These days, gamers are spoilt for choice when it comes to PC gaming handhelds, but Acer is hoping to make a splash with its latest entries, the Nitro Blaze 8 and Nitro Blaze 11. These devices boast two of the most substantial screens we’ve seen in the handheld arena, measuring 8.8 inches and 10.95 inches, respectively. Both models feature a stunning 2560 x 1600 resolution, and while the smaller device offers a refresh rate of 144 Hz, the larger one settles for 120 Hz. Needless to say, these displays pack a pixel punch.
The high-resolution, high-refresh IPS panels are sure to challenge the capabilities of today’s processors with the latest AAA titles. Unfortunately, Acer hasn’t opted for new cutting-edge internals; instead, both devices are powered by AMD’s Ryzen 7 8840HS CPU. You’ll find the same 780M GPU as the one in the Asus ROG Ally’s Z1 Extreme chip. Expect to lean heavily on AMD’s upscaling tech to enhance gaming performance.
Both Nitro models come equipped with 55 Whr batteries, a step up from the Steam Deck OLED’s 50 Whr and the original Ally’s 40 Whr but still trailing behind the Ally X’s 80 Whr battery. Complementing the Ryzen chip, each device includes 16GB of RAM and up to a whopping 2TB of storage. Their touchscreens hit 500 nits of brightness, ensuring a vibrant display. Oddly enough, Acer emphasizes the CPU’s 39 total AI TOPS, but don’t anticipate exceptional frame rates or battery longevity. They do, however, dominate many competitors in size.
For those intrigued by detachable controllers, the larger Blaze 11 models a hefty version of Lenovo’s Legion Go, though it skips out on an integrated mouse sensor. The controllers seem to lack dedicated cursor control, so navigating Windows 11 Home or the Game Space software will likely involve plenty of touchscreen gestures.
Stepping up to the larger screens also affects the weight. The Nitro Blaze 8 weighs in at a manageable 1.59 pounds, but the Blaze 11 is heftier at 2.31 pounds. During a brief hands-on session, the Blaze 11 didn’t feel quite as mammoth as it looked in promotional images, though still not the kind of device you’d casually slip into a backpack. Think of it more like a portable alternative to a gaming laptop, which also keeps you tethered to a nearby USB-C charger due to its potential battery demands.
Acer plans to launch the Nitro Blaze 8 and Blaze 11 in the second quarter, with pricing that corresponds to their screen sizes: You’ll need to shell out $899 for the smaller model and $1,099 for the larger one.
