I tend to use most of my devices (including my smartphone) naked and without a case or screen protector, and I was content to do the same with the ASUS ROG Ally at first. However, dbrand was kind enough to send me its Killswitch case for the ROG Ally earlier this year, and I loved it for its excellent protection, added grip and comfort, built-in kickstand, and support for dbrand's award-winning skins.
Sadly, I couldn't bring the dbrand Killswitch with me when I switched to the ASUS ROG Ally X. So, despite my promises to myself that I wouldn't spend any money this Black Friday season, I still couldn't resist saving on a brand-new Killswitch case, screen protector, and skin for my favorite PC gaming handheld. Right now, dbrand's Black Friday sales event lets you pick up any of its Killswitch cases from $49.95 at dbrand. On top of that, you can save on all the add-ons, pay no extra for one of dbrand's special skin designs, and get a free second skin with that special design. How could I say no?
Well, at least I can try not to spend any more money.
🔥The hottest Black Friday deals🔥
- 🎮ASUS ROG Ally (Ryzen Z1) | $349.99 at Best Buy (Save $150!)
- 💻Surface Pro 11 (X Plus) | $899.99 at Best Buy (Save $300!)
- 📺HP Curved Ultrawide (34-inches) | $299.99 at Best Buy (Save $180!)
- 💽WD_Black Xbox Series X|S Card (1TB) | $99.99 at Best Buy (Save $50!)
- 🖱️Razer Basilisk V3 Wired | $39.99 at Best Buy (Save $30!)
- 💽WD_BLACK M.2 2230 SSD (2TB) | $179.99 at Best Buy (Save $60!)
🍁More great Black Friday deals🦃
- Best Buy: Big savings on video games, accessories, and more
- Walmart: Early savings on practically everything
- Target: Live deals on a huge range of products
- Dell: Top deals on laptops, gaming PCs, accessories, and more
- HP: Save big on laptops, desktops, accessories, and more
- Lenovo: Doorbuster deals on all Lenovo PCs, monitors, accessories, and more
- Newegg: Save on PC gaming accessories, components, and more
- Razer: Take advantage of free shipping for a limited time
- Samsung: Holiday deals on laptops, TVs, phones, and more are live
- Amazon: Constantly rotating sales on everything you can imagine
More than just a face lift, more than just added protection
The ASUS ROG Ally fully converted me to the promise of PC gaming handhelds and made me fall in love with the portable form factor, but ASUS outdid itself with the upgraded ROG Ally X. A handful of crucial upgrades improves performance and stability, ergonomics, and battery life to unexpected degrees, even if the device as a whole remains fairly similar to its less expensive sibling.
In our ASUS ROG Ally X review, my colleague Rebecca Spear concluded, "There is no denying that the ROG Ally X is better than the original Ally in several different ways. The battery lasts much longer, the black casing looks better, the handheld has better ergonomic grips without being too heavy, and the updated buttons and joysticks are responsive." I adore this handheld, but it has been missing something.
You only have to look at our dbrand Killswitch review to understand what I'm talking about. Rebecca Spear returns once again, this time concluding, "It's a bit costly, but the ROG Ally Killswitch from dBrand definitely improves upon the gaming handheld experience. The rubber casing makes the device less likely to slip from your hands, while also providing a slightly thicker grip for a more comfortable hold. A kickstand with built-in microSD card storage slots is also very nifty. Additionally, being able to protect the screen, joysticks, and buttons with a removable covering makes the ROG Ally easier to travel with without needing a bulky carrying case to do so."
The Killswitch made my ASUS ROG Ally better, and it remained compatible with the Syntech ASUS ROG Ally Travel Case I trust for long trips. My ROG Ally looked unlike any other, was more comfortable to hold, and boasted a handy kickstand. More than anything, the Killswitch looks and feels great. Every part is precisely designed for the ROG Ally's exact dimensions, and when it's all put together even the tempered glass screen protector disappears. I missed the Killswitch when I upgraded to the ROG Ally X and its different dimensions, but I couldn't quite bring myself to pull the trigger on such a pricey accessory.
Well, I don't have to worry about that anymore. I confirmed my order for an ASUS ROG Ally X dbrand Killswitch case, thumbstick caps, travel cover, tempered glass screen protector, and two dbrand skins a few hours ago. I'm excited to get it, but it's only because of dbrand's compelling Black Friday sale that I was truly tempted. After all, I told myself not to spend any money this Black Friday — bills come first, you know?
The dbrand Killswitch normally starts at around $65 just for the case and a basic skin, and upgrading to a special skin design or throwing in any of the add-ons all add to that price — up to $130 for a complete package. Right now, though, I got that ultimate Killswitch setup and a free Triple Black Damascus skin on top of my unique Obsidian skin for a little under $83. Yes, that includes free shipping, too. If you just want the basics, though, you can pick up an ASUS ROG Ally X Killswitch for as little as $49.95 at dbrand, and upgrades to dbrand's special skin designs come at no added charge.
That exact sale also applies to dbrand's Killswitch cases for the Steam Deck and original ASUS ROG Ally, too, if that's the handheld of choice for you. You can find those links below. If you're looking to upgrade to the ASUS ROG Ally X, right now is the best time to do that, as well! You can buy the ASUS ROG Ally X for $699.99 at Best Buy, a $100 discount that brings the premium flagship handheld to its lowest price ever — and you can shave off an additional $230 just by trading in your original ROG Ally and its charger.
For more information, you can refer to my ultimate Black Friday guide on PC gaming handhelds and handheld accessories.
When is Black Friday?
Black Friday is technically on Nov. 29, 2024, but this sales event seems to start a little earlier each year. Retailers increasingly get more aggressive in terms of when discounts start in order to entice consumers ahead of the main event, so you can see early Black Friday deals as soon as October. Black Friday itself can feel overwhelming and be limited by stock shortages, so it's often a great idea to take advantage of those early sales ahead of time.
When is Cyber Monday?
This year, Cyber Monday falls on Dec. 2, 2024. This continuation of the Black Friday weekend was once the online-version of the aforementioned sales event, but as more retailers go online it's not uncommon to see Black Friday and Cyber Monday blend into one another. If you miss out on sales on Black Friday, you may have another chance on Cyber Monday. Better yet, though, is staying ahead of the curve and getting your holiday shopping done weeks in advance.
