This Digital Foundry video reviews the Asus ROG Ally handheld gaming PC, comparing its performance and features to the Steam Deck. The review focuses on benchmarks, software, form factor, and battery life, ultimately questioning whether the Ally surpasses the Steam Deck despite its superior hardware.
Superior Hardware, but not necessarily superior performance: The Asus ROG Ally boasts more powerful hardware (Z1 Extreme vs. Steam Deck's custom APU) but doesn't always translate into double the performance as initially claimed. Performance gains over the Steam Deck vary depending on the game and resolution, with some titles showing significant improvements while others are less impressive. Stuttering issues were also noted in several benchmarks.
Impressive Cooling and Quiet Operation: The Ally's cooling system is exceptionally quiet, even under high loads. This is a significant advantage over the Steam Deck.
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): The Ally's 1080p 120Hz VRR display is a significant advantage, smoothing out frame rate inconsistencies. However, VRR is not a cure-all for all performance issues.
Software and Power Management Issues: The video points out several software flaws, including a laggy Command Center, an unreliable frame rate limiter, and potential power management issues leading to significantly reduced battery life, especially in Turbo modes.
Battery Life Concerns: The Ally's battery life is considerably shorter than the Steam Deck's, particularly when using higher performance modes. Even with frame rate capping, the improvement is not as significant as expected.
