A year after the release of the ROG Ally, ASUS improves its portable console without however being able to speak of a real new version.
Another rumor spread by The Verge and relayed by our colleagues from VideoCardz gives more depth to previous rumors which already mentioned a new portable console from ASUS.
However, there is no question of naming the new ROG Ally 2, because it is not a real novelty. ASUS rather seeks to improve quite a few elements while reaffirming the qualities of its basic machine.
Still a Z1 Extreme APU from AMD
Indeed, like what Valve was able to do with its Steam Deck OLED (improved screen, battery, etc.), ASUS is not completely returning to its ROG Ally console with this new version, the ROG Ally x.
From the outset, let’s note for example that the processor remains unchanged, so it is still AMD which will provide its Z1 Extreme to run the machine. Likewise, and this time, unlike Valve, ASUS is not changing the panel of its console either, we still find a 7-inch diagonal IPS model, Full HD @ 120 Hz, capable of 500 nits and VRR compatible. Small disappointment, OLED is therefore not on the agenda.
Another point that does not change, but this time, it is for our greatest pleasure, the ROG Ally X will be offered at the same price as the ROG Ally, that is to say 699 dollars or 799 euros.
It is now time to talk about the improvements made by ASUS, which must still justify the release of a new machine. The battery is therefore modified for an increased capacity.
Battery capacity: the biggest change?
Unfortunately, our colleagues do not detail things, and we simply know that the 40 Wh of the ROG Ally will be improved, perhaps to match the 50 Wh of the Steam Deck OLED? ASUS also improves RAM. Without details on its speed, there is talk of going from 16 to 32 GB of LPDDR5. But was this really the point to improve?
More interesting, the SSD is largely modified. Indeed, ASUS adopts an M.2 slot in 2280 format, replacing the 2230 of the first ROG Ally. This will make it simpler and less expensive to expand capacity. We do not know the capacity of the on-board model, perhaps a 2 TB version will be on the menu?
For concrete information, that’s about it, because if there seems to be talk of a release during the second half of 2024, the exact timetable has not yet been specified. We do know, however, that ASUS has moved the microSD card reader to avoid the problems previously encountered, and that the ROG Ally X will be a little heavier and sold in an entirely black case.
In any case, the appointment is made for June 2, the date on which ASUS must present more officially, and undoubtedly much more precisely, its ROG Ally X.
€499.99
7
- Successful screen, excellent contrast
- Impeccable handling
- More powerful than the Steam Deck
While Valve only distinguishes its Steam Decks at the peripheral level, keeping the same computing power, ASUS does the opposite. Z1 or Z1 Extreme, the ROG Ally have the same screen, the same SSD and only differ by the APU, this chip at the heart of the machine.
On paper, the idea was interesting, but we are not convinced. First of all, this way of dividing a still very young market does not seem relevant to us. To make matters worse, we cannot say that the reduction in power sufficiently boosts autonomy which remains the weak point of portable consoles.
To make matters worse, the Steam Deck OLED has just been announced with a screen and a battery that could well put ASUS in difficulty. The ROG Ally “Z1” is not a bad machine. It is comfortable, has good ergonomics and the presence of Windows 11 can be an asset for some. Still, its price should be a little more aggressive.
While Valve only distinguishes its Steam Decks at the peripheral level, keeping the same computing power, ASUS does the opposite. Z1 or Z1 Extreme, the ROG Ally have the same screen, the same SSD and only differ by the APU, this chip at the heart of the machine.
On paper, the idea was interesting, but we are not convinced. First of all, this way of dividing a still very young market does not seem relevant to us. To make matters worse, we cannot say that the reduction in power sufficiently boosts autonomy which remains the weak point of portable consoles.
To make matters worse, the Steam Deck OLED has just been announced with a screen and a battery that could well put ASUS in difficulty. The ROG Ally “Z1” is not a bad machine. It is comfortable, has good ergonomics and the presence of Windows 11 can be an asset for some. Still, its price should be a little more aggressive.
Sources: The Verge, VideoCardz
Having fallen into video games at a time when it took a great imagination to see here a football match, there a tank fight in these few bars represented on the screen, I have followed all the developments for forty years. Loyal to the PC, but a fan of all genres, I only have trouble with JRPGs. Otherwise, from the driest turn-based strategy to the most spectacular FPS, including sports simulations or musical games, I can do it all... with a preference for management and games combining several styles. My video game pantheon would consist of three series: Elite, Civilization and Max Payne.
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