Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme: Lowest Price Ever on Handheld Gaming PC

Starting this week, Best Buy is slashing $200 off the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme gaming handheld, bringing it down to just $449.99. This is the lowest price we've seen for a brand-new unit, even beating Black Friday deals. Along with the discount, you'll receive a free official ROG Ally travel case, one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and two months of a Crunchyroll Mega Fan subscription. The ROG Ally stands out as one of the premier gaming handhelds on the market, especially for those looking to venture beyond 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 represents the higher end 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 smooth 120Hz refresh rate.

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

In our Asus ROG Ally review, Robert Anderson noted that "the Asus ROG Ally truly feels like the portable Xbox Game Pass machine that many fans have been clamoring for. While it faces challenges with user experience, battery life, and the absence of Steam Deck-style touchpads, its fun factor is undeniable when it's in full swing. With a stunning 1080p screen that's brilliantly bright and ideal for on-the-go gaming in any condition, coupled with its robust specs and competitive price, it might just be the Steam Deck rival we've been waiting for."

With CES 2025 behind us, the handheld gaming PC market is heating up with new competition. The latest entrant is the Lenovo Legion Go S, which, despite not being superior to the ROG Ally and carrying a higher price tag, offers a Windows 11 version with a Z2 Go and 32GB of RAM for $729. A more budget-friendly version is set to launch in May 2025, available with either Windows 11 or SteamOS for $599. Additionally, the Asus ROG Ally X, released in late 2024, offers an enhanced gaming experience, though at a $300 premium.

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