Asus ROG Ally – Design and Features
The design of the Asus ROG Ally follows the established conventions of handheld gaming devices. It features a 7-inch screen in the center, with side-form controls similar to other popular devices like the Steam Deck, Switch, and Ayaneo 2.
The face buttons on the ROG Ally use the standard ABXY layout, providing a snappy and responsive feel. Additionally, there are 'View' and 'Menu' buttons that resemble those found on Xbox controllers. The device also includes dedicated buttons for accessing ROG Armoury Crate and a configuration menu where users can adjust performance modes, switch resolutions between 1080p and 720p, cap frame rates, and customize controller settings for different games.
However, the D-pad on the ROG Ally uses a circular cross layout instead of separate buttons. While it is usable, some users may perceive it as slightly cheap in comparison to the overall premium appearance of the device.
The absence of touchpads is certainly an advantage for the Steam Deck.
When comparing the ROG Ally and the Steam Deck, it's hard not to notice a significant difference: the absence of pressure-sensitive touchpads on the Ally. Although this may not be a major concern for many gamers, it is worth noting that it could potentially limit your options when it comes to choosing games to play on the go. The touchpads on the Steam Deck make controlling mouse-based games much easier, especially when combined with the extensive range of community control profiles available. Therefore, the absence of touchpads on the Ally is definitely a disadvantage for it.
On the Steam Deck, when you're not gaming, the joysticks can function as a mouse cursor, providing additional support for touch controls if you require more accuracy. While it may not provide the optimal experience, it is still acceptable. If you plan to use the device as a regular computer, I would recommend connecting a wireless keyboard and mouse. Additionally, on the Steam Deck, swiping up on the screen grants quick access to the Windows toolbar, which is highly valuable for navigating the device efficiently.
In conclusion, although both devices have their merits, the inclusion of pressure-sensitive touchpads on the Steam Deck gives it an advantage, particularly for mouse-based games. However, it's important to consider your individual needs and preferences before making a decision.
The ROG Ally boasts a sleek and lightweight design, measuring 280 × 113 × 39 mm and weighing only 608g (compared to the Steam Deck's 669g). Its compact form factor makes it highly portable. While the Ally may feel slightly less secure in hand due to its lighter weight, its angled sides and sleek profile contribute to comfortable extended gaming sessions, particularly for users with smaller hands.
In contrast to a competitor like the Ayaneo 2, the ROG Ally features bezels on all sides of its screen. Initially, this may create a sense of a slightly confined playing space. However, any concerns quickly fade away once the screen comes to life, revealing impressive visuals. The 7-inch LCD, 1920x1080p touch screen of the Ally delivers vibrant colors and performs well even in outdoor environments or direct sunlight, thanks to its 500 nits of brightness. While there might be occasional issues with washed-out details, overall, the screen performs admirably, particularly on brighter days.
Managing full HD+ resolution can be demanding for many devices, but the ROG Ally excels in this aspect, thanks to its new AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU. This powerful processor effectively handles both graphics and processing tasks, ensuring smooth performance. Below are the specifications of the unit provided by Asus.
Specs CPU: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Zen 4
- CPU Speed: 2.8GHz
- GPU: AMD RDNA 3
- Display: 7-inch IPS touchscreen
- Resolution: 1920x1080 display at 120Hz
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
- Memory: 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
- Audio: Dual speakers with Dolby Atmos
- Security: Fingerprint Scanner
- I/O: USB Type-C (top), headphone jack, MicroSD expansion, Asus PCIe port
- Battery: 40WHrs
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
The ROG Ally is priced at $599 for the 256GB model, featuring the AMD Ryzen Z1 chipset. There is also a Z1 Extreme model with 512GB of SSD storage available for $699. While the ROG Ally is primarily a handheld gaming device, it functions as a mini Windows PC and offers impressive specifications for its price.
In the realm of handheld PC gaming in 2023, the Ally falls somewhere in the middle in terms of affordability. The cheapest option, the Steam Deck, costs $399 (up to $649 for the highest-tier model), while the Ayaneo 2 ranges from $1099 to $1499. Considering this, the $699 price tag for the ROG Ally seems reasonable given its features and capabilities.
Asus ROG Ally – Windows User Experience
One significant difference between the ROG Ally and the Steam Deck is the operating system. The Steam Deck runs Valve's custom Linux-based SteamOS, while the Ally utilizes Windows 11. This distinction serves as both a strength and a weakness for the Ally. On the positive side, it allows the Ally to run any PC game without limitations, while the Steam Deck is primarily restricted to Steam games unless certain conditions are met. This means that users can access games from various storefronts such as Epic, GOG, Itch.io, and notably, Xbox Game Pass.
Asus includes a 3-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with the Ally, which is a standout feature. Having immediate access to a vast library of games through Game Pass is a remarkable advantage, even if you don't have an extensive collection of games yourself.
After overcoming initial challenges, I thoroughly enjoyed my gaming experience as everything ran smoothly across different launchers like Epic, GOG, Steam, and Xbox. It was a delightful change to avoid relying on online guides and complicated workarounds just to start gaming on the go. When everything functions seamlessly, it's a truly delightful experience that justifies the investment, surpassing the benefits of the Steam Deck.
Asus ROG Ally – Gaming Performance
The ROG Ally is the first handheld gaming PC to use AMD’s new Z1 Extreme mobile processor, which is notably more powerful than the Steam Deck’s custom APU, as well as the thus-far mobile king, the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U. The Z1 Extreme is an 8-core Zen 4 processor with RDNA 3-powered graphics, and can be cranked up to a maximum of 30W when plugged in. This compares to the Steam Deck’s 4-core custom Zen 2 APU, which caps out at 15W plugged in or on battery.
The ROG Ally however also targets a higher resolution than the Steam Deck – 1080p as opposed to 800p – though it can also run at 720p (and there’s a handy toggle that lets you easily switch between the two resolutions). For our benchmark comparisons, we’ll be testing the Ally at its 15W “Performance” setting at 720p against the Steam Deck, and the Ally at 30W “Turbo” setting at 1080p against the Ayaneo 2 at 33W and its maximum of 1200p. While they’re not perfect comparisons, these matchups should give you a good idea of how the ROG Ally and its Z1 Extreme chip stack up against the rest of the current gaming handheld landscape.
It's clear to see that the Z1 Extreme is the more powerful chip.
Starting with our synthetic tests, it’s clear to see that the Z1 Extreme is the more powerful chip. Even at the “even match” of using the 15W setting across the board, the ROG Ally tops both the Steam Deck and Ayaneo 2 in all three 3DMark tests. Moving up to the 30W setting, it again beats the Ayaneo 2’s 33W setting, though it's worth noting that the latter device is running at a slightly more demanding 1200p compared to the Ally’s 1080p
According to the gaming benchmarks, the ROG Ally demonstrated superior performance. Running at 720p on the 15W power setting, it achieved impressive scores in games like Total War: Three Kingdoms (38fps), Borderlands 3 (57fps), and Hitman 3 (64fps). In comparison, the Steam Deck scored 25, 42, and 44 respectively, while the Ayaneo 2 achieved 27, 31, and 51. These tests were conducted with the highest graphics preset available.
When the ROG Ally was set to the higher-power 30W mode, it continued to outperform its competitors. However, the gains were somewhat diminished when running at the more demanding 1080p resolution. Alternatively, if you choose to run games at 30W and 720p, you'll experience an even greater performance boost compared to the Steam Deck. In this case, the comparison is made against the Ayaneo 2 at 1200p.
The ROG Ally maintains a slight advantage over the Ayaneo 2 at higher resolutions, primarily due to its slightly more powerful processor and the demanding nature of 1200p. Notably, in Hitman 3, the ROG Ally achieved a score of 48fps, surpassing both the Ayaneo 2's 33W score of 40 and the Steam Deck's 800p score of 44.
It is important to note that when comparing these devices, all benchmarks were conducted at the highest graphics preset, which can be demanding for handheld chips. However, most users have found that setting graphics to Low or Medium achieves solid framerates on the Steam Deck, and the same principle applies here. The key difference is that with appropriate adjustments, the ROG Ally allows for gameplay at High or even Ultra settings, potentially reaching above 60fps.
Asus ROG Ally – Battery Life
The battery life of the ROG Ally is not exceptional, and it's important to have realistic expectations. Similar to the Steam Deck, Asus claims a maximum battery life of 8 hours, but this is likely achievable only on the lowest graphical settings, at 720p, with quiet mode, minimal brightness indoors, and while playing a retro sidescroller.
If you intend to play graphically intensive games, you can expect a maximum of 1-2 hours of battery life, especially when playing at 1080p. I personally tested this by playing FIFA 22 during a couple of short train rides. In performance mode, at 1080p with low-medium settings, the battery lasted for around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Despite its shortcomings in user experience, battery life, and the absence of Steam Deck-style touchpads, the Asus ROG Ally truly delivers the experience of a portable Xbox Game Pass device that many enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating. Once you get past the frustrations, it becomes evident how enjoyable this handheld gaming device is. It boasts a splendid 1080p screen that is remarkably bright and perfect for gaming on the go under any conditions. With its impressive specifications and competitive price point, the ROG Ally may just be the rival to the Steam Deck that we have been waiting for.