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Asus ROG Ally

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The Asus ROG Ally is a handheld gaming computer developed and manufactured by Asus as part of their Republic of Gamers (ROG) brand. Released on June 13, 2023, the device competes with Valve's Steam Deck. The ROG Ally runs the Windows 11 operating system and uses an AMD Zen 4 processor called the AMD Z1 and Z1 Extreme. In addition to handheld use, the ROG Ally can be connected to a TV or monitor through a docking station or a dongle and be used like a desktop computer or home video game console.

Asus ROG Ally
An Asus ROG Ally running Windows 11
DeveloperAsus
ManufacturerAsus
Product familyRepublic of Gamers
TypeHandheld gaming computer
Release date
  • WW: June 13, 2023
 (ROG Ally with Z1 Extreme)
  • WW: September 18, 2023
 (ROG Ally with Z1)
  • WW: July 22, 2024
 (ROG Ally X with Z1 Extreme)
Introductory price
  • US$599.99 (Ryzen Z1 model-RC71L-ALLY.Z1_512)
  • US$699.99 (Ryzen Z1 Extreme model-RC71L-ALLY.Z1X_512)
  • US$799.99 (Ryzen Z1 Extreme model-RC72LA-ALLYX.Z1X_1)
MediaDigital distribution
Operating systemWindows 11
CPU
Memory16 GB LPDDR5-6400, Quad-channel 32-bit (128-bit), 102.4 GB/s (Ally)
24 GB LPDDR5X-7500, Quad-channel 32-bit (128-bit), 120.0 GB/s (Ally X)
Storage512 GB NVMe M.2 2230 (Ally) 1 TB NVMe M.2 2280 (Ally X) SSD (expandable)
Removable storagemicroSD/SDHC/SDXC via UHS-II
Display7-inch, 1920 × 1080 FHD Touchscreen IPS LCD @ 120 Hz, 16:9, 500 nits (SDR) with VRR FreeSync Premium & Dolby Vision
Graphics
Nvidia Ampere, 40 SMs, up to 1.72 GHz, up to 17.6 TFLOPS (ROG XG Mobile 2021 eGPU) (RTX 3070 Laptop/Mobile) Nvidia Ampere, 48 SMs, up to 1.81 GHz, up to 22.2 TFLOPS (ROG XG Mobile 2021 eGPU) (RTX 3080 Laptop/Mobile) AMD RDNA 2, 40 CUs, up to 2.58 GHz, up to 13.2 TFLOPS (ROG XG Mobile 2022 eGPU) (RX 6850M XT) Nvidia Ada Lovelace, 76 SMs, up to 2.58 GHz, up to 50.1 TFLOPS (ROG XG Mobile 2023 eGPU) (RTX 4090 Laptop/Mobile) ~$ 1200-$2000 (price varies by ROG XG Mobile model) (ROG XG Mobile compatible with ROG Flow X13(GV301/GV302) /ROG Flow Z13(GZ301)/ROG Flow X16(GV601)/ROG Ally (RC71L-ALLY.Z1_512/RC71L-ALLY.Z1X_512)
SoundStereo speakers with Dolby Atmos
Input
  • 2 × analog sticks
  • 2 × shoulder buttons (LB, RB)
  • 2 × analog triggers (LT, RT)
  • 4 × grip buttons (M1, M2)
  • D-pad
  • A/B/X/Y buttons
  • View/Menu buttons
  • Command center button
  • Armoury Crate button
  • Volume +/− buttons
  • Power button with fingerprint scanner
TouchpadTouch Screen (10-point multi-touch)
Connectivity
(Ally models only) or 1x USB-C port with Thundebolt 4, USB4 & DisplayPort 1.4 alt-modes & Power Delivery 3.0 & 1x USB-C port with USB 3.2 Gen 2 & DisplayPort 1.4 alt-modes & Power Delivery 3.0 (Ally X models only) (with 3rd Party eGPU support)
PowerTYPE-C, 65W (Ally) or 140W GaN (Ally X) AC Adapter & Charger , Output: 20V DC, 3.25A, 65W, Input: 100~240V AC 50/60Hz universal 40 Wh Lithium-ion battery 4S1P, 4-cell (Ally) 80 Wh Lithium-ion battery 4S1P, 4-cell (Ally X)
Dimensions280×111×212~324 mm(Ally)
280x111x247~369 mm (Ally X)
Mass608 grams (1.340 lb) (Ally)
678 grams (1.495 lb) (Ally X)
WebsiteOfficial website

History

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Asus began developing a handheld gaming computer in 2018 to compete with handheld computers such as the GPD Win 2.[2] Development slowed down over the next few years but was accelerated after Valve's 2021 announcement of the Steam Deck, which quickly led to a renewed public interest in handheld gaming computers.[3] The device was announced on April 1, 2023, leading many to believe it was an April Fools' Day prank,[4] with Asus clarifying its legitimacy three days later.[5]

Asus revealed the ROG Ally's release date, technical specifications and price on June 11, 2023. Two models were announced, one retailing for US$599 and implementing a Ryzen Z1 Processor, and another retailing for US$699 and implementing a Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor.[6] The latter was released on June 13, 2023, and the former was released during the third quarter of 2023.[7] At Computex 2024, Asus announced the ROG Ally X, an updated Z1 Extreme model with 1 TB of NVMe storage using an M.2 2280 slot instead of M.2 2230, 24 GB of LPDDR5X-7500 RAM, a larger battery, and other improvements, retailing for US$799.[8]

Hardware

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The ROG Ally implements an AMD APU, based on AMD's Zen 4 and RDNA 3 architectures. Two different models of the ROG Ally were released, one with a Ryzen Z1 processor and another with a Ryzen Z1 Extreme.[9] The Z1 CPU runs a six-core/twelve-thread unit and the Z1 GPU runs on four compute units with a total estimated performance of 2.56 TFLOPS.[10] The Z1 Extreme CPU runs an eight-core/sixteen-thread unit while its GPU runs on twelve compute units at an estimate of 8.6 teraflops. Both processors use variable timing frequencies, with the Z1 running between 3.2 and 4.9 GHz and the Z1 Extreme running between 3.3 and 5.1 GHz. The main unit of the Ally is designed for handheld use. It features a 7-inch touchscreen LCD display with a 1080p resolution and variable refresh rate that goes from 48Hz up to 120 Hz.[11] Controls resemble those of an Xbox Wireless Controller, including two thumbsticks, a directional pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, two shoulder buttons on each side, and two configurable buttons on the back of the unit.[12]

Software

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The ROG Ally ships with Windows 11 Home integrated with Armoury Crate SE, a software utility developed by Asus.[13] Armoury Crate lets the user quickly configure thermal design power with several pre-adjusted presets,[14] as well as change the refresh rate, screen resolution, limit frame rate and adjust clock rates.[15] Armoury Crate also acts as a game launcher, automatically compiling the user's game library from third-party launchers like Steam and Epic Games Store.[16] Although Windows 11 improved touchscreen support, some interactions can only be done using a mouse cursor. Due to this, Armoury Crate lets users emulate a mouse using the left joystick.[17] The ROG Ally also ships with a three-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass, a video game subscription service from Microsoft.[18]

Reception

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The initial response to the ROG Ally was mixed. Tony Polanco of Tom's Guide described it as "solid but imperfect", complimenting its display and ergonomics but criticizing performance and battery life.[19] In contrast to Polanco's review, Sean Hollister of The Verge praised the device's performance but criticized Asus' choice of Windows 11 as an operating system, calling Windows "largely foreign" on a handheld form-factor.[14] Writing for Eurogamer, Richard Leadbetter wrote: "Various issues conspire to lend the impression that the ROG Ally isn't fully baked quite yet, while the Windows underpinnings may well be a limiting factor that may never be overcome."[20]

A criticism highlighted by multiple reviews is the battery life. Hollister reported a 53-minute battery life playing The Last of Us Part I on the 25W TDP profile, while Kevin Purdy of Ars Technica measured an 88-minute life playing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on the 15W profile.[21] Writing for Windows Central, Rebecca Spear described battery life as "pretty atrocious",[22] while Anyron Copeman of Tech Advisor commented that the device's fast 65W charging capability makes up for its poor battery life.[23]

Controversy

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In May 2024, YouTube tech channel Gamers Nexus sent an ROG Ally in for warranty repair due to a faulty thumbstick. Asus denied the warranty repair, claiming that the thumbstick issue was due to "customer-induced damage". Furthermore, Asus demanded a repair fee of US$191.47 for replacement of the LCD panel and the top case because of a "small mark" on the casing, despite it not being related to the original issue that the device was sent in under warranty for. Asus also stated that it would send the device back to Gamers Nexus in a "disassembled state" if it did not pay the repair fee.[24] Several days later, Asus honoured the warranty and performed the repair of the original issue under pressure from Gamers Nexus,[24] as well as subsequently apologised for the poor service.[25][26]

Notes

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  1. ^ Zen 4 with 4 nm process, 6-cores/12-threads, 22 MB cache, up to 4.90 GHz boost
  2. ^ Zen 4 with 4 nm process, 8-cores/16-threads, 24 MB cache, up to 5.10 GHz boost
  3. ^ Only when utilizing dual-issue instructions; de facto performance ~1.28 TFLOPS
  4. ^ Only when utilizing dual-issue instructions; de facto performance ~4.14 TFLOPS

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "ROG Ally".
  2. ^ Williams, Leah J. (May 19, 2023). "ASUS ROG Ally: How the Device Evolved in Its Five Year Journey". GamesHub. ArtsHub Australia. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  3. ^ James, Dave (April 25, 2023). "Asus has been building the ROG Ally for 5 years and here are the hideous prototypes to prove it". PC Gamer. Future US. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  4. ^ Peters, Jay (April 4, 2023). "Asus announced its handheld gaming PC in the worst way possible". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  5. ^ Brown, Andy (April 3, 2023). "Asus confirms its ROG Ally handheld gaming PC wasn't an April Fool's Day prank". NME. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  6. ^ Spear, Rebecca (May 11, 2023). "ASUS ROG Ally full specs: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 512GB storage, 120Hz display and more". Windows Central. Future US.
  7. ^ Allen, Eric Van (May 11, 2023). "Asus outlines price, date, and details for the ROG Ally". Destructoid. Gamurs Group.
  8. ^ Larabel, Michael (June 2, 2024). "ASUS Announces The ROG Ally X Upgraded Handheld". Phoronix.
  9. ^ "ROG Ally (2023) RC71L Tech Specs". Asus.com. Asus. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  10. ^ "AMD Ryzen Z1 General Specifications". AMD.com. AMD.
  11. ^ Buzzi, Matthew (May 11, 2023). "Asus ROG Ally Review". PCMag. Ziff-Davis.
  12. ^ Reid, Craig (May 11, 2023). "Review: ASUS ROG Ally – The Xbox Handheld We've Been Waiting For?". Pure Xbox. Hookshot Media.
  13. ^ Kee, Kok (June 13, 2023). "Review – ROG Ally: Great handheld device, but with some caveats". Tech Critter. Wavelength Network. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Hollister, Sean (May 11, 2023). "Asus ROG Ally updated review: it's a bit better now". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  15. ^ "[ROG Ally] Armoury Crate SE Introduction". Asus.com. Asus. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  16. ^ Leadbetter, Richard (May 20, 2023). "Asus ROG Ally vs Steam Deck: can powerful new tech deliver a game-changing handheld?". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  17. ^ Anderson, Robert (May 11, 2023). "Asus ROG Ally Review". IGN. Ziff-Davis. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  18. ^ Delgado, Camilo (June 20, 2023). "Can Asus ROG Ally play Game Pass?". PC Guide.
  19. ^ updated, Tony Polanco last (May 11, 2023). "Asus ROG Ally review: A solid but imperfect Steam Deck challenger". Tom's Guide. Future US. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  20. ^ Leadbetter, Richard (May 20, 2023). "Asus ROG Ally vs Steam Deck: can powerful new tech deliver a game-changing handheld?". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  21. ^ Purdy, Kevin (May 11, 2023). "The Asus ROG Ally runs Windows, eats battery, and needs time to cook". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  22. ^ Spear, Rebecca (June 14, 2023). "10 ways to improve ROG Ally gaming handheld battery life". Windows Central. Future US. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  23. ^ Copeman, Anyron. "Asus ROG Ally review: Powerful compromise". Tech Advisor. IDG Communications. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  24. ^ a b van der Merwe, Julian (May 12, 2024). "Asus warranty déjà vu for broken ROG Ally thumb stick — YouTuber catches Asus attempting to dodge repair request over "tiny" mark". NotebookCheck.net. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  25. ^ Kan, Michael (May 16, 2024). "Asus Apologizes for Heavily Criticized Warranty and Return Service". PCMAG. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  26. ^ Thubron, Rob (May 17, 2024). "Asus issues apology, promises changes after RMA and repair cost outrage". TechSpot. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
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