ASUS - ROG Ally Gaming Handheld Console - Z1 Processor, 512GB, 1080p 120Hz Display,White

The Steam Deck is nice, but it only plays some of my games. This plays them all. Think about it: you are playing games on a windows PC. Think what you want about windows and Microsoft, we are talking about playing games here. The Ally plays windows games. I don't need to worry about if my Steam games are in Linux or not. This is important for playing new and old games. Most older games are not going to be Deck verified. As for function, the Ally is great. I have it because I like to move my PC between rooms and even take it on trips. I do NOT use it for handheld gaming. I have a Nintendo Switch for that. But I do dock it to the living room big screen and enjoy. You can buy a couple of docks and easily move the system from room to room. I used to lug my 30lb tower on a luggage trolly between rooms, no joke. As for performance, this little PC delivers. With in reason. It runs everything I throw at it, it does not run all of those games on ultra or high settings. That was never, I don't think, the point of the product. So don't expect this to rivel a $3000 gaming rig. I knew that coming into it. And I am ok with it, in fact thrilled. This costs so little that I am really impressed. It doesn't overheat, I play it for hours each day. It has a lot of tweakable features for performance and customization. It does look good and play good when in handheld mode, I just like the big screen in my living room. I am really glad that I picked this up. IMO, this type of product is likely the future of gaming. These will just continue to improve and so long as the price remains approachable, I think you will see products like this for years to come.

I have had this for about a year now and it’s a great machine to have if you want to get into pc gaming but don’t want to spend thousands on a gaming pc! My recommendation is to turn on fluid frames for better frame rate in games but it’s surprisingly powerful, it was able to handle games like Elden Ring with ease.

The ASUS ROG Ally Gaming Handheld Console, featuring the Z1 Processor, 512GB storage, and a 1080p 120Hz display, positions itself as a strong contender in the handheld gaming market. Here’s an in-depth review of this impressive device: ### Design and Build The ASUS ROG Ally boasts a sleek and modern design with a robust build quality that feels premium in hand. The ergonomics are well thought out, ensuring comfort during extended gaming sessions. The device is relatively lightweight and portable, making it ideal for gaming on the go. ### Display One of the standout features of the ROG Ally is its 7-inch 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The high resolution and refresh rate deliver stunning visuals with smooth, fluid motion, which is especially beneficial for fast-paced games. The screen offers vibrant colors and good brightness levels, enhancing the overall gaming experience. ### Performance Powered by the Z1 Processor, the ROG Ally provides solid performance for a handheld console. It handles most modern games with ease, delivering smooth gameplay and fast load times. The 512GB of internal storage ensures ample space for a substantial library of games, though the ability to expand storage via microSD is a welcome feature for those with extensive game collections. ### Controls The control layout is intuitive, featuring responsive buttons, analog sticks, and a comfortable D-pad. The triggers and bumpers are well-placed, making them easy to use during intense gaming sessions. The haptic feedback adds an extra layer of immersion, though it’s not as advanced as what you might find on higher-end controllers like the DualSense. ### Battery Life Battery life is one area where the ROG Ally has room for improvement. Depending on the game and settings, you can expect around 3-4 hours of continuous play, which might not be sufficient for long gaming sessions without access to a charger. However, the device supports fast charging via USB-C, which helps mitigate this issue somewhat. ### Software and Features The ROG Ally runs on a customized version of Windows, allowing for a versatile gaming experience that includes access to a wide range of PC games and applications. The user interface is designed to be gamer-friendly, providing easy access to settings and customization options. The inclusion of ASUS's Armoury Crate software is a nice touch, offering additional controls and performance tweaking options. ### Connectivity Connectivity options are robust, with Wi-Fi 6 ensuring fast and stable internet connections, and Bluetooth support for wireless peripherals. The device also features a USB-C port and a headphone jack, catering to various user preferences. ### Price and Value Priced competitively for its feature set, the ASUS ROG Ally offers good value for gamers looking for a high-performance handheld console. While it’s more expensive than some other handheld devices, the premium features, performance, and build quality justify the cost for serious gamers. ### Conclusion The ASUS ROG Ally Gaming Handheld Console with the Z1 Processor, 512GB storage, and a 1080p 120Hz display is an impressive device that excels in delivering a high-quality portable gaming experience. Its stunning display, solid performance, and intuitive controls make it a standout choice in the handheld gaming market. However, potential buyers should be aware of its relatively short battery life. Overall, the ROG Ally is a compelling option for gamers seeking a powerful and versatile handheld console.

A lot of people have been trashing the Rog Ally non Z1 Extreme saying there is no reason to get the "worse" Rog ally. When the price is $250 to $150 cheaper it is so worth it. I bought it when it was on sale for $399 and it has been so awesome to be able to play my games handheld while I travel or lay in bed and have it not be cloud gaming. This system works with any game but you will have to watch some videos on how to best go through the settings and make sure it can run the right way for each game! it is a handheld PC so there are a lot of settings you have to figure out for yourself, (I am someone who never played on PC before and I could figure it out) This system lets me play steam games or Xbox gamepass anywhere I go, playing hitman world of assassination, or Spiderman on a plane is a awesome experience. I always play on my ROG ally when I want to play against my friends in Halo and it looks and feels great to have a place to be able to still connect with friends while being in an airport or across the country. I recommend the Rog Ally to anyone. If you have extra money to spare you can get the Z1 Extreme or the X but if you don't this is an awesome option just make sure to look up the best way for your handheld to run games. If you are debating this or a steam deck don't bother this can run everything as good as the steam deck Lcd and it does not have anti cheat settings so you CAN play call of duty on this handheld. Black ops 6 works great on this system. this system is also a lot smaller better fit for your hands and can run a better variety of games. It is a PC but if you can learn how to operate that it is perfect for anyone looking to have a fun gaming experience.

As others have mentioned the Ally doesn't have a long battery life when not plugged into an outlet (in my experience about 2 hours at 15W output). However, for me I don't ever really play games where an outlet wouldn't be readily available. If you're looking into getting a handheld so you don't have to sit at your desk all night or want to play on an airplane this is a great option. At 30W output (plugged in) it handles more demanding games, but I would save that for either a PC or console. I personally choose this over the steam deck because it supports publishers other than steam and is less inhibited in what I can play on it. If you find this on sale around 400$ it's 100% worth it, otherwise I would save a little more and go for the Z1 or Legion go. My ally has a dbrand case and skin. The biggest downfall is the set up and updates take forever, so set aside an hour or two and watch a youtube guide.

As an elder millennial experienced in computer assembly and software management, I consider the Asus ROG Ally the most problematic electronic device I've ever encountered. My investments have included HD DVDs and a Windows phone, yet this device stands out as the most exasperating of all. The downsides: It requires incessant maintenance to operate correctly. Despite numerous updates, it continues to devise new and infuriating challenges to my patience. Initially, the built-in controller was incompatible with any games, necessitating extensive troubleshooting. Subsequently, it would unpredictably alternate between the built-in controller and mouse and keyboard inputs, demanding additional time to correct. It also has a tendency to freeze randomly, prompting a reboot, and following the resolution of a BSOD loop due to a Bitlocker issue, it now fails to load games from my Microsoft account. My intention in purchasing this device was to enjoy gaming at night in bed without causing disturbance and to prevent hogging the Xbox and family TV. Nonetheless, even after days of setup and updates, I am still plagued by troubleshooting issues with nearly every startup. The upside: On the infrequent occasions (one in ten) when it operates flawlessly, it proves to be enjoyable. In retrospect, the Steam Deck might have been a more dependable option, but hindsight is always perfect, depending on whose hind you are sighting. Even with a "Good One," you are perpetually one ASUS firmware update away from relentless aggravation (I strongly advise researching ASUS ROG ALLY ISSUES prior to purchase). So, do you feel lucky, punk?

The ROG Ally has been a best friend and companion through good times and some tough times. I was able to easily install a larger m.2 drive, played games with friends, was able to install FF14 and play with no issues, and I was even able to bring it to the hospital with me after my mom had a stroke for when I just needed a break from the hospital room. Being able to play any game from any online retailer has been great, and I'm able to easily dock it with a 3rd party dock and play on my TV when I want. I have a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse that I use with it and will use it as a computer sometimes, connected to my TV, and it functions perfectly there. There are some cons, of course. Sometimes there are things that need the keyboard or touch screen, and it's not automatic for the keyboard to come up when I think it should be, and scrolling can be really hard with the touchscreen depending on the game or app. However, wifi and bluetooth keep a every good connection, and you can set it up to take screenshots easily using a combination of the back buttons and the front buttons. Or you can just set it to a back button, which I don't always recommend. (That was a bit of a failed experiment.) Highly recommend, and I look forward to more time with my Ally.

Awesome machine. I've been wanting one for a long time . It's totally worth it if you don't plan on going berserk with AAA games Runs RDR 2, Apex legends, the witcher in 720 and 1080. Works great for casual gaming.