Acer has announced its latest lineup of Windows game handhelds, the Nitro Blaze 8 and Nitro Blaze 11, which boast larger screen sizes than ever before. These new models aim to push the limits on portable gaming, with features such as detachable controllers that work wirelessly in tabletop mode.
The Nitro Blaze 8 has a 2,560×1,600 144Hz IPS display, an AMD Ryzen 7 8840 HS CPU, and 16GB of RAM. It weighs 1.58 pounds and has a 55Wh battery. The Nitro Blaze 11 features the same processor and graphics but with a larger 10.95-inch IPS display at the same resolution, weighing in at 2.3 pounds.
Both devices will be available starting in Q2 this year, priced at $899 (€999) for the Blaze 8 and $1,099 (€1,199) for the Blaze 11. Acer’s move into the handheld gaming space joins other notable players such as Lenovo, MSI, and Asus, which are also developing Windows game handhelds.
However, one major issue remains unresolved: better Microsoft Windows support for handheld game formats. This is an area where current options fall short compared to the Steam Deck, with compatibility issues and tinkering required to play games on these devices. Nevertheless, Acer’s lineup offers more PC gaming options than ever before.
Additionally, Acer has also announced a new folding mobile game controller, priced at $70, which will be released alongside its new handhelds.
Source: https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/acers-new-8-and-11-inch-windows-game-handhelds-push-the-limits-on-portable