The announcement of Valve’s Steam Deck caused a stir in the gaming industry, with many seeing it as a potential game-changer. It seems that other companies are now taking note, with ASUS being the first to unveil its own take on the handheld gaming PC.
The ASUS ROG Ally, which falls under the Republic of Gamers (ROG) label, is said to be running on a custom AMD chip and will be compatible with the ROG XG Mobile eGPU, which is used by the company’s laptops. While details on the ROG Ally’s specs are still scarce, early impressions from influencers suggest that the device will have a 1920×1080/120hz display, which is superior to the Steam Deck’s 1280×800/60hz display. The device is also said to be smaller and lighter than the Steam Deck, which could be an advantage for those who value portability.
However, the success of the Steam Deck has set a high benchmark for competitors to match, and ASUS will need to ensure that its offering is up to scratch in terms of price, battery life, performance, and storage. While the ROG Ally looks great in the pre-release marketing videos, this will be irrelevant if it fails to deliver in these crucial areas.
The emergence of the Steam Deck and the ROG Ally could mark a turning point in the gaming industry, as handheld gaming PCs become more mainstream. While handheld gaming has been around for a while, it has traditionally been associated with consoles like the Nintendo Switch, rather than high-performance PCs. The Steam Deck and the ROG Ally could change this, opening up new possibilities for gaming on the go.
Of course, the success of these devices will depend on how well they are received by gamers. While the Steam Deck has generated a lot of hype, it remains to be seen whether it will live up to expectations. The same is true for the ROG Ally, which will need to offer something unique to stand out in a crowded market.
Overall, the emergence of handheld gaming PCs is an exciting development for the gaming industry, and it will be interesting to see how it develops over the coming months and years. Whether the Steam Deck and the ROG Ally will be the start of a new trend remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure – the gaming industry is always evolving, and it’s never a dull moment for gamers.
The emergence of handheld gaming PCs has been a long time coming, with hardware manufacturers attempting to create a successful product for years. While the Steam Deck was the first of its kind to truly hit the mark, it has paved the way for others to enter the market and attempt to take on Valve’s handheld gaming crown. One such company is ASUS, with their upcoming Republic of Gamers (ROG) Ally.
Although ASUS has yet to release detailed specifications for the device, early hands-on impressions from influencers have revealed some promising features. The Ally boasts an impressive 1920×1080/120hz display, which is a significant improvement over the Steam Deck’s 1280×800/60hz display. Additionally, the Ally is smaller and lighter than the Steam Deck, making it more portable and easier to carry around.
The control setup of the Ally is also fairly traditional, featuring two analogue sticks, a d-pad, four primary face buttons, and some triggers. The device will run Windows 11 and will be compatible with ASUS’ existing external GPU/power supply unit (the ROG XG Mobile eGPU) used by its laptops.
However, while the device looks impressive in pre-release marketing, its success will ultimately depend on its price, battery life, performance, and storage. With the Steam Deck setting a high bar in terms of both performance and affordability, ASUS will need to get the mix just right if they hope to compete with Valve. Additionally, without concrete specifications, it is difficult to assess how well the Ally will stack up against other handheld gaming PCs on the market.
The emergence of handheld gaming PCs has the potential to shake up the games industry, as it provides gamers with a new way to play their favorite titles. With the power of a PC in a portable device, gamers can enjoy high-quality gaming on the go. This has the potential to change the way games are developed and marketed, as developers may need to take into account the unique features and limitations of handheld gaming PCs when creating their titles.
The ASUS ROG Ally represents an exciting development in the world of handheld gaming PCs. While it remains to be seen whether it will be able to compete with the Steam Deck and other devices on the market, its emergence is a clear indication that there is a demand for portable gaming PCs, and that the games industry is continuing to evolve and adapt to changing consumer needs.