ASUS ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme) Review

mmorpg.com:

Since Valve launched its Steam Deck in February of 2022, I've been a staunch supporter of both the platform as well as the need for more competition. Other devices have started to filter out to the public, from Aya Neo's powerful handhelds, to ASUS's ROG Ally device, to meaningfully challenge Steam's handheld.

ASUS' ROG Ally is equipped with AMD's Z1 chipset, including the higher-end Z1 Extreme which is what our review unit is packing. The smaller, yet powerful unit costs more than the Steam Deck, yet the unit feels perfectly poised to challenge Valve's dominance in the space. After weeks of testing, both at home and the on-the-road experience with the ROG Ally, I've come away really impressed with ASUS's foray into handheld PCs.

I've said in a few GPU reviews over the years that I'm a huge fan of the «gamer aesthetic,» and the ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme really fits that bill. I love the aggressive angles and the fact that it screams «gamer» in every choice the company made when designing the device. The main reason is that it fits the device perfectly. 

While I don't mind the curves and the more restrained design of the Steam Deck, I feel that the look of the ASUS ROG Ally is both eye-catching and contributes to how it feels to hold while in use. The grips on each side are incredibly comfortable, their more angular design fitting solidly in the palm of my hands. I love the textured feel of them as well, as the ROG Ally never felt like it would slip through my hands, even during fast-paced and intense gameplay sessions of Cyberpunk 2077 and Fortnite matches.

I do also appreciate the angled downward slope of the grip in the front, which perfectly fits my hands. Though, I'm sure, your mileage might vary here depending on the