Last week we got to hang out with ASUS and spend a great of time with their upcoming gaming portable called the ROG Ally. I’ll just say right away this device feels light! It weighs in 608g and with all the power its packing you expect a lot more.
Its running a APU which is a AMD Ryzen Z1 Series processor with RDNA graphics which made the various gaming sessions I did it on pretty effortless. Unlike the Steam Deck the ROG Ally does utilize full Windows 11 so you can use it as a full-on PC. When you are tired of gaming you can download the usual windows apps and this also gives you access to a wide array of gaming libraries.
I played a good amount of Forza Horizon 4 / 5 which was fully installed onto the ROG Ally. It looked rather good on the 120Hz Full HD 500nits panel they were using. I think one complaint will have is the bezels on the display but frankly its still a nice screen size to immerse yourself in.
It has plenty of ventilation on the bottom and top so I didn’t feel it get too hot playing for long periods. Button placements felt nice and response and the triggers have a nice grip to them.
One thing that was impressive was using the ROG Ally with ASUS’s ROG XG Mobile External GPU Dock. they had their Xbox controller, PC, and keyboard hooked up to it and I was playing GhostRunner in all its glory running from the ROG Ally. You have no idea it was a portable device if you weren’t told about it.
I did also play some Xbox Gaming Pass games such as Mortal Kombat 11 and they had the ROG Ally hooked up to a TV and was running NBA 2K23 which looked impressive.
For the couple hours I spent with the ROG Ally, I’m rather intrigued and hope to get to play with it some more down the line. I am curious to see what the price will be and I feel if they play around in the ballpark of the Steam Deck(higher tier model) they will have a winner on its hand.
You can also check a quick hands-on video on TikTok / Instagram / YouTube
Fremont, California (April 25, 2023) – Republic of Gamers (ROG) is proud to announce the ROG Ally, an incredibly powerful new Windows gaming handheld. Powered by a cutting-edge AMD Ryzen™ Z1 series processor, the Ally can breeze through AAA games and indie titles with ease. A bright and high refresh rate touchscreen display ensures that gamers see their content clearly even when gaming outdoors. The Ally is easy to carry and handle all day, thanks to its lightweight 608-gram design and ergonomic handholds.
Incredible AMD-powered performance
Featuring an all-new purpose-built APU – AMD RyzenTM Z1 series processor with RDNATM 3 graphics, the ROG Ally is primed to deliver never-before-seen levels of handheld gaming performance. Gamers who enjoy lighter indie titles, or more graphically intensive AAA games, can do it all with the Ally. Making all this possible is also ROG’s Zero Gravity thermal system, which uses a dual-fan system with ultra-thin heatsink fins and high-friction heat pipes to ensure the Ally stays cool in any orientation.
Flagship gaming performance demands a panel to match, and the Ally does not disappoint. Equipped with a 120 Hz full HD (1080p) panel with Adaptive Sync support, gamers will enjoy supreme motion clarity in fast-paced games, with no tearing or stuttering in the event of an FPS drop. The display also has a max brightness of 500 nits, enabling gamers to easily keep track of the action in more challenging environments like the great outdoors. This touchscreen display also acts to seamlessly allow navigation of the Windows desktop when gamers need to change settings or install their next game.
Full-fledged Windows 11 gaming
The ROG Ally runs Windows 11, meaning gamers can access all of their publisher libraries and game streaming services on a single device. No matter where the latest and greatest titles are available, the Ally can power gamers to victory. Navigating the Windows desktop is a seamless experience, either through the Ally’s joysticks and buttons or through Windows’ robust touchscreen support.
Additionally, a Special Edition of Armoury Crate makes its debut with the ROG Ally, customized with quick performance mode toggles, a game launcher, in-game monitoring software, Aura Sync support, and more. ROG is also offering a bundled 90-day trial of Game Pass Ultimate, giving users instant access to hundreds of AAA and indie titles the moment they boot their Ally.
Ergonomic and lightweight design
For a handheld, weight and ergonomics are everything. ROG engineers painstakingly developed and iterated the shape and weight of the ROG Ally until they were satisfied they had created the perfect machine to carry and play all day. Weighing in at just 608 grams, the Ally will never weigh heavily in a gamer’s backpack or hands, allowing for plenty of uninterrupted and comfortable gameplay.
The Ally’s ergonomics continue with its handgrips, with a unique triangle texturing on the rear giving gamers a solid hold on the machine from any angle. ROG styling lines adorn the palm side of the grip while also helping to reduce any accidental slipping.
Learn more at the ROG Ally launch event
The official ROG Ally launch event will be held on May 11th, 2023. Please tune in to learn more about the full specifications and pricing. The keynote will start at 10am Eastern Time, followed by a panel discussion with Shawn Yen, Product Management Director of Gaming Business Unit from ASUS, Roanne Sones, CVP of Microsoft Gaming Devices Ecosystem, and Frank Azor, Chief Architect of Gaming Solutions and Gaming Marketing from AMD to talk about the design story of the ROG Ally and its impact on the gaming landscape.
For pre-order information, please see this page on BestBuy.com for the latest news and updates.To access the ROG Ally event site, please visit: https://rog.gg/ALLY_m
For Best Buy, please use: https://rog.gg/bestbuy
