Asus has announced pre-orders for the brand-new PC gaming handheld – the Asus ROG Ally, for $700. It will launch on June 13. The speculations about the ROG Ally indicate this device is a fierce rival to the Steam Deck, the device has already received a lot of attention thanks to its promising specification, which is more impressive than Valve’s handhelds.
ROG Ally Specifications
Operating System
- Windows 11 Home
CPU
- AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Processor: Zen 4 architecture, 8-core/16-thread (up to 5.1 GHz boost)
GPU
- RDNA 3: 12 CUs up to 2.7 GHz (8.6 TFlops, 4GB VRAM)
APU Power Draw
- 9 to 30 Watts
Display
- 7-inch IPS panel (Glossy finish, 500 nits peak brightness, 7ms response time, touch screen)
- Resolution 1920×1080 @ 120 Hz refresh rate (AMD FreeSync Premium)
Memory
- 16 GB dual-channel LPDDR5 RAM (6400 MT/s)
Storage
- 512 GB NVMe m.2 SSD
Ports
- 3.5mm audio jack, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 combo port with DisplayPort 1.4 support, UHS-II microSD card reader.
Battery and Weight
- 40 WHrs Battery
- 65W USB-C PD 3.0 power supply
- Weight- 608 grams/1.34 lbs
If you are interested in the ASUS ROG Ally, we recommend that you place your order as soon as possible, given that pre-orders could sell out quickly, especially since Best Buy has exclusivity over the device. The ROG Ally is the manufacturer’s answer to the Steam Deck, though the Windows handheld is slightly more pricier than the most expensive Steam Deck ($649), its specifications are more impressive than Valve’s handhelds. It remains to be seen how the two handhelds will compare from a direct performance perspective. If you cannot wait for the release date, you can opt to pick up the Steam Deck device, which you can purchase directly from Valve.
The ASUS ROG Ally’s GPU features RDNA 3 with 12CUs up to 2.7 GHZ, which produces 8.6 TFlops, ensuring that the device can deliver when it comes to graphics capabilities. With a 7-inch IPS panel display, the device provides an incredible viewing experience; it boasts a 1920*1080 resolution, and its display has a 120 Hz refresh rate, among other things, using AMD FreeSync Premium. The device also comes with 16 GB dual-channel LPDDR5 RAM, which runs at 6400 MT/s and 512 GB NVMe m.2 SSD.”
Asus has announced that a second less powerful model would release later this year for $600, but preorders for that specific SKU are not yet available. The question is; will a lower price point be enough to snatch buyers from the more capable ROG Ally device, or will they opt for a more robust device by spending the extra $100.
As far as the competition is concerned, the Ally is joining a constantly growing market, including the very impressive and high-performing Ayaneo series of portable gaming PCs. Asus’s handheld gaming console has the potential to be a strong contender in the market given its performance and battery life comparisons with other devices.
Time will tell if the Asus ROG Ally device can compete with the Steam Deck from Valve, but it appears the device has the requisite power to put up a strong fight.
