Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme: Historic Low Price on Handheld Gaming PC

Starting this week, Best Buy is slashing $200 off the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme gaming handheld, bringing the price down to just $449.99. This is the lowest price ever recorded for a brand-new unit, even beating Black Friday deals. Plus, with your purchase, 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 ROG Ally stands out as one of the premier gaming handhelds on the market, particularly for those looking to explore beyond 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 cutting-edge Windows 11 based gaming handheld PC. This model represents the higher tier of the two Asus ROG Ally options, featuring an AMD Zen 4 based Z1 Extreme CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It showcases a vibrant 7" 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 leverages the familiar 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. This versatility is a significant draw for gamers who enjoy titles not readily available or challenging to install on the Steam Deck.

In our Asus ROG Ally review, Robert Anderson praised it, stating, "the Asus ROG Ally truly feels like the portable Xbox Game Pass machine that many fans have been clamoring for. While it faces challenges with user experience, battery life, and the absence of Steam Deck-style touchpads, the handheld delivers an undeniably enjoyable experience when it's in full swing. Its stunning 1080p screen is perfect for gaming on the go, and with its robust specs and competitive price, it might just be the Steam Deck competitor we've been waiting for."

With CES 2025 now behind us, the handheld gaming PC market is set to see increased competition. The latest entry is the Lenovo Legion Go S, which, despite not being superior to the ROG Ally and carrying a higher price tag of $729, comes equipped with a Z2 Go and 32GB of RAM. A more budget-friendly version is slated for release in May 2025, offering your choice between Windows 11 and SteamOS for $599. Additionally, the Asus ROG Ally X, released towards the end of 2024, offers enhanced gaming capabilities but at a $300 premium.

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