Asus ROG Ally
 An Asus ROG Ally running Windows 11 | |
| Developer | Asus |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Asus |
Product family | Republic of Gamers |
| Type | Handheld game console |
| Released |
|
Introductory price | |
| Media | Digital distribution |
| Windows 11 | |
| CPU | |
| Memory | 16 GB LPDDR5-6400, Quad-channel 32-bit (128-bit), 102.4 GB/s (Ally) 24 GB LPDDR5X-7500, Quad-channel 32-bit (128-bit), 120.0 GB/s (Ally X) |
| Storage | 512 GB NVMe M.2 2230 (Ally) 1 TB NVMe M.2 2280 (Ally X) SSD (expandable) |
| microSD/SDHC/SDXC via UHS-II | |
| Display | 7-inch, 1920 × 1080 FHD Touchscreen IPS LCD @ 120 Hz, 16:9, 500 nits (SDR) with VRR FreeSync Premium & Dolby Vision |
| Graphics | |
| Sound | Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos |
| Input |
|
| Touchpad | Touch Screen (10-point multi-touch) |
| Connectivity |
|
| Power | TYPE-C, 65 W (Ally) or 140 W GaN (Ally X) AC Adapter & Charger, Output: 20 V DC, 3.25 A, 65 W, Input: 100~240 V AC 50/60 Hz universal 40 Wh Lithium-ion battery 4S1P, 4-cell (Ally) 80 Wh Lithium-ion battery 4S1P, 4-cell (Ally X) |
| Dimensions | 280 × 111 × 21.2~32.4 mm (11 × 4.4 × 0.8~1.3 in) (Ally) 280 × 111 × 24.7~36.9 mm (11 × 4.4 × 1~1.5 in) (Ally X) |
| Weight | 608 grams (1.340 lb) (Ally) 678 grams (1.495 lb) (Ally X) |
| Successor | ROG Xbox Ally |
| Website | Official website |
The Asus ROG Ally is a handheld gaming computer developed and manufactured by Asus as part of their Republic of Gamers (ROG) brand. Released on June 13, 2023, the device competes with Valve's Steam Deck. The ROG Ally runs with Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system and uses an AMD Zen 4 processor called the AMD Ryzen Z1 and Z1 Extreme. In addition to handheld use, the ROG Ally can be connected to a TV or monitor through a docking station or a dongle and be used like a desktop computer or home video game console.
History
[edit]Asus began developing a handheld gaming console in 2018 to compete with handheld computers such as the GPD Win 2.[2] Development slowed down over the next few years but was accelerated after Valve's 2021 announcement of the Steam Deck, which quickly led to a renewed public interest in handheld gaming computers.[3] The device was announced on April 1, 2023, leading many to believe it was an April Fools' Day prank,[4] with Asus clarifying its legitimacy three days later.[5]
Asus revealed the ROG Ally's release date, technical specifications and price on June 11, 2023. Two models were announced, one retailing for US$599 and implementing a Ryzen Z1 Processor, and another retailing for US$699 and implementing a Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor.[6] The latter was released on June 13, 2023, and the former was released during the third quarter of 2023.[7]
At Computex 2024, Asus announced the ROG Ally X, a high performance update of the Z1 Extreme model. It has 1 TB of NVMe storage, an M.2 2280 slot instead of M.2 2230, 24 GB of LPDDR5X-7500 RAM, a larger battery, and other improvements, priced at US$799.[8]
At the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, Asus and Microsoft announced the Xbox version of ROG Ally and Ally X, titled "ROG Xbox Ally" and "ROG Xbox Ally X". The first Xbox-branded handheld gaming computer, it features the controller grips inspired by Xbox Wireless Controller, dedicated Xbox button, impulse triggers (only for X model) and other Xbox-related features, and is powered by Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme and A processors. It was released on October 16, 2025.
Hardware
[edit]The ROG Ally implements an AMD APU, based on AMD's Zen 4 and RDNA 3 architectures. Two different models of the ROG Ally were released, one with a Ryzen Z1 processor and another with a Ryzen Z1 Extreme.[9] The Z1 CPU runs a six-core/twelve-thread unit and the Z1 GPU runs on four compute units[10] with a total estimated performance of 2.56 TFLOPS.[citation needed] The Z1 Extreme CPU runs an eight-core/sixteen-thread unit while its GPU runs on twelve compute units at an estimate of 8.6 teraflops. Both processors use variable timing frequencies, with the Z1 running between 3.2 and 4.9 GHz and the Z1 Extreme running between 3.3 and 5.1 GHz. The main unit of the Ally is designed for handheld use. It features a 7-inch touchscreen LCD with a 1080p resolution and variable refresh rate that goes from 48Hz up to 120 Hz.[11] Controls resemble those of an Xbox Wireless Controller, including two thumbsticks, a directional pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, two shoulder buttons on each side, and two configurable buttons on the back of the unit.[12]
Software
[edit]The ROG Ally ships with Windows 11 Home integrated with Armoury Crate SE, a software utility developed by Asus.[13] Armoury Crate lets the user quickly configure thermal design power with several pre-adjusted presets,[14] as well as change the refresh rate, screen resolution, limit frame rate and adjust clock rates.[15] Armoury Crate also acts as a game launcher, automatically compiling the user's game library from third-party launchers like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Ubisoft Connect and the EA App.[16] Although Windows 11 improved touchscreen support, some interactions can only be done using a mouse cursor. Due to this, Armoury Crate lets users emulate a mouse using the left joystick.[17] The ROG Ally also ships with a three-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass, a video game subscription service from Microsoft.[18]
Alternative operating systems
[edit]Some users opt to replace Windows 11 with Bazzite, a Linux distribution optimized for handheld gaming devices such as the ROG Ally. It offers native support for Steam, Proton, and Flatpak-based game launchers, along with performance tweaks tailored for portable gaming PCs.