Starting this week, Best Buy is offering a spectacular deal on the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme gaming handheld, slashing the price by $200 to just $449.99. This is the lowest price I've seen for a brand new unit, even lower than Black Friday deals. Along with the price cut, 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 Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme stands out as one of the premier gaming handhelds on the market, especially for those looking to break free from 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 powerful Windows 11-based gaming handheld PC. As the higher-end model of the two Asus ROG Ally variants, it features an AMD Zen 4-based Z1 Extreme CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It sports a vibrant 7-inch screen with a crisp 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 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 a versatile choice for gamers who enjoy titles not easily accessible or installable on the Steam Deck.
In our Asus ROG Ally review, Robert Anderson noted, "The Asus ROG Ally truly feels like the portable Xbox Game Pass machine that many fans have been yearning for. Despite some drawbacks like a frustrating user experience, subpar battery life, and the absence of Steam Deck-style touchpads, the handheld delivers an incredibly enjoyable experience when it's in full swing. With its stunning 1080p screen that's brilliantly bright and ideal for gaming on the go in any condition, combined with its robust specifications and an attractive price point, it might just be the Steam Deck competitor we've all been waiting for."
It's worth noting that with CES 2025 now behind us, the handheld gaming PC market is set to see even more competition. The more compact and updated Lenovo Legion Go S has been announced and is available for preorder. The Windows 11 version with a Z2 Go chip and 32GB of RAM is set to launch in January 2025, starting at $729. A more budget-friendly version, featuring the same Z2 Go chip but with 16GB of RAM and a choice between Windows 11 or SteamOS, will be available in May 2025 for $599. Additionally, the Asus ROG Ally X, released in 2024, offers an all-around superior gaming experience, though at a $300 premium.
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