Deal | The Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme handheld gaming PC falls to $450, matching its all-time low sale price
It's an exciting time for the handheld gaming PC market, with Xbox partnering with Asus for two new models. With added competition comes the chance for a better deal on these devices. The Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme version is not a newcomer, but it remains one of the most popular Windows-based options. Nebraska Furniture Mart is an unlikely storefront that has the handheld at a record-low $450 sale price. However, buyers have had success with Best Buy customer support matching the price.
An affordable Windows handheld
The Asus ROG Ally launched in 2023 with a cheaper version soon made available using the Ryzen Z1 processor. That handheld is now scarce, leaving the faster Z1 Extreme as the most affordable alternative. Along with the AMD chip, the ROG Ally offers 16 GB of LPDDR5 memory and a 512 GB NVMe M.2 SSD for storage. Despite some potent hardware, the portable gaming PC weighs just 608 grams.
To maintain its compact profile, the ROG Ally ships with a 7-inch screen, maxing out at a 1080p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. While that's more pixels than on the Steam Deck OLED, its Valve rival has a marginally larger display and considerably deeper blacks. Also, the Windows-powered Lenovo Legion Go boasts a more expansive 8.8-inch screen. Nevertheless, the ROG Ally's IPS panel features wide viewing angles, and its anti-glare coating can handle ambient light.
One of the strengths of a Windows handheld is its support for an endless library of titles. The Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme can boot any PC game, even if it's not Steam Deck certified. Gamers also have the flexibility to use apps and mods blocked by locked-down gaming consoles. Enterprising users can even install SteamOS, which may result in improved efficiency and battery life.
Buyers could wait for the Asus ROG Xbox Ally or Ally X, which is due out in the 2025 Holiday season. Still, much of the appeal of the Xbox handheld contenders is software-related. Microsoft will introduce a full-screen UI to make navigating the devices more intuitive. Fortunately, these changes may arrive on other Windows machines in 2026.
Purchase the Asus ROG Ally for $450, $200 off its regular price.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
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