Seems leaks have confirmed that the 512GB Ally will sell for $699 USD - $50 more than the 512GB Steam Deck
Not sure on local pricing or if it will sell in Australia.
According to benchmarks the Ally outperforms the Steam Deck FPS wise at the same resolutions.
I was already considering a Steam Deck but with the Ally launching next month I am reconsidering. What are your thoughts?
It was USD - just typed it out wrong!
Not sure they'e going to sell well for the most likely ~$1500 asking price locally.
Yeah ouch.. at that price for me at least its not viable. They need to be sub $1000.
Why buy something like this instead of a Switch?
Runs any pc game. So not just Nintendo approved games with a nintendo tax on top. Way more powerful, more customisability like (eg: game modding, theming, custom control mapping/third party controls)
Pretty much most of the software benefits of a pc in a handheld
Can also play Switch games.
I'm keen to see the reviews. The killer feature of the Steam Deck for me is SteamOS, it really makes it a console-like experience where most things just work. I've installed Windows on my deck and there's so much tinkering that needs to be done, and I'm guessing this is what the Ally will be like in the real world.
I'd be keen to see if you can install SteamOS on it, if so then I'd consider it for sure, but for now I'm happy with the deck.
I'm looking at getting a Steam Deck. It's been designed for one purpose, comes with a custom OS just focusing on that, and it backed by the company who will gain the most by making sure that it continues to do the best job it can.
The ASUS Ally is "just a PC". They don't care what you do with it. Once you've bought it, they have their money. I'd be very surprised if they support it like Value and the Steam Deck, and I doubt Microsoft really cares about the OS running on it to customise it in any way or make sure you have a nice experience while using it. It's just running regular Windows.
My hope is that the steam deck community embrace it and that SteamOS can be ported so it's essentially a deck but more powerful.
But you are right - ASUS won't care what happens after they've got their money.
There is HoloISO and ChimeraOS, but unless Value release more of the OS it wouldn't be the "official" thing. And I can't see Valve doing that, partly because it would allow anyone to install it on things like the Ally, and Valve would be stuck having to support people complaining about things not working while they don't control any of the hardware and have no interest in support the hardware.
The other big factor which I'm guessing Valve are starting to look at a little more seriously is shader pre-caching, it's so nice on the Deck that shader caches just get automatically downloaded, if they expand the hardware out of first party that will likely go away.
I'm guessing if they make a Steam Deck v2 it'd be a consideration / integration.
This is an interesting question. Also note that Valve can still respond by dropping the price of the Steam Deck and/or bringing out a newer model sooner.
My feeling is no but ultimately it will come down to how the device actually performs.
My thoughts are:
Any aus resellers confirmed
Just saw this. JB want 100% of the price upfront for preorder - not sure if I'm willing to trust them with this?
Anyone know their cancellation/refund policy on preorders? Are they jerks or helpful?
JB want 100% of the price upfront for preorder
Also confirmed exclusive to JB Hi-Fi in Australia (at least for local stock).
Source: Press Start
EDIT: You can also pre-order directly from ASUS
you can't get discounted gift cards for Asus though
True; but the console being exclusive to JB Hi-Fi (and ASUS) means less competition in pricing (and availability).
Asus are taking Aussie gamers for a ride.
What a rip.
Where'd you see this? Thought it was USD