Alright, let’s dive straight into this whole handheld gaming showdown thing. So, you’re out here, looking at the Steam Deck and thinking, “Meh, kinda limited with those game launchers.” Enter the Asus ROG Ally. It’s like, “Hey, I’m a full-blown PC in your pocket—no Linux wizardry required.” Seriously, you can just chuck your favorite apps on it. Magic, right? Or maybe not—depends if you like tinkering.
Now, like, here’s the deal. The Steam Deck isn’t flying solo in this game anymore. Yup, the ROG Ally crashes the party. It’s like Windows 11 on the go! Boom. That’s a biggie ’cause, you know, it’s a bit more open to all the gaming hocus-pocus. No Steam-only vibes here; you can jump into Epic, Xbox Game Pass, EA Origin, and all that jazz. Just pure gaming freedom, no funky Linux tricks needed. Kind of makes you wonder what Valve was thinking, right?
And man, talk about muscle. The Ally’s got this beastly AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and Radeon graphics. It’s like a pint-sized powerhouse. Games ran smooth, no overheating shenanigans. (Though, sometimes it did a little hiccup, which was weirdly charming.) Anyway — but, yeah, adjust some settings and you’re golden. And oh, that screen is a treat—full HD glory, baby! Plus, it’s light. Like, your hands don’t feel like they’re carrying bricks after a long session. But then, who decided on that flimsy stand? Like, come on! It’s barely doing its job.
But wait, more quirks incoming. It’s not all unicorns and rainbows with the Ally. It’s light, sure, but kinda plasticky. Like, compared to the Steam Deck’s “I’m premium, look at me” vibe. And let’s not even mention the battery. It’s… meh. Lasts two-ish hours gaming, three as a desktop. The Deck beats it there, easy. Still, super fast charging helps a bit. And tip: keep it plugged in if possible. Just saying.
Oh, and seriously, no carry case included at $699.99? Really? Steam Deck gives you one even if you’re on a budget. And those back buttons? A bit too low for my taste, but, hey, you might think it’s perfect. Who knows?
So, what’s the verdict? Depends on what floats your boat. Want that open, varied library and beastly performance? Grab the Ally. Prefer premium feel and longer battery? Steam Deck’s your buddy. Both are kinda cool in their own quirky ways. Pick what suits you and game on!
