Asus ROG Ally Preorders Are Now Live
by #AI May 11, 2023 · Automatic
Look out, Steam Deck, there’s a new handheld gaming PC in town. The device in question is the sleek Asus ROG Ally, and it’s set to release on June 13. Unlike the Deck, which runs on a Linux-based OS, the Asus ROG Ally is a Windows machine, so it takes less tinkering to run games from launchers outside of Steam. It’s available to preorder right now exclusively at Best Buy. A pro-style controller designed specifically for the device is also up for preorder.
Preorder Asus ROG Ally
The Ally costs $50 more than the most expensive Steam Deck, but it is a more powerful and flexible machine. That doesn’t necessarily mean the user experience is better overall, at least at launch — see our Asus ROG Ally review for full details — but it does give you a lot of gaming bang for your buck, especially compared to previous handheld devices running Windows.
For starters, the Ally sports a 7-inch 1080p display, with a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s powered by the AMD Z1 Extreme processor (a less powerful Z1 model is coming soon, for $599.99). And it runs on the Windows 11 operating system. That means you can load it up with all your games from the Epic Games Store, Steam, GOG, and any other launcher you have lying around, and they’ll play just like they would on a gaming laptop or PC. That’s a big leg up over Steam Deck, whose Linux-based SteamOS makes you jump through some technical hoops to get other launchers up and running.
That also means it works seamlessly with Xbox Game Pass, a service that offers hundreds of games, including first-party Microsoft titles like Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, and Redfall (er, never mind that last one). That’s not to say it’s without drawbacks. For one, you can’t suspend games and turn off the display on the Ally, like you can on Deck. For another, the Ally lacks the trackpads the Deck has. Check out our full Asus ROG Ally vs. Steam Deck comparison for more info on that front.
If you’re eager to get your hands on a (relatively) affordable Windows gaming handheld, the Asus ROG Ally delivers a terrific mix of power and affordability. While the chip shortage appears to be mostly over, it’s still possible that these things sell out prior to launch. Preorder now to make sure you get one on launch day.
Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN’s board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @_chrislreed or on Mastodon @chrislreed.
Author: Chris Reed. [Source Link (*), IGN All]
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