Switching from Steam Deck to something like the ROG Ally?

dulpit · 04-05-2025 06:19PM #1

Hey all,

I currently have a steam deck oled. Really like it, like being able to play games in short bursts at work (I work from home, my job sometimes has a bit of downtime) or in bed. I do have a gaming laptop that I use rarely, and a series x that I use for more serious gaming.

Lately I've been finding that I'm using steam deck less, mainly because I have a chunk of free games from the likes of gog, epic, prime gaming and gamepass but they're obviously not linked to steam. And I like being able to play games for free and dabble, rather than commit to paying for something.

And while I know I can workaround to get some of those stores working on the deck, or can install windows onto it, it's not the same and not as good.

I was thinking of selling my steam deck (oled, 512gb) and using the proceeds to get an ROG Ally. From what I can tell I can get one at more or less the same money I'd get for selling the steam deck so it's not really any extra money for me. I don't want to pay anything extra, so wouldn't be looking to get an Ally X or Legion Go which are both more expensive.

I'm well aware that Windows isn't as good as steam os, but I think my use case makes sense to switch to windows (I'm not competitive gamer, I don't do multiplayer, I like open world or puzzle games, I'm not chasing the highest fps and I really like gamepass to pick and choose). On that basis, does a swap from steam deck to ROG ally seem sensible? Is there any other candidate I'm missing?

Any suggestions, comments or feedback is appreciated!

Grumpypants · 04-05-2025 09:29PM

Getting epic and gog working on steam os is easy with decky loader and junk store.

I've also installed windows on an SD card to I can boot into it if I need to, but still have steam os for most of the time.

Neither are very hard or time consuming to do. But as you say it's extra steps to take. If you just want an out of the box windows based hand held then the Ally is prob the best option.

And steam games work on windows too so it's not like you are losing access to steam games.

Personally I prefer the steam deck but I use it mainly for streaming game pass games.

McDermotX · 04-05-2025 11:15PM

If you're fully aware of the implications of moving to Windows on handheld, don't want to be dealing with the messing around with launchers, feel you'd have more use case in that environment, dont mind being a little more hands-on with things like GPU config settings etc and are OK with that, then I'd say go for it, but there has to be a big reservation with that.

Just cannot recommend the original Ally. Stick with the Deck if thats the only alternative.

Yes, it is a bit faster, and has an overall better screen (granted it's not OLED, but its a very, very good IPS. Bright, better resolution, proper VRR), but the MicroSD issue is a major black cloud over it. Unless you know for a fact it has been reworked, then it's a non-runner. The sheer amount of issues after launch and other latent issues were a nightmare. Lost a 1TB Sandisk card myself and unlike the RMA process in the US which eventually led to directly impacted users also having fecked cards reimbursed, on this side of the water, you were lucky just to get the reader sorted. Jettisoned mine as soon as it was repaired, as most amateur enthusiast users already declared a design flaw. Of course, there were owners who claimed to never have a problem, were happy to use just the internal storage or modded the internals for larger SSD options. But it's a huge black mark against the first iteration. Battery couldnt keep up with that performance either.

Ally X while not outwardly looking like a massive step-up did counter a number of issues. The SD card issue appears stable (reader was moved etc), more memory, massively improved battery to counter the performance gap, feels better in the hand, supports full size SSD as long as they fit (some heatsinks may have issues) as opposed to limited 2230s in the original and Steam Deck etc Same excellent screen etc..Still has the Windows factor to overcome of course, unless you eventually put SteamOS on it when it officially releases, so lack of trackpads etc makes general desktop use clunkier than the Deck.

That said, once setup and understanding it's uses, I do prefer to use it over the Deck for certain titles, and there is a noticeable performance improvement in intensive titles. Enough to warrant one over the other ? Perhaps, but I like to kick back with the deck on the less demanding titles all the same.

Legion Go is a pig. Hardware was there in line with the Ally with a better screen etc but build quality was poor with an annoying single fan and rubbish audio quality. Controllers were miles behind both the Deck and Ally. Shocking software at work as well. Dont know much about the newer Go S, but with performance not sounding too good, I'd be giving Lenovo a wide berth in any case until they prove themselves to begin with.

TBH, if the choice is Deck or Ally, you might be better sticking with. If Ally X, then, perhaps ? maybe ? , but the caveat of all this is that there will be new iterations as the year continues, even with the Ally X, which will be a year on the market this summer, so the Z2 Extreme handhelds will be popping up and while that price wont be a bargain, the current handhelds are only going to struggle with the more demanding titles. Then of course the Deck is going to be replaced eventually.

Not sure if that's much help, but might joggle some ideas.

dulpit · 04-05-2025 11:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123418724#Comment_123418724

Really useful post thanks! I was aware of the sd card issue, but I don't tend to use them anyway so not sure if that'll affect me.

I would obviously prefer the ally x, but best price I can see one of them for is like €900+ which is €400 more than the ally. Even refurbed priced of the ally x are nearly €900.

johnny_ultimate · 04-05-2025 11:50PM

Unless you really want to push the graphics a few notches further or really want to play a couple of more modern games that melt the Steam Deck… I’d stick with the SD OLED. TBH the compromises for the extra power in the Ally (or preferably Ally X, which you’ve ruled out) come with lots of drawbacks: Windows (in handheld form) and battery life primary among them. The Steam Deck is still from everything I’ve heard the best all-rounder for a majority of people when it comes to handheld PC hardware in terms of price, performance, hardware and OS.

IMO at a certain point a handheld just won’t get you the same benefits of a console or, even better, a desktop PC. The form factor and power limitations will always hold it back in some key respects, but that’s made up for by the benefits of portability. It’s all about what you’d prefer: portability or performance. But even an Ally X - certainly the only real choice for anyone who really wants to just throw money at a handheld - will lag behind a decent desktop or even gaming laptop when it comes to performance and versatility. If you want handheld above all else, you’re just going to have to accept that modern devices will be ‘imperfect’ due to the nature of the tech they’re using. You can run some really modern games on an Ally X, but they’re still going to be significantly scaled back and visually compromised compared to what a modern console or mid-range PC can handle, and they’ll suck the battery dry in no time.

That said, if you really are keen to switch to another handheld, it might be worth holding off to see what the teased Xbox-backed looks like, as that might address some of the issues around portable Windows with a better UI.

Switching from Steam Deck to something like the ROG Ally?

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