Key takeaways:
- ASUS ROG Ally Z1 and Steam Deck LCD share the same price point, making them direct competitors.
- The ROG Ally Z1 has a better screen, while the Steam Deck LCD has a more ergonomic design.
- Input preferences may vary, but the Steam Deck has a more responsive touchscreen.
- Battery life is similar, but the ROG Ally Z1 has better performance at higher TDP.
- Software choice depends on user preferences and compatibility with specific games.
Summary Objective: This summary aims to provide a structured, informative, and concise analysis of the YouTube video comparing the ASUS ROG Ally Z1 and Steam Deck LCD. The summary is organized into sections, uses Markdown formatting, and includes key points, direct quotations, and examples from the video.
# Hardware
- Both devices come with their respective chargers, with the ROG Ally having a more powerful 65-watt charger compared to the Steam Deck's 45-watt charger.
- The ROG Ally is smaller, lighter, and more portable, while the Steam Deck is bigger, heavier, and more ergonomic.
- The ROG Ally has a better screen in terms of resolution, refresh rate, and color accuracy, but the Steam Deck LCD can get dimmer, which might be preferable for some users.
- The ROG Ally's touchscreen feels faster and more responsive, making it easier to use the on-screen keyboard.
"The Ally has a better screen in every single way... but the Steam Deck LCD does get dimmer, which is easier on your eyes."
# Inputs
- The Steam Deck has snappier buttons, taller joysticks, easier-to-reach back paddles, and more ergonomic controllers.
- The ROG Ally has a better d-pad, but some users have reported issues with buttons getting stuck, which can impact gameplay.
"I definitely prefer the inputs on the Steam Deck... but I do like the d-pad better on the Rog Ally... I've heard a lot of other people complaining about [button sticking] online."
# Speakers
- Both devices have excellent speakers, but the ROG Ally can get slightly louder at maximum volume.
# Battery Life
- Both devices have the same 40-watt-hour battery, but the ROG Ally can go up to 25 watts on battery, which can impact battery life depending on the TDP.
"The Rog Ally is going to have worse battery life if you bump up that TDP... but if you're trying to get more performance out of the Rog Ally and you bump it up to that 25 watt mode I found that I was getting around 45 minutes of gameplay."
# Performance
- The Steam Deck has better performance at 15 watts, but the ROG Ally can match the Steam Deck's performance at 25 watts.
"At 25 watts, the Z1 Ally can have the same performance at the steam deck... that's not a great performance curve but it is what it is."
# Software
- The Steam Deck uses Steam OS, which offers a more seamless plug-and-play experience, while the ROG Ally uses Windows, which offers more game compatibility but may require more tinkering.
"If you want a more seamless plug and play experience then Steam OS is by far the better operating system... but if you don't mind tinkering and you want to play all the games that are available on Windows then Windows is better."
# Conclusion
- For most users, the Steam Deck is the better choice due to its ease of use, ergonomics, battery life, optimization, and community support.
- The ROG Ally may be a better choice for those who prioritize portability or have specific game compatibility needs.
"I think there are quite a few people who the Z1 Ally would be a better choice than the steam deck... if you prefer portability above all else or if you have a game that you're really wanting to play or a few games where it's like these are the only games that you really play and they're not supported on the steam deck."
Summary for: ASUS is coming for the Steam Deck: HUGE PRICE DROP on ROG Ally Z1