Starting this week, Best Buy is slashing $200 off the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme gaming handheld, bringing the price down to just $449.99. This is the lowest price I've seen for a brand new unit, even lower than during Black Friday. Along with the discount, you'll receive a free official ROG Ally travel case, one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and two months of Crunchyroll Mega Fan subscription. The Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme stands out as one of the best gaming handhelds on the market, especially for those who prefer not to be locked into Steam's ecosystem.
Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme Gaming Handheld for $449.99
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. It's the higher-end model of the two Asus ROG Ally options, featuring an AMD Zen 4-based Z1 Extreme CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It boasts a 7" screen with a sharp 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.
Unlike its main competitor, the Steam Deck, which runs on a Linux-based Steam OS, the ROG Ally operates on Windows 11. This compatibility with virtually any Windows-based game launcher, including Steam, Battle.net, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store, GOG, Ubisoft Connect, and more, makes it a versatile choice for gamers who enjoy titles not readily available or difficult to install on the Steam Deck.
In our Asus ROG Ally review, Robert Anderson noted that "the Asus ROG Ally truly feels like the portable Xbox Game Pass machine that many fans have been clamoring for. While it has its drawbacks, such as a frustrating user experience, poor battery life, and the absence of Steam Deck-style touchpads, the handheld is undeniably fun to use when it's in full swing. With its stunning 1080p screen, which is bright and perfect for on-the-go gaming in any condition, combined with its powerful specs and competitive price, it might just be the Steam Deck competitor we've been waiting for."
It's worth noting that with CES 2025 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 now 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, also with the 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 all-around better gaming experience, though at a $300 higher price point.
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