GamesRadar+ reported that Amazon had cut the ASUS ROG Ally with the Ryzen Z1 processor to $389 from a listed $499.99 ahead of Black Friday. That was described as record-low territory at the time, but not the lowest price mentioned in the report: GamesRadar+ also noted a brief $379.99 price in August. The offer is historical, not a confirmed current deal.
What the $389 ROG Ally deal included
The reported offer was for the original ROG Ally with the standard Ryzen Z1 processor—not the more powerful Ryzen Z1 Extreme model. GamesRadar+ compared the Amazon price with a $499.99 listing and also cited a $499.99 Best Buy listing at the time. Those prices and retailer details are historical and do not establish current availability.
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Because the report mentions an earlier $379.99 price, $389 should not be called an unqualified all-time low. “Record-low territory” reflects GamesRadar+’s description of the deal when it reported it.
Is the Ryzen Z1 ROG Ally worth buying?
It can suit a buyer who prioritizes a lower purchase price and mainly plays indie games, older releases, or newer games at reduced settings and frame rates. It is a less compelling fit if the goal is to run demanding recent games at higher frame rates without compromises. The deal’s value depends on the price available now and the performance trade-off you are willing to accept.
#1 Best Overall
- [Xbox experience brought to life by ROG] : The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- [Never stop gaming]: Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- [Game-ready storage and fast memory]: Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 512GB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
GamesRadar+ relayed ASUS benchmark averages for Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p of 32 fps on the Ryzen Z1 model and 49 fps on the Z1 Extreme. Those are ASUS-provided figures reported by GamesRadar+, not independent test results.
ROG Ally Z1 vs. Z1 Extreme
| Specification | Ryzen Z1 | Ryzen Z1 Extreme |
|---|---|---|
| CPU cores / threads | 6 / 12 | 8 / 16 |
| RDNA 3 compute units | 4 | 12 |
| GamesRadar+-reported Cyberpunk 2077 average at 1080p | 32 fps, based on ASUS figures relayed by GamesRadar+ | 49 fps, based on ASUS figures relayed by GamesRadar+ |
The comparison makes the buying distinction clear: the Z1 is not simply a discounted Extreme. Its processor has fewer CPU cores and substantially fewer graphics compute units, so demanding games are more likely to require lower settings, resolution, or frame-rate expectations.
Rank #2
- Play All Your Games – The ROG Ally supports all Windows-compatible games across platforms such as Steam, Xbox Game Pass, Epic, GOG, and more.
- 90-Day Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Included - Play Minecraft Legends and hundreds of PC games on the ROG Ally with 3 months of Game Pass. With games added all the time, there’s always something new to play. *Terms apply.
- Play the Way You Want – Embrace versatility with the ROG Ally. Game on-the-go with handheld mode, or share the fun with friends and family by hooking it up to your TV and connecting multiple controllers.
- Incredible Power – Equipped with AMD’s Z1 APU with RDNA 3 graphics and 2.8 TFLOPs, the Ally makes playing any game on the palm of your hand possible.
- Stunningly Beautiful Visuals – On the Ally, games are crisp and clear thanks to its 7” Full HD touchscreen display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync Premium technology.
What else the original Ally offers
ASUS lists the 2023 ROG Ally with Windows 11 Home and a 7-inch, 1920×1080 touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate. The official comparison page includes 512GB storage configurations for both processor tiers. ASUS’s May 11, 2023 launch announcement specified 16GB LPDDR5 memory, a 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD, a UHS-II microSD reader, a 40Wh battery, and a 65W USB-C power adapter. These are launch and product specifications, not a statement of current retail price or bundle availability.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →ASUS says the Ally supports major PC storefronts including Steam, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store, EA App, and GOG Galaxy. The launch announcement included a three-month Game Pass Ultimate code subject to market eligibility and terms; that launch bundle should not be assumed to come with a current purchase.
Rank #3
- [Xbox experience brought to life by ROG] : The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- [Never stop gaming]: Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- [Game-ready storage and fast memory]: Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 1TB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
Should you wait for Black Friday?
The original report’s suggestion to wait was an editorial recommendation made at that time, not evidence of a future discount. No Black Friday price is guaranteed by the historical $389 offer. Check the retailer’s live listing before buying and compare the current price with the exact model you want; listings for the Ryzen Z1 and Z1 Extreme are not interchangeable.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
