Starting this week, Best Buy is slashing $200 off the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme gaming handheld, bringing the price down to just $449.99. This is the lowest price I've seen for a brand new unit, even beating Black Friday deals. Plus, with your purchase, you'll receive a free official ROG Ally travel case, one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and two months of Crunchyroll Mega Fan subscription. The ROG Ally stands out as one of the top gaming handhelds on the market, particularly if you're looking to explore beyond Steam's ecosystem.
Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme Gaming Handheld for $449.99
Asus ROG Ally AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Gaming Handheld
$649.99 save 31% $449.99 at Best Buy
The Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme is a Windows 11 based gaming handheld PC. As the higher-end model among the two Asus ROG Ally variants, it features an AMD Zen 4 based Z1 Extreme CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It boasts a 7-inch screen with a crisp 1080p resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
Unlike its main competitor, the Steam Deck, which operates on a Linux-based Steam OS, the ROG Ally runs on the widely used Windows 11. This compatibility extends to virtually any Windows-based game launcher, including Steam, Battle.net, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store, GOG, Ubisoft Connect, and more. This makes it a versatile choice for gamers who enjoy titles not readily available or more challenging to install on the Steam Deck.
In our Asus ROG Ally review, Robert Anderson highlighted that "the Asus ROG Ally truly feels like the portable Xbox Game Pass machine many fans have been eagerly awaiting. Despite some drawbacks like a frustrating user interface, poor battery life, and the absence of Steam Deck-style touchpads, the handheld is undeniably enjoyable to use when it's running smoothly. The stunning 1080p screen is bright enough for gaming on the go under any lighting conditions. Coupled with its powerful specifications and competitive price, it might just be the Steam Deck rival we've been looking for."
It's worth noting that with CES 2025 behind us, the handheld gaming PC market is set to see more competition. The more compact and updated Lenovo Legion Go S has been announced and is now available for preorder. The Windows 11 version with a Z2 Go chip and 32GB of RAM will be released in January 2025, starting at $729. A more budget-friendly option will launch in May 2025, featuring the same Z2 Go chip but with 16GB of RAM and your choice of Windows 11 or SteamOS for $599. Additionally, the Asus ROG Ally X, released in 2024, offers an enhanced gaming experience, albeit at a $300 higher price point.
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