ASUS ROG Ally vs Dell XPS 16 (9640)
The Verdict
These devices serve entirely different purposes despite both running Windows 11. The ASUS ROG Ally is a handheld gaming device with a 7-inch 1920x1080 120Hz display and AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor optimized for portable gameplay, weighing just 608g. It delivers impressive gaming performance in a form factor you can hold, though battery life drops to 1.5 hours under heavy gaming loads. The Dell XPS 16 is a premium 16.3-inch laptop built for productivity and creative work, featuring a larger InfinityEdge display (1920x1200), Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor with 16 cores, and substantial 13-hour battery life. The XPS 16 weighs 2.13kg and uses premium CNC aluminum and carbon fiber construction. At $699 versus $1899, the price gap reflects their different missions. Choose the ROG Ally if you want portable gaming with serious performance; choose the Dell XPS 16 for a capable, long-lasting productivity laptop with excellent display quality and build materials. They're not competitors in any meaningful way.
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 16 (9640) if…
- →Premium CNC aluminum chassis with edge-to-edge keyboard
- →Optional 4K OLED touch display available
- →Powerful Core Ultra and RTX 4050-4070 GPU options
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 16 (9640)
Pros
- Premium CNC aluminum chassis with edge-to-edge keyboard
- Optional 4K OLED touch display available
- Powerful Core Ultra and RTX 4050-4070 GPU options
- Large 99.5 Wh battery
- Three Thunderbolt 4 ports
Cons
- No USB-A, HDMI, or SD card slot
- Capacitive touch function row is divisive
- Invisible haptic trackpad takes adjustment
- Heavy and runs hot under load
- Mediocre battery life with discrete GPU
Full Specifications
| Spec | ASUS ROG Ally | Dell XPS 16 (9640) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 608 g | 2.13 kg |
| Material | Plastic chassis | CNC aluminum and carbon fiber |
| Dimensions | 280.0 x 111.4 x 32.4 mm | 358.1 x 240.1 x 18.7 mm |
| Ports | ||
| USB-C ports | 1 | — |
| Microsd | — | |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| SD card | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | — | 3 |
| Memory | ||
| Storage options | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD | — |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 1.5-7 hours (game dependent) | Up to 13 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 40 Wh | 99.5 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 7 inches | 16.3 inches |
| Type | IPS LCD | InfinityEdge IPS non-touch |
| 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 LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, RDNA 3 (12 CUs) integrated GPU | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) |
| Chipset | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4, 8-core / 16-thread, up to 5.1 GHz) | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | — |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | — | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | — | |
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | — | |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
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 16 (9640).