I’m already a big fan of the Asus ROG Ally, but an extra $50 off its already discounted price means I’d choose it over most other handhelds. While there are plenty of Windows-based alternatives out there that will provide a solid laptop experience, this latest discount honestly makes me question why I’d get a Lenovo Legion Go or MSI Claw.
If you head over to Best Buy, you’ll be able to grab the Asus ROG Ally for $549.99 (down from $699.99). The discount means you can now get $150 off one of the best PC gaming rigs around, with previous deals almost permanently knocking its price down by $100 from an MSRP of $699.99. It’s still not the cheapest portable out there, with the Steam Deck OLED still dominating that particular battle. However, it’s $80 cheaper than the Lenovo Legion Go, despite having comparable features and performance.
Looking for a UK deal? Fear not, as you can also grab the ROG Ally for £499 on Amazon, thanks to a £50 off deal. Normally, it would set you back £549 at retailers and it’s already gone from its original price of £600 since launch. Effectively, you’re getting the same deal as the US here, and that’s nice to see given that the UK sometimes misses out on arm’s length deals.
I’ve tested a lot of handheld gaming PCs at this point, and the ROG Ally still sits nicely on top. While I see Windows 11 as both a blessing and a curse for portable gaming, using the operating system is a safe way to maintain access to all of your game libraries, whether you use Steam, the Epic Game Store, or even PC Game Pass. . Its AMD Ryzer Z1 Extreme also offers plenty of performance to play the latest games at 1080p, and Asus’ choice of a 120Hz display seems like a good fit for the device’s specs.
Should you buy the Asus ROG Ally?
The Asus ROG Ally is a solid laptop, and I suspect most gamers looking for a performance kick will be disappointed with the handheld. That said, the scene is evolving rapidly, and you may be wondering whether it’s better to secure an Asus ROG Ally X pre-order or wait for Zotac’s upcoming Steam Deck OLED rival. Some of you might even be tempted to pick the Lenovo Legion Go because of its larger 8.8-inch screen, but I’d argue that the OG Ally trumps all of that thanks to the new discount.
That’s not to say I wouldn’t recommend the ROG Ally X, as its improved battery life, larger 1TB SSD and 24GB of faster LPDDR5X RAM will be a draw for mobile enthusiasts. What I would advise is that gamers consider whether those features are worth paying $799.99 for, as you won’t get a huge fps boost using the new hardware.
When browsing for any new gaming technology, I always try to gauge whether the price of a gadget matches the experience it offers. Yes, spending more on premium models will normally give you access to extra features, but if we use the Legion Go as an example, I don’t think its faster QHD 144Hz display and detachable controllers are worth paying the extra $80 . Given some of the extra pizzazz that Lenovo adds to its portable, you’ll end up playing games at 1080p just like you would on the ROG Ally (just with worse controls and a more cumbersome device to hold).
As for 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 will you gain access to the same great controls, form factor, and 120Hz display, but it’ll still keep running lighter classics and indie reels. I think the Steam Deck OLED offers a more refined experience at the expense of the display’s versatility, so keep that in mind if you’re not worried about using Windows 11.
Looking for more giveaways? Look Asus ROG Ally Prime Day Deals AND Prime Day Steam Deck Deals for Amazon’s summer sale lowdown. Otherwise, swing by the best Steam Deck accessories AND the best Steam Deck dock if you already have Valve’s portable hub.