I'm the Second Person to Touch This - ROG Ally Preview

TL;DR

The Asus Rog Ally is a powerful handheld console that offers double the performance, twice the refresh rate, and more than double the resolution of its competitors.

Transcript

the Prototype inside this box was flown and hand delivered to me by Asus and I can tell you with certainty that while I'm not allowed to tell you the exact specs this is not just another steam deck clone because it's more like two steam deck clones they are claiming literally double the performance twice the refresh rate more than double the resolu... Read More

Key Insights

• 👤 The Asus Rog Ally is not a mere copycat design; it has been in development for a decade and offers unique features based on user feedback.
• 👻 The device focuses on user comfort, with an ergonomic design that allows for a comfortable grip and optimal viewing angles.
• 🚄 The Rog Ally offers impressive performance, with faster speeds and higher resolution than its competitors, making it a compelling choice for handheld gaming.
• 🤗 While the device has some limitations, such as non-hall effect joysticks, Asus appears to be open to third-party options and improvements.
• 😎 The Rog Ally's cooling system is commendable, with a quality thermal solution and two fans to maintain high performance without excessive noise.
• 🦥 The device includes various inputs and outputs, including a headphone jack, Micro SD slot, and a unique USBC port for connecting an external GPU.
• 👻 The optional XG Mobile connection allows users to transform the device into a more powerful gaming system, although its compatibility is limited.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the Asus Rog Ally differentiate itself from other handheld consoles?

The Rog Ally stands out with its unique design and attention to user comfort, offering ergonomics that cater to different preferences. It also boasts superior performance and a high-resolution display.

Q: How does the Rog Ally compare to the Steam Deck in terms of performance?

According to Asus, the Rog Ally is up to 50% faster than the Steam Deck at 15 watts, and double the performance at 35 watts. It offers a smoother gaming experience, especially for emulated and indie games.

Q: Does the Rog Ally have any limitations or drawbacks?

While the device offers impressive performance, it does lack hall effect joysticks, which may affect precise control. The prototype also had a few comfort issues, but improvements are expected in the final version.

Q: Can the Rog Ally be connected to an external GPU?

Yes, the Rog Ally features an Asus XG Mobile connection that allows users to plug in an external GPU. This offers potential for upgradeability and turning the device into a powerful gaming system.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Asus Rog Ally is not just another copycat design; it has been in development for the past 10 years and offers unique features based on user feedback.

• The device is designed to be comfortable to hold, with ergonomic contours and buttons that cater to a variety of gaming preferences.

• The Rog Ally boasts impressive performance, with a powerful processor and graphics capabilities, as well as a high-resolution and responsive display.