The Asus ROG Ally is finally available for pre-order and is already getting mixed reviews. With scores ranging from 3/10 to 9/10, this console/PC hybrid, an ambitious alternative to Valve’s Steam deck, is as promising as it is controversial. Between undeniable power and challenges to be overcome, it turns out to be a real technological paradox that reflects the challenges that the gaming industry still has to face.
Asus ROG Ally // Source: Frandroid – Chloé Pertuis
Good news for gaming fans: the Asus ROG Ally is now available for pre-order. Initial test scores range from 3/10 to 9/10, a real spread heralding a divisive console. We had the opportunity to test it and it received an honorable 8/10 from us. At , our colleagues have the same observation. It’s basically a Steam deck on steroids, but as with any bulking, there are side effects…
Where to buy
Asus ROG Ally at the best price?
As a reminder, this hybrid console PC falls halfway between a gaming laptop and a Nintendo Switch. It is powered by new AMD Z1 and Z1 Extreme chips that promise an optimal gaming experience. An interesting alternative to the Valve console if you’re willing to spend a little more. And that’s where it gets difficult.
Playing with the ROG Ally feels like playing with a Nintendo Switch that has had a Red Bull down. It’s compact, mobile, responsive, but… it doesn’t last long.
The first and least interesting problem concerns autonomy. In fact, it varies between 40 minutes and 4 hours depending on usage. That’s very little, especially if you intend to use it for intense gaming sessions. Energy consumption is high and the battery seems to be struggling to keep up. That being said, the Switch and Steam deck appear to be seasoned marathon runners.
But that’s not the only downside. The real concern is the operating system. You know that little thing that keeps the machine running and is supposed to make the experience smooth and intuitive? Well, that’s Windows 11. Yes, you read that right, Windows 11.
The real problem is highlighted everywhere, notably at Wired and The Verge, which gave the ROG Ally 3/10 and 5/10 ratings, respectively. And this problem is Windows 11.
This problem is Windows 11
Wired describes the problem perfectly: “ROG Ally is less of a portable Windows-based gaming console and more of a simple Windows PC integrated into a large controller with a screen.” Spin S Plaid on a go-kart track.
Most of the UI work falls on Windows-based game stores, and of those, only Steam seems to have anticipated that we wouldn’t have a mouse and keyboard on hand. Steam’s Big Picture mode is designed for handhelds and TVs, and that’s exactly what you’ll find on the Ally. The others, like Xbox, Battle.net, Origin, and Epic, look more like scaled-down versions of their desktop apps. In short, it’s like trying to carve out a niche with a semi-trailer on a street in Paris.
Asus ROG Ally with Steam in the big picture // Source: Frandroid – Chloé Pertuis
Interest in Windows is often praised for its versatility, choice of platforms, freedom… But it’s clear that Windows 11 isn’t designed to be used on a 7-inch touchscreen. For this purpose, even Windows 8 was better suited.
Microsoft isn’t just an OS vendor for the ROG Ally. In fact, the company played a crucial role in the development of this console. ROG Ally comes preinstalled with Xbox Game Pass and includes a free three-month subscription to the Ultimate plan. According to The Verge, Microsoft has even made changes to the user interface and even made an exception to certify Windows 11 for this particular 7-inch screen.
Without community-created touchpads, gyro targets and controller profiles, and over a decade of compatibility work, games designed for mouse and keyboard are left behind by Asus and Microsoft. Asus’ Armory Crate app aims to fix this problem, but it’s more like bandaging an open wound than a real solution.
The Verge concludes, “I basically believe that a laptop isn’t truly portable if the battery life and user interface aren’t designed for travel.” I also think most people interested in this device would be better off turn to shell out an additional $300 for a gaming laptop. If you really want an ultraportable machine, you might save a few hundred bucks by getting a Steam Deck for less than $500.
For Microsoft, this could be a red flag
However, that doesn’t mean the Asus ROG Ally is a mediocre product overall. It’s a powerful $799 gaming machine that only needs a power outlet, mouse and keyboard nearby to reach its full potential. It’s certainly proof that the hybrid PC console concept has potential, but also that there’s still a long way to go before it’s perfectly balanced.
For Microsoft, this could be a wake-up call. For gamers, it’s a reminder that raw performance isn’t everything in a gaming console. And for us techies, it’s another exciting chapter in the ever-evolving world of gaming.
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