iFixit’s Teardown On ROG Ally Reveals Easier Repairability, On Paper
iFixit’s Teardown On ROG Ally Reveals Easier Repairability, On Paper
iFixit got their hands on ASUS’s latest gaming handheld, the ROG Ally, and naturally a teardown analysis is on the cards here. For those who values repairability, good news: the ROG Ally fared very well in iFixit’s teardown with various highlights compared to Valve’s Steam Deck.
The device is easily accessible through six screws on the back – upon opening the rear cover you’re greeted with a two-piece battery that also provides weight balance to the handheld for better comfort. No glue involved here like Steam Deck, as the battery can easily be removed by undoing the screws (though a clear label does say “Do Not Disassemble” for safety reasons, as Li-ion battery can be volatile).
Despite the thumbstick features a more traditional potentiometer-based designs which is prone to long-term wear, the assembly is proven to be easily accessible and replaceable thanks to the modularity of the part itself and the daughterboard that minimizes the attrition of parts should one part of the entire component fail. Other parts such as M.2 2230 SSD, heatsink and fan assembly remained accessible throughout the teardown process.
The only exception is the screen – which is glued into the chassis and requires slicing the adhesive for removal should a replacement be warranted. On that note, while ASUS offers great repairability, the question remains on whether the company may open access for its spare parts to the public – something that Steam Deck already has availability for.
Source: Tom’s Hardware
Pokdepinion: Opening up the spare parts catalog can be a huge advantage for ASUS against any future entries in the market, given that modding and repair in handhelds are fairly prominent.
