ASUS ROG Ally (2023) review – well-built powerful gaming console with fast display
The gaming handhelds are getting better and better. Nintendo Switch and Valve Steam Deck are probably the top dogs in this specific market. On the other hand, the new ASUS ROG Ally (2023) has some tricks up in its sleeve. It uses a full-blown version of Windows 11 so you aren’t limited to just one store for buying games. You can get the newest titles via Steam, Windows Store, Ubisoft, GOG, etc. You can install standard MS apps that you are using on your desktop PC or laptop.
The second big advantage of this gadget is its display. It’s a 7″ IPS panel with 1080p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and FreeSync Premium support. Everything on it looks crisp, sharp, and smooth. For example, Steam Deck has a 60Hz 800p LCD or 90Hz OLED display while the OLED version of Nintendo Switch offers a 720p panel.
The ASUS console has the upper hand when it comes to hardware. The Zen 4 Ryzen Z1 Extreme-based device features a CPU that is almost the same as the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U. Ergo, it has 8 cores, 16 threads, and 16MB L3 cache. The iGPU is the AMD Radeon 780M which is one of the most powerful integrated solutions on the market.
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/asus-rog-ally-2023/
Contents
Specs, Drivers, What’s in the box
- HDD/SSD
- up to 2000GB SSD
- M.2 Slot
- 1x 2230 PCIe NVMe 4.0 x4 See photo
- RAM
- up to 16GB
- OS
- Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro
- Battery
- 40Wh, 4-cell
- Body material
- Plastic / Polycarbonate
- Dimensions
- 280 x 111 x 21.2 - 32.4 mm (11.02" x 4.37" x 0.83")
- Weight
- 0.61 kg (1.3 lbs)
- Ports and connectivity
- 1x USB Type-C
- 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), DisplayPort
- Card reader
- microSD (microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC)
- Ethernet LAN
- Wi-Fi
- 802.11ax
- Bluetooth
- 5.2
- Audio jack
- 3.5mm Combo Jack
- ROG XG Mobile Interface
- Features
- Fingerprint reader
- Web camera
- Microphone
- Array Microphone with AI Noise Cancelling
- Speakers
- 2x Stereo Speakers, Smart Amp, Dolby Atmos
- Optical drive
- Security Lock slot
All ASUS ROG Ally (2023) configurations
Drivers
All drivers and utilities for this console can be found here: https://rog.asus.com/gaming-handhelds/rog-ally/rog-ally-2023/helpdesk_download/
What’s in the box?
The box is very sturdy so the device is well protected. Inside, you’ll find a 65W Type-C charger and a couple of manuals. This is (almost) the same adapter that can be found in the package of some ASUS laptops like the ASUS Zenbook 15 OLED (UM3504) or ASUS Zenbook 14 (UM3402). The cable is long, but it’s stiff and it’s a bit uncomfortable to use the machine when the charger is plugged in.