I’m already a big fan of the Asus ROG Ally, but an extra $50 off the already reduced price means I’d choose it over most other handhelds. While there are plenty of Windows-based alternatives that will provide a snappy portable PC experience, this latest discount honestly makes me wonder why I would opt for a Lenovo Legion Go or MSI Claw.
If you head to Best Buy, you can get the Asus ROG Ally for $549.99 (was $699.99). The discount means you can now get $150 off one of the best gaming handhelds out there for PC gaming, with previous deals having almost permanently dropped the price by $100 from a suggested retail price of $699.99. It’s still not the cheapest portable rig out there, with the Steam Deck OLED still dominating that particular battle. However, it’s $80 cheaper than the Lenovo Legion Go, despite similar specs and performance.
Looking for a UK deal? Fear not, because you can also get the ROG Ally for £499 from Amazon, thanks to a £50 discount. It’ll normally cost you £549 at the retailer, and since release it’s already dropped from its original £600 price tag In fact, you get the same kind of deal here as the US, which is nice to see, as Britain sometimes misses out on handheld offers.
I’ve tested a lot of portable gaming PCs at this point, and the ROG Ally still ranks pretty high. While I consider Windows 11 both a blessing and a curse for portable gaming, using the operating system is a safe way to maintain access to all your game libraries, whether you use Steam, the Epic Game Store, or even PC Game Pass used. . The AMD Ryzer Z1 Extreme also offers enough performance for playing the latest games at 1080p, and Asus’ choice of a 120Hz display feels right with the handheld’s specs.
Should you buy the Asus ROG Ally?
The Asus ROG Ally is a solid portable PC, and I doubt most players looking for a performance kick will be disappointed with the handheld. That said, the scene is evolving quickly, and you might be wondering whether you’re better off securing an Asus ROG Ally X pre-order or waiting for Zotac’s upcoming Steam Deck OLED rival. Some of you might even be tempted to opt for the Lenovo Legion Go for its larger 8.8-inch screen, but I’d say the OG Ally trumps them all thanks to the new discount.
That’s not to say I wouldn’t recommend the ROG Ally What I would advise is that players consider whether these features are worth paying $799.99 for, as you won’t get a huge fps boost with the new device.
When looking for new gaming technology, I always try to assess whether the price of a gadget matches the experience it provides. Yes, spending more on premium models usually gets you access to extra features, but using the Legion Go as an example, I don’t think the faster 144Hz QHD screen and detachable controllers are worth an extra $80 to pay. If you look past some of the extra oomph Lenovo adds to its portable device, you’ll end up playing games at 1080p, just like you would on the ROG Ally (only with arguably worse controls and a clumsier device in hand.)
In terms of cheaper options, you might consider picking up the non-extreme Ryzen Z1 Asus ROG Ally for $399 (was $499.99) at Best Buy. Not only do you get access to the same excellent controls, form factor and 120Hz display, but it can still run lighter classics and indie romps. I think the Steam Deck OLED offers a more refined experience at the expense of store versatility, so keep that in mind if you’re not concerned about using Windows 11.
Looking for more handheld deals? Checking out Prime Day Asus ROG Ally deals And Prime Day Steam Deck Deals to learn more about Amazon’s summer sale. You can also visit the best steam deck accessories And best Steam Deck dock if you already have Valve’s portable powerhouse.