Affordable competition for the Steam Deck sweeps the spotlight, with the ASUS ROG Ally offering a striking alternative for just under $500 as a formidable rival running Windows 11.
Article Title: ASUS ROG Ally: A Handheld Gaming PC Alternative to the Steam Deck
The ASUS ROG Ally, a new handheld gaming PC, has emerged as a compelling alternative to the Steam Deck, Valve's dominant handheld gaming PC. One of the key advantages of the ASUS ROG Ally is its ability to run multiplayer games with mandatory anti-cheat that don't function on the Steam Deck.
Steam's Big Picture mode is frequently used on the ASUS ROG Ally, providing a familiar and user-friendly interface for gaming. The device can be found at popular retailers such as Walmart.com and Newegg.com for $549.99, and it is also available at Best Buy with a My Best Buy membership.
The ASUS ROG Ally boasts a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz, ensuring smooth and responsive gameplay. It is compatible with SteamOS and can even be replaced with it for an even more optimized gaming experience.
Playing games on the ASUS ROG Ally is just as enjoyable as on the Steam Deck. However, it's important to note that the Steam Deck, despite its popularity, is starting to show its age with three-year-old hardware. The ASUS ROG Ally, on the other hand, offers a more modern gaming experience.
Despite some post-launch issues, such as the overheating card slot problem that hasn't been completely fixed, the ASUS ROG Ally offers a promising handheld gaming PC option. The device's 512GB storage is sufficient, but it can be manually upgraded to a 1TB SSD for added capacity.
One area where the ASUS ROG Ally truly shines is in its operating system. Running SteamOS instead of Windows 11 offers several advantages. The performance advantage means smoother gameplay, improved battery life efficiency, and a more focused, easy-to-use gaming interface.
However, Windows 11 also has its merits, such as broader game compatibility and support for features like anti-cheat. Ultimately, the choice between SteamOS and Windows 11 on the ASUS ROG Ally depends on your gaming needs and preferences.
Community-made Steam Input controller profiles are preferred for older games on the ASUS ROG Ally, and it's not recommended if your games library will mostly exist on a microSD card. The ASUS ROG Ally is a competitor to the Linux-based Steam Deck and is rated as the second-best option behind it by readers.
The ASUS ROG Ally also comes with the ASUS Armoury Crate launcher app, providing easy access to games and system settings. With its impressive performance, user-friendly interface, and competitive pricing, the ASUS ROG Ally is a strong contender in the handheld gaming PC market.
References: [1] [Link to reference 1] [2] [Link to reference 2] [3] [Link to reference 3] [4] [Link to reference 4]
- The ASUS ROG Ally, an alternative to the Steam Deck, runs multiplayer games with mandatory anti-cheat that don't function on the Steam Deck, making it a compelling choice for gamers.
- The device can be upgraded to a 1TB SSD for added capacity, offering storage that is sufficient but can be expanded.
- Running SteamOS instead of Windows 11 on the ASUS ROG Ally provides advantages such as smoother gameplay, improved battery life, and a more focused, easy-to-use gaming interface.
- Despite some post-launch issues like the overheating card slot problem, the ASUS ROG Ally offers a competitive pricing and is a strong contender in the handheld gaming PC market.
- The ASUS ROG Ally is compatible with Windows 11, which offers broader game compatibility and support for features like anti-cheat, providing more options for gamers to choose from.
