Starting this week, Best Buy is slashing $200 off the price of the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme gaming handheld, bringing it down to just $449.99. This is the lowest price I've seen for a brand new unit, even beating Black Friday deals. Plus, with this purchase, 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 ROG Ally stands out as one of the top gaming handhelds on the market, especially for those looking to break free from the Steam 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 powerful Windows 11-based gaming handheld PC. It's the premium version of the two Asus ROG Ally models, featuring an AMD Zen 4 based Z1 Extreme CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The device boasts a 7-inch screen with a sharp 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 the familiar Windows 11. This compatibility extends to virtually any Windows-based game launcher, including Steam, Battle.net, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store, GOG, Ubisoft Connect, and more, making it an ideal choice for gamers who enjoy a diverse library of games not easily accessible on the Steam Deck.
In our Asus ROG Ally review, Robert Anderson highlighted that "the Asus ROG Ally truly feels like the portable Xbox Game Pass machine that many fans have been clamoring for. Despite some drawbacks like a frustrating user experience, poor battery life, and the absence of Steam Deck-style touchpads, the handheld is incredibly fun to use when it's running smoothly. With its stunning 1080p screen, which is bright and perfect for playing on the go, 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 CES 2025 has already passed, and the handheld gaming PC market is heating up with new competitors. The more compact and updated Lenovo Legion Go S has been announced and is now available for preorder. If you're interested in the Lenovo Legion Go S, 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 your choice of Windows 11 or SteamOS, will be available in May 2025 for $599. Additionally, the Asus ROG Ally X, released in 2024, offers an enhanced gaming experience at a $300 higher price point.
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