Why the ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme Is the Perfect Desktop Replacement for Work & Play

In the modern age, the idea of being tethered to a behemoth desktop PC seems almost archaic. With remote work, gaming on the move, and the need for a truly portable powerhouse, the ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme has completely changed the game for me. After using it as my primary work and gaming machine for the last week, I’m convinced it’s the perfect all-in-one solution—whether you’re answering emails at a coffee shop, grinding through spreadsheets at home, or playing Forza Horizon in an Uber

The Death of the Desktop? Why Mobility Wins in 2025

Let's get real—most of us no longer need a massive tower PC. With the exception of serious video editors and AI simulations, handhelds and ultra-portable PCs these days can accomplish 90% of what we use a PC for on a daily basis. And what do most of us even do for work?

• Send and receive emails (so many emails…)

• Attend Zoom/Teams calls (where we fake that our Wi-Fi isn't buffering)

• Edit Google Docs or Excel spreadsheets in the cloud (and possibly cry over them)

• Browse the web with 50+ Chrome tabs open (RIP RAM)

If that is your work life, then why carry (or be confined to) a desktop when the ROG Ally does it all in your backpack?

The ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme: A Powerhouse in Your Hands

1. Performance That Rivals Many Desktops

The ROG Ally Z1 Extreme isn’t just another handheld—it’s packing specs that put some laptops (and even budget desktops) to shame:

• AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (8-core/16-thread, up to 5.1GHz) – This thing chews through multitasking like it’s nothing.

• RDNA 3 Graphics (AMD Radeon 780M) – Plays modern games at 1080p smoothly, handles emulation like a beast (more on that later).

• 16GB LPDDR5 RAM – No slowdowns, even with many Chrome tabs. Don't get out of hand though :)

• 512GB NVMe SSD (expandable via microSD or internally) – Fast storage, though I’d recommend a 1TB upgrade if you’re serious about gaming. You can upgrade the SSD and even change it to a large sized one with a special addon card. This is for more knowledgable tech users only.

2. Seamless Work & Productivity

I’ve been using the ROG Ally as my main work PC for 1 week, and here’s why it’s been flawless:

• Windows 11 Home – Full desktop OS means no compromises. You can install any work software (Office, Slack, Adobe apps, etc.).

• Bluetooth keyboard & mouse support – Paired with a foldable Bluetooth keyboard, it’s a legit laptop replacement. Use an external dock stand for wireless or wired Keyboard mouse combo's.

• Great for travel – Fits in a small sling bag, weighs just 608g, and battery life is solid for productivity (4-6 hours on efficiency mode).

3. Gaming On-the-Go Like Never Before

Here’s where the ROG Ally truly shines. I’ve tested:

• Forza Horizon 5 – Runs at 1080p, Medium-High settings, 60FPS. Looks stunning on the 120Hz display. Playing on the couch is incredible and a dream come true for someone who has grown up in the PC Gaming World since the 80s.

• eFootball 2024 – Smooth as silk at 120FPS, perfect for a quick game. Sorry, I stopped play Fifa or EA FC a long time ago.

• Emulation (PS3, Switch, Xbox 360) – Believe it or not, a PS3 emulator and a Switch emulator run incredibly well. (How? That's a topic for another blog!)

• The 7-inch 1080p 120Hz display makes everything look sharp, and the customizable RGB controls add that extra gamer flair. I much prefer this to a Nintendo Switch 2. It's also much cheaper.

The Ultimate Dock Setup: Sabrent Docking Station Review

Since the ROG Ally only has one USB-C port, I got the Sabrent docking station to turn it into a full desktop replacement. It arrived today, and my first impression is:

✅ 4x USB 3.0 ports – For keyboard, mouse, external drives.

✅ HDMI 2.0 (4K @ 60Hz) – Plug it into a monitor or TV.

✅ Stand that your Rog Ally sits in comfortable and at the perfect angle.

Trying it out:

• Plugged into my 27-inch monitor, the ROG Ally straight away switched to desktop mode.

• No lag on mouse/keyboard.

• Played Forza Horizon on the big screen—no loss of performance.

• This makes the Ally a serious workstation at home, then I unplug and take it with me. No more do I need to carry two devices!

The Best Hybrid Work & Gaming Machine?

If you’re looking for one device that does it all, the ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme is hands-down the my best choice right now.

Why It Beats a Traditional Desktop?:

✔ Fully portable – Work from anywhere, game anywhere.

✔ Powerful enough for most jobs and modern gaming.

✔ Dockable – Turns into a desktop in seconds.

✔ More affordable than buying a gaming PC + laptop separately.

This was my choice instead of a new phone, which I usually get every 2 years. Gaming on a phone is still not comfortable, or likeable for me.

Who Should Get It?

• Remote workers who want flexibility.

• Gamers who do not want to be tied to a desk.

• Travelers who need power on the go.

Who Should Pass?

• Hardcore video editors (you still need a powerful GPU).

• Those who need a pure powerhouse work machine that can run more than "100" chrome tabs at once.

• People who only use a very entry level PC at home for internet news and banking and email. (a desktop might be cheaper).

• If you need to use Windows 11 Pro edition for your work at work.

The Future of Computing?

After 1 week with the ROG Ally Z1 Extreme, I’m convinced this is where computing is heading. Why own multiple devices when one can do it all? Whether I’m replying to emails, editing documents, or playing with Retro emulators for some childhood memories, this little beast handles everything.

And with the Sabrent dock, it’s now my home desktop, work laptop, and gaming handheld—all in one.

Would you use a handheld PC as your main machine? Let me know in the comments!