These days, gamers have a multitude of options when it comes to PC gaming handhelds. Amidst the competition, Acer aims to carve its niche with the introduction of its latest models, the Nitro Blaze 8 and Nitro Blaze 11, boasting notably large displays with sizes of 8.8 inches and 10.95 inches, respectively. What sets these devices apart are their impressive 2560 x 1600 resolution screens. The 8-inch version refreshes at a brisk 144 Hz, while the 11-inch model offers a 120 Hz refresh rate, ensuring vibrant and lag-free visuals.
Such high-resolution, high-refresh rate IPS displays are sure to challenge, and potentially outstrip, the capabilities of current processors, particularly when running high-demand AAA titles. Though, Acer hasn’t introduced new silicon to power these devices. Both models run on AMD’s Ryzen 7 8840HS CPU, coupled with the Radeon 780M GPU, similar to what you’d find in the Asus ROG Ally’s Z1 Extreme chip. As a result, expect to rely heavily on AMD’s upscaling tech to maintain performance in graphics-heavy games.
Battery life is another critical aspect Acer hopes to tackle. Both devices come with a 55 Whr battery, a step up from the original Ally’s 40 Whr and the Steam Deck OLED’s 50 Whr, but still trailing behind the Ally X’s impressive 80 Whr capacity. Accompanying the Ryzen processor is 16GB of RAM and up to 2TB of storage, ensuring plenty of space and speed. Additionally, the screens can reach a brightness of 500 nits. Acer highlights the CPU’s AI capabilities, touting 39 AI TOPS, though how this translates to day-to-day performance isn’t entirely clear. Performance-wise, don’t expect miracles in the framerate or battery longevity departments, but these handhelds certainly stand tall in size.
The Blaze 11 stands out with its detachable controllers, mirroring the Lenovo Legion Go, though it skips the built-in mouse sensor. The gamepads seem to lack dedicated cursor controls, which means you’ll be interacting more directly with the Windows 11 Home operating system or Acer’s Game Space interface through taps and swipes.
Weighing the options, the Nitro Blaze maintains a manageable weight at 1.59 pounds, while the Blaze 11 is heftier at 2.31 pounds. Having spent some time with these gadgets, the Blaze 11 doesn’t feel as oversized as some promo pictures might suggest. It’s not exactly pocket-friendly, aligning more closely with bulkier gaming laptops. The primary concern is its battery life, especially with its power-hungry, larger high-resolution screen. However, given its size, it’s more likely you’ll use it in settings where charging is conveniently accessible.
As for availability and pricing, Acer plans to roll out the Nitro Blaze 8 and 11 in the second quarter, with the 8-inch model starting at $899 and the larger variant at $1,099.
