ROG Ally drops to its lowest price ever, making it less than Switch 2 — Here's why it could be your dream gaming handheld

Xbox Game Bar compact mode on the ROG Ally
The ASUS ROG Ally runs Windows 11, which means you can play a massive library of games on the handheld. (Image credit: Windows Central)

The ASUS ROG Ally is a portable gaming PC that fits in the palms of your hands. The model with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor is usually a bit pricey, but a massive discount slashes the ROG Ally to $448.99.

Disclaimer

While writing this piece, I saw ASUS ROG Ally stock at Newegg run out. Around an hour later, the deal was available once again. If you want the ROG Ally at its best price, you'll need to act quickly. There is a chance that stock will flucuate, so it's worth checking back in if the ROG Ally is sold out at any given moment.

ASUS ROG Ally
The best Windows handheld
Save $201
ASUS ROG Ally: was $649.99 now $448.99 at Newegg

"I personally like the ROG Ally quite a lot and find myself wanting to play with it every day. It gives me plenty of freedom to get the Ally doing exactly what I want and access any gaming service I want. I love how light and balanced it feels in my hands, and the fact that it's the only modern gaming handheld that doesn't make my hands cramp up is enormous. Plus, it can run my best PC games rather easily." — Rebecca Spear

Windows Central review ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

✅Perfect for: Those who want a capable, balanced handheld for mobile PC gaming and don't want to break the bank.

❌Avoid if: You want a newer gaming handheld, such as the ROG Xbox Ally, ROG Ally X, or recent releases from other manufacturers.

Display: 7-inch IPS LCD, 16:9 aspect ratio, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 500nits brightness, multi-touch support. Processor: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme w/ Radeon graphics. Memory: 16GB LPDDR5 RAM. Storage: 512GB M.2 2230 PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD. OS: Windows 11 w/ ASUS Armoury Crate. Weight: 608g (1.34lbs). Included freebies: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3-months). Warranty: 2-year Standard. Launch date: 2023.

👉See at: Newegg

Return period: 15 days. Price match? Yes (Also applies within return period). Free shipping: $35 minimum. Membership: My Best Buy w/ free shipping, exclusive deals, 60-day return period, & expanded support.

💰Price check: $649.99 at Best Buy or $549.99 at Walmart

Earlier this year, I said a similar discount on the ROG Ally proved "you get what you pay for" is a lie. At the time, the more powerful ROG Ally with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor cost less than its weaker sibling.

That is the case once again, as the ROG Ally with a Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor now costs less than the model with a Ryzen Z1 (non-extreme) chip.

The ROG Ally is one of the best gaming handhelds. It runs Windows 11, granting you access to a massive library of purchased games and titles available through subscriptions such as PC Game Pass.

Steam, Epic Games, the Microsoft Store, and the Xbox app are all supported on the ROG Ally, so you don't have to repurchase games you already bought to play on another gaming PC.

While Windows 11 provides versatility and is compatible with both new and old games, the operating system is not well optimized for smaller screens. Microsoft is working to fix that, but there are alternatives you can use right now. For example, you can install SteamOS on the ROG Ally if you'd like.

The ROG Ally is best used for local gameplay, but it can also be used to stream games through Xbox Cloud Gaming.

The gaming handheld space is quite competitive in 2025. ASUS alone has the ROG Ally, ROG Ally X, and ROG Xbox Ally. Those similarly named devices all have different specs and price points.

When you toss in excellent devices from Steam, Lenovo, and Nintendo, it can be difficult to pick the best gaming handheld for you. Our Rebecca Spear owns the ROG Ally, ROG Ally X, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, Steam Deck LCD, Legion Go, Legion Go S, AYANEO 2S, and other devices. She has a complete breakdown of the best gaming handhelds.

Spear also has a piece comparing the ROG Ally vs the Nintendo Switch 2. Since the devices run different operating systems and feature distinct game libraries, it isn't an apples-to-apples comparison. But given the current prices of gaming handhelds, you may have to choose one or the other.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 930, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.

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