This week, Best Buy is slashing $200 off the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme gaming handheld, bringing the price down to just $449.99. This is the best price I've seen for a brand-new unit, even beating Black Friday deals! This incredible offer also includes a free official ROG Ally travel case, a one-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and two months of Crunchyroll Mega Fan access.
The ROG Ally is a top contender in the handheld gaming market, particularly appealing to those who prefer not to be confined to Steam's ecosystem.
Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme Gaming Handheld for $449.99
Asus ROG Ally AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Gaming Handheld
$649.99 $449.99 at Best Buy (Save 31%)
The Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme is a Windows 11 gaming handheld PC. This high-end model boasts an AMD Zen 4 based Z1 Extreme CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Its 7" screen offers a sharp 1080p resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
Unlike its main competitor, the Steam Deck (which runs on Linux-based SteamOS), the ROG Ally utilizes Windows 11. This broad compatibility means you can access games from virtually any Windows-based launcher, including Steam, Battle.net, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store, GOG, Ubisoft Connect, and more. This makes it incredibly attractive to gamers who enjoy a wider variety of titles.
In our Asus ROG Ally review, Robert Anderson noted that "the Asus ROG Ally truly feels like the portable Xbox Game Pass machine many fans have been waiting for. While a frustrating user experience, poor battery life, and a lack of Steam Deck-style touchpads hold it back slightly, the sheer fun factor is undeniable. The bright, beautiful 1080p screen is perfect for on-the-go gaming, and combined with its powerful specs, it might just be the Steam Deck competitor we've been hoping for."
It's worth noting that with CES 2025 behind us, the handheld gaming PC market is heating up. The more compact Lenovo Legion Go S has been announced and is available for pre-order. The Windows 11 version with a Z2 Go chip and 32GB of RAM launches in January 2025 at $729. A more affordable version, launching in May 2025, features the same Z2 Go chip, 16GB of RAM, and a choice of Windows 11 or SteamOS for $599. The Asus ROG Ally X, released in 2024, also offers an improved gaming experience, though at a $300 premium.
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