What To Know
- The Steam Deck has a 7-inch LCD display with a 1280×800 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate.
- The Steam Deck offers a longer battery life of up to 8 hours, making it more suitable for extended gameplay without the need for constant charging.
- The Steam Deck offers a longer battery life of up to 8 hours, while the ROG Ally lasts for around 4-6 hours.
In the realm of portable gaming, two heavyweights stand out: the ASUS ROG Ally and the Steam Deck. Both devices offer impressive capabilities, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will delve into the key features of each contender, helping you make an informed decision.
Performance
ASUS ROG Ally: Powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U processor, the ROG Ally boasts exceptional performance for a portable device. Its 8 cores and 16 threads handle demanding games with ease, ensuring smooth gameplay and minimal lag.
Steam Deck: Featuring a custom AMD Zen 2 APU, the Steam Deck offers solid performance for its size. Its 4 cores and 8 threads are optimized for gaming, providing a stable and enjoyable experience.
Graphics
ASUS ROG Ally: The ROG Ally is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU, delivering impressive graphics capabilities. It can handle high-resolution gaming at decent frame rates, making it ideal for AAA titles.
Steam Deck: The Steam Deck’s integrated AMD RDNA 2 GPU is capable of handling most games at medium-to-high settings. It may not match the raw power of a dedicated GPU, but it provides a respectable gaming experience.
Display
ASUS ROG Ally: The ROG Ally features a 15.6-inch FHD IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate. It offers vibrant colors, wide viewing angles, and smooth gameplay.
Steam Deck: The Steam Deck has a 7-inch LCD display with a 1280×800 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. While it’s smaller than the ROG Ally‘s screen, it’s still adequate for gaming on the go.
Battery Life
ASUS ROG Ally: The ROG Ally has a relatively short battery life of around 4-6 hours, depending on usage. It requires frequent charging, especially during extended gaming sessions.
Steam Deck: The Steam Deck offers a longer battery life of up to 8 hours, making it more suitable for extended gameplay without the need for constant charging.
Portability
ASUS ROG Ally: Weighing in at 4.41 pounds, the ROG Ally is significantly heavier than the Steam Deck. Its larger size and weight make it less portable and convenient to carry around.
Steam Deck: The Steam Deck is remarkably lightweight at 1.47 pounds, making it highly portable. Its compact size fits comfortably in most backpacks or carrying cases.
Connectivity
ASUS ROG Ally: The ROG Ally offers a wide range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and multiple USB ports. It also features a microSD card slot for storage expansion.
Steam Deck: The Steam Deck has a more limited selection of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and a single USB-C port. It also supports microSD card expansion.
Price
ASUS ROG Ally: The ROG Ally has a starting price of around $1,500, making it a premium option.
Steam Deck: The Steam Deck starts at $399, offering a more affordable entry point for portable gaming.
Which One is Right for You?
The ASUS ROG Ally and Steam Deck are both excellent portable gaming devices, but each has its strengths and weaknesses.
Choose the ROG Ally if:
- You demand the best possible performance and graphics
- You prefer a larger screen with a high refresh rate
- You’re willing to spend more for a premium experience
Choose the Steam Deck if:
- You prioritize portability and convenience
- You’re on a budget
- You’re satisfied with a smaller screen and lower performance
Answers to Your Most Common Questions
Q: Which device has a longer battery life?
A: The Steam Deck offers a longer battery life of up to 8 hours, while the ROG Ally lasts for around 4-6 hours.
Q: Can I play all Steam games on the Steam Deck?
A: Most Steam games are compatible with the Steam Deck, but some may require adjustments or may not run at optimal settings.
Q: Can I upgrade the storage on both devices?
A: Both the ROG Ally and Steam Deck support microSD card expansion for additional storage.
Q: Which device is more durable?
A: Both devices have durable construction, but the ROG Ally has a slightly more rugged design.
Q: Can I use the ROG Ally and Steam Deck as a laptop replacement?
A: While both devices can handle basic tasks like web browsing and productivity, they are primarily designed for gaming and may not fully replace a laptop.
