Asus recently released an image of a selection of different prototype models of the ROG Ally handheld gaming PC. These prototypes were developed over five years of iteration before settling on the final design. While the machine is similar to Valve’s Steam Deck, Asus has been clear that it was making the ROG Ally long before Valve launched its own gaming PC.
The ROG Ally and the Handheld Gaming PC Market
The ROG Ally is set to launch on May 11th, and Asus has been discussing the machine and its place in the handheld gaming PC market. Despite similarities to the Steam Deck, Asus claims that the ROG Ally would still exist even if Valve had not released its own gaming PC. According to Galip Fu, Asus’ global marketing director, the company had already designed a Windows-based PC gaming handheld device and was waiting for the right hardware to offer the ultimate gaming experience.
Prototypes and Design
Asus needed Valve’s encouragement to push forward with the ROG Ally, as the prototypes showed that the design was not heading in the right direction. However, the right hardware was also needed, and the AMD Z1 and Z1 Extreme chips appear to be the right components to be used in a handheld gaming PC. The top-end ROG Ally handheld will offer more GPU power than the Steam Deck and desktop graphics card performance equivalent to an RX 6600. However, it remains to be seen how this will impact thermals and battery life, as well as the price point, which Asus claims will be “for sure… below $1,000.”
The Steam Deck’s Influence
The Steam Deck’s introduction in 2021 encouraged Asus to accelerate its collaboration with AMD to develop something even more advanced. The ROG Ally will offer powerful and efficient hardware for modern PC handheld gaming. Valve has been a central figure in the PC gaming industry for decades and has a special place in the hearts of gamers, including Asus.
Overall, the ROG Ally handheld gaming PC is set to offer an impressive gaming experience, with powerful hardware and a sleek design. The May 11th launch will provide more information about the ROG Ally’s performance, battery life, and pricing, and it will be interesting to see how it competes with the Steam Deck and other handheld gaming PCs on the market.
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