Overview
A look into Asus's hardware
Introduction
The Asus ROG Ally represents a significant leap in the realm of handheld gaming devices. As part of Asus's Republic of Gamers (ROG) lineup, known for high-performance gaming hardware, the ROG Ally aims to deliver a premium gaming experience on the go. This review will cover various aspects of the device, including design, hardware, software, performance, battery life, and overall user experience.
Design and Build Quality
The ROG Ally features a sleek and ergonomic design, tailored for comfort during extended gaming sessions. The device is built with high-quality materials, ensuring durability without compromising on weight. It has curved edges and strategically placed buttons. The bottom grip corners are quite pronounced and there arent any real raised grips on the back which has been known to cause discomfort to many people.
The 7-inch full HD display is framed by bezels. The screen itself boasts vibrant colors and sharp details, thanks to its IPS panel with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. The inclusion of Gorilla Glass provides additional protection against scratches and accidental drops.
Hardware and Specifications
At the heart of the ROG Ally is the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, a custom chip designed to balance power and efficiency for handheld gaming. Paired with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, the device ensures smooth multitasking and responsive gameplay. The storage is 512GB, which isnt enough space for those a sizeable game library.
The ROG Ally's GPU, the Radeon RDNA 3, offers excellent graphics performance, allowing it to handle AAA titles with ease. The device supports ray tracing, adding a layer of realism to in-game lighting and reflections. The cooling system, featuring dual fans and liquid metal thermal compound, ensures the device remains cool even during intense gaming sessions.
Software and Interface The handheld runs on a customized version of Windows 11, optimized for a touch interface and gaming. This OS choice allows users to access a wide range of PC games and applications, providing versatility beyond gaming. The Armoury Crate software centralizes game management, performance tuning, and system monitoring, offering a user-friendly interface to control various aspects of the device.
Additionally, the ROG Ally supports Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games Store, and other popular gaming platforms, making it easy to access and manage game libraries from multiple sources.
Performance
In terms of performance, the ROG Ally impresses with its ability to run demanding games at high settings without noticeable lag or stuttering as long as your okay with using things like frame insertion and resolution scalling. Utilizing AMD's HyperRX Benchmark tests reveal that it can achieve frame rates upwards of 60 FPS on most AAA titles, with some games even reaching 120 FPS on medium settings. The high refresh rate display (up to 120Hz) enhances the gaming experience by providing smoother visuals.
The device's touch controls are responsive, and the inclusion of physical buttons and analog sticks offers precision and control for various game genres. The customizable rear buttons add an extra layer of flexibility, allowing users to tailor the controls to their preferences.
Battery Life
Battery life is a critical factor for any handheld device, and the ROG Ally performs admirably in this regard. The 40Wh battery provides approximately 2-3 hours of gameplay on moderate settings. For more demanding games, the battery life reduces to around 1-2 hours. The device supports fast charging, allowing users to quickly recharge and get back to gaming.
Connectivity
The ROG Ally offers robust connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. The device also features a microSD card slot for expandable storage and a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio output. The inclusion of a dedicated docking station (sold separately) enables users to connect the ROG Ally to a larger display, keyboard, and mouse, transforming it into a portable gaming PC.
User Experience
Overall, the user experience with the ROG Ally is highly positive. The combination of powerful hardware, a high-quality display, and a well-optimized operating system creates a seamless and enjoyable gaming experience. The device's build quality and ergonomic design make it comfortable to use for extended periods.
The versatility of being able to switch between handheld mode and a docked setup adds value, making it suitable for both casual gaming on the go and more serious gaming sessions at home.
Conclusion
The Asus ROG Ally stands out as a top-tier handheld gaming console, offering a premium experience that rivals many gaming laptops and desktops. Its powerful hardware, excellent display, and extensive software support make it a formidable competitor in the handheld gaming market. While the price point may be higher than some alternatives, the performance and features justify the investment for serious gamers but only if you can look past its glairing faults like poor battery performance and a flaky micro sd card reader.
Whether you're looking for a portable device to play the latest AAA titles or a versatile gaming PC that fits in your hands, the ROG Ally is a compelling choice that delivers on its promises.
The Asus ROG Ally represents a significant leap in the realm of handheld gaming devices. As part of Asus's Republic of Gamers (ROG) lineup, known for high-performance gaming hardware, the ROG Ally aims to deliver a premium gaming experience on the go. This review will cover various aspects of the device, including design, hardware, software, performance, battery life, and overall user experience.
Design and Build Quality
The ROG Ally features a sleek and ergonomic design, tailored for comfort during extended gaming sessions. The device is built with high-quality materials, ensuring durability without compromising on weight. It has curved edges and strategically placed buttons. The bottom grip corners are quite pronounced and there arent any real raised grips on the back which has been known to cause discomfort to many people.
The 7-inch full HD display is framed by bezels. The screen itself boasts vibrant colors and sharp details, thanks to its IPS panel with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. The inclusion of Gorilla Glass provides additional protection against scratches and accidental drops.
Hardware and Specifications
At the heart of the ROG Ally is the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, a custom chip designed to balance power and efficiency for handheld gaming. Paired with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, the device ensures smooth multitasking and responsive gameplay. The storage is 512GB, which isnt enough space for those a sizeable game library.
The ROG Ally's GPU, the Radeon RDNA 3, offers excellent graphics performance, allowing it to handle AAA titles with ease. The device supports ray tracing, adding a layer of realism to in-game lighting and reflections. The cooling system, featuring dual fans and liquid metal thermal compound, ensures the device remains cool even during intense gaming sessions.
Software and Interface The handheld runs on a customized version of Windows 11, optimized for a touch interface and gaming. This OS choice allows users to access a wide range of PC games and applications, providing versatility beyond gaming. The Armoury Crate software centralizes game management, performance tuning, and system monitoring, offering a user-friendly interface to control various aspects of the device.
Additionally, the ROG Ally supports Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games Store, and other popular gaming platforms, making it easy to access and manage game libraries from multiple sources.
Performance
In terms of performance, the ROG Ally impresses with its ability to run demanding games at high settings without noticeable lag or stuttering as long as your okay with using things like frame insertion and resolution scalling. Utilizing AMD's HyperRX Benchmark tests reveal that it can achieve frame rates upwards of 60 FPS on most AAA titles, with some games even reaching 120 FPS on medium settings. The high refresh rate display (up to 120Hz) enhances the gaming experience by providing smoother visuals.
The device's touch controls are responsive, and the inclusion of physical buttons and analog sticks offers precision and control for various game genres. The customizable rear buttons add an extra layer of flexibility, allowing users to tailor the controls to their preferences.
Battery Life
Battery life is a critical factor for any handheld device, and the ROG Ally performs admirably in this regard. The 40Wh battery provides approximately 2-3 hours of gameplay on moderate settings. For more demanding games, the battery life reduces to around 1-2 hours. The device supports fast charging, allowing users to quickly recharge and get back to gaming.
Connectivity
The ROG Ally offers robust connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. The device also features a microSD card slot for expandable storage and a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio output. The inclusion of a dedicated docking station (sold separately) enables users to connect the ROG Ally to a larger display, keyboard, and mouse, transforming it into a portable gaming PC.
User Experience
Overall, the user experience with the ROG Ally is highly positive. The combination of powerful hardware, a high-quality display, and a well-optimized operating system creates a seamless and enjoyable gaming experience. The device's build quality and ergonomic design make it comfortable to use for extended periods.
The versatility of being able to switch between handheld mode and a docked setup adds value, making it suitable for both casual gaming on the go and more serious gaming sessions at home.
Conclusion
The Asus ROG Ally stands out as a top-tier handheld gaming console, offering a premium experience that rivals many gaming laptops and desktops. Its powerful hardware, excellent display, and extensive software support make it a formidable competitor in the handheld gaming market. While the price point may be higher than some alternatives, the performance and features justify the investment for serious gamers but only if you can look past its glairing faults like poor battery performance and a flaky micro sd card reader.
Whether you're looking for a portable device to play the latest AAA titles or a versatile gaming PC that fits in your hands, the ROG Ally is a compelling choice that delivers on its promises.