ASUS ROG Ally vs Dell XPS 13 (2023)
The Verdict
ASUS ROG Ally and Dell XPS 13 target entirely different user needs. ROG Ally is a portable gaming handheld with a 7-inch 1920x1080 120Hz display powered by AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme, delivering strong frame rates for demanding titles but offering only 1.5-7 hours battery depending on game intensity. Dell XPS 13 is a traditional ultrabook featuring a larger 13.4-inch 1920x1200 display, Intel Core i7-1360P processor, and exceptional 12-hour battery life. XPS 13 excels for productivity with premium aluminum construction, dual Thunderbolt ports, and refined engineering. ROG Ally weighs just 608g versus XPS 13's 1.17kg, making it genuinely portable for gaming. Price difference is significant at $699 versus $1299. Choose ROG Ally if gaming on-the-go matters; select XPS 13 for professional work and all-day productivity without compromise.
Who Should Buy
Buy the ASUS ROG Ally if…
- →Ryzen Z1 Extreme with RDNA 3 GPU outperforms Steam Deck in raw power
- →Full 1080p IPS display at 120Hz for sharper and smoother gaming
- →Windows 11 gives access to all PC game stores and launchers
Buy the Dell XPS 13 (2023) if…
- →Stunning InfinityEdge four-sided borderless display
- →Incredibly compact and lightweight at 2.59 lbs
- →Premium CNC machined aluminum build quality
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
ASUS ROG Ally
Pros
- Ryzen Z1 Extreme with RDNA 3 GPU outperforms Steam Deck in raw power
- Full 1080p IPS display at 120Hz for sharper and smoother gaming
- Windows 11 gives access to all PC game stores and launchers
- Lighter at 608 g compared to the Steam Deck
- MicroSD expansion for extra game storage
Cons
- 40 Wh battery provides very poor endurance — as low as 1.5 hours
- Windows 11 is not optimized for handheld — requires workarounds
- Only one USB-C port limits simultaneous charging and peripherals
- No OLED — IPS LCD has weaker contrast and no true blacks
- Fan noise is loud under heavy gaming loads
Dell XPS 13 (2023)
Pros
- Stunning InfinityEdge four-sided borderless display
- Incredibly compact and lightweight at 2.59 lbs
- Premium CNC machined aluminum build quality
- 12th-gen Intel P-series processor handles productivity well
- Excellent keyboard with 1.0 mm travel and good tactile feedback
Cons
- Only USB-C/Thunderbolt ports — no USB-A or HDMI
- 51 Wh battery is small for all-day use under heavy loads
- Webcam is 720p — subpar for video calls
- Soldered RAM means no upgrades after purchase
- Fan noise is noticeable under sustained workloads
Full Specifications
| Spec | ASUS ROG Ally | Dell XPS 13 (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 608 g | 2.59 lbs (1.17 kg) |
| Material | Plastic chassis | CNC machined aluminum |
| Dimensions | 280.0 x 111.4 x 32.4 mm | 11.63 x 7.86 x 0.55 inches |
| Ports | ||
| USB-C ports | 1 | 2 |
| Microsd | — | |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| HDMI | — | |
| SD card | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | — | 2 |
| Memory | ||
| Storage options | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD | — |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 1.5-7 hours (game dependent) | Up to 12 hours |
| Capacity | 40 Wh | 51 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 7 inches | 13.4 inches |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS anti-reflective |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 500 |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5 (6400 MT/s) | 16 GB LPDDR5 |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, RDNA 3 (12 CUs) integrated GPU | 12 cores (4P + 8E) |
| Chipset | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4, 8-core / 16-thread, up to 5.1 GHz) | Intel Core i7-1360P (13th Gen) |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | — |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | — | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | — | |
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | — | |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in laptops, see all ASUS products or all Dell products. View full details for the ASUS ROG Ally or the Dell XPS 13 (2023).