My ROG Ally Died Faster Than My First Girlfriend: A Heartbreaking Tech Romance

I cherished my ROG Ally, but unfortunately, it had to be sent back due to some issues. Although I’m relieved it malfunctioned within the extended holiday return period on Amazon, I can’t help but feel frustrated that it broke altogether.

Even though I cherished every moment spent with it, I must confess that it had an inherent delicate feel to it. It’s hard to put into words, but when compared to my trusty Steam Deck—which has bravely survived a tumble down the stairs—it felt like it required gentle handling to avoid any potential damage.

It seems that no replacement has been provided to me, nor was a refund offered with the intention of purchasing another one. This decision stems from my research into the problem, as I discovered more and more users encountering similar, unreparable issues upon further investigation.

So the relationship is over. Easily the shortest one I’ve ever had.

What happened to my ROG Ally?

Everything transpired unexpectedly swift. There were no signs of trouble as I left my ROG Ally next to my bed, plugged in and downloading Spider-Man 2. Looking back, it would have been wiser to ensure it was indeed charging, since the only explanation seems to be that the USB-C port simply failed.

Upon my return, I discovered that it had been switched off and all attempts to turn it back on failed. Pressing the buttons didn’t work, and I spent hours trying different methods. I even took it apart, removed the battery for a while, then reassembled it and tried again. Using an external power source also didn’t help. In short, nothing seemed to bring it back to life.

Additionally, there was no indication, like an LED light, that the device was acknowledging the connected power source. It appeared completely inactive. Instead of sending it back for repair (given ASUS’s less than stellar customer service history), I opted to return it to Amazon and secure a refund. At this stage, I had lost trust in the ROG Ally product.

I’m far from the only one with hardware issues on the ROG Ally.

When faced with a predicament, you often turn to the Internet to explore all potential solutions. It’s not hard to find others who have encountered similar troubles with their ROG Ally, and let’s not forget the initial hiccups regarding the microSD card when it was first released.

In this case, I discovered the Reddit thread first since it discusses the identical problem I encountered. It may not be extensive, but the original poster and three others in that discussion were experiencing the same issue – a faulty USB-C port. Remarkably, ASUS’ own forums also have numerous people reporting similar problems.

I acknowledge that hardware malfunctions can occur, no problem there. It’s understandable if you’re encountering one, as it’s quite simple to find numerous negative experiences, especially when platforms like Reddit and forums are filled with people seeking resolutions to issues. Interestingly, among our team of ROG Ally users, I seem to be the only one experiencing any troubles. My bumper buttons have been a bit unreliable, but they appear to have improved. However, if there’s insufficient power, unfortunately, that’s something I can’t address.

As a tech enthusiast, I’ve been facing troubles with various control devices that simply refuse to function. It could be a hardware issue or Windows failing to recognize them properly – I’m still not sure. I haven’t been able to diagnose the problem yet, but it’s disappointing when something this expensive starts causing trouble within less than two months. To be honest, the only other tech gadget I’ve ever owned that gave up so quickly was my Surface Pro 3.

By the way, let me express my displeasure regarding a feature: The inclusion of a light sensor that requires the use of the original charger to reactivate the device once the backplate is removed. In my opinion, this is quite weak. ASUS provides guidance on upgrading the SSD, assuming users will perform the upgrade. However, adding a sensor to prevent the device from being turned on without the included power adapter is not wise.

The ROG Ally X is what the original should have been all along.

Since my ROG Ally stopped working, I’ve given the matter more thought, and I’m positively convinced about something. The ROG Ally X was undeniably the device that should have been released initially. Not only does it boast superior specifications, but it’s simply a more comprehensive upgrade overall.

The interior underwent a total makeover, and the overall construction now seems more robust to me. During my brief encounter with the ROG Ally X upon its initial release, I remember sensing a durable build quality. However, my impression of the original ROG Ally was always that it wasn’t as robustly constructed.

Have a look at an in-depth comparison breakdown between the two models to discover the extent of the redesign in the ROG Ally X. From the outside, it appears quite similar, but don’t be fooled – there have been significant changes under the hood.

I have a suspicion that ASUS might have released the ROG Ally quickly to claim the top spot in the market. Despite its shortcomings, it’s an impressive device with a sleek design, plenty of power, and an outstanding screen. However, I don’t want to get burnt again, so I’m returning to my trusty companion, the Steam Deck for now. My next Windows handheld isn’t set in stone yet, but I’m leaning towards the Lenovo Legion Go. I shared with a colleague that the ROG Ally feels like a toy, whereas the Legion Go is more mature, so I think that might be my next move.

In my opinion, it might be wiser to hold off your purchase for a bit more savings. Either the ROG Ally X or the Legion Go seem to offer more value in the long run based on all factors considered.

2025-02-05 22:09

What happened to my ROG Ally?

I’m far from the only one with hardware issues on the ROG Ally.

The ROG Ally X is what the original should have been all along.

Read More