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 I've ever seen for a brand new unit, even lower than during Black Friday sales. Alongside this incredible discount, you'll also receive a free official ROG Ally travel case, one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and a two-month Crunchyroll Mega Fan subscription. The Asus ROG Ally stands out as one of the premier gaming handhelds on the market, particularly for those who prefer not to be limited to the Steam 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. As the higher-end model of the Asus ROG Ally lineup, it features an AMD Zen 4-based Z1 Extreme CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It boasts a 7" screen with a crisp 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.
Unlike its main competitor, the Steam Deck, which operates on a Linux-based Steam OS, the ROG Ally runs on Windows 11. This compatibility with Windows allows it to support virtually any Windows-based game launcher, including Steam, Battle.net, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store, GOG, Ubisoft Connect, and more. This feature makes the ROG Ally particularly appealing to gamers interested in playing titles not easily accessible 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. While a frustrating user experience, poor battery life, and the absence of Steam Deck-style touchpads are drawbacks, the fun of using this handheld when it performs well is undeniable. Its beautiful 1080p screen, which is marvelously bright and ideal for gaming on the go, combined with powerful specs and an attractive price point, positions it as a strong competitor to the Steam Deck."
With CES 2025 now behind us, the handheld gaming PC market is set to see even more competition. The more compact and updated Lenovo Legion Go S has been announced and is available for preorder. The Windows 11 version with a Z2 Go chip and 32GB of RAM will launch in January 2025, starting at $729. A more budget-friendly version, featuring the same Z2 Go chip but with 16GB of RAM and a choice between Windows 11 or SteamOS, will be available in May 2025 for $599. Additionally, the Asus ROG Ally X, released in 2024, offers an enhanced gaming experience, albeit at a $300 higher price point.
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