ROG is among the most recognisable gaming manufacturers on the earth, however Asus has by no means made a handheld console… till now.
The ROG Ally was initially considered a joke when teased on April Idiot’s Day, though it’s since been confirmed as an actual product. As a Home windows 11 handheld powered by AMD, comparisons to the $399/£349 Steam Deck are inevitable.
However might the Ally be considerably costlier? Asus has solely confirmed it’ll be underneath $1,000 up to now, with particular pricing not revealed till a separate launch occasion on 11 Might.
Efficiency is clearly a prime precedence, although, with the brand new Ryzen Z1 and Z1 Excessive processors supposedly the quickest we’ve ever seen in a handheld console. AMD is
Alongside RDNA 3 graphics and as much as 16GB of DDR5 RAM, AAA gaming is predicted to be a key power of the Ally.
Like Valve’s Steam Deck, it has a 7in show. However the Full HD (1920×1080) decision is increased, whereas the system has a 120Hz refresh fee quite than the usual 60Hz. A most brightness of 500 nits, versus 400 on the Steam Deck, must also enhance visibility in robust mild.
It’s additionally a touchscreen with 7ms response time, however the Ally is designed to predominantly be used with the controls on both aspect. These are arrange within the acquainted Xbox-style structure, however not like the Nintendo Swap, can’t be indifferent for modular gaming.
Asus (edited)
As a substitute, you need to use the ROG XG Cell eGPU to stream video games to your TV, utilizing the Ally as a wi-fi controller. It’s the identical accent that’s accessible for the ROG Circulate Z13 gaming pill however stays an non-obligatory additional.
Operating Home windows 11 means the ROG Ally has entry to all the identical video games as any PC or laptop computer, whether or not it’s by way of the Steam Retailer, Epic Video games Retailer or elsewhere. However all purchases embrace a 90-day free trial of Xbox Sport Move Final, after which it prices $14.99/£10.99 per thirty days.
Different options of be aware embrace twin, front-facing audio system, a sophisticated dual-fan cooling system and a fingerprint sensor constructed into the facility button. You additionally stand up to 512GB of inside storage, which could be expanded additional by way of a microSD card. It weighs simply 608g, however the white end you see right here is the one color choice.
Battery capability is one thing we nonetheless don’t know, and it might make or break the ROG Ally. That is anticipated to be revealed on the launch occasion on 11 Might, alongside full pricing and availability. However Currys is already confirmed to be the unique retailer for the ROG Ally within the UK.