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Starting this week, Best Buy is slashing $200 off the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme gaming handheld, bringing the price down to an unbeatable $449.99. This is the lowest price we've seen for a brand-new unit, even lower than Black Friday deals. Along with the discount, you'll receive a free official ROG Ally travel case, a one-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and a two-month Crunchyroll Mega Fan subscription. The ROG Ally stands out as one of the best gaming handhelds on the market, especially for those looking to escape the confines of 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. As the higher-end model of the Asus ROG Ally lineup, it features an AMD Zen 4-based Z1 Extreme CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It sports a 7-inch screen with a crisp 1080p resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
While its main competitor, the Steam Deck, operates on a Linux-based Steam OS, the ROG Ally runs on the widely-used 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 more versatile choice for gamers who enjoy a broader range of games that might be challenging 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 eagerly awaiting. 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 once it gets going. Its stunning 1080p screen is bright and ideal for gaming on the go under any conditions. Combined with its powerful specs and aggressive pricing, it might just be the Steam Deck competitor we've been waiting for."
With CES 2025 behind us, the handheld gaming PC market is set to see increased competition. The latest entrant, the Lenovo Legion Go S, while not necessarily superior to the ROG Ally, comes at a higher price point of $729 with a Z2 Go CPU and 32GB of RAM. A more budget-friendly version is expected 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 overall better gaming experience, though at a $300 premium.
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