The thought of third get together Steam Deck circumstances is one thing that pursuits me as a result of, as anybody who owns a Steam Deck is aware of, Valve features a VERY GOOD protecting case with each gadget already. Most tech units don’t embody any kind of case, so if you wish to present that gadget some safety you must choose up your individual. With standard units like smartphones and tablets there’s an almost limitless variety of choices to select from, in virtually any value level you’re comfy with. With the Steam Deck already coming with its personal VERY GOOD case there actually must be a compelling cause to shell out additional for an alternate case. Folks do have completely different tastes although, and selection is at all times a great factor, and to be trustworthy there are some issues that trouble me about Valve’s default Steam Deck case that had me contemplating wanting into an alternate.
To have a good time the one yr anniversary of the Steam Deck, San Francisco-based WaterField Designs launched a brand new lineup of magnetic gaming circumstances for the Steam Deck in addition to the Nintendo Change, Analogue Pocket, and Playdate. We’ve got lengthy been followers of WaterField gear round TouchArcade Towers, and a number of other years again we even reviewed their whole lineup of Nintendo Change circumstances on the time. Their stuff is costly however the high quality is second to completely nobody, and so the announcement of their new Steam Deck Magnetic Case was the proper nudge I wanted to lastly check out one thing completely different after spending the previous yr with Valve’s included Steam Deck case. WaterField was beneficiant sufficient to ship me one for assessment and so listed below are my ideas about it as in comparison with the unique Valve case.
First off let me speak concerning the match and end of the WaterField case. This firm is known in the case of high quality, and that hasn’t instantly modified with their new Steam Deck case. The principle back and front panels are full-grain leather-based, Chocolate leather-based on my mannequin but additionally accessible in Black, Blue, and White leather-based choices. Holding these panels collectively and creating the form of the case is black ballistic nylon tops and sides. There’s a further choice for Chocolate leather-based panels with waxed canvas exterior sides, and that is the combination of supplies that’s type of the “signature look” of WaterField’s stuff. Lastly, for many who don’t actually dig leather-based, there are alternatives for fully ballistic nylon or fully waxed canvas circumstances, that are additionally a couple of dollars cheaper.
The inside of the case is a really gentle plush lining with a bit of froth in between it and the outside leather-based panels. The entire inside stitching is strengthened with thick piping (there’s that legendary high quality I used to be speaking about) which, along with giving it an additional beefy building, provides a little bit of padding to the outside edges of the case. That is in no way a brilliant shock-absorbing case, and whereas it could assist shield your Deck from a drop in comparison with the gadget being bare I wouldn’t go relying on it or something. The Valve case does really feel like it might shield the Deck from a drop, and actually that case virtually feels bomb-proof, nevertheless it’s additionally about twice the thickness of the Waterfield case which might be my fundamental gripe with it. For a way svelte the WaterField case is it does appear to supply good safety in opposition to the final put on and tear of toting your gadget round in it or packing it away in a bigger bag. The inside additionally contains two pockets, one bigger one alongside the bottom that may match the Deck’s charger and a slimmer pocket on the entrance facet that might be excellent for SD playing cards or a sharpening fabric.
The most important standout characteristic of the Steam Deck Magnetic Gaming Case is after all its magnetic closure. I imply it’s proper there within the identify, you recognize? I’ve to say I used to be skeptical about how nicely a magnetic closure might maintain my very costly gadget safely enveloped in its case, however having tried it for myself I’m now a believer. The magnetism is powerful, however not too sturdy to drag open with ease, and the way in which the 2 sides snap shut is extremely satisfying. It’s enjoyable in a method I didn’t assume a zipper ever might be, which isn’t one thing I ever thought I’d be saying about opening and shutting a gaming case. Its different fundamental profit is it permits you to cost the Steam Deck whereas it’s within the case because the magnetic edges permit the charging cable to stay via whereas nonetheless closing the 2 sides collectively.
The magnetic zipper solely extends alongside the highest and facet of the case, which brings me to my first unfavorable level about this product after heaping a lot reward on it. I desire a case that may absolutely open flat, as I exploit my Steam Deck round the home and maintain it in its case except it’s truly being utilized in my fingers. If I stand up and wish to set the gadget down I prefer to have that open case there to relaxation it on, and possibly even simply shut the flap over with out truly absolutely closing the case simply in case, I don’t know, an errant toddler’s toy goes flying or one thing. With the WaterField case solely opening on two sides it acts extra as a sleeve, and whereas it’s in no way tough to slide the Steam Deck out and in of, it’s nonetheless not one thing I’d do exactly to set my gadget down for a number of moments. It’s not the case’s fault as that is the way it was designed, however my private choice is a case that may open on 3 sides.
That brings me to my second criticism. As talked about the WaterField case is roughly half as thick as Valve’s case, and that additionally means it’s a tighter match throughout. The surface leather-based panels are fairly stiff however aren’t a molded semi-hard shell like Valve’s and different producer’s circumstances, so there’s a bit extra give within the WaterField case. This isn’t actually an enormous deal however you’ll discover that the analog sticks could be clicked in from pushing on the surface of the case, and that simply makes me really feel… uncomfortable, I suppose. Now, my Nintendo Change Slim Case does precisely the identical factor, and that factor has been all around the world with me and by no means broken my gadget. Actually I purchased that case alongside my launch day Change and nonetheless use it to this present day with my OLED Change some 6 years later. I’ve by no means even had stick drift on both of my Switches!
In actuality analog sticks are spec’d to be pressed in tens of 1000’s of instances if no more, so I don’t assume it’s truly placing my gadget at risk or something, however I nonetheless would like if there was some type of molded piece on the within entrance panel with recessed areas for these sticks to sit down in. Additionally value mentioning is that when I seen this concern after placing my Deck within the Waterfield case, I received curious and grabbed my Valve case that does have the great molded inside that completely matches the gadget, and lo and behold for those who squeeze that case collectively you can even make the analog sticks click on in. I believe that except you’re keen to rock a totally onerous case fabricated from plastic or steel that is going to be a difficulty.
Total I nonetheless love the WaterField Steam Deck Magnetic Gaming Case regardless of these two points I discussed. The standard and elegance of this factor is unmatched, the magnetic closure is enjoyable and practical, and the dimensions is rather more manageable than Valve’s beast of a case. Nonetheless, I believe the true query is that if this may substitute the Valve case for me, and the reply to that’s difficult. If I’m simply tossing my Deck in a calmly packed backpack to go over to a buddy’s home, then yeah WaterField all the way in which. If I’m touring heavier and wish to stick my Deck in a extra tightly packed suitcase or one thing, particularly if the additional house the bigger case takes up isn’t such a difficulty, then I’d most likely go for the Valve case. It’s in reality a sturdier case, as evidenced by its gigantic dimension.
That stated, I don’t actually take my Deck exterior of the home all that usually, and don’t actually go on any huge “have to pack a suitcase” journeys, in order that situation isn’t tremendous probably. The larger query is how I exploit my Steam Deck day after day round the home, and for me the WaterField case is simply what I used to be on the lookout for. Is that value $84-89 when each Steam Deck already comes with an awesome case? That’ll probably come all the way down to you. Whereas my assessment unit was supplied at no cost, I probably was going to purchase one among these anyway, and had I dropped the money for one I can say now after having used it that I wouldn’t remorse the choice. If this does sound like one thing up your alley you possibly can order a Steam Deck Magnetic Gaming Case–or the variations for Change/Change Lite, Analogue Pocket, and Playdate–over on the WaterField Designs web site.
