This Memorial Day the Asus ROG Xbox Ally has slipped to a new temporary price, making it one of the more accessible Windows-based handhelds on the market. For readers weighing performance against portability, the $499 offer — which includes a three‑month Xbox Game Pass Premium voucher — changes the value calculation immediately.
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The offer is currently listed at Best Buy and represents a $100 reduction from the usual selling price. That discount puts this model well below its higher‑end sibling and squarely in competition with devices like the Steam Deck for gamers who want PC compatibility in a pocketable form.
The unit on sale is the entry model in the Ally family but keeps key design traits of the flagship: balanced weight distribution, pronounced controller grips and a layout tuned for longer play sessions. The build makes it comfortable for handheld use on commutes or flights, where a poorly balanced device can quickly feel fatiguing.
What you get and what changes
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At this price the trade-offs are clear. The handheld runs a trimmed Windows experience and leans on an AMD processor that’s lighter than the top‑tier option the company offers. Those choices aim to preserve battery life and deliver a cleaner interface for launching games.
- Price: $499 (limited‑time Memorial Day discount)
- Included: 3 months of Xbox Game Pass Premium
- Processor: AMD Z2 A (entry‑level Ally chipset)
- Design: Same chassis and grips as the higher‑end Ally model
- OS experience: Xbox‑focused interface instead of full Windows desktop
The most notable UX difference is the system’s menu layer. The device boots into an Xbox‑centric environment that hides the full Windows desktop by default — a deliberate decision that reduces background overhead and, in practical terms, can improve both responsiveness and battery life for gaming sessions.
Performance expectations should be modestly adjusted: the AMD Z2 A chip is not the same silicon used in the extreme model, so raw frame rates and thermal headroom are lower. That said, users who tweak power and graphics settings can often bring real‑world performance closer to that of rival handhelds, including the Steam Deck, for many titles.
Who should consider this deal?
If you want a portable device that feels good in hand, offers a console‑style launcher and gives you quick access to Game Pass, this discounted Ally is worth a look. Competitive gamers chasing maximum frame rates or those who need the absolute top specs will still prefer the higher‑end model. For everyone else, the current pricing makes the entry Ally a pragmatic middle ground.
Availability appears tied to the holiday weekend, so buyers seeking this specific configuration and the complimentary Game Pass credit should act within the short promotional window. Even without the flagship hardware, the combination of ergonomics, software polish and the temporary price cut gives this handheld fresh relevance for people shopping for a portable PC gaming device.
Annabelle Ink is a gaming journalist and lifelong gamer who lives and breathes video game culture. From console releases to esports tournaments, this dedicated journalist brings insider knowledge and genuine enthusiasm to every review and feature. Her expertise spans multiple gaming platforms, helping readers discover their next favorite game while staying connected to the pulse of the gaming industry.