Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme Gaming PC Now $449.99, Save $200

Starting this week, Best Buy is slashing $200 off the price of the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme gaming handheld, bringing it down to just $449.99. This is the lowest price I've seen for a brand new unit, even surpassing Black Friday deals. Not only do you get this incredible discount, but you also receive a free official ROG Ally travel case, one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and two months of Crunchyroll Mega Fan subscription. The Asus ROG Ally stands out as one of the premier gaming handhelds on the market, especially for gamers who prefer not to be confined to Steam's 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 Windows 11 based gaming handheld PC. This model is the more powerful of the two Asus ROG Ally options, featuring an AMD Zen 4 based Z1 Extreme CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It sports a 7" screen with a crisp 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.

Unlike its primary competitor, the Steam Deck, which runs on a Linux-based Steam OS, the ROG Ally operates on Windows 11. This compatibility with Windows allows the ROG Ally to work seamlessly with virtually any Windows-based game launcher, including Steam, Battle.net, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store, GOG, Ubisoft Connect, and more. This versatility makes it a compelling choice for gamers looking to play titles not readily available or difficult to install on the Steam Deck.

In our Asus ROG Ally review, Robert Anderson stated, "The Asus ROG Ally truly feels like the portable Xbox Game Pass machine that many fans have been clamoring for. While it has some drawbacks, including a frustrating user experience, poor battery life, and the absence of Steam Deck-style touchpads, the fun of using this handheld is undeniable when it performs well. With its stunning 1080p screen, which is brilliantly bright and ideal for gaming on the go, combined with its powerful specs and competitive price, it might just be the Steam Deck rival we've been waiting for."

It's worth noting that CES 2025 has passed, signaling increased competition in the handheld gaming PC market. The more compact and updated Lenovo Legion Go S has been announced and is now available for preorder. If you're interested in the Lenovo Legion Go S, the Windows 11 version with a Z2 Go chip and 32GB of RAM will launch in January 2025, starting at $729. A more budget-friendly version, also with the Z2 Go chip but with 16GB of RAM and the option of Windows 11 or SteamOS, will be available in May 2025 for $599. Additionally, the Asus ROG Ally X, released in 2024, offers an enhanced gaming experience, though at a $300 higher price point.

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