I’ve been smitten with the Steam Deck since I first learned about it. As soon as it was announced, I jumped at the chance to reserve one, and luckily, mine arrived not too long after. I’ve had it for a good two and a half years now, and it remains my top suggestion for a handheld to friends and fellow gamers. It’s incredibly user-friendly, but it does have its drawbacks. One glaring limitation is that I can’t dive into Black Ops 6 on it. With the ROG Ally now at an irresistibly low price on both sides of the Atlantic, I’m seriously considering making the switch.
### Steam OS is Great, but There’s a Catch with Black Ops 6 and Game Pass
I’m a big fan of Steam OS. In my opinion, its user interface is much better suited for a handheld compared to the way Windows 11 is overlaid with custom apps from companies like ASUS or Lenovo. Plus, most of my gaming library is on Steam, so getting other platforms like Battle.net or Epic Games is usually a breeze. Rarely does Linux become a hurdle.
That is, until it does. The issue often stems from anticheat software, like Ricochet in Black Ops 6. While not all anticheat systems are unsupported on Linux, many do present challenges, and it’s becoming an increasingly significant issue. Popular games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, Destiny 2, and even Apex Legends (which was previously Deck Verified) simply don’t work on the Steam Deck. I used to brush it off, but since Black Ops 6 hit the scene, it’s been harder to ignore.
Black Ops 6 isn’t just occupying most of my gaming time; it’s also reminding me of how essential Xbox Game Pass has become, both on PC and my console. Unfortunately, playing Game Pass titles on the Steam Deck is a hassle unless you install Windows or use cloud gaming. Black Ops 6 made it to Game Pass, which means I didn’t have to shell out 70 bucks upfront only to risk not enjoying it. Maybe I’m getting thrifty, but I find myself losing interest in new releases that aren’t part of Game Pass.
Reports suggest that Black Ops 6 plays quite well on the ROG Ally, running smoothly enough at 60 FPS thanks to the robust AMD Z1 Extreme. This chipset offers a noticeable upgrade over the hardware inside the Steam Deck. While I might not choose it for intense ranked matches, it sounds perfect for kicking back and enjoying a session of Zombies from the comfort of my couch.
### 🔥 Black Friday Bargains You Can’t Miss 🔥
– Best Buy: Grab great deals on video games, accessories, and beyond
– Walmart: Get in early on a wide range of discounts
– Target: Enjoy active sales on an impressive variety of items
– Dell: Savings on laptops, gaming PCs, and more
– HP: Slash prices on laptops, desktops, and additional tech
– Lenovo: Score deals on PCs, monitors, and accessories
– Newegg: Discounts on PC gaming gear and components
– Razer: Benefit from free shipping for a limited window
– Samsung: Holiday offers on laptops, TVs, phones, and more
– Amazon: Ever-changing deals on anything and everything
### The Appeal of Windows 11 Pricing Changes
For someone like me, weighing the merits of the ROG Ally and the Lenovo Legion Go was initially tricky because of their high cost, driven in part by Windows 11. Both were priced a lot higher than what I spent on my Steam Deck. But with Black Friday slashing prices, I’m inching towards taking the plunge.
The allure of the ROG Ally is undeniable now. It’s more powerful, boasts a superior display, and offers more storage right from the get-go compared to my Steam Deck. I particularly like the Ally’s joystick layout, reminiscent of the offset design on Xbox controllers, which I’ve grown to adore. While I do wish the Ally featured touchpads, as I find them more useful there than on the Steam Deck, Windows 11 doesn’t cater well to small touchscreens anyway.
After my experience with the ROG Ally X, I was nearly sold, but its lofty price tag held me back. Now that the original version is available for just £399 in the UK, my resistance is diminishing.
I’ll always hold a special place in my heart for the Steam Deck, but at this price, I can’t ignore the ROG Ally’s advantages. Even though Windows 11 may try my patience on a handheld device, the straightforward game compatibility without any annoying workarounds or anticheat issues feels like a no-brainer.
