Discounts on AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Handhelds: A Golden Opportunity for Gamers
A Shift in the Handheld Gaming Market
Handheld gaming PCs powered by the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chipset are now more affordable than ever. As part of the latest price drops, gamers can secure substantial savings on two leading models: the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. These price cuts are timely, coinciding with the launch of AMD’s high-performance Strix Point and Hawk Point APU platforms, which have better performance than the AMD Ryzen Z1’s Phoenix architecture.
Background on AMD Ryzen Z1 Series
The AMD Ryzen Z1 APU lineup, launched in May 2023, includes the standard Z1 chip and the more powerful Z1 Extreme. The ASUS ROG Ally was the pioneering handheld PC to utilize these chipsets when it came out in June 2023, followed by the Lenovo Legion Go. Built on AMD’s Zen 4 and RDNA 3 architectures, the Ryzen Z1 series boasts a significant edge over the Steam Deck’s custom AMD Van Gogh APU, which is based on older Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures.
The Appeal of Ryzen Z1 Extreme
The power advantage provided by the Z1 Extreme chip has heightened the appeal of both the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. These handhelds have garnered positive responses from users looking for robust performance, often not found in less powerful devices like the Steam Deck. The Z1 Extreme remains a favored choice, even making its way into newer versions like the ASUS ROG Ally X.
Current Discounts and Performance Comparisons
Amazon US is offering compelling discounts that close the price gap with the Steam Deck. The 512GB version of the ASUS ROG Ally is now available for 9.99, a 10% discount over MSRP, while the 512GB Lenovo Legion Go has been discounted by 18%, bringing its price down to 3.
Both handhelds feature the same Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, Windows 11 OS, and 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM. However, the Legion Go has an 8.8-inch 2560×1600 144Hz display compared to the ROG Ally’s smaller 7-inch 1920×1080 120Hz screen with variable refresh rate (VRR) support. Additionally, the Legion Go offers detachable controllers akin to the Nintendo Switch and a larger battery, making it an interesting choice for potential buyers.
Time to Act
The handheld gaming PC market is rapidly evolving, largely driven by the success of devices like the Steam Deck. The current discounts on the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go make now an excellent time for prospective buyers to invest in a powerful and versatile mobile gaming experience.
