It seems like the large PC gaming manufacturers are bored with leaving Steam Deck competitors to the likes of smaller corporations like AyaNeo or GPD. On April 1st Asus introduced its first handheld gaming PC, the ROG Ally, an AMD-based setup that appears remarkably acquainted. Yes, it is a actual product, and it’s actually popping out — there’s a Best Buy retail web page already, and Asus said that it’s real on Twitter, so the common regulation of no-take-backs is in impact.

The ROG Ally is constructed on an AMD APU just like the Steam Deck, but it surely’s operating Windows out of the field, giving it entry to a wider band of video games with out the necessity for a Linux-based compatibility layer. Details on the {hardware} are sparse, however Asus claims that the APU is customized (“the fastest AMD APU yet”), the cooling makes use of twin followers, and the display is full HD decision that works effectively below direct lighting. The video reveals off RGB lighting across the analog sticks and on a rear strip, and whereas it lacks the Steam Deck’s touch-sensitive pads, it does have rear deal with buttons.

Asus is bringing an X-factor to the design: exterior graphics. Like the Flow series of gaming laptops, the ROG Ally can work with a proprietary exterior GPU dock, giving its AMD-based {hardware} an injection of discrete graphics card powah. The dock additionally costs the Ally and allows exterior shows, making native multiplayer with wi-fi controllers simple. It isn’t clear if this is identical dock utilized by the most recent Flow laptops, which is on the market with up to a mobile GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, but it surely looks as if the identical unit.

Specific launch data, together with a value and date, shouldn’t be obtainable. But you’ll be able to sign up for an email alert at Best Buy for those who’re determined to get your arms on the Ally.