ASUS ROG Ally’s Australian Launch Date and Pricing Revealed: A Must-Have Gaming Device
Exciting news awaits Australian gamers as ASUS announces the highly anticipated arrival of the Z1 Extreme model of their ASUS ROG Ally handheld gaming PC. Boasting remarkable power and performance, this gaming marvel will be hitting the market on June 13 with a price tag of $1,299 RRP. Preorders are already open at JB Hi-Fi, ensuring enthusiasts can secure their piece of gaming greatness. Additionally, ASUS confirms that the slightly less powerful Z1 model will launch later in 2023 at a price of $1,099.
ASUS takes pride in designing the Ally as a device crafted by gamers, for gamers. Bradley Howe, Head of Consumer for ASUS, expressed their commitment to the Australian gaming community, stating, “Australia is one of the focus countries, and we are proud to make ROG Ally available to Aussie gamers.”
Developed through an extensive five-year process involving hundreds of prototypes, the ASUS ROG Ally’s Z1 Extreme model features an impressive AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme CPU, with eight cores, 24MB total cache, and a boost speed of up to 5.10 GHz. Complementing the CPU is an AMD RDNA 3 GPU, capable of delivering up to 8.6 teraflops of processing power. The Z1 model, priced at $1,099, offers a slightly scaled-down configuration, with a six-core AMD Ryzen Z1 CPU, 22MB total cache, boost speed up to 4.90 GHz, and an AMD RDNA 3 GPU delivering up to 2.8 teraflops. Both versions of the ASUS ROG Ally feature 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, expandable via the microSD slot.
Impressively, the ASUS ROG Ally outshines the Steam Deck with its higher resolution 1080p screen, boasting a 120Hz refresh rate. Unlike the Steam Deck, which runs on SteamOS, the ROG Ally operates on Windows 11, providing seamless compatibility with popular platforms like Steam, Epic Games Launcher, GOG, and Xbox Game Pass.
Bradley Howe highlights the advantage of Windows 11, stating, “Gamers will be able to access their entire existing library of games. Through Armory Crate, we will continue to optimize the device for all games out there.”
While the robust specifications of the ASUS ROG Ally offer immense gaming capabilities, it’s important to note that the battery life is affected by the device’s high performance. A recent review revealed that the Ally’s battery life may range from 1 to 2 hours for graphically intensive games played at 1080p resolution.
However, for gamers who don’t mind relying on an AC adapter or carrying a power bank for extended gaming sessions on the go, the ASUS ROG Ally emerges as the ultimate portable gaming PC. The review concludes that with its stunning 1080p screen, powerful specifications, and competitive price tag, the ROG Ally could be the much-anticipated competitor to the Steam Deck.
Howe reassures gamers, stating, “ROG is here to stay. The Ally represents our mission to provide gamers with the very best options to enjoy the entertainment we love. In the years to come, we will continue to support the ROG Ally, listen to our customers, and make improvements and optimizations to the software, drivers, and hardware.”
Now, the question remains for Australian gamers. Will you join the handheld gaming PC revolution with the ASUS ROG Ally? Or are you eagerly awaiting the local launch of the Steam Deck? Or perhaps, the Gameboy Advance still holds a special place in your heart for gaming on the go. The choice is yours
