ASUS ROG Ally Gaming Console Review

The ASUS ROG Ally is a handheld gaming PC that's trying to do a lot. It packs an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 7-inch 120Hz screen into a portable form factor. On paper, it's a powerful little device.

But the numbers tell a more nuanced story. Its GPU and CPU performance land in the 65th and 56th percentiles, respectively. That's decent, but not class-leading. It scores best for gaming and entertainment, but its 36.2/100 developer score and 7th percentile port ranking hint at its limitations as a general-purpose machine.

Performance is a mixed bag. The Z1 Extreme chip can boost up to 5.1GHz, and with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, it handles modern games at 1080p. That 65th percentile GPU score means it's noticeably faster than many integrated graphics solutions, but you're not getting desktop-level power. The 120Hz IPS screen is smooth, but its 46th percentile ranking suggests color accuracy or brightness might be just okay. The real bottleneck might be the 512GB storage, which sits at the 27th percentile. You'll be managing your game library carefully.

At around $530, the value proposition is interesting. You're getting a capable Windows gaming handheld for significantly less than many premium laptops. However, you're trading a lot for that portability. The limited storage, fixed RAM, and lack of ports mean it can't replace a proper laptop. It's a good value if you want a dedicated handheld PC, but a questionable one if you need any versatility.

Compared to a gaming laptop like the MSI Vector 16 HX, the Ally gets crushed in raw performance and upgradeability, but wins on portability and price. Against the ASUS Zenbook Duo, the Ally has a better GPU for gaming but loses dramatically in screen real estate and multitasking capability. The most direct competitor is the Steam Deck, which often trades blows on performance but might offer a better-optimized software experience. The Ally's main draw is running full Windows 11, but that comes with the overhead of a desktop OS on a small screen.

The ROG Ally is a competent handheld for PC gamers who must have their Windows library on the go. Its 65th percentile GPU performance is good, not great, and the portability comes with major compromises in storage and connectivity. If your primary use is gaming on the couch or during travel, and you're okay with tinkering in Windows on a 7-inch screen, it's a fun device. If you need a portable computer for anything else, even a budget gaming laptop is a more flexible choice.