Throughout the past year or so, the handheld gaming scene has developed a lot, with newer and upgraded versions of handheld PCs hitting the market. Among all that competition, we found an open-box ASUS ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme) for as cheap as $358.99. The device is stated to be in a ‘Fair’ condition at this price, but you can pay a little extra if you want ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’ condition.
If you go ahead with this deal, you will be able to save up to $191. Interestingly, this has brought the ROG Ally’s price close to the Steam Deck (LCD version), which itself has been discounted for Steam’s 21st birthday, with the comparable 512GB model going for $336.75 for a limited time.
ASUS ROG Ally (Open Box)
Why you’ll love the ASUS ROG Ally
Here’s why we think you should be investing in this Open Box ASUS ROG Ally:
- AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Processor: The ROG Ally comes equipped with the Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor that features 8 cores, 16 threads, and 8.6 TFlops of computational power. This is the better of the two original ROG Ally models and the one we’d go for if you’re in the market for one.
- 7-inch 1080p screen: The handheld sports a 7-inch Full HD screen, which delivers detailed visuals. Plus, the display offers a 120Hz refresh rate along with support for AMD FreeSync technology, enabling more consistently smooth visuals.
- 16GB RAM: The ROG Ally is equipped with 16GB LPDDR5 6400 RAM, which should let you run multiple apps smoothly.
- 512GB Storage: The handheld also comes with a 512GB NVMe PCIe 4 M.2 SSD, so you can store all your games without running out of space. And even if you do, you can replace the storage with another M.2 2230 SSD.
- Connect peripherals easily: The ASUS ROG Ally can be connected easily to your TV and multiple controllers. You can also turn it into a tiny gaming PC by connecting a keyboard and a mouse.
- Geek Squad Verified: While an open-box offer means the device isn’t completely now, even the cheapest ‘Fair’ option ensures that the device “works like new” and is “restored to factory settings”.
We think Open-Box delivers a great price for a ROG Ally
With Best Buy’s Open-Box scheme, you can score some big discounts for a like-new device. Here’s how each tier shapes up:
| Condition | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | $462.99 | Works and looks like new. Restored to factory settings. Includes all original parts, packaging and accessories (or suitable replacement). |
| Good | $387.99 | Works like new. Restored to factory settings. May have minor scratches or dents. May be missing non-essential parts, accessories or original packaging. |
| Fair | $358.99 | Works like new. Restored to factory settings. May have larger dents or scratches. May be missing parts and accessories. |
If you’ve been looking for a handheld gaming PC to play your favorite games, the ROG Ally at this price is a great option. Its powerful hardware and portability make it an excellent choice for gamers on the go. And with the Open Box discount, you get a great deal on an already impressive device – just check the condition thoroughly before you buy it.
Comparing ROG Ally vs Steam Deck reveals that ASUS’s handheld boasts much better specs, from the 120Hz VRR panel to the newer RDNA 3-based graphics. It also uses Windows 11, opening up a wider range of games compared to Steam Deck’s Linux-based operating system.
