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Which handheld do you want to see reviewed next? We're doing more of them. This is a MASSIVE review , but it was a super fun showcase of technology and testing. We're using all of this groundwork to learn how to develop long-term methodological approaches to handheld devices, and next on our list is likely the GPD Win4! What should come after that? LEARN ABOUT THE ACOUSTIC CHAMBER: Chamber Build Video & Explainer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUqYTenB2A0 HW News with use cases explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghSVNLX8dWU Fractal Terra review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKiFk7tBTLg
can you make a video outlining the optimal fan curve for each TDP setting plz? I'm creating custom power profiles bc the preset ones kinda suck and I'm kinda nervous setting the fan curve myself. even any of the overclocking options if you recommend any through your testing (i just leave it the same across the board for each wattage)
should i just get a cheap gaming laptop at this point or is the ally actually good bang for your buck? Just need something to run for like a year or 2 until i save up for a better rig. Nothing crazy, just average pc shit.
I am 58 and wear progressive lens so a bigger better screen is more important. I have had a Steam Deck and it was just too small, not to mention it is mostly hooked up via the dock and my 65" OLED. But, when traveling I don't want to lug around my 17", I just want my ipad and this. Vs. Legion Go
i think your review is based on a specific use and you missed the market that asus is aiming for on this one. for me it did hit all the price to value that i need: want to run AAAgame in bed, Turbo mod and plug it in, want to play when you are traveling or on vacation run regular power mode. Windows 11 ( while not the best system) gives you basically a pc on the go. you plug a keyboard and mouse and carry a dongle or usb-c to hdmi and plug to any hotel tv or anything. We play on PC because we mod our games like skyrim and others and gluck modding that on the steam deck. the only downside of this ally in my view is the microSD card but at that point i'll just switch to a 2tb nvme. i think you should have included a different perspective of how this can be used as not everyone wants to play 2D games or like linux.
PS: you make the SD card work by going into windows partition then deleting the removable storage partition and it will pop up.
My SLIGHTLY USED ROG Ally is currently being Repaired for SD CARD FAILURE. This $700 piece of TRASH device was rushed out into the MARKET. CLASS ACT LAWSUIT should be filed against ASUS.
Not including the Switch, what hand held is currently selling the most units? Also here in UK, ROG extreme has been reduced by £150 since I bought mine at full price!
You need to add vibration sensor into your sound chamber reviews because vibrations become rattles all over the desk an be case. Not so much for the handhelds, but important for for desktops.
I love the look of the hemi chamber is great,better than most acoustic & bass trap panels etc, would love this in my studio, can tell would be epic for my music production and DJing, awesome, crazy inside out review also guys love it 🙂
I have an OG steam deck and just recently bought the ASUS rig ally (about 1 month) it was a hard decision with the steam deck oled. I have a large library of steam pc games and I gotta stay the Asus rog ally has been great so far (I would say better than the steam deck) so far no issues with the microsdcard, can play games through vulkan like doom eternal at 1080p with a solid 60fps (natively), it’s a godsend with emulators(it’s flawless) and with moonlight/sunshine and a good WiFi/network I can easily stream all my heavy pc games to it anywhere from home. No crashes so far. The only thing I don’t like the the volume buttons feel cheap, the battery could be better(but could be said about all 3 handheld) and the xyba button could have been a brighter cooler like the Xbox buttons instead of dark. Also the initial setup of the Asus is not user friendly…
I'm curious how Z1 Extreme compares to desktop processor (R5 5600g maybe). I'm planning to go mobile and instead of laptop with Xe Graphics, I'm closely considering this instead.
I personally have had zero issues with my ally 7 unit. No over heating my SD card reader doesn’t get fried. The fans are quiet and can only be heard barely on 30w turbo mode tweaked none of my buttons get stuck. Idk why people fuss about the ally.
Sold mine at a small loss. The user experience on that thing is abysmal and the hardware only really shines if your sitting next to an outlet. Ill hold on to my SD led until SD2. Anyone who buys this over an OLED or even just a cheap gaming laptop is doing themselves a disservice.
I’m really happy with my year old Deck but I might just take advantage of Best Buy’s extended holiday return window to try out an Ally for a month and see if it’s worth keeping.
FWIW, the thing that sold the Ally for me is the physical shape and dimensions. It isn't a ton different than the Steamdeck, but I found the Steamdeck unbearable to hold and use (I have small hands and often have long acrylic nails which make it a challenge to use the Steamdeck's grips and absolutely impossible to use its back/paddle buttons). I also found the width to just be uncomfortable and, by comparison, LOVE the Ally for all the things it physically does different than the Steamdeck. If I wasn't able to afford an Ally, I wouldn't have bought anything at all. There is more to the buying decision than simply the specs and price of these devices. Ergonomics is really important can be vary wildly (men with big hands like the Steamdeck, my with my long nails and smaller hands prefer the Ally or even the Switch over the Steamdeck). I know these are relatively subjective factors but they are worth considering as potential advantages when determing a "winner" in these kinds of comparisons.
Stay away from the rog mine got water damaged without getting wet 😢 so I'm guessing it doesn't like going from hot room to a cold room and they want £750 for repair 😅😅
There was a time where I could actually watch your videos and make an informed purchase afterwards. These days are long gone sadly and now you just end up being more confused. I miss the days where your reviews where more "consumer friendly"
interesting and would love to hear impressions now vs 2 months ago. the only drawback is the battery life on 25W mode ehich frankly is the mode this thing should run in. however power banks arr an easy fix and at home its plugged in for the 30W mode. after spending the weekend with the LD OLED deck I am keeping the ally. the deck screen is still fuzzy and choppy despite OLED. These two serve somehwat different purposes and audiences and better will always be subjective. to me the ally does everything the deck including OLED one does just better. battery life can be fixed with a power bank but 720p and limits of steamOS to run many games not that easy
I still continue to use my PlayStation Vita and portable . The most important things about a handheld console are its weight, battery life, and body heat control.When it comes to game consoles, GPD is half-finished garbage. ASUS ROG is better than GPD, but SONY and NINTENDO are still the kings.
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Check out our Lenovo Legion Go review! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I37mxlDqLrk
Grab a GN15 Modmat to support us & get a PC building surface! https://store.gamersnexus.net/products/large-modmat-gn15-anniversary
Which handheld do you want to see reviewed next? We're doing more of them. This is a MASSIVE review , but it was a super fun showcase of technology and testing. We're using all of this groundwork to learn how to develop long-term methodological approaches to handheld devices, and next on our list is likely the GPD Win4! What should come after that?
LEARN ABOUT THE ACOUSTIC CHAMBER:
Chamber Build Video & Explainer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUqYTenB2A0
HW News with use cases explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghSVNLX8dWU
Fractal Terra review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKiFk7tBTLg
can you make a video outlining the optimal fan curve for each TDP setting plz? I'm creating custom power profiles bc the preset ones kinda suck and I'm kinda nervous setting the fan curve myself. even any of the overclocking options if you recommend any through your testing (i just leave it the same across the board for each wattage)
should i just get a cheap gaming laptop at this point or is the ally actually good bang for your buck? Just need something to run for like a year or 2 until i save up for a better rig. Nothing crazy, just average pc shit.
DONT BUY IT EVERYONE THE CONTROLLER IS LAUGHABLY BAD, most returned handheld at best buy
The humour section of GN videos are Industry Leading ❤❤
25:00 can't it be windows causing bad frametime
I like the Ally because it’s diverse full windows 11 and steam is sweet
I love these reviews. Theres just no bull… No infotainment…
Proper testing and plenty of valid approaches and viewpoints.
The value of these videos for those of us on tight budgets who are scanning the market for options cannot be unterstated.
Keep up the good work steve and team
Im probably one of the few who had no issues with the micro sd card reader
Rog is the best and ive tried em all
The back bottom on the ally is much easier to press than the steak deck i have both.
This is a good marketing video for steam deck
I am 58 and wear progressive lens so a bigger better screen is more important. I have had a Steam Deck and it was just too small, not to mention it is mostly hooked up via the dock and my 65" OLED. But, when traveling I don't want to lug around my 17", I just want my ipad and this. Vs. Legion Go
i think your review is based on a specific use and you missed the market that asus is aiming for on this one. for me it did hit all the price to value that i need: want to run AAAgame in bed, Turbo mod and plug it in, want to play when you are traveling or on vacation run regular power mode. Windows 11 ( while not the best system) gives you basically a pc on the go. you plug a keyboard and mouse and carry a dongle or usb-c to hdmi and plug to any hotel tv or anything. We play on PC because we mod our games like skyrim and others and gluck modding that on the steam deck. the only downside of this ally in my view is the microSD card but at that point i'll just switch to a 2tb nvme. i think you should have included a different perspective of how this can be used as not everyone wants to play 2D games or like linux.
PS: you make the SD card work by going into windows partition then deleting the removable storage partition and it will pop up.
My SLIGHTLY USED ROG Ally is currently being Repaired for SD CARD FAILURE. This $700 piece of TRASH device was rushed out into the MARKET. CLASS ACT LAWSUIT should be filed against ASUS.
I've got the Steamdeck OG, Steamdeck OLED and the Rog Ally. The Ally is so much better it's disgusting.
You forgot the wii u
Its sad the Legion Go wasn't available to stack in these tests.
Not including the Switch, what hand held is currently selling the most units? Also here in UK, ROG extreme has been reduced by £150 since I bought mine at full price!
You need to add vibration sensor into your sound chamber reviews because vibrations become rattles all over the desk an be case.
Not so much for the handhelds, but important for for desktops.
Yeah but I'd much rather deal with Windows 11 to troubleshoot things rather than Linux. The fact that steam Deck is Linux based is a deal breaker.
curious how the steam oled will compare to this
My last rig uses an asus mobo. Their software absolutely sucks. I've sworn not to give them money again.
v nice
I love the look of the hemi chamber is great,better than most acoustic & bass trap panels etc, would love this in my studio, can tell would be epic for my music production and DJing, awesome, crazy inside out review also guys love it 🙂
I have an OG steam deck and just recently bought the ASUS rig ally (about 1 month) it was a hard decision with the steam deck oled. I have a large library of steam pc games and I gotta stay the Asus rog ally has been great so far (I would say better than the steam deck) so far no issues with the microsdcard, can play games through vulkan like doom eternal at 1080p with a solid 60fps (natively), it’s a godsend with emulators(it’s flawless) and with moonlight/sunshine and a good WiFi/network I can easily stream all my heavy pc games to it anywhere from home. No crashes so far. The only thing I don’t like the the volume buttons feel cheap, the battery could be better(but could be said about all 3 handheld) and the xyba button could have been a brighter cooler like the Xbox buttons instead of dark. Also the initial setup of the Asus is not user friendly…
I'm curious how Z1 Extreme compares to desktop processor (R5 5600g maybe). I'm planning to go mobile and instead of laptop with Xe Graphics, I'm closely considering this instead.
I see these for $200 less on BEst buy and even "Like New" open boxes for as low as $330.00. Did they make too many or is there an issue?
Are you working on a review for the Legion Go?
Ally doesn't really have competition lol wtf. Steam deck is a different device. So you have the legion go. The other ones are over priced as F
Please do a review video for lenovo legion go
I personally have had zero issues with my ally 7 unit. No over heating my SD card reader doesn’t get fried. The fans are quiet and can only be heard barely on 30w turbo mode tweaked none of my buttons get stuck. Idk why people fuss about the ally.
why would u use sd card for a console?
Sold mine at a small loss. The user experience on that thing is abysmal and the hardware only really shines if your sitting next to an outlet. Ill hold on to my SD led until SD2. Anyone who buys this over an OLED or even just a cheap gaming laptop is doing themselves a disservice.
Is the ROG Ally worth buying ,I'm debating on which device i want
I’m really happy with my year old Deck but I might just take advantage of Best Buy’s extended holiday return window to try out an Ally for a month and see if it’s worth keeping.
FWIW, the thing that sold the Ally for me is the physical shape and dimensions. It isn't a ton different than the Steamdeck, but I found the Steamdeck unbearable to hold and use (I have small hands and often have long acrylic nails which make it a challenge to use the Steamdeck's grips and absolutely impossible to use its back/paddle buttons). I also found the width to just be uncomfortable and, by comparison, LOVE the Ally for all the things it physically does different than the Steamdeck. If I wasn't able to afford an Ally, I wouldn't have bought anything at all. There is more to the buying decision than simply the specs and price of these devices. Ergonomics is really important can be vary wildly (men with big hands like the Steamdeck, my with my long nails and smaller hands prefer the Ally or even the Switch over the Steamdeck). I know these are relatively subjective factors but they are worth considering as potential advantages when determing a "winner" in these kinds of comparisons.
Stay away from the rog mine got water damaged without getting wet 😢 so I'm guessing it doesn't like going from hot room to a cold room and they want £750 for repair 😅😅
So much work went into to this video…
There was a time where I could actually watch your videos and make an informed purchase afterwards. These days are long gone sadly and now you just end up being more confused. I miss the days where your reviews where more "consumer friendly"
interesting and would love to hear impressions now vs 2 months ago. the only drawback is the battery life on 25W mode ehich frankly is the mode this thing should run in. however power banks arr an easy fix and at home its plugged in for the 30W mode. after spending the weekend with the LD OLED deck I am keeping the ally. the deck screen is still fuzzy and choppy despite OLED. These two serve somehwat different purposes and audiences and better will always be subjective. to me the ally does everything the deck including OLED one does just better. battery life can be fixed with a power bank but 720p and limits of steamOS to run many games not that easy
Now that i own one. If the game is not shell shaded aim for 30-40fps settings.
If you are playing it while plugged in turn on turbo and get your 60fps
I still continue to use my PlayStation Vita and portable . The most important things about a handheld console are its weight, battery life, and body heat control.When it comes to game consoles, GPD is half-finished garbage. ASUS ROG is better than GPD, but SONY and NINTENDO are still the kings.
On one hand, not being constrained to Steam only is a plus. Even if its great, no one company should lock you into their ecosystem.
On the other hand, windows native is a resource hog for background garbage compared to the beauty of a purposed linux distro.
Idk, i'd probably still go steamdeck.