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This open box ROG Xbox Ally with the Z2 A chip is being framed as a budget handheld for Windows gaming and quick desktop use, with access to non Steam stores and a little more speed than a Steam Deck. The strongest value case lands around $450, since the current price is seen as too high for the hardware and the Z1 Extreme version is repeatedly described as the better performer. The LCD screen and weaker Z2 A positioning versus the Ally X or Legion Go are the main knocks. It reads as a versatile but price sensitive pick.
buyers who are okay with paying around the mid-$400s for an open-box unit because multiple commenters said the open-box price should be no more than about $450 and that it "should only be a $450 handheld."
people who want a Windows handheld for a more "desktop-like" quick-start experience because commenters said they use it "as though it's a desktop" and it boots faster than their real one up.
people who specifically want Windows access to non-Steam stores and cheaper third-party PC games because commenters said it's "far more versatile and affordable in the long run" thanks to Windows and "endless selection" beyond Steam.
gamers comparing performance to the Ally X / Legion Go who want the strongest Z-series chip because commenters said the Z2A is weaker than Z1 Extreme and described it as the "joke" version, with Z1 Extreme "way faster" than this model.
buyers who are paying more than the ~mid-$400 open-box target because commenters said the deal isn't worth paying above about $450 and that it's "badly mispriced" if it's higher.
people who are looking for a meaningful upgrade over prior ROG Ally generations because commenters said this Z2A release is inferior to the lowest prior-gen offering at a higher price and called it "trash."
buyers who are expecting the Z2A to match Steam Deck performance because commenters said it's weaker than a Steam Deck due to the processor naming (Z2A being "deceptively Zen 2" vs the X series).
$450 is the rough ceiling mentioned for this open-box Z2 A model; above that, it is not considered worth it. The main reason is that the Z2 A is described as only a little faster than a Steam Deck and weaker than the Z1 Extreme models in the Ally X or Legion Go.
The Z2 A is described as a little faster than a Steam Deck, but slower than the Z1 Extreme found in the Ally X or Legion Go. That makes it a lower-performance option than the older Z1 Extreme handhelds despite being a newer release.
The $451 open-box price could not be replicated, so it may be a limited or location-specific price. The thread also notes the listing title does not say YMMV.
dammit i just bought an open box rog ally z1 for $400!
If you mean Z1, non-extreme, it'll come in close to the performance of this one. The ROG Ally with Z1 Extreme, however, is way faster than this handheld with Z2 A. There is a reason this one is already discounted $150. It's badly mispriced, and should only be a $450 handheld. It's a little faster than a Steam Deck.
Just like with a regular Xbox, if you wait a few more years Microsoft will increase the MSRP so that gamers can purchase it at an even better higher price
Why they would release this version is an insult to gamers. You release a new product that is inferior to the lowest offering in the previous generation at a higher price? You're gonna have a bad time.
it's almost like they released this POS and priced it ridiculously high so that people would opt for the X version by default.
Community Reviews
This open box ROG Xbox Ally with the Z2 A chip is being framed as a budget handheld for Windows gaming and quick desktop use, with access to non Steam stores and a little more speed than a Steam Deck. The strongest value case lands around $450, since the current price is seen as too high for the hardware and the Z1 Extreme version is repeatedly described as the better performer. The LCD screen and weaker Z2 A positioning versus the Ally X or Legion Go are the main knocks. It reads as a versatile but price sensitive pick.
The open-box pricing may be considered reasonable only if it stays near the roughly $450 target.
The Windows handheld can run non-Steam stores, which may broaden game options beyond Steam libraries.
The device can be used like a desktop for quick startup, which may fit everyday tasks such as reading books.
The Z2A model is described as weaker than the Z1 Extreme found in the Ally X or Legion Go, which can hurt performance expectations.
The deal is criticized as not worth paying above about $450, and the pricing is described as badly mispriced for the Z2A performance.
The open-box unit may have already been returned, which can signal potential condition or satisfaction issues.
Battery wear is a concern when comparing older used Z1 Extreme units around the $460 range, especially after roughly 2.5 years.
Common Questions (5)
AI-generated summary based on comments from the community. Updated ago
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Wait for the $999 one drops price
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it's almost like they released this POS and priced it ridiculously high so that people would opt for the X version by default.
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