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In the gaming world, the excitement surrounding handheld gaming consoles is on the rise. Asus, known for its Republic of Gamers (ROG) gaming laptops, has thrown its hat into the ring with the ROG Ally—a handheld gaming device that runs on Windows 11. But is it worth the investment? Let’s explore the ins and outs of the review of the Asus ROG Ally gaming gadget.
Design For True Gamers
The ROG Ally means business, and its design reflects just that. While the white finish may not be everyone’s cup of tea, its functionality takes center stage. The seven-inch screen sits front and center, flanked by joysticks, Xbox-style ABXY buttons, a directional pad, triggers, and bumpers. On the rear, you’ll find quick-access macro buttons. Though a touchpad could have been a nice addition for mouse-based games, the device’s nature as a PC allows you to connect an external keyboard and mouse via Bluetooth.
Design
The device weighs in at 608g and measures 2.12cm in thickness. Its design ensures comfortable use, and its compact size allows for easy portability. While the ROG Ally lacks a built-in kickstand, a makeshift bracket is included in the package for propping it up. The standout feature of the ROG Ally is its IPS LCD panel, offering a 120Hz refresh rate and a crisp 1080p resolution. This display outshines the competition with its 500 nits of brightness, vibrant colors, and deep blacks, even for an LCD panel. Plus, the dual front-firing speakers and AI noise cancellation feature for headsets make for an immersive gaming experience.
Gaming Performance
When it comes to gaming performance, the ROG Ally doesn’t disappoint. It’s equipped with the Ryzen Z1 Extreme, AMD chips tailored for handheld consoles, integrated Radeon RDNA 3 graphics, 16GB of LPDDR5 memory, and 512GB of M.2 storage. Running on Windows 11, the Ally opens the door to an extensive library of games from Steam, Xbox Game Pass, and Epic Games, along with various emulation software for retro gaming.
You can install a variety of games, and while some initial hiccups might arise during large game installations, once you’re in the action, there’s no looking back. The gaming performance is impressive, though you may need to make slight adjustments to settings based on the titles you play. Running AAA titles at 1080p and 120Hz is theoretically possible but may require compromising on frame rates. For example, games like Forza 5 work well at 720p resolution, delivering over 65 frames per second. When pushed to the highest settings, the same game may drop to 30fps, which is less noticeable on the Ally’s smaller display.
Asus ROG Ally Specifications
| Specifications | Details |
| Model Name | ROG Ally |
| Display | 7ms |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz |
| CPU | 8 Core/16-threads, zen 4 architectures |
| GPU | 12 RDNA3 CUs up to 2.7GHz |
| Memory | 16GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 512 GB PCle 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Audio | Dolby Atoms, AI noise cancellation |
| Battery | 40WHrz |
| Battery Capacity | 65W Fast Charging |
| Type C Port | Yes |
| Weight | 608g |
The Battery Life
If there’s one area where the ROG Ally fails, it’s battery life. With Turbo performance mode enabled, expect around an hour of gameplay from the built-in 40Wh battery while playing AAA titles. You can squeeze out approximately four hours of battery life in silent mode, tailored for casual gaming, web browsing, and streaming. Quick charging with the included 65W adapter offers a solution to this limitation, making it possible to play while plugged in or connected to a fast-charging power bank.
In pursuit of portability, Asus had to make a trade-off with battery size, and the power-hungry nature of PC-level gaming impacts the device’s battery life. For those who wish to game on the go, the battery life may be a concern, but quick charging can mitigate this issue.
Final Talk
As a first-generation portable gaming console, the ROG Ally stands out with its impressive gaming performance and a few compromises in the battery life department. It’s a solid product, showcasing Asus’s commitment to delivering PC-level gaming in a compact form. The device is undoubtedly worth considering for gamers who prioritize performance and portability. With this promising start, it will be great to see how this category of gaming devices evolves in the future. The ROG Ally hints at the untethering of PC-level gaming from traditional desktop setups, and it’s an exciting step in the right direction for gaming enthusiasts on the move.
Also Read: Asus Rog GL753VE Laptop: Specs, Best Buy Price & Review
