Never has there been a more opportune moment to acquire a handheld gaming PC than now, as the Z1 High’s price has just dropped by another $100 at Best Buy, currently retailing at an attractive $549.99, but only until supplies last.
Last week, Valve kicked off a Steam Deck sale, putting two top-notch handheld gaming PCs on sale simultaneously. Our evaluation of the Asus ROG Ally revealed that it “poses a formidable challenge to the Steam Deck’s dominance with its superior specifications and optimized performance capabilities.” If you’re seeking uncompromising excellence in a handheld device at an affordable price, the ROG Ally stands out as the top choice.
Upon the release of the Asus ROG Ally X, it was only a matter of time before the prices of the Z1 and Z1 Extreme variants of the handheld console would drop to more affordable levels. The notice observed the Z1’s drastic price drop from its initial $699 MSRP to $649, allowing the Ally X to make its debut at a competitive $799.
Currently at Best Buy, you can save an extra $100 on this price drop, making the ROG Ally Z1 Extreme just $549.99. The Nintendo Switch OLED model’s impressive features aren’t limited to being more powerful than the Steam Deck – it also boasts a 1080p, 120Hz display.
While the Steam Deck OLED matches its rival in terms of quality, the OLED’s equivalent price tag ($549 for the 512GB model) does not significantly improve on the original Deck’s capabilities, ultimately making the Ally Z1 High still the superior choice.
While concerns surrounding the microSD card slot overheating are valid for discussion, it’s essential to note that this issue is not guaranteed to occur. In fact, users can potentially mitigate this problem by opting out of using microSD cards altogether and instead increasing the internal SSD storage capacity.
If you’re still on the fence about which model to choose, refer to our in-depth reviews of the Asus ROG Ally X and Steam Deck OLED, where we dissect performance and value to help inform your decision.
