We are not friends. - ROG Ally Z1
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Promos
Check out Antlion’s Kimura IEM’s at lmg.gg and change the way you play. The ROG Ally Z1 Extreme has a ton of hype around it and is the handheld PC that Linus has been daily driving, but ASUS recently released a cheaper non-extreme model that's... a much harder sell. Will the performance drop be worth $100 or is this an easy pass? Buy an ASUS ROG Ally Z1: lmg.gg Buy an ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme: lmg.gg Buy an ASUS ROG XH Mobile eGPU RTX 4090 Dock: lmg.gg Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. Want us to unbox something? Make a suggestion at lmg.gg ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► GET EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ON FLOATPLANE: lmg.gg ► SPONSORS, AFFILIATES, AND PARTNERS: lmg.gg ► PRODUCTS WE USE ON THE SHORTCIRCUIT SET: lmg.gg FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Instagram: @shortcircuityt TikTok: @linustech Facebook: @ShortCircuitYT CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Reviews have been harsh 0:20 Unboxing and buttons/ports 1:29 Difference between the Z1 and Z1 Extreme 3:05 Sponsor - Antlion Audio 3:34 LABS gaming and battery tests 5:14 LABS display and thermal test results 6:21 Command center and external GPU 6:53 Pricing woes and overall thoughts 7:43 Outro
The video opens with a candid admission that the ROG Ally Z1 has drawn criticism for being underpowered and overpriced, yet the host contests that there can be a justification for its existence. The unboxing segment highlights the contents: power adapter with fixed cable, warranty paperwork, and the device itself, noting practical details like the fingerprint-enabled power button, volume rocker, and the XG Mobile interface for external GPUs. The host then walks through the face controls, detailing the stereo speakers, the Xbox-style control layout, and the various programmable buttons, pointing out the Command Center that lets you tweak power profiles, joystick modes, and display options. In explaining the display and refresh rate, the video emphasizes that the Z1 runs at 1080p up to 120 Hz natively, but the interface provides toggles to prevent games from running at unsupported resolutions and frame rates. The comparison to the Z1 Extreme becomes central as the host reiterates the Z1’s reduced CPU cores and GPU CUs, framing the Z1 as a more power-efficient but lower-performance option. Battery life is tested critically, with the host revealing disappointing endurance during a 15 to 30 watt test, and a notable caveat that even with lower power hardware, real-world battery life trails behind expectations when used heavily. Throughout the segment, the host acknowledges public debate about value, price, and thermal performance, while stressing that the Z1’s value hinges on user priorities such as portability, the option to dock via eGPU, and the necessity of buying into a premium ecosystem. The reviewer wraps with a balanced verdict: the Z1 is not as terrible as some reviews claim, offering a solid gaming experience and excellent hardware quality, but it remains hard to justify for many given the price gap with the Steam Deck OLED and the overall performance delta. The closing thoughts reiterate that, despite the price concerns and required compromises, the Z1 could appeal to buyers seeking a capable handheld with strong build quality and the potential for future updates, though the overall value proposition is tightly tied to market timing and alternative options like the Steam Deck and future Lenovo Legion Go comparisons.
Topics · technology · gaming · hardware · reviews
Questions answered
- What is the main hardware difference between the ROG Ally Z1 and the Z1 Extreme?
- The Z1 uses six CPU cores and four GPU CUs, while the Z1 Extreme features eight CPU cores and twelve GPU CUs, resulting in higher performance and power use.
- Does the Z1 offer better battery life than the Z1 Extreme according to the video?
- No, the endurance tests show similar battery life for video playback, and only modest gains in some CPU/GPU stress scenarios, making the Z1 not clearly more power efficient in real-world use.
- How does the ROG Ally Z1 compare to the Steam Deck OLED in the video?
- The video argues Steam Deck OLED offers superior value for many users, particularly due to display quality and price, making the Z1 less compelling unless specific preferences apply.
- What is the general verdict on the Z1's value proposition?
- The host finds the Z1 acceptable in isolation but costly relative to its performance, especially when compared to the Steam Deck OLED, limiting its appeal to a subset of buyers.