Save $150 on the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme Windows Gaming Handheld — Ideal for Dorm-Room Gaming

I wandered into this rabbit hole of gaming handhelds. Never thought I’d be so fascinated, but here we are. So, let’s chat about the latest buzz, huh? Seems like everyone and their cat is gushing about these portable gaming wonders. You got the newcomers like the Nintendo Switch 2—setting this crazy high bar. And then there’s Asus throwing a curveball with their ROG Ally with the Z1 Extreme for 499 bucks at Best Buy. It sort of feels like when you spot a sale on your favorite soda and can’t resist grabbing a pack. Ever been there?

Now, Asus, they’re playing a wild game here. Going toe-to-toe with Valve’s Steam Deck, the MSI Claw, and, heck, don’t forget Lenovo Legion Go. Oh, and the whispers about an Xbox version of the ROG Ally? Could be hitting shelves soon. Sometimes I wonder if they make these rumors just to keep us on our toes. Anyway—wait, where was I? Oh, yeah! With new toys dropping, the prices might drop like my motivation on a Monday morning. So, eyes peeled, folks.

That Z1 processor in the ROG Ally—whispers of it sipping power like a refined connoisseur, giving us more game time. Pair it with the right screen settings, and voilà, it’s like finding that sweet spot in a hammock. But plug it into mains power, and oh boy, compared to the Steam Deck, it’s like going from a gentle stroll to a sprint. Seriously smooth.

We gave it a spin. And, wow, this ROG Ally, especially with the Z1 flavor, had me nodding like, “Yep, this is it.” It’s surprisingly light, brighter than my future at times, and with Windows 11 cozying up inside, it plays nicely with PC games—like a tiny, determined Windows elf.

So, if you’re the type chasing deals like a cat after a laser pointer, maybe peek at our Best PC Hardware deals. Who knows, you might stumble on something nifty in SSDs, graphic cards, or… what’s the other one? CPUs? Yeah, those. Go on, have a look!