With the growing popularity of handheld gaming devices like the Steam Deck, Lenovo’s Legion Go, and MSI’s Claw, I felt it was time to jump on the bandwagon. My interest in these devices was sparked a few months ago when my cousin showed me his ROG Ally. The concept of having a portable gaming PC that could also handle everyday tasks intrigued me.
My primary computer was starting to show its age, making it difficult to enjoy gaming comfortably. On top of that, my work laptop is only suitable for office tasks. So when I saw the ROG Ally Z1 Extreme on sale for 500 euros during the holidays, I couldn’t resist. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to combine work and gaming in a compact, portable package.
Comparing the ROG Ally to the Logitech G Cloud
Having owned both the ROG Ally and the Logitech G Cloud, I’ve noticed a significant difference between the two in terms of power and versatility. Of course, the ROG Ally is almost double the price of the G Cloud, so that’s expected. The biggest appeal of the ROG Ally for me was its Windows operating system, which allows for much greater flexibility than the Android-based Logitech G Cloud.
With the G Cloud, I can quickly jump into cloud gaming, stream videos on YouTube, or watch series without worrying about the battery life. On the other hand, the ROG Ally lets me do much more: I can run PC games natively and even perform more advanced tasks. However, this comes at the cost of significantly reduced battery life. Luckily, I spend most of my time plugged in, so I tend to use the ROG Ally almost like a secondary PC.
Gaming Habits and Usability
When it comes to the ROG Ally, I find myself playing more games locally, thanks to its impressive power and features like AMD’s AFMF2, which enhance performance. This eliminates concerns about Internet connectivity when I’m away from home or far from my router. Meanwhile, I still use the G Cloud for cloud gaming, particularly for large games that take up too much storage space or when I want to use Xbox Remote Play. Both devices complement each other well, allowing me to tailor my gaming experience to different scenarios.
The ROG Ally has been a mix of impulse and necessity for me, and it has exceeded my expectations. It’s a portable “powerhouse” that lets me work and play wherever I want without being overly dependent on a stable internet connection.
As handheld devices continue to evolve, especially with investments from companies like Microsoft and Valve, I’m excited to see where this technology goes. For now, the ROG Ally has proven to be a worthy addition to my setup, striking a great balance between portability, performance, and functionality.
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