Both the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally offer impressive handheld gaming experiences, but their differences set them apart. The Steam Deck, developed by Valve, focuses on seamless integration with the Steam library and offers a balance between power and battery life. On the other hand, the ASUS ROG Ally is a powerhouse, running on Windows 11 and supporting a wider range of game launchers.
The Steam Deck runs on Linux-based SteamOS, which makes it perfect for those who primarily play on Steam. It allows customization and supports additional Linux-based gaming projects like Bazzite. However, the learning curve may be steep for those unfamiliar with Linux.
The ASUS ROG Ally operates on Windows 11, making it more accessible for gamers who use different libraries such as Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Connect. This flexibility makes it a more versatile option for those who don’t want to tinker with the system.
When it comes to the performance bracket, ASUS ROG Ally takes the upper hand. This piece of hardware is crammed with the latest and most powerful specs, with the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme inside, boasting an 8-core 4 Zen processor with RDNA 3 graphics, perfectly capable of rocking games in 1080p and 120Hz, thus creating a kinetic spectacle. Although still robust, the Steam Deck runs a custom AMD Zen 2 APU with the 7-inch 1280x800 HDR OLED at 90Hz.
Inversely, more power means less battery. The Steam Deck maxes out at 15W for optimal performance and longer gaming sessions. The ASUS ROG Ally, when the shove is on at 30W, tends to eat battery life faster with any left decent game. On the indie occasion, one expects 4-5 hours from either device, while under AAA load, The Ally deploys 1-2 hours before recharging is due. Longer for the Deck.
Users are given the highest degree of customization possible with the Steam Deck. Performance and battery life can be regulated with custom profiles. There are several ones for people who want to break away from SteamOS and explore Linux-based alternatives.
The ASUS ROG Ally does allow an external GPU dock and thereby gives users the option of connecting a high-end graphics card such as the Nvidia RTX 4090. This gives the additional benefit of making the device more future-proof and of being able to unleash desktop-level gaming performance when plugged in.
Smooth sailing for Steam games on the Steam Deck, but anything non-Steam comes with hurdles. Not that compatibility layers, like Proton, don't help, but there are still troublesome titles that require a bit of voodoo from the user to work.
With the obvious Windows 11, anything that runs on any other Windows PC will run on ASUS ROG Ally. This includes the benefit of getting into Game Pass, doubly essential for anyone who relishes a huge rotating library of games.
Well, both these devices come along with a 7 inches screen; however, the display of ROG Ally is supporting 1080p at 120 Hz making it sharper in terms of visuals. Steam Deck has a resolution of 1280x800 with a refresh rate of 90 Hz and while that still looks great, it is not as sharp.
In terms of design, the Steam Deck is bulky while it is actually comfortable to grip hands and ideal for long sessions. ROG Ally is much lighter and sleeker; however, it doesn't have Steam Deck's signature trackpads, which are handy for certain games that require use of a cursor.
The Steam Deck is the more budget-friendly option, with prices starting at $399 for the base model. The ASUS ROG Ally comes at a premium, starting at $799.
While the Ally offers superior hardware and a more flexible ecosystem, the Steam Deck provides better value for those who mainly play on Steam and prefer a more affordable handheld.
Both of them are worth having, but choice is a matter of meeting the needs of gaming. Huh, the Steam Deck is for those who seek a well-balanced price-to-performance equivalent of handheld gaming-focused around Steam.
The best Associate in Nursing according to performance, flexibility in game libraries, and connecting to an external GPU applicant.