Asus ROG Ally Z1: Handheld Gaming PC at Record Low

This week, Best Buy slashes $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, beating even Black Friday deals. The offer also includes a free ROG Ally travel case, a one-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, and two months of Crunchyroll Mega Fan.

The ROG Ally is a top contender in the handheld gaming market, particularly appealing to gamers who prefer a wider range of game launchers beyond Steam.

Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme Gaming Handheld: $449.99

Asus ROG Ally AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Gaming Handheld

$649.99 (Save 31%) $449.99 at Best Buy

This high-end Asus ROG Ally model boasts an AMD Zen 4 based Z1 Extreme CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Its 7" screen features a sharp 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Unlike the Steam Deck's Linux-based OS, the ROG Ally runs on Windows 11, offering compatibility with numerous game launchers including Steam, Battle.net, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store, GOG, Ubisoft Connect, and more. This broad compatibility makes it a strong choice for gamers who enjoy titles not readily available or easily installed on the Steam Deck.

In our review, the ROG Ally was praised as a portable Xbox Game Pass powerhouse. While some drawbacks exist (user experience, battery life, lack of Steam Deck-style touchpads), its enjoyable gameplay, bright 1080p screen, powerful specs, and competitive price make it a compelling Steam Deck alternative.

The handheld gaming PC market is heating up, with new competitors like the Lenovo Legion Go S emerging. However, the ROG Ally remains a strong contender, especially considering the higher price and later release of the Lenovo offering (a more affordable version launches May 2025 at $599). The Asus ROG Ally X, released late 2024, offers superior performance but at a significantly higher price.

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