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.
hardpenguin Apr 4, 2023
Quoting: hardpenguinAs 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.
mr-victory Apr 4, 2023
Uberkeyser Apr 4, 2023
QuoteWindows 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
Quoting: Uberkeyserthe EeePC (aka netbook):That story still makes me sad.
Quoting: UberkeyserEventually 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.
ElamanOpiskelija Apr 4, 2023
Quoting: UberkeyserQuoteWindows 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 ...
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.
Other than that i think its a wake up call for valve to put some focus into making sure OEMs can use SteamOS.
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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