A couple of months ago, Acer announced they were jumping into the handheld PC fray with the Nitro Blaze 7, a 7-inch Windows-based handheld that sounded similar to the offerings we already had from ASUS and Lenovo. It’s been a few months since we had any further news, but today ahead of CES 2025, Acer gave us a little more insight into what they’re offering, and it’s big.
Like, literally — the Nitro Blaze is now huge. The 7-inch model seems to have been replaced by a pair of different models, the Nitro Blaze 8 and the Nitro Blaze 11, which will clock in at 8- and 11-inches, respectively.
The specs inside are largely the same as they were in the September announcement, with both models offering featuring AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processors, 16 GB of LPDDR5X memory, and up to 2 TB of storage. They’ll also come with three months of PC Game Pass, allowing you access to games like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. No word yet on an exact release date, but both the Nitro Blaze 8 and the Nitro Blaze 11 are scheduled for release sometime in the spring, with the pricing starting at $899 for the 8-inch model and $1,099 if you want to spring for the 11-incher.
That wasn’t all that Acer announced, though. They also unveiled the Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller, a foldable controller for phones. It, too, will be available at some point in the spring, starting at $69.99.
We’ll hopefully see more of all three devices in action as we get closer to the release date — which, if nothing else, will answer the question of how comfortable it will be to carry around a laptop-sized handheld PC that, according to PCMag, weighs in at well over two pounds. For comparison, the Steam Deck is a little under 1.5 pounds, and the 8.8-inch Lenovo Legion Go is about 1.9 pounds.
See below for screenshots of all three devices and the official info from Acer!
Acer today launched the new Nitro Blaze 8 and Nitro Blaze 11 handheld gaming devices, designed to elevate mobile gaming experiences with cutting-edge performance and versatile features. Powered by AMD Ryzen™ 7 8840HS processors, 16 GB of LPDDR5X memory, and up to 2 TB of storage, the Nitro Blaze series boasts lightning-fast performance and responsiveness. Their WQXGA touch panels (8.8-inch or 10.95-inch) featuring Radeon™ Super Resolution and AMD FidelityFX™ Super Resolution technology, ensure fluid image quality. The dedicated Acer Game Space application simplifies managing and accessing popular games and applications on handheld gaming PCs.
The new Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller enhances the mobile gaming experience by enabling users to game anywhere and anytime with its foldable design. It supports fast charging to allow uninterrupted gaming sessions while powering mobile devices quickly.
Acer Nitro Blaze Handheld Gaming Device
Powered by AMD Ryzen™ 7 8840HS processors with Ryzen™ AI delivering up to 39 TOPS, the Nitro Blaze 8 and Nitro Blaze 11 handheld gaming devices meet high-performance requirements to support smooth AAA gaming. They feature up to 144 Hz WQXGA touch displays (8.8-inch or 10.95-inch) with 500 nits brightness, combined with AMD Radeon™ 780M graphics, Radeon™ Super Resolution, and AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution technology for rapid graphical upscaling and stunning, tear-free frames. With 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM at 7500 MT/s and up to 2 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe storage, users can expect fast-paced action and minimal loading time on their handheld devices.
Managing and accessing the most in-demand games applications on their handhelds’ libraries are made seamless thanks to the dedicated on-device hotkey that leads straight to the Acer Game Space application. The devices easily adapt for playing, browsing, or working, featuring DTS:X® Ultra Audio and Hall Effect triggers and sticks. The Nitro Blaze 11 also includes detachable controllers for solo and connected play and a sturdy built-in stand, plus a front camera for video calls and streaming. Fast connectivity options supported on the Nitro Blaze devices include USB 4 (Type-C), USB 3.2 (Type-C), Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Additionally, users get three months of PC Game Pass. PC Game Pass is designed for PC players, including games on day one such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Ara: History Untold, and titles from EA Play.
Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller
The Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller’s portable and foldable design is ideal for players who want to game as they go. The plug-and-play controller is compatible with Android and iOS devices, featuring an adjustable design that accommodates screens up to 8.3 inches. It connects to phones seamlessly via a USB Type-C port, and the included rubber pads provide secure grips, holding devices of various sizes, even with cases, while ensuring a comfortable feel during gameplay. Gaming sessions are kept uninterrupted with pass-through 18W fast-charging support to ensure extended, and worry-free gameplay.
Pricing and Availability
The Acer Nitro Blaze 8 (GN782U) will be available in North America in Q2, starting at USD 899, and in EMEA in Q2, starting at EUR 999.
The Acer Nitro Blaze 11 (GN7112U) will be available in North America in Q2, starting at USD 1,099, and in EMEA in Q2, starting at EUR 1,199.
The Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller will be available in North America in Q2, starting at USD 69.99, and in EMEA in Q1, starting at EUR 89.99.
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