Starting this week, Best Buy is offering an incredible deal on the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme gaming handheld, slashing the price by $200 to just $449.99. This is the lowest price we've seen for a brand-new unit, even beating Black Friday deals. 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 a Crunchyroll Mega Fan subscription. The ROG Ally stands out as one of the premier 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. This model represents the higher end of the two Asus ROG Ally options, featuring an AMD Zen 4-based Z1 Extreme CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It sports a 7" screen with a crisp 1080p resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
Unlike its main competitor, the Steam Deck, which operates on a Linux-based Steam OS, the ROG Ally runs 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 since CES 2025, the handheld gaming PC market has seen increased competition. The latest entrant is the Lenovo Legion Go S, which, while not necessarily superior to the ROG Ally, comes at a higher price of $729 for the Windows 11 version with a Z2 Go and 32GB of RAM. A more budget-friendly version is set to launch in May 2025, offering a choice between Windows 11 and SteamOS for $599. Additionally, the Asus ROG Ally X, released in late 2024, offers an all-around better gaming experience, though at a $300 premium.
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