More companies are beginning to see there is a market for a PC gaming handheld, with Asus planning to release the ROG Ally. Initially, this seemed like an April Fools joke but it turned out to be real.
For the GamingOnLinux readership it might not be exactly what you're going to instantly sign up for, since it will be coming with Windows 11, but it's interesting to see more companies jump in and no doubt after a while Linux drivers will appear like they do for pretty much everything. We may even see Valve support it with their eventual release of SteamOS 3.
Coming in a bit smaller than the Steam Deck with no touchpads, it will limit what you're able to play a bit more but it will have a 16:9 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a custom AMD APU they claim is the "fastest yet", a dual-fan design and eGPU support. Asus claim it will offer double the performance on the Steam Deck but they're not giving out any tech specs or battery life details.
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Asus are a much bigger name than the likes of AYANEO, GPD and Onexplayer so they could potentially offer prices a bit lower since they're likely able to take on a bit more of the costs. Naturally though, they will still have to price it at a point where it makes enough money to be profitable to a point where it makes sense, so I still expect it to be a fair bit higher than the Steam Deck pricing since they can't make up for it by the 30% cut Valve get from Steam games.
LinusTT and Dave2D managed to take a look at it:
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They're only prototypes right now, so there's of course every chance that Asus don't actually end up releasing it but given how far along it is, I imagine they will. You can follow it on Best Buy if you want to be notified of when it's available, no word yet on availability in various regions.
Given how Valve have clearly said there's no planned Steam Deck refresh for some time, as they're waiting for it to be truly worth it, this is the closest I've been to believing it has some real competition. It all depends on the price.
What do you think about this?
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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Uberkeyser 4 Apr 2023
It all depends on the price.
Well, kindof not at all. For me it all depends on the software, in particular the OS. The ASUS thingy won't stand a chance with me for being Windows 11 based.
And that is not because of ideology this and that; okay maybe a bit ideology, but mainly because I do not want to end up with a brick once MS decides to no logner support it (potentially on purpose because it competes with the Xbox ecosystem).
Booo booo, ASUS, booooooooo!
6 Likes, Who?
I was speaking generally for the main market, where it absolutely depends on price. Linux fans are a tiny minority.
2 Likes, Who?
It all depends on the price.
Well, kindof not at all. For me it all depends on the software, in particular the OS. The ASUS thingy won't stand a chance with me for being Windows 11 based.
And that is not because of ideology this and that; okay maybe a bit ideology, but mainly because I do not want to end up with a brick once MS decides to no logner support it (potentially on purpose because it competes with the Xbox ecosystem).
Booo booo, ASUS, booooooooo!
I'm thinking it'll work well on Linux with those all AMD parts. Might need some HID work for the controller parts. Great looking device, but I can't imagine affording one and I already have a Steam Deck. But wow, the power. The Power.
"MS decides to no longer support it" - Well I mean this is Microsoft so there's a good chance they'll partly brick it _whilst_ supporting it. It's the Windows 11 way.
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I'm thinking it'll work well on Linux with those all AMD parts.
Pretty sure it will. I wouldn't want to support MS with 10% of the Unitprice though ;)
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The hardware looks competent, no info on the price (I will be surprised if this is less than 800 USD), but there's one thing that really worries me: they said the UI is powered by their Armoury Crate software, which is probably one of the worst pieces of software I've had the displeasure of using in recent years. Asus is good with hardware, but I don't trust them with software at all. And finally, since they're using Windows, there won't be a quick suspend/resume feature, which is one of the most important things for a handheld device to have.
Edit: typo
Last edited by CAVR on 4 Apr 2023 at 11:13 am UTC
Edit: typo
Last edited by CAVR on 4 Apr 2023 at 11:13 am UTC
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When you think that cosmetic LEDs are useless enough, their is always a new challenger.
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What i'd want from a SD2 is quiter fan and a better screen (but still 16:10 for emulation). It got almost both.
However if the trade off is no steamOS, no trackpad, 2 less back button and no gaming mode with easy access to steaminput, i dunno about that. Even if it's way more powerfull. It would end up hooked to my monitor as a false regular pc. If the price is what i expect it to be 800~1200€$, a gaming laptop would at least come with a keyboard and a bigger screen at this point.
Also, no mention of gyro here, which is a bit concerning.
Still, i's good news as it can somehow push valve to make a better SD2 in a couple years (more like 5 ?) just by being a good competitor.
Last edited by QYME on 4 Apr 2023 at 2:35 pm UTC
However if the trade off is no steamOS, no trackpad, 2 less back button and no gaming mode with easy access to steaminput, i dunno about that. Even if it's way more powerfull. It would end up hooked to my monitor as a false regular pc. If the price is what i expect it to be 800~1200€$, a gaming laptop would at least come with a keyboard and a bigger screen at this point.
Also, no mention of gyro here, which is a bit concerning.
Still, i's good news as it can somehow push valve to make a better SD2 in a couple years (more like 5 ?) just by being a good competitor.
Last edited by QYME on 4 Apr 2023 at 2:35 pm UTC
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Per the Linus video it's double the performance at 35W and about 50% more performance at 15W TDP.
No word on lower TDPs but in combination with the much higher screen resolution and 120hz VRR it's probably going to chew through battery.
No word on lower TDPs but in combination with the much higher screen resolution and 120hz VRR it's probably going to chew through battery.
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Per the Linus video it's double the performance at 35W and about 50% more performance at 15W TDP.
No word on lower TDPs but in combination with the much higher screen resolution and 120hz VRR it's probably going to chew through battery.
In other words; the mobility depends on the length of your power cord.
14 Likes, Who?
Now is the perfect time for Valve to consider releasing a "Steam Deck Mini", and sell it at the same $399 starting price point, but perhaps with 128GB eMMC, instead of 64?
All these companies keep using Steam Deck's large size as a selling point for their product, so a Steam Deck Mini would just outright kill that rhetoric.
It should use the same tech specs as the Deck, but with a larger capacity battery (50Wh, instead of 40Wh). And no, it doesn't need to have an OLED screen, it just needs to have a more vibrant IPS screen, with higher SRGB range (Steam Deck currently only covers around 60-68%).
If they can't do a Joy-Con style design, then they should consider taking off the trackpads, and emulating their functionality via "virtual trackpads" on the touchscreen. It wouldn't be as good as the physical ones, but it's better than nothing.
Lastly, I really want to see removable front and back plates, so we can customise the entire look of the thing. I would like to see the same level of modularity and user-replaceability, too.
All these companies keep using Steam Deck's large size as a selling point for their product, so a Steam Deck Mini would just outright kill that rhetoric.
It should use the same tech specs as the Deck, but with a larger capacity battery (50Wh, instead of 40Wh). And no, it doesn't need to have an OLED screen, it just needs to have a more vibrant IPS screen, with higher SRGB range (Steam Deck currently only covers around 60-68%).
If they can't do a Joy-Con style design, then they should consider taking off the trackpads, and emulating their functionality via "virtual trackpads" on the touchscreen. It wouldn't be as good as the physical ones, but it's better than nothing.
Lastly, I really want to see removable front and back plates, so we can customise the entire look of the thing. I would like to see the same level of modularity and user-replaceability, too.
1 Likes, Who?
hardpenguin 4 Apr 2023
As a ROG product with these specs there is no way this will have a price point anywhere close to Steam Deck. I don't see it as competition at all. It will simply be its own thing, an expensive product with a niche.
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As a ROG product with these specs there is no way this will have a price point anywhere close to Steam Deck. I don't see it as competition at all. It will simply be its own thing, an expensive product with a niche.
I remember Valve saying they'd be happy if other products help establishing a new device category, the handheld gaming PC.
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I expect running a desktop OS of the pedigree of Windows 11 on the device will completely spoil the unit as a handheld device. Surprised that LTT didn't lay into it on that front. I bet the user experience, navigating the OS, dealing with Windows updates and Windows notifications will suck and you'll practically be forced to carry around a keyboard and mouse.
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mr-victory 4 Apr 2023
Can't comment without price & battery life info.
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Uberkeyser 4 Apr 2023
Windows 11 on the device will completely spoil the unit as a handheld device.
It may well end up like the last time ASUS came up with an innovative Linux product; the EeePC (aka netbook):
Back in 2007 it originally came out with a customized Linux desktop that catered for the low spec CPU, the tiny SSDa and small screen.
Actually a really sweet degin. Done right in the first place, but unfortunately just a bit ahead of its time (due to no broadband wireless Internet yet)
Then the people complained that they wanted Windows on it.
That time ASUS took the time to explain that the device needs a special desktop for the low spec CPU, tiny SSD and the small screen.
People refused to think and still demanded Windows.
So ASUS evetually shipped EeePCs with Windows.
People's reaction: Oi, we dont like this. Windows does not work well with the low spec CPU, the tiny SSD the small screen...
So ASUS incrased CPU, SSD, sceen... and price... to adjust to the needs of Windows, essentially killing the original idea of a netbook.... but it rans Windows well.
So, for this ASUS product they skipped the initial stage where they made it right and take the shortcut directly down the wrong path.
Eventually there will be a ROG Ally 2, which has a 22 inch screen, that can be folded over a full mechanical keyboard, 4 kg weight, etc,... essentially killing the idea of a handheld console..... but it will runs Windows well :P
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the EeePC (aka netbook):That story still makes me sad.
Eventually there will be a ROG Ally 2, which has a 22 inch screen, that can be folded over a full mechanical keyboard, 4 kg weight, etc,... essentially killing the idea of a handheld console..... but it will runs Windows well :P
Imagine something that folds out into the table that the Enterprise D had in engineering.
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ElamanOpiskelija 4 Apr 2023
Windows 11 on the device will completely spoil the unit as a handheld device.
It may well end up like the last time ASUS came up with an innovative Linux product; the EeePC (aka netbook):
Back in 2007 it originally came out with a customized Linux desktop that catered for the low spec CPU, the tiny SSDa and small screen.
Actually a really sweet degin. Done right in the first place, but unfortunately just a bit ahead of its time (due to no broadband wireless Internet yet)
Then the people complained that they wanted Windows on it.
That time ASUS took the time to explain that the device needs a special desktop for the low spec CPU, tiny SSD and the small screen.
People refused to think and still demanded Windows.
So ASUS evetually shipped EeePCs with Windows.
People's reaction: Oi, we dont like this. Windows does not work well with the low spec CPU, the tiny SSD the small screen...
So ASUS incrased CPU, SSD, sceen... and price... to adjust to the needs of Windows, essentially killing the original idea of a netbook.... but it rans Windows well.
So, for this ASUS product they skipped the initial stage where they made it right and take the shortcut directly down the wrong path.
Eventually there will be a ROG Ally 2, which has a 22 inch screen, that can be folded over a full mechanical keyboard, 4 kg weight, etc,... essentially killing the idea of a handheld console..... but it will runs Windows well :P
This may well be the case, after all, Asus have been doing so well in the laptop market that I wouldn't be surprised if this "handheld" comes with a brick of the same size. On the other hand, if some company can beat the specs of all other portables, that is Asus.
I have a Zephyrus 14 with Fedora on it, that thing can play most games easily even at 15W TDP and let me tell you, that battery at 15W TDP is really, really respectable ...
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It's gonna be the support that makes or breaks this product (along with a price tag that is too high). With the Steam Deck, you might not be able to run all your games but you know the majority will, and you know Valve will be supporting it for years to come.
I imagine this will have support from ASUS for 2 years, if lucky?
Personally, for me, if I am shelling out a few hundred (or a grand+) I want a shelf life of at least 4-6 years.
I imagine this will have support from ASUS for 2 years, if lucky?
Personally, for me, if I am shelling out a few hundred (or a grand+) I want a shelf life of at least 4-6 years.
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Frankly i don't see this product going for anything below the top priced deck and that is me being very charitable.
Other than that i think its a wake up call for valve to put some focus into making sure OEMs can use SteamOS.
Other than that i think its a wake up call for valve to put some focus into making sure OEMs can use SteamOS.
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I wouldn't be surprised if they sell a bunch of them. The price may be surprisingly competitive since it's a really big company that can make plenty units and save on volume. And they have the sales channels that Valve does not have--one of the videos says it's gonna be at Best Buy.
Windows 11 will create some drawbacks, but on the other hand, it has to be admitted that with Windows and all that power, it will be plausible to play certain very popular multiplayer games with anticheat that don't work on the Deck.
But I see drawbacks.
I do wonder, with all this power and a smaller size, where are they going to fit a battery that can last more than 10 minutes?
My impression is that the Steam Deck's control system is better, with the touchpads and such--something that may be missed all the more if you have to deal with Windows 11's UI.
The price will be higher, no way around it.
Despite or perhaps even because of the "it's thinner and stuff" selling point, I suspect it may not have as good grip ergonomics for most hands.
I don't think it will kill the Deck or anything, but it may sell a lot of units. Many of them may be to people who wouldn't have bought a Deck, or to people rich enough to just get both, or to people in China or Australia, hello lack of worldwide Steam Deck distribution.
Windows 11 will create some drawbacks, but on the other hand, it has to be admitted that with Windows and all that power, it will be plausible to play certain very popular multiplayer games with anticheat that don't work on the Deck.
But I see drawbacks.
I do wonder, with all this power and a smaller size, where are they going to fit a battery that can last more than 10 minutes?
My impression is that the Steam Deck's control system is better, with the touchpads and such--something that may be missed all the more if you have to deal with Windows 11's UI.
The price will be higher, no way around it.
Despite or perhaps even because of the "it's thinner and stuff" selling point, I suspect it may not have as good grip ergonomics for most hands.
I don't think it will kill the Deck or anything, but it may sell a lot of units. Many of them may be to people who wouldn't have bought a Deck, or to people rich enough to just get both, or to people in China or Australia, hello lack of worldwide Steam Deck distribution.
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