i tried the FIRST HANDHELD PC...

Slite

22 Jan 202408:02

Summary

TLDRA gaming YouTuber received the new Asus Rog Ally handheld gaming PC to review. Despite its portability and Windows 11 OS, they struggled to set it up and faced constant crashes trying to run games. When they finally got Fortnite working, there was severe input delay making competitive play impossible. They tried other games but performance was lacking, only managing 60fps on low settings. While the technology shows promise, this particular device proved largely disappointing for the reviewer, scoring only 2 out of 10.

Takeaways

😀 Asus sent the author their Rog Ally gaming PC to review
👾 The device is very compact and portable, similar in size to the Nintendo Switch
💻 It runs a full version of Windows 11, not a custom OS
🔌 Initial setup was smooth, but connecting accessories caused crashes
🎮 Fortnite and other games had compatibility issues and crashes
⛔ There was significant input lag making competitive gaming difficult
📉 Performance and frame rates were inconsistent and often low
☹️ The author was very disappointed with the overall gaming experience
🤔 There is potential for future handheld PCs, but more work is needed
🔚 The author plans to try the device again to see if it improves

Q & A

What handheld gaming PC did Asus send the narrator?
-Asus sent the narrator their Rog Ally handheld gaming PC.
What operating system did the Rog Ally come with?
-The Rog Ally came with Windows 11 pre-installed.
What issues did the narrator encounter when trying to use the Rog Ally docked to their TV?
-The narrator had issues with the touchscreen and keyboard being disabled when docked, awkward pointer control with the right stick, multiple crashes and issues running games like Fortnite and Forza at high settings.
Why was using a wireless connection a problem for the narrator?
-The lack of a wired LAN connection resulted in input delay, which would put the narrator at a disadvantage in competitive multiplayer gaming.
What was the maximum refresh rate supported by the Rog Ally?
-The Rog Ally supported up to 120Hz refresh rate on an external monitor.
What frame rate could the Rog Ally achieve in Fortnite when undocked?
-When undocked, the narrator was able to get a constant 120 FPS in Fortnite without noticeable frame drops.
What input lag issues did the narrator experience?
-The lack of a wired connection resulted in input delay even in undocked use.
What was the narrator's overall assessment of the Rog Ally?
-The narrator gave the Rog Ally a score of 2 out of 10 based on their disappointing gaming experience, but noted it has potential as an early model of handheld PC gaming.
What constructive feedback did the narrator offer?
-The narrator suggested improvements like wired LAN connectivity, better docked usability and smoother gaming performance.
What accessories did the narrator buy to improve the experience?
-The narrator bought a charging dock for TV output and a longer power cable to use it more comfortably.