With the Steam Deck, Valve has unveiled a brand new format: the portable console/computer format that can run all major PC games in a chassis reminiscent of the Nintendo Switch. With ROG Ally, Asus comes to bring the stone to the building.
announced in 1thing Last April, ROG Ally had something to dream about, as it made a lot of promise but still hides a lot of mysteries. In this folder we will compile Everything you need to know about. Of course, we will update when new information comes in.
What is ROG Ally?
After the release of Steam Deck, many manufacturers took bets on a portable format without compromise, with varying degrees of success. Now it’s Asus’ turn to take risks with ROG Ally.
There’s something intriguing about ROG Ally. Asus’ suggestion is simple: I love the Steam Deck, but it has upgraded specs. As such, Ally can offer everything Valve’s console lacks, both in terms of display, power and compatible games.
The ROG Ally announcement was a little special. Asus made a prank with a very interesting promotional video it released… 1thing April 2023. Although no one really believed it at first, many Internet users said to themselves, “Actually, this machine is reliable.” Rightly, since Monday, April 3, announced that the brand console is real and he said it will be on the market. A real April Fool’s joke.
What are the technical specifications of ROG Ally?
Asus did not go into details about the technical specifications of its console. The brand wants to hold off the mystery until the next presentation. However, it did provide some information. Moreover, two famous American tech Youtubers – Linus Tech Tips and Dave2D- were able to address them and provide additional details.
What we know is that ROG Ally has a 7-inch 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This panel has a maximum brightness of 600 nits, meaning theoretically enough for outdoor play. The big question is whether this is an IPS LCD or OLED panel, but the manufacturer has yet to specify that.
we find in a custom AMD Ryzen processorspecially designed for the machine (engraved at 5 nm?).
Initial feedback says it’s twice as powerful as the Steam Deck and handles heat and noise very well. emits only 20 decibels in game, not much.
Here’s a rundown of everything confirmed for the Asus ROG Ally:
- 7-inch (16:9), 1920 x 1080 pixel display, 120Hz refresh rate and 5ms response rate
- Dedicated AMD Ryzen processor
- Up to 1TB M2-format SSD
- microSD slot
- USB Type-C port
- fingerprint sensor
- Asus proprietary port to connect Ally to an external GPU
- Windows 11 with Armory Crate launcher
- Compatible with all launchers (Steam, Epic, BattleNet, GOG…)
As we have seen, there are still many gray areas, such as the exact specifications of the processor, the panel technology and also the capacity of the battery. Asus promises we’ll learn more very soon.
What is ROG Ally’s design?
ROG Ally embraces an unsurprising design for a portable console, it has a screen in the middle and buttons on both sides. A format that has been around for decades (Game Gear, Game Boy Advance, PSP…) and has been taken over by Switch and Steam Deck. However, there are a few interesting things to note.
The first is about buttons. ROG Ally features asymmetrical (backlit) bars that should attract the attention of many gamers. He actually takes Xbox button layout. We obviously find the triggers at the top, but we also find two additional keys at the back, as on the Steam Deck.
As noted by Linus Tech Tips, the console is not comfortable in the hand when carried at arm’s length. Truly designed for gamer’s fun while leaning on a table. Clever.
Another interesting detail: the ventilation system. Asus has taken over what is used in its PCs with two heatpipes that expel hot air. Via the vents located at the top of the product. Thus, the air does not disturb the user. Fresh air is sucked in from the two vents at the back.
What does ROG Ally want to bring compared to its competitors?
ROG Ally wants to bet on certain points to entice the buyer. Frankly we can talk about the technical chart, but there are other interesting things too. Unlike the Steam Deck, ROG Ally will be compatible with all launchers, so you will be able to play all the games released on the PC. It can also give pride to emulation. A real plus.
Built-in Armory Crate software also a nice dose of customization, with the ability to remap keys, manage noise, heating and even RGB lights available in the terminal.
Finally, Asus’ last big argument in compatibility with external ROG XG Mobile GPUs. It is possible to enjoy 4K on an external display by connecting ROG Ally. What to seduce more than one.
When will ROG Ally be released?
ROG Ally currently does not have a release date. Asus promises it will be introduced soon, but we can bet on marketing in 2023.
What price will the ROG Ally sell for?
There is no price announced by Asus at the moment. When we look at the features of the product, we can expect something more expensive from the Steam Deck. (Sold from 419 euros to 679 euros). For comparison, the Aya Neo 2 retails for just over 1000 Euros.
Who knows ? Maybe we’ll have a nice surprise?
Support our work ❤️
If you enjoyed this article, consider leaving a tip to help us keep publishing great content.
