Asus is launching a high-end revision of its ROG Ally PC console with several ergonomic changes. We were able to take it in hand and compare it with the original model.
The ROG Ally The chip under the hood remains the same, even if the product’s motherboard has largely evolved to increase the battery, which has doubled in volume, RAM and SSD storage.
The brand took the opportunity to rework the ergonomics of the product, but it is something difficult to describe without taking it in hand. This is why we wanted to take control of the console and check it out for ourselves.
The changes are there
Impossible during a short handling session to evaluate the promises around the battery, the extended memory or the new cooling system.
Source: Robin Wycke – Frandroid
Source: Robin Wycke – Frandroid
Source: Robin Wycke – Frandroid
On the other hand, the difference in terms of ergonomics is there. Especially when comparing with a first generation ROG Ally. The grip is improved thanks to changes to the handles, but also to the construction of sticks and buttons. Subtle changes, which we don’t necessarily spot in the photos, but are definitely there when we compare the ROG Ally X in hand and the first generation. So it’s pretty convincing. Of course, not to the point of pushing to swap a first generation model for the new one from Asus, but enough to make it an interesting choice compared to the competition.
Source: Robin Wycke – Frandroid
Source: Robin Wycke – Frandroid
Source: Robin Wycke – Frandroid
While waiting for a complete test which will reveal to us the qualities and defects of this new model, we can already question the relevance of this new model in 2024, convincing as it may be. As with the Steam Deck Oled or the Switch Oled, we would be tempted to wait for a real new generation, a ROG Ally 2, which we can hope to see arrive in 2025 or 2026 opposite a Nintendo Switch 2 and perhaps competitors equipped by Nvidia or Qualcomm.
In short, as convincing as this handling is, we still have the impression of being faced with a product arriving very late in its generation. With its launch price of 899 euros for 1 TB of storage, you will have to think carefully about it before investing. Go to the press tests to assess this point.
NB: our journalist Cassim Montilla is in Taiwan to cover Computex 2024 in its entirety, but he is present there as part of a press trip organized by Asus.