Save $150 Off the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme, Still One of the Best Windows-Based Handheld Gaming PCs

The Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme is simply a Windows 11 based gaming handheld PC. This is the higher extremity of the 2 Asus ROG Ally models with an AMD Zen 4 based Z1 Extreme CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It boasts a 7" surface size with a crisp 1080p solution and 120Hz refresh rate. Whereas its main competitor, the Steam Deck, runs disconnected a Linux-based Steam OS, the ROG Ally runs disconnected Windows 11. The Steam OS is considered easier to use, but Windows 11 offers you finer control, and it's easier to instal different crippled clients extracurricular of the Steam ecosystem.

In our Asus ROG Ally review, Robert Anderson wrote that "the Asus ROG Ally genuinely feels similar the portable Xbox Game Pass instrumentality that galore fans person been clamoring for. While a frustrating idiosyncratic experience, mediocre artillery life, and a deficiency of Steam Deck-style touchpads bash clasp it backmost a bit, it’s undeniable however overmuch amusive this handheld is to usage erstwhile it truly gets ticking. With a beauteous 1080p surface that’s marvelously agleam and cleanable for playing connected the spell successful immoderate condition, alongside its almighty acceptable of specs and a fierce terms tag, it mightiness really beryllium the Steam Deck rival we’ve been anticipating."

If you privation a amended handheld gaming PC, you'll person to wage more... a batch more

There are a fewer caller gaming handheld PCs that person been released that are superior alternatives to the Asus ROG Ally. One exemplary is Asus' ain ROG Ally X. It runs disconnected the aforesaid Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU, but benefits from a overmuch larger battery, much RAM, much built-in retention capacity, and 2 USB Type-C ports alternatively of one. However, it costs $800 astatine Best Buy, $300 much than the ROG Ally, and astir apt not worthy the terms premium.

Another adjacent newer 2025 merchandise that we highly urge is the Lenovo Legion Go S Steam Edition gaming handheld. Like the ROG Ally X, it's equipped with the aforesaid Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU but benefits from treble the RAM and storage. It besides has a larger 9" show and is the archetypal Steam-based gaming handheld extracurricular of the Steam Deck. Feature-wise it's amended than the aging Steam Deck, astatine slightest until Valve releases a newer, updated model. Unfortunately, it presently costs $830 astatine Best Buy, which means you'll request to walk different $330 choosing this implicit the ROG Ally.

Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager successful complaint of uncovering the champion gaming and tech deals each day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for different radical astatine work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his escaped time.

Originally posted:

Jul 21, 2025 11:45 pm