- This is the ROG Ally and it is a fully
- This is the ROG Ally and it is a fully

portable handheld game PC running Windows 11.
portable handheld game PC running Windows 11.

Now a lot of people are comparing this to the Steam Deck,
Now a lot of people are comparing this to the Steam Deck,

and that's fair enough, but why I'm actually excited
and that's fair enough, but why I'm actually excited

about it is for a very different reason.
about it is for a very different reason.

So over the last little while,
So over the last little while,

I have been using this, the Ayaneo Air Pro.
I have been using this, the Ayaneo Air Pro.

While this is decent, there's a lot of issues,
While this is decent, there's a lot of issues,

and I can kind of talk about that in a minute.
and I can kind of talk about that in a minute.

But with the ROG Ally,
But with the ROG Ally,

not only can this be a good gaming PC on the go,
not only can this be a good gaming PC on the go,

but my question is
but my question is

could this replace your gaming PC period?
could this replace your gaming PC period?

I already went from gaming desktops to gaming laptops.
I already went from gaming desktops to gaming laptops.

Can I go all the way
Can I go all the way

to doing everything on my gaming handheld?
to doing everything on my gaming handheld?

With the Ryzen Z1 Extreme Processor inside,
With the Ryzen Z1 Extreme Processor inside,

while this is an offshoot of AMD's laptop chips,
while this is an offshoot of AMD's laptop chips,

it is very much optimized for handheld use
it is very much optimized for handheld use

and using pretty much all the latest AMD tech,
and using pretty much all the latest AMD tech,

including a full eight core CPU that's based
including a full eight core CPU that's based

on their Zen 4 architecture
on their Zen 4 architecture

and a boost frequency of up to 5.1 gigahertz.
and a boost frequency of up to 5.1 gigahertz.

But on top of that,
But on top of that,

you also do have RDNA 3-based graphics as well
you also do have RDNA 3-based graphics as well

as fast 16 gigs of LPDDR5 RAM and a 512 gig SSD,
as fast 16 gigs of LPDDR5 RAM and a 512 gig SSD,

which is meant to be somewhat user upgradable,
which is meant to be somewhat user upgradable,

at least slightly easier than the Steam Deck.
at least slightly easier than the Steam Deck.

This is paired with a micro SD card slot
This is paired with a micro SD card slot

for expansion as well as the XG mobile port,
for expansion as well as the XG mobile port,

which not only does have a full fat USB-C port,
which not only does have a full fat USB-C port,

but also if you do wanna buy one
but also if you do wanna buy one

of the ASUS proprietary external GPUs,
of the ASUS proprietary external GPUs,

you could in theory increase the performance even more.
you could in theory increase the performance even more.

Although when you look at the price of those,
Although when you look at the price of those,

it's maybe better to just not do that.
it's maybe better to just not do that.

Unfortunately, what I'm immediately running
Unfortunately, what I'm immediately running

into is that to get decent battery life with this,
into is that to get decent battery life with this,

there's a lot of software trickery to go on.
there's a lot of software trickery to go on.

So there's a few different modes here.
So there's a few different modes here.

You have Silent, Performance, and Turbo.
You have Silent, Performance, and Turbo.

So Turbo is what you wanna enable
So Turbo is what you wanna enable

if you want to get that sort of maximum performance.
if you want to get that sort of maximum performance.

The downside though is
The downside though is

that the battery life doesn't look particularly great,
that the battery life doesn't look particularly great,

but what I really wanna do with this is
but what I really wanna do with this is

I actually don't care
I actually don't care

that much about it running in portable handheld mode.
that much about it running in portable handheld mode.

If my hunch is correct,
If my hunch is correct,

I think there's a real argument to be had
I think there's a real argument to be had

that this is $700 might actually be a good gaming desktop.
that this is $700 might actually be a good gaming desktop.

Just so happens to be run in portable modes sometimes.
Just so happens to be run in portable modes sometimes.

So our Cinebench score on the multicore is 15,188.
So our Cinebench score on the multicore is 15,188.

So that is mind you just one single run,
So that is mind you just one single run,

but that's a lot of performance.
but that's a lot of performance.

Next, let's run 3DMark Time Spy to get a little bit
Next, let's run 3DMark Time Spy to get a little bit

of an idea for the gaming performance
of an idea for the gaming performance

and specifically the graphic side of things.
and specifically the graphic side of things.

So I'm curious to see where this lands
So I'm curious to see where this lands

because this is a bespoke processor,
because this is a bespoke processor,

right now specifically only on the ROG Ally.
right now specifically only on the ROG Ally.

So AMD have basically made a slightly tweaked version
So AMD have basically made a slightly tweaked version

of their laptop CPU and GPU combination,
of their laptop CPU and GPU combination,

their APU, the theoretical max
their APU, the theoretical max

on the Z1 Extreme is like above
on the Z1 Extreme is like above

like an Xbox Series S.
like an Xbox Series S.

It's gonna be on par with a relatively decent gaming PC.
It's gonna be on par with a relatively decent gaming PC.

So I spent a little bit of time before shooting the video
So I spent a little bit of time before shooting the video

playing around with this in handheld mode.
playing around with this in handheld mode.

And you definitely notice
And you definitely notice

in handheld mode it's trying to throttle things back.
in handheld mode it's trying to throttle things back.

Even when you're running in
Even when you're running in

like the performance mode, it's trying to save battery
like the performance mode, it's trying to save battery

by conserving as much as it can.
by conserving as much as it can.

But when you plug it in,
But when you plug it in,

when you unlock the full 1080p 120 hertz,
when you unlock the full 1080p 120 hertz,

you throw the TDP at it,
you throw the TDP at it,

that responsiveness has come right back
that responsiveness has come right back

up to the point of a little gaming computer.
up to the point of a little gaming computer.

So the number we need to beat is 3144.
So the number we need to beat is 3144.

That's pretty good.
That's pretty good.

I will say that's a much stronger CPU score
I will say that's a much stronger CPU score

than a graphic score, which makes sense.
than a graphic score, which makes sense.

Okay, so now let's compare the ROG Ally
Okay, so now let's compare the ROG Ally

with both a gaming desktop as well as a gaming laptop.
with both a gaming desktop as well as a gaming laptop.

So starting out with, we have the HP Victus,
So starting out with, we have the HP Victus,

which typically runs about $600.
which typically runs about $600.

This is outfitted with a Core i5-1245OH,
This is outfitted with a Core i5-1245OH,

eight gigs of RAM as well as a GTX 1650.
eight gigs of RAM as well as a GTX 1650.

On the desktop side of things, we actually have a little bit
On the desktop side of things, we actually have a little bit

of a sneak peek at an upcoming video.
of a sneak peek at an upcoming video.

So you may wanna subscribe
So you may wanna subscribe

and ringaling that dingaling button.
and ringaling that dingaling button.

But this is the Boson 5.0 which is running
But this is the Boson 5.0 which is running

a Ryzen 5 5500, 16 gigs of RAM, as well as an RX 6500 XT.
a Ryzen 5 5500, 16 gigs of RAM, as well as an RX 6500 XT.

I'm going to the benchmark zone,
I'm going to the benchmark zone,

I'm gonna benchmark all three of these.
I'm gonna benchmark all three of these.

I think the ROG Ally is gonna be slightly behind the desktop
I think the ROG Ally is gonna be slightly behind the desktop

and maybe slightly behind the laptop as well.
and maybe slightly behind the laptop as well.

They might be ballpark the same though,
They might be ballpark the same though,

which if this gets even close, considering how small it is,
which if this gets even close, considering how small it is,

that'll actually be I think a pretty big win.
that'll actually be I think a pretty big win.

And we're gonna see
And we're gonna see

if the ROG Ally can compete in this same kind of space.
if the ROG Ally can compete in this same kind of space.

I feel like I've got like crazy hair right now.
I feel like I've got like crazy hair right now.

I feel like I'm like Doc Brown
I feel like I'm like Doc Brown

like trying to tell you about the DeLorean or something.
like trying to tell you about the DeLorean or something.

- 1.21 jigawatts.
- 1.21 jigawatts.

- What the hell is a jigawatt?
- What the hell is a jigawatt?

- So here's the deal.
- So here's the deal.

This HP Victus was an open box laptop
This HP Victus was an open box laptop

that we purchased from Best Buy.
that we purchased from Best Buy.

And only now have we realized
And only now have we realized

that something is very deeply wrong
that something is very deeply wrong

when the CPU score was about one eighth
when the CPU score was about one eighth

of what it should have been.
of what it should have been.

Assuming that this was actually working correctly,
Assuming that this was actually working correctly,

we should be seeing a Cinebench score
we should be seeing a Cinebench score

of just under 10,000 for the CPU.
of just under 10,000 for the CPU.

And on the GPU side,
And on the GPU side,

we should be looking at Time Spy at around 3,400.
we should be looking at Time Spy at around 3,400.

This is actually not bad compared to the Ally,
This is actually not bad compared to the Ally,

which has a significantly more powerful CPU.
which has a significantly more powerful CPU.

But it is a little bit behind on the graphic side.
But it is a little bit behind on the graphic side.

The more interesting comparison though is
The more interesting comparison though is

with the Boson Desktop Gaming PC,
with the Boson Desktop Gaming PC,

which I will remind you is about $500 in components,
which I will remind you is about $500 in components,

but clearly has some advantages when it comes
but clearly has some advantages when it comes

to power and size.
to power and size.

It's much, much larger and therefore, while it is behind
It's much, much larger and therefore, while it is behind

on the CPU score, does win out on the graphic side.
on the CPU score, does win out on the graphic side.

But the important thing to know here is
But the important thing to know here is

that I'm not totally crazy and the Ally can kind of hang
that I'm not totally crazy and the Ally can kind of hang

especially with the laptop and almost with the desktop.
especially with the laptop and almost with the desktop.

So after running benchmarks, it seems like the ROG Ally
So after running benchmarks, it seems like the ROG Ally

is in the same kind of ballpark performance-wise
is in the same kind of ballpark performance-wise

as a gaming laptop around this price point.
as a gaming laptop around this price point.

And while it's a little bit behind this $500 desktop,
And while it's a little bit behind this $500 desktop,

keep in mind that not only is this far larger,
keep in mind that not only is this far larger,

but also it is lacking some things
but also it is lacking some things

that the Ally has built in.
that the Ally has built in.

It doesn't have a display, doesn't have a battery.
It doesn't have a display, doesn't have a battery.

So generally speaking,
So generally speaking,

I actually think that the Ally might just be capable
I actually think that the Ally might just be capable

of really being a full gaming PC.
of really being a full gaming PC.

But for now, let's go ahead and get the desktop outta here,
But for now, let's go ahead and get the desktop outta here,

pretend the laptop never existed,
pretend the laptop never existed,

and let's actually do some gaming
and let's actually do some gaming

on the Ally to see can I use this as my gaming device?
on the Ally to see can I use this as my gaming device?

Because I kind of think I can.
Because I kind of think I can.

I don't know if this is gonna work,
I don't know if this is gonna work,

but we're gonna try "Cyberpunk 2077".
but we're gonna try "Cyberpunk 2077".

Now "Cyberpunk" is a game that doesn't really run
Now "Cyberpunk" is a game that doesn't really run

on most portable devices.
on most portable devices.

It's obviously very demanding,
It's obviously very demanding,

but I think that the ROG Ally might just be able to play.
but I think that the ROG Ally might just be able to play.

Probably have to turn some settings down,
Probably have to turn some settings down,

but let's give it a try.
but let's give it a try.

Cyberpunk, we got it.
Cyberpunk, we got it.

Also for the record, those are the speakers of the Ally.
Also for the record, those are the speakers of the Ally.

That's actually, that's pretty loud.
That's actually, that's pretty loud.

So I am plugged in to this 1080P 144 hertz display,
So I am plugged in to this 1080P 144 hertz display,

which is almost exact same
which is almost exact same

as the 1080P 120 hertz display on the internal.
as the 1080P 120 hertz display on the internal.

Let's see if this will actually work.
Let's see if this will actually work.

Hey, we're 48 FPS. We got "Cyberpunk".
Hey, we're 48 FPS. We got "Cyberpunk".

This is actually good.
This is actually good.

Now again, low settings and we are running at 1080P,
Now again, low settings and we are running at 1080P,

but using the AMD FidelityFX,
but using the AMD FidelityFX,

which is essentially the upscaling,
which is essentially the upscaling,

so this is in the performance mode,
so this is in the performance mode,

which is probably running it a little bit
which is probably running it a little bit

of a closer to like a 720P native resolution.
of a closer to like a 720P native resolution.

Now I'm actually curious, so while this is running,
Now I'm actually curious, so while this is running,

I'm gonna turn the volume all the way down.
I'm gonna turn the volume all the way down.

Let me actually listen for the fan.
Let me actually listen for the fan.

So mind you
So mind you

this is the microphone almost touching the exhaust.
this is the microphone almost touching the exhaust.

It's really quiet.
It's really quiet.

Oh, it's done. Okay, cool.
Oh, it's done. Okay, cool.

What's my score here?
What's my score here?

52.6 FPS.
52.6 FPS.

I actually think that I'm just gonna rock with it like this.
I actually think that I'm just gonna rock with it like this.

If I really wanted to, I could turn the resolution down
If I really wanted to, I could turn the resolution down

and actually start pushing like 60 plus FPS,
and actually start pushing like 60 plus FPS,

but I don't need to do that.
but I don't need to do that.

I guess one of the big differences if you're thinking
I guess one of the big differences if you're thinking

about the Ally compared to something like the Steam Deck
about the Ally compared to something like the Steam Deck

and the Ayaneo for that matter, is that you've got
and the Ayaneo for that matter, is that you've got

a different class of hardware, right?
a different class of hardware, right?

I will say there's still concerns here like battery life
I will say there's still concerns here like battery life

and whatnot, but at the end of the day,
and whatnot, but at the end of the day,

this has just a significantly higher level of performance,
this has just a significantly higher level of performance,

which enables certain games to actually work.
which enables certain games to actually work.

Now mind you, I will say actually walking around,
Now mind you, I will say actually walking around,

that FSR is pretty strong.
that FSR is pretty strong.

There's a little bit of like artifacting as well with some
There's a little bit of like artifacting as well with some

of like the motion, like you see,
of like the motion, like you see,

almost leaves a little bit of like ghost trails.
almost leaves a little bit of like ghost trails.

That being said though, this is running on a handheld.
That being said though, this is running on a handheld.

All right, so here's the real test.
All right, so here's the real test.

Can I just flip it over to running on the internal display?
Can I just flip it over to running on the internal display?

So I'm gonna go PC screen only,
So I'm gonna go PC screen only,

so it's gonna hop it over to the Ally and then...
so it's gonna hop it over to the Ally and then...

See, now I'm just using the controls on the Ally.
See, now I'm just using the controls on the Ally.

This, while it's a little touch blurry
This, while it's a little touch blurry

on my 1080P, my 24 inch display.
on my 1080P, my 24 inch display.

When you shrink it down
When you shrink it down

to the seven inch panel, it looks terrific.
to the seven inch panel, it looks terrific.

Mind you, I am plugged in right now
Mind you, I am plugged in right now

and I'm running at the full Turbo max settings.
and I'm running at the full Turbo max settings.

Essentially it's actually a very slight overclock
Essentially it's actually a very slight overclock

compared to what it runs at from stock,
compared to what it runs at from stock,

but this is such a good experience.
but this is such a good experience.

All right, so while this game's actually running,
All right, so while this game's actually running,

I'm gonna turn it down and unplug it
I'm gonna turn it down and unplug it

and see what happens.
and see what happens.

We're gonna unplug it.
We're gonna unplug it.

We're now in Performance mode handheld.
We're now in Performance mode handheld.

Performance mode is kinda like the default mode.
Performance mode is kinda like the default mode.

So this is kind of the battery optimization mode.
So this is kind of the battery optimization mode.

And now we're a little bit closer to 30 FPS.
And now we're a little bit closer to 30 FPS.

You know what? I'm kind of about this ROG right now.
You know what? I'm kind of about this ROG right now.

I had low expectations.
I had low expectations.

Again, I was like, oh, okay,
Again, I was like, oh, okay,

this is gonna be annoying,
this is gonna be annoying,

battery life's gonna be bad, blah, blah, blah.
battery life's gonna be bad, blah, blah, blah.

But this level of performance just unlocks something,
But this level of performance just unlocks something,

like it's just a different class of hardware.
like it's just a different class of hardware.

All right, let's play some other games.
All right, let's play some other games.

But, didn't tell these guys, I have a little secret.
But, didn't tell these guys, I have a little secret.

When I was thinking
When I was thinking

about ideas of how I could test the ROG Ally,
about ideas of how I could test the ROG Ally,

I mean obviously it's super easy to just grab
I mean obviously it's super easy to just grab

like a USB hub and monitor and everything,
like a USB hub and monitor and everything,

but I have something a little bit more creative in mind.
but I have something a little bit more creative in mind.

- Oh, okay. Hi. - Hello.
- Oh, okay. Hi. - Hello.

Can I show you something
Can I show you something

which either is genius or stupid?
which either is genius or stupid?

- So probably stupid?
- So probably stupid?

- It's kinda stupid.
- It's kinda stupid.

Okay, this is the NexDock.
Okay, this is the NexDock.

This is an item that is really meant to be used
This is an item that is really meant to be used

with a Samsung device, you know, DeX,
with a Samsung device, you know, DeX,

you plug it via a USB-C and you turn your phone
you plug it via a USB-C and you turn your phone

into a laptop.
into a laptop.

- We did a whole Mystery Tech on it.
- We did a whole Mystery Tech on it.

- Whole Mystery Tech on it.
- Whole Mystery Tech on it.

Right now, with a single USB-C cable,
Right now, with a single USB-C cable,

the ROG Ally is outputting a 1080P 60 signal
the ROG Ally is outputting a 1080P 60 signal

to this display, but also because it's a NexDock,
to this display, but also because it's a NexDock,

even though there's not any like processing inside here,
even though there's not any like processing inside here,

we've got a track pad, we've got a keyboard.
we've got a track pad, we've got a keyboard.

Theoretically I could just use this like a little laptop.
Theoretically I could just use this like a little laptop.

So say the Ally is my only computer
So say the Ally is my only computer

and I want to actually get some work done, I can plug it in.
and I want to actually get some work done, I can plug it in.

The downside here is that the NexDock
The downside here is that the NexDock

won't push enough power to the Ally and I have now
won't push enough power to the Ally and I have now

also used my only USB-C port, so I can't plug anything in.
also used my only USB-C port, so I can't plug anything in.

- So what is stopping you from plugging this
- So what is stopping you from plugging this

into a normal keyboard mouse and monitor setup?
into a normal keyboard mouse and monitor setup?

- I already did that.
- I already did that.

That's easy. That's too easy.
That's easy. That's too easy.

I want the portable setup.
I want the portable setup.

And as you can see here, this is so much more portable.
And as you can see here, this is so much more portable.

- You know what's also portable?
- You know what's also portable?

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

- It's so portable,
- It's so portable,

I could just, you know, put in my pocket and bye.
I could just, you know, put in my pocket and bye.

- Is that an ROG Ally in your pocket
- Is that an ROG Ally in your pocket

or are you just happy to see me?
or are you just happy to see me?

- I'm definitely not happy to see you.
- I'm definitely not happy to see you.

- Aw. This was almost a good idea.
- Aw. This was almost a good idea.

- This thing is very hot in my pocket.
- This thing is very hot in my pocket.

It is burning a hole in my pocket.
It is burning a hole in my pocket.

- We've done a lot with the ROG Ally so far.
- We've done a lot with the ROG Ally so far.

We've shown off the performance.
We've shown off the performance.

We've shown off the gaming PC chops.
We've shown off the gaming PC chops.

Why don't we actually use it portably
Why don't we actually use it portably

and not use all this nonsense?
and not use all this nonsense?

Let's see how it is.
Let's see how it is.

I'm gonna go play some games.
I'm gonna go play some games.

- I wish you luck.
- I wish you luck.

- This thing is really neat.
- This thing is really neat.

I will say as a person who loves playing
I will say as a person who loves playing

with gaming PCs and portable devices,
with gaming PCs and portable devices,

this really adds something to the market.
this really adds something to the market.

No, it is not better than the Steam Deck.
No, it is not better than the Steam Deck.

I think it's different.
I think it's different.

I think it's a different market.
I think it's a different market.

The Steam Deck is much more similar
The Steam Deck is much more similar

to something like a Switch.
to something like a Switch.

It is a portable handheld gaming console,
It is a portable handheld gaming console,

less so of a proper PC.
less so of a proper PC.

They literally say on the back here,
They literally say on the back here,

do you see this, handheld console PC.
do you see this, handheld console PC.

That's what they put on the sticker.
That's what they put on the sticker.

The thing I haven't really talked about much
The thing I haven't really talked about much

in this video is that once you're
in this video is that once you're

in a game and everything, it's fine,
in a game and everything, it's fine,

but as soon as you're actually trying
but as soon as you're actually trying

to do like regular Windows-y things,
to do like regular Windows-y things,

it's really challenging.
it's really challenging.

The touchscreen doesn't work all the time with the keyboard.
The touchscreen doesn't work all the time with the keyboard.

You have to like tap it.
You have to like tap it.

You have to swipe, like it's okay, but it's early.
You have to swipe, like it's okay, but it's early.

It feels like this needs more time in the oven
It feels like this needs more time in the oven

for it to be like a proper like handheld console.
for it to be like a proper like handheld console.

But if you're looking for a relatively affordable
But if you're looking for a relatively affordable

very powerful handheld gaming computer,
very powerful handheld gaming computer,

and you're gonna hope that the console part
and you're gonna hope that the console part

of the equation is made good
of the equation is made good

at some point with software updates,
at some point with software updates,

then I will say I'm really happy with this ROG Ally.
then I will say I'm really happy with this ROG Ally.

It's legitimately really neat.
It's legitimately really neat.

- [Alex] Is this gonna replace your Switch?
- [Alex] Is this gonna replace your Switch?

- I'm still gonna be using my Switch Lite.
- I'm still gonna be using my Switch Lite.

A lot of Switch games that are just really good.
A lot of Switch games that are just really good.

And there's a lot
And there's a lot

of PC games that are really good that play on this.
of PC games that are really good that play on this.

It's like different strokes for different folks.
It's like different strokes for different folks.

Some people like lemon, some people like lime.
Some people like lemon, some people like lime.

Not everyone wants to drink Sprite.
Not everyone wants to drink Sprite.

- [Ken] What?
- [Ken] What?

Or people just like spicy water.
Or people just like spicy water.

- Topo Chico is not spicy water.
- Topo Chico is not spicy water.

That's just bubbly water.
That's just bubbly water.