Features

Why choose the ROG Ally?

Versus a growing number of gaming handhelds

Published

February 22, 2024

The gaming handheld market got a big jolt in 2023. There were some heavy-hitters that came out and 2024 is no different. It’s already off to a hot start with the MSI Claw announced, the Ayaneo Next Lite out, and more coming on the horizon.

Despite all that, the ROG Ally might just still be the one you should get. Here are reasons why.

Software support

In our review, the one thing we were concerned about is how much attention ROG will give the Ally post-launch. Well, the answer so far has been “a lot.” Armoury Crate SE, ROG’s gaming interface, has received multiple updates catering to the ROG Ally community’s needs.

ROG has added plenty more customization options so you can play your Ally exactly the way you want to. Everything from granular controls, specific key mapping, CPU management and more. Play all your games, your way.

Sweet spot size

We’ve tried both a larger handheld and smaller set-ups by using customized controllers for mobile phones. The ROG Ally’s 7-inch screen and overall footprint sits comfortably in-between those. This, in our view, makes the ROG Ally the sweet spot in terms of size for a gaming handheld.

It’s large enough for an immersive gaming experience, but still small enough to comfortably carry when you’re out and about. It’s easy to fit in larger bags even with a carrying case, and fits snugly when carrying on its own with smaller bags.

Just be careful when you’re holding it up to your face while playing in bed. Speaking from experience, that accidental drop will hurt.

Wide range of power profiles

Whether you got it to play AAA games on the go or to revisit classics, the ROG Ally can operate on a wide range of power profiles to suit your style.

Stick to 9W for your classic games and play longer. Milk up to four hours of play time while healing your inner childhood with games you missed out on when you were younger.

But if you’re up for it, go up to 27W to play modern, graphically demanding games. Fulfill whatever power fantasy you have – be a Jedi, a Hogwards student, or even Spider-Man. Swing a lightsaber, a wand, or with webs. The choice is yours.

Play solo or with friends

Sure, you can probably do this with other gaming handhelds too, but knowing that you can pair your ROG Ally with ASUS’ own suite of peripherals is pretty handy. Devices from the same brand tend to play well with each other and if you do decide to expand your ROG Ally experience, you can do so.

Play solo or with friends when you hook up the Ally to a gaming monitor and use bluetooth controllers. Take the performance up a notch with the ROG’s own XG Mobile for more graphical power.

Accessory Ace

As of writing, it’s not even a year old yet, but there’s almost just as many accessories available for the ROG Ally as the Steam Deck which came out much earlier.

You have a bevy to choose from: Silicon cases, silicon guards, carrying cases, docking stations, and more. Name it and there’s probably an accessory available for it. Best part is, they’re all relatively affordable adding protection or even enhancing your play time with your Ally.

If you want to keep things official though, go ahead and grab the Ally Travel Case and/or the ROG Gaming Charger Dock.

Play ALL your games

The ROG Ally being essentially a gaming PC in a handheld body means you have access to every game store available on PC. You’re not limited to Steam alone. You can subscribe to Game Pass and get access to a wide library of quality games. As of writing, banger games Persona 3 Reload and Like A Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Name are currently available among other play-worthy titles.

In fact, when you purchase any variant of the ROG Ally, you get three (3) months of FREE subscription to Game Pass. Three months of free games. Now that’s a sweet deal.

My GadgetMatch

Because of the many things mentioned above, the ROG Ally remains my personal first choice when I grab a gaming handheld. It’s accompanied me already on a couple of work trips and a few staycation weekends. In particular, it’s the sweet spot size, flexible power profiles, and accessory availability that makes it my personal pick.

The ROG Ally Z1 and Z1 Extreme are available now.

In the Philippines, you can purchase offline or online.

Store List: https://ph.asus.click/PRWTB
Online Stores: https://www.lazada.com.ph/shop/asus/ & https://shopee.ph/rogofficialstore

Read more on the ROG Ally.

UPDATE AS OF MARCH 25, 2024

The ROG Ally Z1 (16GB/512GB) is currently on its best deal yet. It currently retails for a discounted price of PhP 32,995 and includes the following:

ROG Cetra TWS
Steam Credit worth PhP 2,000

Buyer's Guide

Buyer’s Guide: Xiaomi Pad 8 Series

Do you need the base or the Pro?

Published

June 8, 2026

MJ Jucutan

Choosing between the Xiaomi Pad 8 and the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro feels like picking between a “sweet treat” and a “full-course meal.”

It’s deciding between a reliable travel companion and a specialized workstation. Both tablets rock a slim 5.8mm profile and a manageable 485-gram weight, and a 9200mAh battery.

However, under the hood, they are playing in different leagues. Especially since the “Pro” moniker adds serious muscle to the internals, and a solution for that glossy screen distraction.

Specs at a glance

Product	Xiaomi Pad 8	Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro
Processor	Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm)	Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
Display	11.2″ 3.2K IPS LCD (144Hz)	11.2″ 3.2K IPS LCD (144Hz)
Surface	Ultra-Glossy Glass	Optional Matte Nano-Texture
Storage/RAM	Up to 12GB LPDDR5X / 256GB	Up to 16GB LPDDR5T / 512GB
Rear Camera	13MP	50MP
Front Camera	8MP	32MP
Charging	45W Turbo Charge	67W HyperCharge
Pricing	Starts at PhP 20,999	Starts at PhP 38,999

Why you should pick the Xiaomi Pad 8

The standard Pad 8 is that “Goldilocks” device, hitting that sweet spot between price and premium hardware.

It’s ideal if your tablet usage is centered on media consumption and light productivity. Since it shares the same 11.2-inch screen size as the Pro, it fits perfectly on an airplane tray table, making it a dream for frequent flyers.

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is no slouch; it still runs titles like Racing Master at 60fps on Ultra-High settings. If you’re a fan of XG or KiiiKiii, you’ll appreciate the quad-speaker setup and Hi-Res Audio support without needing to pay the “Pro” tax.

It’s the smart choice for those who want a capable second screen to complement their main laptop.

Why you should level up to the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro

The “Pro” is for those who found the standard model’s limitations — like the glossy screen reflections or the 128GB storage ceiling — to be a dealbreaker.

The biggest upgrade is the Snapdragon 8 Elite, a powerhouse chip that turns the tablet into a legitimate workstation for video editing in CapCut or heavy multitasking in HyperOS 3.0.

Beyond power, the Pro version offers a Matte Glass Edition, which completely solves the “reflection” issue that can ruin your movie sessions or drawing time under bright lights.

You also get significantly better cameras, such as a 32-megapixel front sensor for professional-looking video calls. There’s also a 50-megapixel rear camera for high-res document scanning.

Finally, the 67W HyperCharge means you spend less time tethered to a wall and more time being productive.

Which Xiaomi Pad is your GadgetMatch?

Swipe Right on the Xiaomi Pad 8 if you want the best value for your money.

It’s thin, light, and powerful enough for 90% of users. It handles gaming, writing, and music playback with ease, making it a worthy recipient of a seal of approval for anyone on a budget.

Just be sure to skip the 128GB entry model and go for the 256GB version to ensure you get those faster storage speeds.

Swipe Right on the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro if you are a “power user” who hates screen glare. If you plan to use the Focus Pen Pro for serious creative work or need 512GB of space for a massive game library, the Pro is worth the extra investment.

It’s a high-speed machine that charges faster, captures better photos, and runs every app with flagship-level fluidness.

The Xiaomi Pad 8 starts at PhP 20,999 with Normal Keyboard while the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro starts at PhP 38,999 with Touch Keyboard. Both tablets come with free Focus Pen Pro.

Apps

The No-Nonsense guide to mid-year shopping

Let AI do the heavy lifting for you this Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale

Published

June 5, 2026

MJ Jucutan

The mid-year sale season is here, but the days of mindless impulse buying are over.

Shoppers are shifting toward intentional, value-driven decisions, focusing on quality, authenticity, and actual utility over flashy, low-quality gimmicks.

From 8:00 PM on June 5 until 11:59 PM on June 8, 2026, the Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale is dropping major discounts. But the real win is using the platform’s tools to maximize your budget.

Lock in the baseline discounts

Before diving into specific items, map out how to stack the core offers.

You can stretch your money by hunting down LazFlash Deals for up to 90% off, collecting up to PhP 3,000 in stackable vouchers, and ensuring every order qualifies for the free shipping offers available throughout the event.

True value comes from combining these three layers of savings on things you already need.

Jisulife: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Filter for authentic value

Shopping smart means avoiding the trap of “too good to be true” counterfeits that end up in the trash.

Data shows a massive consumer shift toward trusted quality, with LazMall growth vastly outperforming standard listings during major sales.

To ensure your money goes toward genuine products with real warranties, restrict your browsing to official, brand-certified stores.

If you are upgrading your tech, parenting gear, or wardrobe, look to trusted names anchoring the sale like UGREEN, JisuLife, ANTA, Maserati Watches, Momcozy, and O.TWO.O.

UGREEN: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Outsmart the noise with built-in tech

Don’t waste hours scrolling through endless listings or guessing which product is better.

The smartest way to navigate a massive mid-year event is to let the platform’s built-in features cut through choice paralysis.

Tools like AI Lazzie and AI Picks allow you to instantly compare similar items, analyze prices, and get personalized recommendations based on actual data rather than generic marketing hype.

Smart Shopper Tip: True value is a mix of the right price, verified authenticity, and a seamless return policy. Use this sale period to stock up on everyday essentials and high-quality upgrades rather than panic-buying items you’ll regret later.

Computex 2026

Postcards from MSI’s 40th anniversary expo

A visual journey through four decades of hardware artistry at COMPUTEX 2026.

Published

June 4, 2026

MJ Jucutan and Vincenz

Stepping into MSI’s 40th year anniversary exhibition space felt less like exploring a traditional tech pavilion and more like embarking on a time-travel expedition.

From the nostalgic, raw engineering of 1986 legacy motherboards to the breathtaking, AI-driven flagships and starry-night inspired laptops of tomorrow, four decades of continuous craftsmanship were brought to life under the watchful eye of the iconic dragon motif.

This photo journal captures that vibrant atmosphere. It’s a visual walk through the heritage and the sheer hardware artistry that defined MSI’s historic celebration in Taiwan.