Starting this week, Best Buy is slashing $200 off the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme gaming handheld, now priced at just $449.99. This is the lowest price ever seen for a brand-new unit, even beating Black Friday deals. Along with the discount, you'll receive a free official ROG Ally travel case, one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and two months of a Crunchyroll Mega Fan subscription. The Asus ROG Ally stands out as one of the premier gaming handhelds on the market, especially for those who prefer not to be tethered to the Steam 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 powerful Windows 11-based gaming handheld PC. It's the higher-end model of the Asus ROG Ally series, equipped with an AMD Zen 4-based Z1 Extreme CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It features a stunning 7-inch 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 runs on the versatile 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 makes it particularly appealing to gamers who enjoy titles not easily accessible or installable on the Steam Deck.

In our review, Robert Anderson noted, "The Asus ROG Ally truly feels like the portable Xbox Game Pass machine that many fans have been eagerly awaiting. Despite some drawbacks like a frustrating user experience, poor battery life, and the absence of Steam Deck-style touchpads, the handheld is incredibly fun to use. With its vibrant 1080p screen perfect for on-the-go gaming in any condition, powerful specs, and competitive pricing, it might just be the Steam Deck rival we've been looking for."

With CES 2025 behind us, the handheld gaming PC market is heating up. The latest contender, the Lenovo Legion Go S, has entered the fray, though it's pricier and not necessarily superior to the ROG Ally. The Windows 11 version with a Z2 Go and 32GB of RAM is priced at $729. A more budget-friendly version will launch in May 2025, offering a choice between Windows 11 and SteamOS for just $599. Additionally, the Asus ROG Ally X, released in late 2024, offers an enhanced gaming experience, but at a $300 premium.

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