Asus ROG Ally Gets GPU Driver Update Amid AMD Z1 Extreme Uncertainty

The Asus ROG Ally has received a new GPU driver update, bringing version 32.0.22029.13001 to the handheld gaming PC. This release comes at a crucial time, following recent speculation that AMD might be deprecating its Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU and ending driver support for Windows 11 handhelds.

The timing of this update is particularly noteworthy given the uncertainty surrounding the Z1 Extreme platform. Over the past several months, owners of Z1 Extreme-powered devices have reported a lack of major SoC updates, with some manufacturers seemingly scaling back support for these handhelds.

Lenovo's Legion Go and Go S have been notably absent from recent driver releases, and reports from Lenovo's Korean branch suggested that product updates for these devices had ceased. This left many ROG Ally owners wondering about the future of their devices and whether AMD would continue supporting the Z1 Extreme platform.

The new driver, available for download from the Asus website, maintains the same branch number (22029) as the previous minor release from November 2025, which added support for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. The last major release before that dated back to August 2025. While the lack of release notes makes it difficult to determine specific changes, the update at least confirms that Asus hasn't completely abandoned the ROG Ally.

AMD has not publicly commented on its plans for the Z1 Extreme, and the company did not respond to requests for comment on this development. Asus similarly hasn't made any public statements about the lifespan of the ROG Ally or ROG Ally X with the Z1 Extreme APU.

For current owners, this driver update provides some reassurance, though it doesn't necessarily indicate AMD's long-term strategy for the platform. Reddit discussions among ROG Ally owners show a mix of relief and continued uncertainty about the future of their devices.

Even without ongoing updates, these handheld gaming PCs will continue to function, though they'll miss out on optimizations for newer game releases that typically come with GPU driver updates. For users concerned about long-term support, switching to a Linux-based operating system like Valve's SteamOS or Bazzite presents an alternative path forward.

These Linux distributions use open-source drivers that don't depend on AMD's Windows driver updates, potentially extending the useful life of older handhelds. However, performance parity with Windows isn't guaranteed, and users would need to be comfortable moving away from the Windows ecosystem.

The situation highlights the challenges facing handheld gaming PC manufacturers in maintaining support for specialized hardware platforms. As the market continues to evolve, the balance between innovation and long-term support remains a critical consideration for both manufacturers and consumers.