ASUS has now joined the fray with the ROG Ally, which also signifies a notable advancement for Windows handhelds in several vital areas. Though the exterior shell of the Ally is composed of plastic, it does not give off a cheap or flimsy impression.
Its design includes a comfortable, textured grip on the back of both sides and gentle ridges that traverse the front and back. The rear fan vents are ingeniously molded in the form of the ROG logo, demonstrating the level of meticulousness that puts the ROG Ally a cut above the rest.
The ROG Ally is quite manageable in terms of size and weight, more centrally balanced compared to the Steam Deck, which feels like two separate weights, one in each hand.
The Ally is decked out with a range of ports at the top, including a headphone jack, microSD slot, ROG XG Mobile connector, and USB-C power port. The ROG XG Mobile connector, a distinctive feature, facilitates connection to an external graphics dock, providing a substantial performance enhancement. The ROG Ally’s power button doubles as a fingerprint sensor, offering Windows Hello support.
The ROG Ally’s control design reminds me of the Nintendo Switch, with two joysticks that aren’t symmetrical. The left one is located a little higher, while the right joystick sits just above the middle. In addition to these, you’ll find the A/B/X/Y buttons, a disc-style D-pad, and triggers and bumpers on both sides. Additionally, there are two grip buttons at the back. The A/B/X/Y buttons sometimes get jammed though, and I had to exert extra force to push them back to their original position.
This story is from the June 2023 edition of HWM Singapore.
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This story is from the June 2023 edition of HWM Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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