PC gaming handhelds are taking the market by storm. The Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and now MSI’s Claw are a few of the most popular players in the scene. These devices are powerful pieces of kit that make your Steam library and Xbox Game Pass subscription truly mobile, and this is just in the first few years of real innovation– I imagine soon we will see quite a bit of growth in the space!
Some of these offerings, namely the Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion Go, include a carrying case as part of the purchase. While ASUS does manufacture an official carrying case– it is an extra expense not included in the initial purchase. When I purchased my Ally I was looking for the best way to protect my precious new device and found myself wanting for quality options that were priced affordably. The kind folks at Tomtoc have a solution to this issue and kindly sent one over to the team for review. After using the case out and about, I can confidently say: for owners of the ROG Ally, like myself, look no further than Tomtoc for the best protective case on the market.
Looks and Quality
I am a sucker for the aesthetic of this case. I’ve almost always gone for white colored accessories because I value the clean look. I upgraded to the Nintendo Switch OLED for the white joy-con, I use a white decal on my PlayStation 5, my gaming PC is in a white case with white cables– the list goes on. I purchased the ROG Ally with an appreciation for its aesthetic, and Tomtoc created a product that fits that aesthetic wonderfully without being too over the top. It’s tough to beat the clean look of white and black together!
The material is firm but smooth to the touch, and it feels quite rigid when compared to some other cloth style case designs. The surface is has a grain to it that makes it look and feel premium. The premium feeling continues to the interior of the case where the Ally is held by a soft velvet lining to prevent ant scratches. I can confidently say this case would ensure the Ally would survive a tumble out of a backpack or off of a table. This is an easy statement to make because Tomtoc have taken every consideration when it comes to quality.
Noteworthy Features
This case has some key features that help it stand out against other cases on the market. The carrying handle is really nice and sturdy. The case is considerably thin, being just a little taller than the Ally itself, making it easy to slip into any bag or backpack. While some may not consider it a feature, the inclusion of dual YKK zippers is a big win for me!
The design also features prominent recessions for the joysticks, face buttons, and shoulder buttons that help protect them from impact or other shock. When the Ally sits in the case these recessions fit perfectly and don’t put pressure on any one spot.
The interior also features a small area to store MicroSD cards and other small accessories like a cleaning cloth.
Point of Comparison – ASUS Official Case
In my initial purchase of the Ally I bought the official case as that was my only option. I thought it prudent to compare the official case to Tomtoc’s design and see the benefits of each case. The aesthetics of each case are very different. ASUS continued the “hardcore gamer” sort of appeal as opposed to the clean look of the Tomtoc case. While I personally prefer Tomtoc’s style here, I can appreciate the detail of the zipper forming the titular “Republic of Gamers” text upon closing.
Looking beyond aesthetics, the Tomtoc case’s hard exterior is far more protective and trustworthy than the fabric style of the official offering. Both are better than just throwing it in my backpack of course, but the ASUS official case does not have the same protection for the joysticks and face buttons that the Tomtoc case does.
Final Thoughts
Tomtoc’s design for this case is nothing short of perfect for me. It’s protective, stylish, designed with premium materials, and bundled into an affordable price. I can rest easy knowing that wherever I travel, my Ally is safe and protected!
For more information about Tomtoc’s other wonderful products, check out their website here and their Amazon store where they have many other accessories for all kinds of devices. Thanks again to Tomtoc for providing the case for review!