This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:21:35
The video provides a detailed comparison and review of the ASUS ROG Ally and Steam Deck, focusing on handheld gaming experiences. Initially skeptical about handheld gaming, the speaker finds the Steam Deck transformative but explores the ROG Ally for its superior specifications, like a Ryzen Z1 processor and 16GB RAM, and its versatility as a Windows 11 device. Despite its high performance and capability to run powerful games, the ROG Ally faces criticism due to Windows 11's lack of handheld optimization, initial setup complexities, and software bugs within the Armoury Crate app. Features like Turbo mode for enhanced gaming, AMD FidelityFX for better graphics, and the potential for further enhancements with external graphics cards (such as ASUS XG Mobile) are highlighted. While providing a comprehensive evaluation on hardware, the discussion also touches on the user's frustrations with notifications and OneDrive issues, debates about the $800 price tag, the ergonomic design, dual speakers with Dolby Atmos, and expandable storage via MicroSD. Although the ROG Ally is praised for its engineering, performance, cooling, and display quality, concerns over battery life and usability shortcomings portray a device that, while potentially superior to the Steam Deck in raw power, demands user trade-offs. The video wraps up by emphasizing that while the ROG Ally can handle various PC tasks, its design focus and true value lie in gaming.
00:00:00
In this segment, the speaker discusses the appeal and functionality of the Steam Deck and compares it with the ASUS ROG Ally. Initially not a fan of handheld gaming, the speaker found the Steam Deck transformative, allowing them to enjoy smaller indie games comfortably in the evenings. They mention games like Disco Elysium and Ori & the Blind Forest. The ASUS ROG Ally is introduced as a more powerful alternative to the Steam Deck, with impressive specs such as a 7-inch full HD touchscreen, a Ryzen Z1 processor, and 16GB of RAM. The device includes ergonomic controls, a variety of connectivity options, and even the ability to turn into a mini-gaming console via USB-C and Bluetooth. Additionally, the video touches on testing the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless earbuds, which offer features like active noise cancellation and remote control for the ROG Ally.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the utility of a particular set of headphones, highlighting their effective noise cancellation, decent sound quality compared to Apple AirPods Pro, and long battery life of up to 27 hours. They also mention the headphones come with a splash-proof case.
The focus then shifts to the ROG Ally, emphasizing its versatility as a portable device that runs Windows 11, allowing for compatibility with various software and gaming clients such as Steam and Epic Store. However, drawbacks include the device’s cumbersome interactions due to Windows 11 not being optimized for handheld use, the complexity of initial setup, and inconsistent performance of power settings and hibernation. The speaker also notes the absence of a protective case for ROG Ally, unlike its competitor, the Steam Deck.
00:06:00
In this segment, the discussion centers around some of the downsides and benefits of using the ASUS ROG Ally, particularly focusing on its Armoury Crate application. The speaker criticizes ASUS for not protecting the device’s joysticks adequately and highlights that users might need to purchase an additional case. Armoury Crate is an app designed to manage game libraries, install clients, update drivers, and adjust device settings, attempting to mimic a console dashboard. However, the app is plagued with bugs, causing issues like screen resolutions not switching, performance modes getting stuck, resulting in the need to reboot the device frequently because it lacks typical Windows shortcuts. Additionally, the app can lead to notifications and syncing issues when linked with Microsoft accounts. While some users might tolerate these issues for the gaming benefits, the speaker also notes that Steam’s Big Picture mode offers a more seamless experience, turning the ROG Ally into a viable alternative to a Steam Deck. The conclusion touches on the speaker’s desire for a more streamlined, work-disconnected handheld experience.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the reviewer discusses their experience with the ROG Ally while playing games like Hades. They express frustration with receiving notifications and OneDrive disconnections despite being in do not disturb mode, likening it to using a regular computer. They mention the advantage of using the Steam Deck, which runs a dedicated gaming Linux system, enhancing the gaming experience. The reviewer debates the justification of the ROG Ally’s $800 price but concludes that the hardware and performance are significant. They highlight the device’s powerful Zen4 architecture, efficient cooling system, and performance across various TDP settings. Battery life varies with usage, offering up to 5 hours in 9W mode but dropping significantly with high-demand games like Cyberpunk 2077. The ROG Ally can handle heavy graphics well but requires power for extended play.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, Turbo mode (30W) is activated to enhance gaming performance on the ASUS ROG Ally, making it effective for use as a docked game console in front of a TV. AMD FidelityFX support allows for higher refresh rates and improved graphical detail, with VRR-compatible screens recommended for smoother gameplay between 40 to 60 FPS, especially in games like FORTNITE and Hogwarts Legacy. The ROG Ally excels over the Steam Deck with its powerful performance, leveraging Windows and DirectX support. For those looking to invest more, the ASUS XG Mobile external graphics card can enhance the system further, but it significantly increases the overall cost. Criticisms include inadequate battery life for extended gaming sessions and the white material that shows dark marks over time. Despite these, the device’s modern and ergonomic design, customizable joysticks, and effective ventilation stand out as positive features.
00:15:00
In this segment of the video, the reviewer notes that their model had no drift, requiring fewer dead zone adjustments compared to the Steam Deck. However, they did experience issues with the action buttons, such as the B button being detected when pressing A. This problem could potentially be fixed in the version sold in the Czech Republic. The device, weighing just over a pound, is comfortable to hold for long periods due to its ergonomic shape. It includes dual speakers with Dolby Atmos technology providing loud and high-quality audio, often used at 30-40% volume.
As a versatile Windows PC, the ROG Ally can install various software for productivity tasks like photo editing and video rendering, supported by its 500 nits brightness display with 100% sRGB color accuracy. While it features an AMD Radeon with raytracing, high FPS in demanding games like Cyberpunk may be unrealistic. Connectivity options such as a USB hub allow for setting up a webcam and streaming games via OBS Studio. The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate enables game streaming, enhancing battery life by reducing the need to install games locally.
Concerns over disk space are addressed through a MicroSD card slot, allowing for significant storage expansion. The reviewer notes that modern MicroSDs can hold up to 1 TB with competitive read/write speeds. They successfully transferred and played games off the MicroSD, exemplifying its utility.
00:18:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the performance and usability of the ASUS ROG Ally, emphasizing its capability to handle games, including those stored on microSD without noticeable differences. They address inquiries about dual-booting and Steam OS installation on the ROG Ally, mentioning the challenges due to lacking full driver support. The speaker compares the ROG Ally to the Steam Deck, highlighting its flexibility with operating systems yet noting complications in setup. Despite acknowledging flaws and compromises, they praise the device’s engineering, performance, cooling, and display quality. The speaker admits a preference for the ROG Ally over the Steam Deck, despite the device’s imperfect software support and more complex setup, recommending it with caution and advising consideration of battery life and intended use.
00:21:00
In this part of the video, the presenter discusses the versatility of a particular device, noting that while it can function as a server, NAS, render farm, or stream PC, it might not be the best idea to use it for these purposes due to its design focus on gaming. The presenter emphasizes that this device is designed with gaming as its primary function, and its value becomes most apparent when used to play games. The segment concludes with a farewell and a note of gratitude to viewers, along with a remark about the translation of subtitles from Czech.