The Asus ROG Ally is among the strongest handheld PCs presently out there. However in contrast to the Steam Deck, there isn’t as strong of an adjunct ecosystem for patrons. This is sensible, contemplating the Asus handheld has been out there for lower than a yr, and has a considerably increased value level than Valve’s handheld.
Nevertheless, there’s a silver lining. Due to the ROG Ally’s design similarities to the Steam Deck, a lot of those self same equipment work simply superb with the Asus handheld. This consists of issues like microSD playing cards, JSAUX’s docking station, and even some instances.
So, when you’ve determined to make the ROG Ally your moveable PC of selection (otherwise you’re the type of one that has a number of handhelds — no judgment!), right here’s a brief listing of equipment that the gamerjive workers enjoys.
Our must-have Asus ROG Ally equipment
amFilm display protector
One of many first equipment you should purchase for the ROG Ally is that this three-pack of tempered glass display protectors from amFilm. These will maintain your display secure from scratches and different minor beauty harm, and so they’re straightforward to use. Better of all, they’re inexpensive. The three-pack is offered from Amazon for $9.99.
Cranium & Co. thumbstick grips
When you’re utilizing the ROG Ally primarily as a handheld (versus docking it to a monitor or TV), chances are you’ll want to make its thumbsticks slightly cozier. In that case, Cranium & Co. makes a set of $9.99 thumbstick grips which might be as much as the duty. Whereas modeled after the sticks on the Steam Deck, the ROG Ally’s are shut sufficient in measurement to be appropriate with these grips as nicely. As soon as utilized, they supply a bit extra floor space on your thumbs, and sure grips can modify the peak if that’s one thing you like.
SanDisk Excessive 1 TB microSD Card
Whereas the Asus ROG Ally helps quicker UHS-II microSD playing cards, just like the Gigastone Final Professional, it’s an expensive path to counsel for most individuals. Till extra dependable manufacturers hop on the UHS-II microSD card prepare, we’ve some tips about tips on how to add even quicker storage to your handheld.
The simplest and least costly possibility for increasing the ROG Ally’s storage is utilizing a microSD card, which can be found in sizes starting from 32 GB to 1 TB from numerous dependable manufacturers. The mannequin we advocate is the 512 GB SanDisk Excessive microSD card, which is a good worth for $44.99 (we’ve linked the 1 TB mannequin beneath).
Corsair MP600 Mini
For storage that’s each spacious and quick, your greatest storage possibility (for individuals who wish to get entangled with opening their ROG Ally) is getting a 2230-size M.2 SSD. 1 TB and a pair of TB variations of those stubby SSDs are available. When you’re on the lookout for a 1 TB SSD, our suggestion is the MP600 Mini M.2 SSD from Corsair, which gives a lot quicker switch speeds in comparison with microSD playing cards for simply $89.99. Whereas 2 TB fashions are extra scarce, you’ll be able to presently discover the Staff Group MP44 at Newegg for $149.99, which gives comparable efficiency to Corsair’s MP600 Mini.
Finest Asus ROG Ally docks
JSAUX Steam Deck docking station
The preferred third-party Steam Deck dock additionally occurs to be the best choice for anybody who wants a dock for the ROG Ally. The versatile $59.99 JSAUX Steam Deck dock is an easy and easy solution to increase the hand held’s connectivity choices, permitting you to hook up screens, keyboards, and different wired peripherals. The JSAUX dock encompasses a trio of USB-A ports, and a single USB-C port for energy along with an HDMI 2.0 output and ethernet port. All you must do is slot the ROG Ally within the dock, then plug it in by way of USB-C.
The JSAUX docking station gives as much as 100 W of energy, which is sufficient juice to fulfill the 65 W charging necessities of the ROG Ally (plus most linked equipment). The dock is even able to working the ROG Ally in its Turbo mode. When you have a 100 W wall charger, all you could do to make sure operability (and assist for Turbo mode) is make sure that your handheld is working BIOS model 323. Nevertheless, to make use of that high-speed mode with 65 W chargers (just like the one included with the ROG Ally), you’ll each have to replace the dock’s firmware with a PC (hyperlink accessible inside this put up) and have BIOS model 323 on the hand held.
Anker 332 USB-C hub
When you’d somewhat hook up some equipment to a extra compact hub, Anker’s 332 USB-C hub is cheaper at $24.99. It even gives related connectivity choices to the JSAUX docking station, however its energy passthrough is barely decrease at 85 W.
ROG XG Cell exterior GPU dock
The ROG Ally has yet one more trick up its sleeve for increasing its ports. The ROG XG Cell exterior GPU dock not solely provides ports, however it may well enormously enhance efficiency with its built-in Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card — at a excessive price of $1,999.99. Initially designed for choose Asus gaming laptops, this dock also can plug into the ROG Ally’s proprietary connector, permitting the hand held to profit from the extra rendering energy of the RTX 4090. This ridiculously priced eGPU is out of price range for most individuals, nevertheless it’s there in case you wish to get essentially the most out of your handheld.
Finest Asus ROG Ally controllers
8BitDo Final Controller
When you’re planning to make use of the ROG Ally docked or hooked as much as an exterior monitor, you may want a Bluetooth controller. It is likely to be tempting to go all out with a pro-grade controller, just like the $119.99 Xbox Elite Sequence 2 core or the $199.99 DualSense Edge. However different, cheaper fashions work simply as nicely.
For a dependable controller that doesn’t skip on important options, we advocate testing the $69.99 8BitDo Final Controller. The Swap Professional-like controller comes packaged with its personal charging dock, and it may well hook up with quite a lot of units both by way of Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wi-fi. Better of all, it’s outfitted with Corridor impact joysticks which might be immune to drifting over time.
It additionally helps remappable inputs courtesy of the 8BitDo Final app, which additionally means that you can arrange macros, modify vibration, fine-tune stick sensitivity, and extra.
8BitDo SN30 Professional Controller
For a extra moveable, cheaper possibility, you may wish to take a look at the SNES-inspired SN30 Professional controller from 8BitDo, which is usually out there for $44.99 or much less. Whereas the SN30 Professional lacks 2.4 GHz connectivity and Corridor impact joysticks, it’s appropriate with Bluetooth-enabled units, just like the ROG Ally.
Finest Asus ROG Ally moveable batteries
Baseus 30,000 mAh Battery Pack
Like all moveable handhelds, battery life isn’t the ROG Ally’s strongest swimsuit. When you’re enjoying video games, the battery tends to empty somewhat rapidly. To maintain your ROG Ally topped off, or to recharge it in a jiff, we’d advocate going with the Baseus 30,000 mAh energy financial institution. This 65 W energy financial institution has sufficient energy to cost your ROG Ally when you sport, and it features a useful LED show exhibiting its cost degree and voltage. Whereas this huge energy financial institution options 4 USB-A ports along with micro-USB and USB-C inputs, be sure that solely the ROG Ally is plugged in to make sure it will get all of this battery’s energy.
Baseus 20,000 mAh battery pack
When you’re on the lookout for a cheaper possibility, we’d advocate testing the 20,000 mAh mannequin from Baseus. It gives the identical 65 W charging capability, however with smaller battery capability, fewer ports, and a smaller $59.99 value.
Needless to say nearly any energy financial institution with a 65 W or past recharging functionality will work, so head right here when you’re on the lookout for extra moveable charger choices.
Finest Asus ROG Ally instances
Jsaux Sling Bag
Asus makes its personal carrying case for the ROG Ally. The $39.99 zip-up case isn’t included with the hand held, which is irritating given its $699.99 value. When you’re on the lookout for different choices, we’d advocate testing the $42.99 JSAUX carrying case at Amazon. Initially made for the Steam Deck, the hard-shell sling bag encompasses a delicate enclosure completely on your handheld, with a separate part stuffed with pockets for your entire equipment. It’ll match the ROG Ally simply superb.
Waterfield Metropolis Slicker Case
Nevertheless, when you’d favor one thing slightly classier, the ROG Ally CitySlicker case from Waterfield is nice for individuals with room of their price range. These $119 compact instances can be found in both waxed canvas or ballistic nylon.
ROG Ally TPU and silicone instances
There isn’t something fairly like Dbrand’s Challenge Killswitch but for the ROG Ally (that mentioned, Dbrand confirmed to gamerjive that it’s working with Asus on one, focusing on winter 2024 for a launch). The closest factor we’ve managed to seek out as a stand-in is that this $19.99 case from Amazon. It merely slips over the again of the Ally, with cutouts for all of the air consumption and exhaust ports on the highest and again of the hand held. The textured grips on both facet of this thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) case are snug, and the built-in kickstand is definitely a welcome addition at this value. Nevertheless, the match on this case isn’t nice, making it annoying to regulate the amount or use the fingerprint reader.
An identical possibility that makes use of silicone as an alternative of TPU and gives a greater match is the $15.99 silicon ROG Ally case. We discovered the silicone to be a magnet for mud and hair, making it more durable to maintain clear of particles, if that’s vital to you.
Finest Asus ROG Ally wall or monitor mounts
Allymate Adapter Bundle
We don’t take into account the Allymate adapter bundle to be important for most individuals. However at $49 for the entire equipment, it solves some shortcomings of the hand held PC. The core of this bundle is an adhesive plate that sticks to the again of your ROG Ally, permitting it to attach with a number of included mounting choices with a satisfying click on. The mounting choices embody a wall mount, a VESA mount for monitor arms, and a kickstand. Additionally included is a pair of common, adhesive-backed pucks, which let you add or take away absolutely anything to the again of your handheld, which is especially helpful for awkwardly-shaped requirements like battery packs, exterior SSDs, and USB-C hubs.
Wali Monitor Mount
When you’re on the lookout for a VESA mounting answer on your ROG Ally, take into account a static monitor arm just like the Wali monitor mount, which is often out there on Amazon for round $25. The Wali monitor mount could be a little troublesome to regulate, however we discovered that smaller mounts supposed for tablets and even the Nintendo Swap simply aren’t as much as the duty.
It’s vital to keep in mind that widespread monitor arms with fuel springs, like this mannequin from Huanuo, are supposed to maintain stuff a lot heavier than your handheld. So, except you’re planning so as to add some additional weight, or use the arm absolutely prolonged, your only option to mount your Ally at eye degree is a static monitor arm.