Possible black version and additional USB Type-C ports
In the realm of handheld gaming PCs, the Asus ROG Ally 2 is anticipated to make its debut at Computex 2024 in June, following the launch of MSI's Claw and Valve's dominant Steam Deck. While Asus has been tight-lipped about Computex 2024, there are strong indications that a new ROG Ally model is on the horizon for 2024 according to Arnold Su of Asus India. The second-generation ROG Ally device is expected to maintain Windows as its operating system and surpass the Steam Deck's power while offering more features, such as a possible black version and additional USB Type-C ports for enhanced flexibility and convenience. However, Asus should also consider addressing concerns such as screen resolution, slimming down bezels, fixing the SD card slot issue, replacing regular analogue joysticks with hall-effect joysticks, making the controller-style bulges more substantial and adding a touchpad or two for improved versatility. The white color of the current ROG Ally may also be reconsidered for a more practical black version in the upcoming model. Asus should strive to address these 4 key issues with the next-gen handheld PC, the ROG Ally 2, to ensure its success and competitiveness in the market.
Asus is rumored to release an updated version of the ROG Ally for 2024.
The Steam Deck’s lack of a Windows lock screen allows for immediate access to games.
The ROG Ally does not have a sleep mode, causing concern when putting down the device for short periods.
Valve’s Deck Verified program is absent from the ROG Ally, leaving users unsure about game compatibility.
The Armoury Crate utility on the ROG Ally has limited functionality compared to the Steam Deck.
Accuracy
]Asus is rumored to release an updated version of the ROG Ally for 2024.[
Asus is expected to improve Armoury Crate in future updates for better overlay customization.
Deception
(80%)
The article contains editorializing and selective reporting. The author expresses a preference for the Steam Deck over the ROG Ally and highlights specific features of the Steam Deck that he finds more desirable. He also mentions his frustration with certain aspects of the ROG Ally, such as the Windows lock screen and lack of sleep mode, without providing any counterargument or acknowledgement that these issues may be addressed in future updates or versions. Additionally, he makes assumptions about what Asus could do to improve the ROG Ally based on his own preferences and experiences with the Steam Deck.
A big point of contention on the ROG Ally is the fact that it doesn’t have any sort of sleep mode.
By far, my biggest frustration with the original ROG Ally is the Windows lock screen.
It sounds small, and to a degree it is, but the lack of a lock screen on my Steam Deck is one of the main reasons I still use it.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(95%)
The author expresses a preference for the Steam Deck over the ROG Ally due to several features. While this in itself is not bias, the author's language and tone can be perceived as critical towards the ROG Ally. The author mentions their frustration with certain aspects of the ROG Ally, such as its Windows lock screen and lack of sleep mode, which they find detrimental to their gaming experience. They also express a desire for features that are present in the Steam Deck but absent from the ROG Ally, such as a more robust overlay and a functioning microSD card slot. The author's language can be perceived as dismissive towards the ROG Ally, implying that it is inferior to the Steam Deck. However, it is important to note that this analysis does not take into account any potential context or background information about the author or their relationship with Asus or Valve.
By far, my biggest frustration with the original ROG Ally is the Windows lock screen.
If there’s anything Asus is definitely going to fix with the next ROG Ally, it’s the microSD card slot. A firestorm set off across the internet when reviewers discovered that excess heat could essentially fry your microSD card while it was in the ROG Ally.
It sounds small, and to a degree it is, but the lack of a lock screen on my Steam Deck is one of the main reasons I still use it.
The problem is that you have no idea about how your games will run. You might be able to find a YouTube video or Reddit thread about how a particular game performs, but if you can’t, you’ll just have to install the game and find out on your own.
You should be able to pick up the device, press the power button, and be at your library. A proper sleep mode
Asus ROG Ally 2 is expected to be launched later this year.
Asus should consider improving the screen resolution, slimming down bezels, and fixing the SD card slot issue in ROG Ally 2.
Asus could add more than one USB Type-C port to ROG Ally 2 for better flexibility and convenience.
Users have suggested that Asus should replace regular analogue joysticks with hall-effect joysticks in ROG Ally 2.
Asus could make the controller-style bulges more substantial and add a touchpad or two to ROG Ally 2 for improved versatility.
The white color of the Asus ROG Ally can be less practical for a portable device, so Asus should consider releasing a black version.
Accuracy
]Asus is expected to improve Armoury Crate in future updates for better overlay customization.[1]
Deception
(30%)
The article contains selective reporting as the author only mentions issues with the Asus ROG Ally and suggests solutions without providing evidence that these are common problems or that they would significantly improve the user experience. The author also expresses their opinion on various aspects of the device, such as screen resolution and ergonomics, which is editorializing.
Further, it limits users to BIOS/UEFI updates via Windows and Asus software instead of being able to flash it onto a USB flash drive. A single USB port also makes installing something like Linux a hassle.
The Asus ROG Ally has a very conventional screen, with a resolution of 1920×1080 – a wider aspect ratio than both the Lenovo Legion Go and Steam Deck’s 16:10. While this is generally an acceptable screen resolution and aspect ratio for most gaming applications, there are a few reasons why the Legion Go’s 1600p resolution makes more sense.
Fallacies
(75%)
The article contains a few informal fallacies and some instances of inflammatory rhetoric. The author makes comparisons between the Asus ROG Ally and other devices (Lenovo Legion Go and Valve Steam Deck) to highlight its shortcomings, using phrases like 'very conventional screen' and 'a wider aspect ratio than both', which are inflammatory without providing concrete evidence of harm. The author also uses a phrase like 'Asus should really slim down the bezels' which is an informal fallacy by suggestion. Additionally, there are some appeals to authority when the author states 'Asus knows about the SD card issue and has been replacing SD card slot hardware under warranty along with damaged SD cards', implying that the reader should trust that Asus will fix this issue in the next generation device. Lastly, there is a slight dichotomous depiction when discussing ergonomics, stating 'Asus could improve with very little effort, however, is swapping out the regular analogue joysticks on the ROG Ally with hall-effect joysticks for the ROG Ally 2', which implies that either they do it or they haven't done enough.
Compared to the likes of the Lenovo Legion Go (curr. $699.99 from Lenovo US) and the Valve Steam Deck, the Asus ROG Ally has a very conventional screen, with a resolution of 1920×1080 — a wider aspect ratio than both the Legion Go and Steam Deck's 16:10.
Asus should really slim down the bezels on the Ally to make it look and feel slightly more modern — just like Valve did with the Steam Deck OLED.
If ASUS hopes for the second iteration of the ROG Ally to be anywhere near as popular as the original, it needs to fix the SD card slot so that users of the handheld can use expanded storage without having to worry about losing data and valuable SD cards.
Depending on how you're positioned while playing plugged in — sitting on a chair or couch versus lying in bed, for example — using a bottom port might be more convenient.
For the second iteration of the Ally, Asus should release a black version to make dirt, fingerprints, and stains slightly less prominent.
