Alienware m17 R5vsAsus ROG Ally

We compare these two popular phones to help you decide which one fits your needs and budget better.

Alienware
Alienware m17 R5
m17 R5

Quick Stats

The Alienware m17 R5 delivers strong performance, particularly with its Ryzen processor and Radeon GPU capabilities overall.
The Alienware m17 R5 boasts exceptional build quality, ensuring a premium feel and durability overall throughout its tanky design.
The Alienware M17 R5's display offers multiple high-refresh-rate options, including 480Hz and 4K at 120Hz.
The Alienware M17 R5 offers advanced features like up to 480Hz refresh rate and Nvidia RTX Graphics options.
Asus
ASUS ROG Ally
ROG Ally

Quick Stats

The ASUS ROG Ally delivers impressive performance, outshining the Steam Deck with seamless emulation and smooth gaming experience overall.
The ASUS ROG Ally's build feels cheap with sharp edges and distracting huge bezels overall.
The ASUS ROG Ally's display offers a sharp and detailed image with vibrant colors and smooth gameplay performance.
The ASUS ROG Ally has a more powerful chipset and higher resolution screen for demanding games.
Key Differences

No significant specification differences found between these devices.

Rank
Alienware m17 R5
Winner
#390
Asus ROG Ally
#393
Scores by Category
Rankings
Connectivity
Alienware m17 R5
#15
Winner
Asus ROG Ally
#268
Display
Alienware m17 R5
#587
Asus ROG Ally
#481
Winner
Performance
Alienware m17 R5
#181
Winner
Asus ROG Ally
#385
Build
Alienware m17 R5
#428
Asus ROG Ally
#11
Winner
Features
Alienware m17 R5
#210
Winner
Asus ROG Ally
#686

Note: Lower rank number indicates a better position in category.

Specifications Comparison
Specification
Alienware Alienware m17 R5
Asus ASUS ROG Ally
up to 64GB
up to 16GB
up to 4000GB SSD
up to 2000GB SSD
AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX
AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti (Laptop)
AMD Radeon 780M
N/A
1x 2230 PCIe NVMe 4.0 x4 See photo

Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.

Pros and Cons

Alienware m17 R5

Strengths

The laptop has a top-of-the-line AMD GPU, Radeon RX 6850 M with 12 GB of ram
It offers good processor options, including Ryzen 9 6900 HX and Ryzen 7 6800h
The laptop can be configured with Nvidia GPUs as well, up to RTX 3080 TI
The build quality is excellent, with a solid metal body and rigid stand-offs
The battery life is not the best, but it's expected given the powerful hardware
The price point of $2250 for a comparably equipped laptop is very competitive

Weaknesses

The Ryzen processor may not be as efficient as Intel in terms of power consumption
The GPU performance may vary depending on the game, and some games are more optimized for AMD than others
The thermal performance can get loud when pushing the system to its limits
There's limited customization options for power plans and settings in Alienware Command Center
The choice of different parts may not be as extensive as other laptops
The laptop is not designed for thin-and-light portability, so it may not be suitable for users who need a portable gaming solution

Asus ROG Ally

Strengths

The RG Li has a more powerful chipset than the Steam Deck, allowing me to enjoy some demanding AAA games on it.
By tweaking some image scaling settings, it becomes capable of playing those games on an external monitor with a nice image just like a regular PC.
It handles emulation easily, including emulating PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Switch games.
The screen has higher resolution and frame rate than the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch, and it's also unique because unlike other handhelds, it has a variable refresh rate which I think is essential for such a device.
The image on the RG Li doesn't look as blurry compared to Lenovo Legion Go using the same resolution, and it's sharp and detailed with nice colors.
It runs Windows smoothly, and the armor crate application provides a great console experience.

Weaknesses

There is a design flaw in the micro SD card slot which may burn your SD card, despite being a well-known issue on other forums and YouTube videos.
The ergonomics and controls are not as comfortable to hold in hands as the Steam Deck, and it doesn't have touchpads which could be useful for navigating Windows or playing games that were not designed for a controller.
Battery life is poor compared to the Steam Deck, with playing some AAAA games at full power lasting just about an hour.
The software has counter bugs and crashes here and there, sometimes the external monitor doesn't work, and getting games running can be frustrating.
There are two versions of the ASUS ROG Ally with different chipsets (Z1 and Z1 Extreme), which may confuse some people when buying second-hand or new.
Asus has an awful return policy, which is a well-known issue that can make purchasing the console a risk.
Read Full Reviews

Alienware m17 R5

The Alienware M17 R5 is the latest addition to their lineup of gaming laptops. With the AMD Ryzen series at its core, this device offers a range of configurations, including AMD Graphics and Nvidia RTX Graphics options. Weighing in at 7.3 lbs, it's still relatively slim and stylish, boasting a 17.3-inch display and powerful processor capabilities that make it a compelling choice for gaming enthusiasts.

Asus ROG Ally

In this review, I'll be sharing my thoughts on the Asus ROG Ally, a handheld PC console that promises a seamless gaming experience. With its powerful chipset, variable refresh rate display, and Windows operating system, it's positioned as a strong contender against other handhelds like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch. However, I've also encountered several issues with this device, including design flaws, ergonomics concerns, and software problems that may deter potential buyers.

Need help choosing?

Read our detailed reviews to understand which device is better for your specific needs and budget.

Read Alienware m17 R5 ReviewRead Asus ROG Ally Review

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