Asus surprised everyone with the launch of its ROG Ally gaming handheld, generating immense anticipation for its release in 2023. This gaming console stands out from others in the market and has the potential to create a whole new segment. What’s even more impressive is that Asus has decided to launch the ROG Ally in India shortly after its international debut. To gain a better understanding of Asus’ vision for this product and its impact on Indian gamers, Gadgets 360 had the opportunity to interview Arnold Su, Vice President of Consumer & Gaming PC, System Business Group at Asus India.
Gadgets 360: How significant is the Indian market for a device like the ROG Ally, and what does this launch mean for Asus?
Arnold Su: The gaming market in India is currently experiencing exceptional growth worldwide. Asus ROG has consistently dominated the market for gaming laptops in India for five consecutive quarters. However, even Indian gaming enthusiasts desire more functionality from their gaming devices beyond just gaming capabilities. The ROG Ally not only offers exceptional gaming performance but also seamless connectivity for OTT entertainment. Additionally, it serves as a portable personal computer, fully compatible with the Windows software ecosystem. The handheld segment is still emerging in India, making it difficult to predict its future. As pioneers in this domain, we aim to meet customer demand by providing the ROG Ally as a competitive hardware solution.
Gadgets 360: Who is the target audience for the ROG Ally?
Arnold Su: The ROG Ally targets individuals who prioritize a compact, portable, yet high-performing device for gaming on-the-go. We have also identified a growing segment of consumers who currently engage in gaming activities through consoles or mobile phones but express a desire to transition into PC gaming. We believe that the Ally is the perfect product to cater to the needs of these customers, offering them an accessible and user-friendly entry point into the world of PC gaming.
Gadgets 360: Do you think the ROG Ally will replace or compete with entry-level gaming laptops?
Arnold Su: It is too early to predict the direction of the market, but our vision is for diverse gaming platforms to coexist harmoniously. Given its unique functionality, we envision the Ally being embraced by the market as a secondary handheld gaming console rather than a standalone primary device.
Gadgets 360: How closely did Asus and AMD collaborate in developing the Ryzen Z1, and how did AMD contribute to the development of the ROG Ally?
Arnold Su: We partnered with AMD to make them the chip partner for the ROG Ally, and we greatly appreciate their unwavering support, which has been evident in their dedication to our previous AMD-exclusive products. Collaboration with our valued partners is crucial in every laptop we release, including the Ally. Rest assured, the Ally will continue to receive the same level of support and commitment as our gaming laptops.
Gadgets 360: What level of gaming performance can buyers expect from the ROG Ally? How does the Ryzen Z1’s integrated GPU power compare to that of laptops and consoles?
Arnold Su: The ROG Ally offers top-tier performance in its category. Buyers can easily run modern AAA titles without any issues. Our software and hardware teams have worked tirelessly to optimize the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip for the best performance.
Gadgets 360: How did you determine the final specifications, screen size, physical design, and other aspects of the ROG Ally?
Arnold Su: The development of the ROG Ally spanned five years, starting from the conceptualization of the ROG Mothership. Our goal was always to enhance the portability of gaming experiences, which is evident in our previous laptop iterations. Throughout the development process, we conducted extensive focus groups and testing with various stakeholders, constantly iterating and refining the design. This allowed us to determine the optimal combinations of screen size, trigger type, grip area width, ergonomics, and other crucial factors.
Gadgets 360: Besides gaming, what are the other use cases for the ROG Ally? Can it be used as a multi-purpose PC?
Arnold Su: Since the ROG Ally is a Windows device, its usage is limitless. Users can utilize it in whatever way they prefer. While we are marketing the Ally as a gaming device, users can come up with their own unique scenarios.
Gadgets 360: Is the ROG Ally easily upgradeable? What components can users replace or upgrade themselves?
Arnold Su: The ROG Ally follows our stance on laptop customization. It’s important to note that opening the device will void the warranty. However, for users who have advanced knowledge and understand the risks associated with upgrades, they can choose to disassemble and upgrade the device themselves. However, we highly recommend that all users utilize our dedicated service centers for any upgrade requirements to ensure the best quality and reliability.
Gadgets 360: Is Asus’ after-sales network prepared to support the ROG Ally?
Arnold Su: Absolutely, our customer support team is fully equipped to address any inquiries from customers. We conduct extensive local training to ensure our support staff is knowledgeable and able to provide comprehensive assistance well in advance of any product launch.
Gadgets 360: What changed the most from the beginning of the design phase to the final product?
Arnold Su: Throughout the project, we made various changes and improvements. One notable change was moving from a single fan in our initial test units to a more advanced dual-fan setup in the final design. We also revised the trigger designs, exterior layout, and other key aspects. Our focus on developing the Armory Crate SE software to deliver a seamless user experience has been a significant undertaking, and we continue to refine it through regular updates for improved performance and functionality.
Gadgets 360: Can we expect more devices with different specifications and larger screens in the future? Will the ROG Ally expand into a full range?
Arnold Su: As pioneers in this new product category, we are in the early stages of our journey and committed to actively listening to our customers’ feedback. We value both positive and negative input as it helps us continuously refine our offerings. Our goal is to stay responsive and adaptive to meet the evolving needs and expectations of our valued customers.
(Note: Some responses have been edited for clarity.)
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