Best Buy's Unbeatable Deal: Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme for $449.99

Best Buy is slashing $200 off the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme gaming handheld this week, bringing the price down to just $449.99. This is the lowest price I've seen for a brand-new unit, even beating Black Friday deals. The offer also includes a free ROG Ally travel case, a month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and two months of Crunchyroll Mega Fan.

The ROG Ally is a top contender in the handheld gaming market, particularly appealing to gamers who prefer a wider range of game launchers beyond Steam's ecosystem.

Asus ROG Ally AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Gaming Handheld

$649.99 (Save 31%) $449.99 at Best Buy

This high-end Asus ROG Ally model boasts a powerful AMD Zen 4 based Z1 Extreme CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Its 7" 1080p display features a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.

Unlike the Steam Deck's Linux-based OS, the ROG Ally runs on Windows 11, offering compatibility with virtually all major game launchers: Steam, Battle.net, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store, GOG, Ubisoft Connect, and more. This broad compatibility makes it a compelling choice for gamers who enjoy diverse gaming platforms.

In IGN's review, the ROG Ally was praised as a fantastic portable Xbox Game Pass machine. While some drawbacks exist (user experience, battery life, lack of Steam Deck-style touchpads), its vibrant 1080p screen and powerful specs make it a highly enjoyable handheld gaming experience.

Upcoming Competition:

Note that the handheld gaming PC market is heating up. The Lenovo Legion Go S, a more compact device, is available for pre-order, launching in January 2025 (Z2 Go, 32GB RAM, $729) and a more affordable version in May 2025 (Z2 Go, 16GB RAM, $599, Windows 11 or SteamOS). The Asus ROG Ally X, released in 2024, offers improvements but at a significantly higher price.

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