides a unique handheld gaming experience.

The console’s portability makes it ideal for gamers who prioritise gaming on the go. Additionally, the ROG Ally offers a different form factor and control scheme, catering to those who prefer handheld consoles over traditional laptops.

Regarding speed and efficiency, ASUS laptops are a much better choice. Their bigger chassis encompasses cooling systems, advanced processors, and battery packs. However, you may need help to carry it around. For instance, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023) weighs around three kilos (with its charger).

So, if you need something portable and lightweight, the ROG Ally is your perfect match. But if you are not a mover, using an ASUS gaming laptop is much better.

Is the ASUS ROG Ally better than the Nintendo Switch?

The ASUS ROG Ally and Nintendo Switch are major players in the handheld gaming PC industry. However, some major differences between these two set them apart. Let’s start with the basic functionality of these gaming consoles.

The ASUS ROG Ally is a handheld gaming PC with Windows 11. This makes it compatible with the games in the Windows PC library. Combined with AMD Ryzen Z1 processors and a full HD display, these gaming PCs deliver much better performance than their rivals in the industry.

On the other hand, the Nintendo Switch is a hybrid gaming console that can be used as a handheld gaming PC, attached to the TV, or used in tabletop mode. It comes with Nintendo-exclusive games such as Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda, which are extremely popular amongst severe and casual gamers.

Regarding performance, the ASUS ROG Ally definitely beats the Nintendo Switch. The AMD Ryzen Z1 processors are optimised for enhancing efficiency in your gameplay. Not only this, but the ROG Ally also enables you to customise the graphics settings according to the game that you are playing. This also helps increase the speed and efficiency of your gameplay.

Now comes connectivity. As stated earlier, the Nintendo Switch is designed as a “hybrid” gaming console that can be used in multiple forms. This makes the switch much more portable than ROG Ally.

The last is the price range. The ROG Ally is designed to offer an affordable gaming experience to those who can’t even afford entry-level gaming laptops. Hence, this handheld gaming PC is even cheaper than a basic gaming laptop that you can get on the market.

At the same time, the Nintendo Switch is expensive and is positioned as a luxury item for gamers who want to maximise their gaming experience. Thanks to the exclusive Nintendo games and Nintendo ecosystem, the increase in the price tag definitely makes sense.

Conclusion

The ASUS ROG Ally is a great gaming handheld console that combines gaming laptops’ power with handheld gaming convenience. With its sleek design, powerful hardware, and immersive display, the ROG Ally delivers an exceptional gaming experience.

Whether a casual gamer or a dedicated enthusiast, this console offers the flexibility and performance you need. While it may not match the raw power of ASUS gaming laptops, the ROG Ally excels in its portability and handheld gaming experience.

If you’re looking for a versatile gaming device you can take anywhere, the ASUS ROG Ally is worth considering.