ASUS ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme)

It is easy to forget that the original ASUS ROG Ally, now available consistently at discounted pricing between roughly $449 and $599, was the device that forced the mainstream gaming industry to take handheld PCs seriously. Based on the Ryzen Z1 Extreme — Zen 4 architecture paired with RDNA 3 graphics — it no longer sits at the top of any performance benchmark, but at its current street pricing it offers a genuinely compelling entry point into the Windows handheld category. The 7-inch 1080p IPS panel at 120Hz and around 500 nits brightness remains competitive by the standard of its peers at similar prices. The Z1 Extreme handles most of the Steam library's back catalog, indie titles, and moderately demanding games with comfortable frame rates at 720p–1080p with appropriate settings. For the genre of gaming where handhelds shine — RPGs, strategy, platformers, older action games — the performance difference between the Z1 Extreme and the latest Z2 Extreme is often imperceptible in practice. At 608 grams, the original Ally is the lightest full-featured Windows handheld in this roundup — a meaningful advantage for extended handheld sessions where fatigue is a real factor. The ROG Ally's ergonomics, honed over nearly two years of production, are among the most refined in the category. The 40Wh battery is the primary weakness. At full gaming loads, expect roughly 1–1.5 hours before needing to reach for a USB-C charger, which makes this a device that benefits greatly from always having a power bank or charger nearby. ASUS's Armoury Crate software has improved substantially through firmware updates. As a frequently discounted introduction to the Windows handheld category, the ROG Ally Z1 Extreme remains a sensible recommendation.