ROG Ally First Look – Budget Xbox‑Style Handheld with Windows 11 Full‑Screen Mode

Introduction

Asus has expanded its handheld gaming lineup with the ROG Ally – a Windows‑based device that aims to deliver an Xbox‑style experience in the palm of your hand. While the premium Ally X packs a high‑end Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, the standard Ally uses a more modest AMD Ryzen Z2A chip, essentially an over‑clocked version of the Steam Deck’s processor. This first‑look review examines the design, hardware, software experience, performance, and battery life of the non‑X model, highlighting where it shines and where it falls short.

Design and Build

The Ally’s ergonomics are its strongest selling point. Asus retained the familiar handheld silhouette but added contoured rear handles, giving the device a feel closer to an Xbox controller than a typical portable PC.

• Rear macro keys are easily reachable for quick actions.
• Linear triggers provide precise analog input, ideal for racing titles.
• Shoulder buttons sit comfortably under the index fingers.
• Front‑firing stereo speakers deliver surprisingly immersive spatial sound.
• A fingerprint sensor doubles as the power button, enabling fast, secure login.
• Connectivity includes dual USB‑C 3.2 ports, a micro‑SD slot, 3.5 mm audio jack, and an LED power indicator.

The device is offered only in a sleek black finish (a white variant exists for the original Ally but not the X model). At 65 Wh, the battery is smaller than the Ally X’s 80 Wh pack, contributing to a lighter overall weight.

Hardware Specifications

Component	Specification
CPU	AMD Ryzen Z2A, Zen 2, 4 cores/8 threads, 2.8 GHz base / 3.8 GHz boost
GPU	Integrated RDNA 2, 8 compute units, up to 1.8 GHz
Memory	16 GB LPDDR5 @ 6400 MT/s
Storage	512 GB M.2 2280 SSD (upgradeable)
Display	7‑inch 120 Hz IPS, 1920×1080, 100 % sRGB, 500 nits
Wireless	Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Battery	65 Wh lithium‑polymer
OS	Windows 11 with Full‑Screen Handheld experience

The APU is essentially a Steam Deck processor with a 300 MHz CPU overclock and a 200 MHz GPU boost, delivering modest performance gains over the Deck’s original hardware.

Windows 11 Full‑Screen Handheld Experience

Asus ships the Ally with a specially tuned version of Windows 11 that boots directly into the Xbox app, bypassing the traditional desktop. Key features include:

• Fingerprint or PIN entry via the power button for quick authentication.
• Game Bar integration that provides instant access to the Xbox app, Armory Crate, and other installed stores.
• Ability to launch alternative storefronts (Steam Big Picture, Epic, GOG, etc.) without leaving the handheld environment.
• Memory savings of up to 2 GB by omitting the desktop shell.
• A task picker (Xbox button) for fast app switching.

While the full‑screen mode is still maturing, it already offers a more console‑like experience than standard Windows on a handheld.

Performance and Benchmarks

Performance was evaluated across a range of titles using the three power profiles available through Armory Crate:

• Silent – 6 W TDP
• Performance – 15 W TDP
• Turbo – 20 W TDP (manual up to 24 W)

Forza Horizon 5

• 1080p, medium settings, 20 W: ~90 fps
• 15 W: slight dip below 60 fps at peaks
• 900p resolution stabilises frame‑rate above 60 fps at 15 W

Spider‑Man 2 (720p, low/FSR)

• 20 W: frequent dips; even with FSR Performance and frame generation, struggling to sustain 60 fps

Cyberpunk 2077 (720p, Steam Deck preset)

• 20 W: sub‑40 fps without frame generation
• Enabling frame generation pushes average into the 70 fps range, though spikes remain

Fallout 4 & GTA V

• Fallout 4 (720p, medium, 20 W): playable, modest frame‑rates
• GTA V (1080p, minimal, 20 W): ~67 fps, showing the device can handle older open‑world titles at higher resolutions

Indie/2D Games

• Silk Song (720p, 8 W): stable 60 fps with total system draw of ~8.5 W, demonstrating excellent efficiency for low‑intensity titles

Overall, the Ally performs best at 720p–900p resolutions. Expect smooth gameplay in less demanding titles, while newer AAA games require aggressive scaling or frame‑generation techniques to reach acceptable frame‑rates.

Battery Life

Testing used a 65 Wh battery, screen brightness set to 50 % and a 60 Hz refresh rate.

• Quiet mode (≈8 W total draw) – ~8 hours, ideal for indie or 2D games.
• Performance mode (≈24 W total draw) – ~2 hours 40 minutes for AAA titles.
• Turbo mode (≈29.5 W total draw) – ~2 hours 10 minutes.

The power envelope aligns with expectations for a handheld of this class, though heavy gaming quickly drains the battery.

Verdict

The ROG Ally (non‑X) offers a compelling ergonomic design and a polished Windows 11 handheld experience that feels more console‑like than most Windows‑based portable PCs. However, its performance is limited by an aging Zen 2‑based APU, even with modest clock boosts. The device excels at 720p‑900p gaming, indie titles, and cloud‑gaming services, but struggles to deliver consistent 60 fps in demanding AAA games without heavy downscaling or frame‑generation assistance.

For users seeking a budget-friendly, Xbox‑styled handheld that runs native Windows applications and can double as a portable PC, the Ally is an attractive option. Those prioritising raw performance for the latest titles may find the Ally X or other newer handhelds a better fit.

Potential future improvements—such as a SteamOS port or further driver optimisations—could extend the device’s relevance, but as of now the Ally is best positioned as a comfortable, versatile entry point into handheld PC gaming rather than a high‑performance powerhouse.