Sure, let’s dive in. So, here’s the scoop — and I swear, I barely know what I’m doing half the time, but anyway…
If your brain balks, like mine does sometimes, at the thought of Steam Deck’s limited game launcher access, the Asus ROG Ally might just bail you out. It’s like a full-throttle portable PC, running with pretty much any app you throw at it. No need to summon some rare Linux wizardry.
Now, here comes the Asus ROG Ally, shoulder-checking its way into the market, giving Steam Deck a run for its digital money. It’s like the Deck’s peppy sibling, only it’s running on Windows 11. Huge, right? You don’t need to be some digital alchemist for this one; it just works with all those launchers you hoard games on, be it Epic, Xbox Game Pass, or anywhere else. Why didn’t anyone think of this sooner? Maybe they did. Who knows?
And let’s chat about muscle, shall we? The Ally flexes an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme and AMD Radeon graphics — not bad for something I can hold in my slightly clammy hands. Sure, we hit a snag here and there, like tripping over uneven sidewalk panels, but honestly, we pulled off more wins on the Ally than the Deck. Plus, the thing stayed cool like it was born in a fridge. Pretty decent.
Oh, the looks! A stunning Full HD LCD. Kind of hard to look away, I swear. And light? You could game like you’re chasing the horizon, no wrist crab-claws developing. Yet, this featherweight feel… sometimes it’s more cheap plastic than sleek elegance. And don’t get me started on that flimsy stand — blink at it and, oops, it topples.
Now, the battery life. This is where I roll my eyes slightly. The Ally’s energy fades faster than my attention span sometimes. You might squeeze out a couple of hours on a good day, maybe three if you’re just poking around in desktop mode. Steam Deck isn’t a marathon runner either, but it does outlast the Ally.
A couple more things bugged me. No carrying case? Really? For $699.99, you’d think they’d throw one in. And the back buttons? Too low. My fingers got confused. Or maybe just lazy. Who’s to say.
So, here’s where I come back from tangents… Steam Deck or Asus ROG Ally? The eternal question — okay, not eternal, but close. It depends on what tickles your fancy more. If you’re all about open doors and raw horsepower, maybe lean toward the Ally. Want something that just feels nice, like a friendly handshake? Maybe the Steam Deck is your jam. They’re both stunners in their own quirky ways, trust me.
