2023-05-01 16:00:00
The ASUS ROG Ally has not yet been officially launched, but TudoCelular – in partnership with HdBlog – has already had access to a test unit of the device and now brings the first impressions of the device.
Designed to compete with the Steam Deck, this console is portable, but inside it we have a real PC with Windows 11. In other words, a proposal that has everything to please the gamer public and make ASUS achieve good sales figures.
In addition, it is also necessary to highlight the good design, the adjustments that ASUS has made in the field of cooling and the wide customization available.
Without further ado, meet the new ASUS ROG Ally now.
Design
ASUS ROG Ally’s main highlight is its build quality and ergonomics. And, as we are talking regarding a hybrid between console and PC, we have a good job done by the manufacturer here.
In the real world, the set is quite bulky, even more so with its 7-inch screen. The total weight is around 608 grams and that makes it lighter than Steam Deck.
Talking regarding the layout of the controls, it is very reminiscent of what we have on Xbox. Especially because we are talking regarding a device that runs a Microsoft operating system.
In addition, the console is sturdy and the user will not be able to bend or damage it by holding it tighter. The air vents were well positioned and this means that they do not disturb the game.
For the general joy of gamers, we have here a P2 port for wired headphones. The equipment also has an HDMI output so you can connect it to a TV or external monitors and a MicroSD card slot.
ASUS also confirmed that the ROG Ally will be sold together with a series of extra accessories and an example of this is the dock that will allow it to recharge while connected to a TV.
Other options will also be presented at the official launch.
Performance
Here we have a console or “mini PC” with a 7-inch screen that has a refresh rate of 120 Hz. However, the resolution is only Full HD and the panel is not OLED.
The aspect ratio is 16 by 9 and that’s ideal for playing games or watching movies. ROG Ally’s display is still touch-sensitive, and you can navigate the system’s interface as if it were a smartphone.
In terms of audio, the console has two speakers to ensure stereo sound, and there is Dolby Atmos certification to deliver good quality for those who like to play without headphones.
In practice, this set manages to guarantee a good level of volume and we have no distortions when it is at maximum. That is, it is within the standard for this type of device.
Even more so when we take into account that the user plays with the console relatively close to the face. But of course, anyone who wants to play using headphones can take advantage of the P2 port for the wired option.
On the performance side, ROG Ally uses an AMD-developed APU that was created exclusively for this device. Its name is Ryzen Z1 and it has the Z1 Extreme option.
That is, we will have two variants of this console on the market, but at launch only Extreme will be sold. ASUS did not explain the reason behind this decision.
Anyway, what we do know is that we have the Zen 4 architecture here, while for graphics there is RDNA 3. In both versions, the Taiwanese manufacturer should sell the ROG Ally with 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of SSD internal storage.
This allows you to install some games in the console’s memory, but it is clear that the idea behind this device is to provide the best experience for those using cloud services.
So much so, in fact, that ASUS should provide a Game Pass gift card in the ROG Ally’s box. Thus, each consumer will be able to try the service for three months free of charge.
With this, the user will not overload the ROG Ally’s hardware. Even so, the device has two game modes and our recommendation is: light games can be installed on the device.
As for those heavier titles, it’s better to play on the Xbox Cloud. Especially because the graphic rendering in the second option manages to be much more efficient and you won’t notice any stuttering in the experience.
Finally, and very importantly, ASUS has once once more done a good job in terms of cooling. It’s clear that the company gained good experience in the field of smartphones and apparently that made the difference in the ROG Ally.
That is, you will be able to play very calmly, since the small console or mini PC will not fry in your hand. That’s because the AMD chip is in the center and far away from the buttons.
We still have two small fans and the hot air comes out the back. Regarding autonomy, we are going to be in debt on this issue. Unfortunately, the ROG Ally was short-lived in our hands and this limited the experience.
Thus, making any value judgments regarding autonomy would be premature to say the least.
Software
Considered one of the extremely positive points on this console, Windows 11 is present on ROG Ally to ensure a complete experience.
ASUS also provides Armory Crate software on this console to allow extensive customization of the user experience. As with the ROG Phone, here it is basically a hub.
You can see how the games interact with the operating system, manage the lighting of the LEDs on the joystick, change the sensitivity of the buttons and even the vibration response.
You can also associate commands with the rear triggers. In addition, with just a few taps, you can change the frame rate in games and manage settings for connected accessories, such as a mouse and keyboard.
That is, basically an experience similar to what ASUS offers on the ROG Phone and something that ends up attracting enthusiasts. As I said, the manufacturer took everything good it learned from smartphones and put it here on this console.
first impressions
The official launch of ROG Ally is scheduled for May 11th. As for the price, well ASUS hasn’t revealed it yet, but rumors indicate that it will be less than US$ 1,000. That is, less than R$ 5,000.
Of course, below a thousand dollars we have a wide range of price options and there are those who bet in the range of US$ 700 dollars, something around R$ 3,600.
In any case, the ASUS ROG Ally makes good impressions. Without a doubt, it is not an innovative and unique product in its segment, but the fact that it is a well-built device and with Windows 11 makes it a good option.
Not to mention the ability to play both offline and in the cloud. In other words, definitely a good alternative for those who enjoy mobility and really want to play PC games.
In short, the ROG Ally is a good console and has a lot of potential in the market, even though it is a niche product. Now we can only wait to find out the official price and when it will be sold in the Brazilian market.
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