Finally available for pre-order, the Asus ROG Ally is already getting mixed reactions. 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 overcome, it turns out to be a real technological paradox, mirroring the challenges that the gaming industry still has to meet.
Good news for gaming addicts, the Asus ROG Ally is now available for pre-order. The first test scores range from 3/10 to 9/10, a real dispersion that announces a divisive console. We had the opportunity to test it, and it got an honorable 8/10 from us. At Numerama, our colleagues, same observation. Basically, it’s a Steam Deck on steroids, but like any bulking, there are side effects…
Where to buy
Asus ROG Ally at the best price?
As a reminder, this hybrid console-PC is positioned halfway between a gaming laptop and a Nintendo Switch. It is powered by new AMD Z1 and Z1 Extreme chips, which promise an optimal gaming experience. An interesting alternative to Valve’s console, if you’re willing to shell out a bit more. And that’s where it gets tricky.
When playing with the ROG Ally, it feels like playing with a Nintendo Switch that has drunk a Red Bull. It’s compact, it’s mobile, it’s responsive, but… it doesn’t last.
The first problem, and the least interesting, is related to autonomy. Indeed, it varies from 40 minutes to 4 hours, depending on your use. It’s very little, especially if you plan to use it for intensive gaming sessions. Energy consumption is high and the battery seems to struggle to keep up. Besides that, the Switch and the Steam Deck seem 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, that’s supposed to make the experience smooth and intuitive? Well, that’s Windows 11. Yes, you read that right, Windows 11.
The real problem is underscored everywhere, and particularly in Wired And The Verge, who gave the ROG Ally 3/10 and 5/10 ratings respectively. And that problem is Windows 11.
This problem is Windows 11
Wired perfectly describes the problem: The ROG Ally isn’t so much a Windows-based handheld gaming console as it’s a simple Windows PC built into a large controller with a screen. “. Translation: It’s like trying to spin a Model S Plaid on a go-kart track.
Most UI work falls to Windows-based game stores, and of those, only Steam seems to have anticipated the fact 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 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 make a niche with a semi-trailer in a street in Paris.
The interest of Windows is often praised for its versatility, the choice of platforms, the freedom… But it is clear that Windows 11 is not designed to be used on a 7-inch touch screen. Even Windows 8 was more suitable for this use, that is to say.
Microsoft isn’t just an operating system provider for the ROG Ally. Indeed, the company played a crucial role in the development of this console. ROG Ally comes preloaded with Xbox Game Pass and includes a free three-month subscription to the Ultimate plan. According to The Verge, Microsoft even helped make changes to the user interface and even made a special exception to certify Windows 11 for this particular 7-inch screen.
Plus, without community-created touchpads, gyro aiming, and controller profiles, plus over a decade of compatibility work, games designed for mouse and keyboard are left behind by Asus and Microsoft. . Asus’ Armory Crate app is supposed to fix this problem, but it’s more like bandaging an open wound than a real solution.
The Verge concludes by saying, “ I fundamentally believe that a laptop isn’t truly portable if the battery life and user interface aren’t built for the road. I also think most people interested in this machine would be better off spending an extra $300 on a gaming laptop. If you really want an ultra-portable machine, maybe save a few hundred bucks by picking up a Steam Deck for less than $500.“.
For Microsoft, this may be a red flag
Still, that doesn’t mean the Asus ROG Ally is a mediocre product overall. It’s a powerful gaming machine for 799 euros, which just needs a power outlet and a mouse and keyboard nearby to reach its full potential. It is certainly proof that the hybrid PC-console concept has potential, but also that there is still a long way to go before reaching the perfect balance.
For Microsoft, this may be a wake-up call. For gamers, it’s a reminder that raw power isn’t everything in a gaming console. And for us techies, it’s another exciting chapter in the ever-evolving world of gaming.
Want to join a community of enthusiasts? Our Discord welcomes you, it is a place of mutual aid and passion around tech.