Table of Contents
- The Power of a PC in Your Hands
- Exceptional Graphic Performance
- Advanced Cooling
- A Screen that Fall in Love
- IPS and Dolby Vision technology
- Eye Protection
- Limitless Versatility
- Access to Multiple Game Stores
- Beyond Games
- Ergonomic Design and Precise Controls
- Quality Controls
- Advanced Haptic Vibration
- The Achilles Heel: Autonomy
- Energy Saving Options
- Quick Charge
- Software: Lights and Shadows
- Armory Crate SE
- Frequent Updates
- ROG Ally X: The Evolution
- ASUS ROG Ally vs Steam Deck: Duel of the Titans
- Conclusion: Is the ASUS ROG Ally worth it?
In the competitive world of portable consoles, the ASUS ROG Ally has burst onto the scene, promising to bring the PC gaming experience to the palm of your hand. But does it really meet expectations? In this article, we will take a closer look at this innovative PC/console, exploring its strengths and weaknesses, and comparing it to its main competitors.
The Power of a PC in Your Hands
The ASUS ROG Ally is not just any portable console. It is a real beast in terms of performance, thanks to its AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor (there is also a model with the standard Z1 but, due to the price difference and the performance gain, we will directly pretend that it does not exist: the Extreme is the one to purchase). Designed specifically for high-performance portable devices, this chip offers processing power that rivals many desktop computers.
Exceptional Graphic Performance
The graphical heart of the ROG Ally is the integrated AMD RDNA 3 GPU, which provides impressive graphics performance for a portable console. This combination of CPU and GPU allows you to run AAA games at high graphics settings, something unthinkable a few years ago on a device of this size.
Advanced Cooling
To keep all this power under control, ASUS has implemented an advanced cooling system. Using a combination of heatpipes, fans, and a vapor chamber, the ROG Ally manages to keep temperatures at bay even during intense gaming sessions.
A Screen that Fall in Love
One of the highlights of the ASUS ROG Ally is its display. With 7 inches diagonal, Full HD resolution (1920x1080) and a refresh rate of 120 Hz, it offers an outstanding visual experience.
IPS and Dolby Vision technology
The display uses IPS technology, ensuring excellent viewing angles and accurate color reproduction. Additionally, it supports Dolby Vision, allowing you to enjoy HDR content with improved contrast and color gamut.
Eye Protection
With long gaming sessions in mind, ASUS has incorporated eye protection technologies, such as blue light reduction and flicker elimination, to reduce eye strain.
Limitless Versatility
One of the most notable features of the ROG Ally is its versatility. Running Windows 11, you are not limited to just gaming but can function as a full laptop.
Access to Multiple Game Stores
Unlike other portable consoles, the ROG Ally allows access to virtually all PC game stores: Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Amazon Games, and many more. This translates into a virtually unlimited library of games.
Beyond Games
The versatility of Windows 11 allows you to use the ROG Ally for productive tasks, watching multimedia content or browsing the internet. It is, in essence, an ultraportable PC with integrated gaming controls.
Ergonomic Design and Precise Controls
ASUS has paid special attention to the ergonomic design of the ROG Ally. Its shape adapts perfectly to the hands, allowing prolonged gaming sessions without fatigue.
Quality Controls
The ROG Ally's controls are precise and responsive. It includes analog sticks, buttons, triggers and a D-pad, all of which are of high quality. In addition, it has programmable buttons on the back for greater customization.
Advanced Haptic Vibration
The console incorporates haptic vibration motors that provide precise and immersive feedback, improving immersion in games.
The Achilles Heel: Autonomy
Despite its many virtues, the ROG Ally has a significant weakness: its autonomy. High performance comes at a cost in terms of power consumption, resulting in lower battery life than competitors like the Steam Deck.
Energy Saving Options
To mitigate this issue, ASUS has implemented several power saving options and performance profiles. These allow performance and battery life to be balanced according to the user's needs.
Quick Charge
As a trade-off, the ROG Ally supports fast charging, allowing you to quickly recharge the battery when needed.
Software: Lights and Shadows
Using Windows 11 on the ROG Ally is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it offers great versatility and compatibility. On the other hand, it may present optimization problems and a less polished user experience than dedicated operating systems such as SteamOS.
Armory Crate SE
To improve the experience, ASUS has developed Armory Crate SE, a software that allows you to easily manage games, adjust performance and customize the console.
Frequent Updates
ASUS is committed to providing regular updates to improve software performance and stability, addressing issues that may arise.
ROG Ally X: The Evolution
The ROG Ally X represents the natural evolution of the ROG Ally. This upgraded version offers some significant updates:
- More memory: Up to 24 GB of RAM, allowing better performance in multitasking and demanding games.
- Greater storage: Options up to 1TB, ideal for hosting a large game library.
- Refined design: Mejoras ergonómicas y controles optimizados para una experiencia de juego aún más cómoda.
- Nota personal: cambiaron el color principal a negro. Personalmente, el blanco de la Ally me parece precioso, por lo que esto lo considero un downgrade en la X.
ASUS ROG Ally vs Steam Deck: Duel of the Titans
La comparación entre la ROG Ally y la Steam Deck es inevitable. Ambas consolas tienen sus fortalezas y debilidades:
| Característica | ASUS ROG Ally | Steam Deck |
|---|---|---|
| Rendimiento | Superior | Well |
| Autonomía | Limitada | Mejor |
| Versatilidad | Muy alta | Alta |
| Precio | Más elevado | Más accesible |
| Pantalla | 120 Hz, Full HD | 60 Hz, 1280×800 |
| Sistema Operativo | Windows 11 | SteamOS (Linux) |
La elección entre una u otra dependerá de las prioridades del usuario. La ROG Ally ofrece mayor potencia y versatilidad, mientras que la Steam Deck se destaca por su mejor autonomía y precio más accesible.
Conclusion: Is the ASUS ROG Ally worth it?
La ASUS ROG Ally representa un salto significativo en el mundo de las consolas portátiles. Su potencia, versatilidad y pantalla de alta calidad la convierten en una opción muy atractiva para los gamers más exigentes.
Sin embargo, su autonomía limitada y su precio elevado pueden ser factores decisivos para algunos usuarios. La decisión final dependerá de las necesidades individuales y del presupuesto disponible.
Lo que es innegable es que la ROG Ally ha elevado el listón en el mercado de las consolas portátiles, y es un claro indicador de hacia dónde se dirige el futuro del gaming portátil. Ya sea que optes por la ROG Ally, su versión mejorada ROG Ally X, o te inclines por alternativas como la Steam Deck, el futuro del gaming en movimiento se presenta más emocionante que nunca.
Related Articles
