Starting this week, Best Buy is offering a fantastic deal on the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme gaming handheld, slashing the price by $200 to just $449.99. This is the lowest price we've seen for a brand-new unit, even lower than during Black Friday sales. Along with the discount, you'll receive a free official ROG Ally travel case, one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and two months of a Crunchyroll Mega Fan subscription. The ROG Ally stands out as one of the top gaming handhelds on the market, especially for those who prefer not to be locked into Steam's ecosystem.
Asus ROG Ally AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Gaming Handheld
$649.99 save 31% $449.99 at Best Buy
The Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme is a Windows 11-based gaming handheld PC. This higher-end model features an AMD Zen 4-based Z1 Extreme CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It sports a 7" screen with a crisp 1080p resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
Unlike its main competitor, the Steam Deck, which operates on a Linux-based Steam OS, the ROG Ally runs on the familiar Windows 11. This compatibility with virtually any Windows-based game launcher, including Steam, Battle.net, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store, GOG, Ubisoft Connect, and more, makes it highly appealing to gamers who enjoy titles not easily accessible or installable on the Steam Deck.
In our Asus ROG Ally review, Robert Anderson noted, "The Asus ROG Ally truly feels like the portable Xbox Game Pass machine that many fans have been clamoring for. Despite some drawbacks like a frustrating user experience, poor battery life, and the absence of Steam Deck-style touchpads, the handheld is undeniably fun to use when it's performing at its best. With its stunning 1080p screen that's bright enough for any environment, combined with powerful specs and an aggressive price point, it might just be the Steam Deck competitor we've been waiting for."
With CES 2025 behind us, the handheld gaming PC market is heating up. The latest contender is the Lenovo Legion Go S, although it's not necessarily superior to the ROG Ally and comes at a higher price. This Windows 11 version features a Z2 Go processor and 32GB of RAM for $729. A more budget-friendly model is set to launch in May 2025, offering a choice between Windows 11 and SteamOS for $599. Additionally, the Asus ROG Ally X, released in late 2024, offers an enhanced gaming experience, albeit at a $300 premium.
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