Photo by By Kazuki Watanabe
Unveiling the ASUS ROG Ally
The ASUS ROG Ally made a grand entrance into the gaming handheld market, positioning itself as a formidable competitor to Valve’s Steam Deck. With a design that screams gamer aesthetic, featuring sharp edges, RGB lighting, and holographic stickers, the ROG Ally stands out in the crowd. While initial reviews were mixed, the handheld has undeniably made a significant impact since its 2023 debut.
The ASUS ROG Ally
Design and Display
Diverging from the bulky build of the Steam Deck, the ASUS ROG Ally opts for a sleek and lightweight design that is more ergonomic for extended gaming sessions. Boasting a 7-inch full-HD display powered by the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, the ROG Ally offers a visually immersive experience. However, the 512GB NVMe SSD storage may fill up quickly with modern games and applications, necessitating user upgrades for additional storage.
Gaming Experience and Performance
Equipped with intuitive controls and customizable features, the ROG Ally offers a tailored gaming experience. While the face buttons receive high praise for their responsiveness and durability, the sticks lack tactile feedback, a minor drawback considering the device’s premium price point. Gaming performance shines through in titles like Helldivers 2, delivering smooth gameplay with decent frame rates.
Operating System Woes
The Achilles’ heel of the ASUS ROG Ally lies in its operating system - Windows 11. In contrast to Valve’s Linux-based SteamOS, Windows 11 presents challenges in usability on a handheld device. Driver issues and compatibility concerns plague the user experience, requiring frequent adjustments and troubleshooting. The lack of a trackpad further complicates navigation, hindering the seamless operation of Windows applications.
Battery Life and Verdict
While the ROG Ally impresses with its performance and design, the battery life falls short, offering around 2.5 hours of gameplay before requiring a recharge. The device’s potential is marred by the limitations of Windows 11, making it a less appealing choice for users seeking a console-like experience. Despite its strengths, the ASUS ROG Ally may not be the ideal handheld PC for all gamers, especially those accustomed to a more streamlined gaming environment.
In conclusion, the ASUS ROG Ally presents a compelling option for handheld gaming enthusiasts, blending style and performance in a portable package. However, the challenges posed by Windows 11 and battery limitations underscore the need for improvements in future iterations. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, the ASUS ROG Ally stands as a testament to innovation in the realm of handheld gaming devices.
