PGC NEWS

The handheld PC gaming market has seen a surge in popularity recently, and ASUS has entered the fray with a compelling contender: the ROG Ally. Initially teased on April Fool’s Day, the device quickly proved to be no joke. Developed over five years, even before the emergence of early Chinese handheld PCs like Aya Neo and OneXPlayer, the ROG Ally represents ASUS’s commitment to innovation in this rapidly evolving space. With official global availability, including Vietnam, the ROG Ally promises a premium handheld gaming experience. This review delves into the device’s design, performance, and overall value proposition.

Ergonomic Design and Display Excellence

ASUS prioritized ergonomics in the ROG Ally’s design, addressing shortcomings seen in some first-generation handheld PCs. Instead of mimicking the Nintendo Switch’s smaller, detachable controllers, the ROG Ally features a more ergonomic, sculpted design. The 14-degree angled hand grips and contoured design ensure comfortable extended play sessions, while the device’s 608g weight, 10% lighter than the Steam Deck, further enhances portability.

ASUS ROG Ally – Hands-On Review

The textured plastic casing, reminiscent of the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller, provides a secure grip. Dominating the front is a vibrant 7-inch IPS display, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus and featuring an anti-glare coating. Boasting a 120Hz refresh rate, 7ms response time, and 500nits brightness, this display surpasses many competitors. Real-world testing reveals impressive color saturation, wide viewing angles, and smooth visuals thanks to AMD FreeSync technology, a significant upgrade from the Steam Deck’s locked 60Hz refresh rate.

ASUS ROG Ally – Hands-On Review

Performance and Cooling: A Powerful Combination

The ROG Ally is powered by the AMD Z1 Extreme APU, developed in collaboration with AMD. This powerhouse features 8 Zen 4 cores, integrated RDNA 3 graphics with 12 Compute Units, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD. Essentially a customized version of the Ryzen 7 7840U, the Z1 Extreme promises superior performance and power efficiency compared to Apple’s M2 chip.

ASUS ROG Ally – Hands-On Review

Even at a 15W TDP in standard battery mode, initial testing showcases impressive performance. Horizon Zero Dawn runs smoothly at 1080p with low settings, with only minor frame drops during intense combat sequences. God of War performs admirably at 1080p low settings with FSR Quality enabled. Even demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 are playable at 800p or with FSR Performance enabled.

ASUS ROG Ally – Hands-On Review

Engaging Turbo mode and connecting to a power source unlocks the Z1 Extreme’s full 30W TDP, boosting overall system power consumption to 55W. This allows for medium to high settings in most games, delivering console-quality visuals comparable to the PlayStation 5. ASUS implemented ROG Intelligent Cooling technology with dual custom-designed fans featuring 0.1mm thin fins for optimal heat dissipation. Liquid bearings reduce friction, noise, and wear, further enhancing the cooling system’s efficiency.

ASUS ROG Ally – Hands-On Review

Battery Life, Software, and External GPU Support

The ROG Ally houses a 40Wh battery, similar to the Steam Deck, providing up to two hours of playtime with AAA titles. Lowering the TDP to 7W for less demanding games extends battery life significantly. While running Windows 11, ASUS developed a customized Armoury Crate SE interface for streamlined game management and real-time performance monitoring.

ASUS ROG Ally – Hands-On Review

For enhanced graphical fidelity, the ROG Ally supports external GPUs via the XG Station, compatible with the AMD RX 6850M XT and NVIDIA RTX 4090. This allows for high-end gaming experiences with ray tracing and 4K resolution.

Conclusion: A True Handheld Gaming Beast

The ASUS ROG Ally stands out as a formidable competitor in the handheld PC gaming market. Its ergonomic design, powerful hardware, and innovative cooling solution make it a compelling choice for gamers on the go. The expected price point under 20 million VND (approximately $850 USD) and a two-year warranty further solidify its value. With its impressive features and performance, the ROG Ally is poised to redefine handheld PC gaming.

ASUS ROG Ally – Hands-On Review

ASUS ROG Ally – Hands-On Review