Overview

The ASUS ROG Ally is a Windows 11 handheld gaming PC that goes head-to-head with the Steam Deck, launching in June 2023 starting at $699 for the Z1 Extreme model. Powered by a custom AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU with eight Zen 4 cores and twelve RDNA 3 compute units, it delivers roughly 8.6 teraflops of GPU performance in its 30W turbo mode. The 7-inch 1080p IPS display runs at 120 Hz with FreeSync Premium, making it one of the smoothest screens on any handheld.

Design and Display

The ROG Ally features a white chassis with RGB-lit thumbstick rings that give it a unmistakable gaming aesthetic. At 608 grams it is lighter than the Steam Deck OLED, and the ergonomics are comfortable for long sessions with well-placed grips and back buttons. The 7-inch 1080p IPS panel hits 500 nits of peak brightness and covers 100 percent of the sRGB gamut, with the 120 Hz refresh rate providing exceptionally smooth motion in compatible titles.

Performance

The Z1 Extreme APU in turbo mode (30W) delivers significantly more raw GPU performance than the Steam Deck, making higher frame rates and higher resolution settings achievable in many titles. At 15W TDP the performance gap narrows considerably, but in plugged-in turbo mode the Ally runs demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur’s Gate 3 at 1080p with medium settings and FSR 2 upscaling at 30-45 fps. The 16 GB of LPDDR5 dual-channel memory shared between CPU and GPU is adequate but can be a bottleneck in some titles.

Windows 11 Advantage and Challenge

Running full Windows 11 gives the Ally compatibility with every PC game store including Game Pass, Epic Games Store, GOG, Battle.net, and Ubisoft Connect without workarounds. However, the Windows desktop experience on a 7-inch touchscreen is clearly not designed for handheld use, with tiny UI elements, awkward keyboard interactions, and background processes that drain battery. ASUS’s Armoury Crate SE overlay helps but does not fully solve the friction of navigating Windows without a mouse and keyboard.

Battery Life

Battery life is the ROG Ally’s biggest weakness, lasting only 45 minutes to 2 hours in turbo mode depending on the game. Even at 15W silent mode, you are looking at 2 to 3 hours in most titles. The 40 Whr battery is simply too small for the Z1 Extreme’s power draw, and ASUS has not offered a battery upgrade path. A power bank is essential for any extended gaming session away from an outlet.

Software and Ecosystem

Armoury Crate SE provides a console-like launcher for accessing games across all installed stores, adjusting performance profiles, and customizing controls. The Command Center overlay gives quick access to resolution, frame rate limiting, and thermal controls. ASUS has been regularly updating the Ally’s firmware and software, improving performance and fixing stability issues since launch.

Pros

• Z1 Extreme APU delivers up to 8.6 teraflops - significantly more than Steam Deck
• Full Windows 11 compatibility with every PC game store (Game Pass, Epic, GOG, Battle.net)
• 7-inch 1080p 120 Hz IPS display with FreeSync Premium is exceptionally smooth
• Lightweight at 608g with comfortable ergonomics and well-placed controls
• Armoury Crate SE provides a console-like launcher for all game stores
• Regular firmware and software updates improving performance and stability

Cons

• Battery life is poor - only 45 minutes to 2 hours in turbo mode
• Windows 11 desktop experience on a 7-inch touchscreen is frustrating with tiny UI elements
• 40 Whr battery is too small for the Z1 Extreme’s power draw
• No OLED display option
• 16 GB shared LPDDR5 memory can bottleneck performance in some titles
• ASUS software overlay doesn’t fully solve Windows usability friction

Verdict

The ASUS ROG Ally earns an 8.5 out of 10 for bringing genuine Windows PC gaming compatibility to a handheld format with impressive raw performance. The 120 Hz display, comfortable ergonomics, and Game Pass integration are genuine strengths. The poor battery life and Windows usability friction hold it back from dethroning the Steam Deck as the handheld champion, but as a Game Pass portable or a device for Game Ready drivers and anti-cheat compatibility, it has a clear niche.

Sources

• ASUS Official - ROG Ally (2023) Product Page
• GSMArena - Asus ROG Ally Detailed Specs and Pricing Confirmed
• TechPowerUp - ASUS Shows ROG Ally Z1 and Z1 Extreme Differences