Acer Unveils Nitro Blaze 7: A Powerful New Contender in Handheld Gaming PCs

Acer Nitro Blaze 7 is the newest Steam Deck competitor: Here's everything you need to know

The Acer Nitro Blaze 7 joins the likes of the Lenovo Legion Go, Asus ROG Ally X, and the recently announced MSI Claw 8 AI+. Its design language reminds me of Acer's Nitro gaming laptop line, with a striking black-and-red color scheme that screams "I'm a gaming beast!" The question is, does its performance match its aggressive aesthetics? We won't know until we test it ourselves, but let's take a look at the specs. First, let's talk about the display. The Nitro Blaze 7 comes with a 7-inch, 1080p IPS touchsceen, similar to the ROG Ally X. But the difference is, unlike the Asus handheld's 120Hz refresh rate display, the Nitro Blaze 7 has a 144Hz screen. I'm not convinced that users will be able to get games to run anywhere near 144 frames per second to take advantage of the Nitro Blaze 7's refresh rate. However, the Acer handheld's 144Hz screen should make gameplay feel smooth and seamless. The display supports AMD FreeSync Premium, too, a technology that should enhance the visual performance of the Nitro Blaze 7's panel. This AMD mention brings me to my next point. The Nitro Blaze 7 comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor, which boasts up to 39 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second). This is a metric that helps users understand how well a device can handle AI-based computational tasks. For reference, laptops like the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip) have up to 45 TOPS of power, so the Nitro Blaze 7 isn't far off from some laptops' AI capabilities. You may be wondering, "What does AI have to do with gaming?" Well, AI is helpful for graphical upscaling when a game is rendered at a lower resolution to reduce strain on the GPU. The Nitro Blaze 7 also comes with the following: As you might have guessed, the Nitro Blaze 7 also ships with Windows 11 Home. For my candid thoughts on Windows on a gaming handheld PC, read my Asus ROG Ally X review. Regarding ports and connectivity, the Nitro Blaze 7 supports Wi-Fi 6E, and features a USB4 (USB Type-C) port and a microSD card reader. Unfortunately, we don't have any word on pricing just yet, but we'll update this piece as soon as we know.

Acer finally has a gaming handheld, the Nitro Blaze 7

It could challenge the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, if the price is right. The handheld gaming PC race continues to heat up. Acer finally announced a portable console, the Nitro Blaze 7. The specs are pretty dang good here, so this could actually give the Steam Deck a run for its money. Let's talk about the display. This is, after all, a portable gaming console. As the name suggests, the Nitro Blaze 7 boasts a seven-inch FHD IPS screen with a 144Hz refresh rate. That refresh rate is better than the original Steam Deck and even the . However, Acer's machine features an LCD touch panel and not an OLED screen. The size of the display is on par with both the Steam Deck and many of the other portable consoles that have entered the scene in recent years. The actual specs are pretty impressive here. The Acer Nitro Blaze 7 includes an AMD Ryzen 8040 Series processor, with up to 39 AI TOPS (trillions of operations per second) and 16GB of RAM. It integrates with AMD FreeSync and ships with up to 2TB of storage. Hard drives fill up really fast with these machines, so that 2TB looks mighty nice. Just one AAA game can sap up 100GB or more. It's a Windows 11 machine, but runs something called Acer Game Space. This looks to be a skin of some kind for the UI that makes navigating the library more console-like. There's also a hotkey that immediately brings up the library. Buyers get three free months of PC Game Pass, which is always nice. It supports Wi-Fi 6E and USB-C. There's even a microSD slot for additional storage. Otherwise, it has the same buttons and layout one would expect from a modern portable gaming console. Acer says the console will be released in the near future, but hasn't announced an exact date. The company also hasn't revealed pricing. Here's hoping it's competitive.

Acer just tossed its hat into the handheld gaming ring with the Nitro Blaze 7

Key Takeaways Acer Nitro Blaze 7 features AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS, 16GB RAM, and a 7-inch 144Hz IPS panel. Device may lack touchpads, rear buttons, possibly aiming for competitive pricing. Acer's entry into handheld gaming market brings more competition and potential price drops. The handheld gaming war is heating up today, with Acer tossing its hat into the ring with the Nitro Blaze 7. Why the number 7, you ask? Well, that's because it will be using an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS to power the handheld. While details are still light, it would appear that Acer is forgoing some of the features handheld gamers have come to expect, so there are no touchpads to be seen, and there aren't even any rear buttons that are almost standard on the competition. So it looks like a no-frills device, forgoing the little extras the likes of Valve and Asus are known for, which could very well mean an affordable price. Only time will tell. If you're looking for a quick intro what to expect from the Acer Nitro Blaze 7, Acer has dropped a video showcasing the handheld. The AMD Ryzen 8840HS processor will offer up to 39 AI TOPS (for some reason, the video claims 38), with a 780M GPU in tow, paired with 16GB of RAM. NVMe storage is supported up to 2TB (which means you can slap in your own stick to upgrade). You can also expect a 7-inch touchscreen that supports a 144Hz variable refresh rate, and it's a 1080p IPS panel. All in all, impressive specs that should place this handheld somewhere in between the original ROG Ally and the newer ROG Ally X. Related The ROG Ally X is basically everything I wanted from a refresh of the gaming handheld Enthusiasts assemble, this one's for you The Acer Nitro Blaze 7 will have to nail its price This all means pricing will be very important, as the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 likely won't topple the current king (the ROG Ally X, of course), but sadly, we still don't know what Acer will price the unit at. Ideally, the lack of frills like touchpads and rear buttons means Acer is gunning for a competitive price point, but this remains to be seen. It's also worth noting Acer has already stated it didn't partner with Microsoft for this handheld, which means those who are hoping for an improved UI for gaming on Windows 11 won't be seeing one here beyond proprietary apps needed to clean up Microsoft's mess. So, like all Windows handhelds to date, the OS will still be an issue where it doesn't lend itself well to gaming on the small screen. Close Acer's Nitro Blaze 7 is a very welcome addition to the handheld gaming scene All in all, Acer joining the ranks of Asus, Valve, Lenovo, and Ayaneo is a good thing for consumers, as competition will ideally drive prices down. This could also have a bump-on effect where game devs will start paying more attention to minimum specs to ensure the latest games can be played across this new range of handhelds, including Acer's. So even if you don't plan on picking up the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 whenever it drops, the more manufacturers that jump on the bandwagon, the better, something all gamers should be cheering on. So it's certainly an exciting time to be a gamer, especially if you prefer playing on handhelds. Acer Nitro Blaze 7 The Acer Nitro Blaze 7 is a new PC gaming handheld offering a Ryzen 7 8840HS chip, along with a 7-inch 144Hz variable refresh rate touchscreen IPS panel, and 16GB RAM. The price is still unknown, but we already know it will forgo touch pads and rear buttons, which could mean a competitive price.

Acer Fires Up Nitro Blaze 7 Gaming Handheld PC With AMD's AI-Ready Chip

I'm one of the consumer PC experts at PCMag, with a particular love for PC gaming. I've played games on my computer for as long as I can remember, which eventually (as it does for many) led me to building and upgrading my own desktop. Through my years here, I've tested and reviewed many, many dozens of laptops and desktops, and I am always happy to recommend a PC for your needs and budget. At the IFA trade show in Berlin this week, Acer's Nitro Blaze 7 gaming handheld joins a host of other Steam Deck-style competitors. Its main draw is AMD's Ryzen 7 8840HS processor (and its Radeon 780M graphics). It's notable as an AI-ready chip from a modern processor generation and (on paper) a superior performer to the alternatives in some competing handhelds. Acer's Nitro Blaze 7 also features a 7-inch, 144Hz, 1,920-by-1,080-pixel screen, 16GB of onboard memory, and up to a 2TB SSD. The Handheld Gaming PC Landscape Welcoming the Nitro Blaze 7 If you're unfamiliar with this relatively new product category, the Blaze 7 and its contemporaries are handheld gaming PCs that take after the Nintendo Switch. The trend began in the PC space with Valve's Steam Deck in 2023, which runs with an attractive SteamOS skin for ease of use. Before long, handhelds running on Windows 11 proper followed from major manufacturers, including the Asus ROG Ally and Ally X, the Lenovo Legion Go, the MSI Claw, and now the Nitro Blaze 7. They lack the seamless, more accessible UI of the Steam Deck, but they provide more flexibility and access to the traditional Windows desktop, file explorer, and everything else a Windows PC brings. Design and Display Visually, this is one of the bolder designs, thanks to the red accents and UI elements drawn on its front face. The original Asus ROG Ally was a standout for its white shell, but the Ally X shifted to an all-black look, which is now the case for every one of these machines. I preferred the white look and am less keen on the busier Blaze 7's design, but this is subjective. We won't be able to tell you how the build quality and weight feel until we get our hands on the device, but it weighs 1.47 pounds. The other devices are all in the same ballpark; however, the design is more about ergonomics and weight distribution than the lowest raw number. The Blaze 7's touch screen is the same size as the panels found in all Windows alternatives except for the Legion Go, which flaunts a larger 8.8-inch display. The same goes for the resolution; the other 7-inch devices match the Blaze 7's 1080p panel, while the larger Legion also runs a sharper 1600p resolution. Acer also opted for a 144Hz refresh rate -- ideal for plenty of less strenuous games -- which is matched by the Legion and ahead of the 120Hz refresh rate found in the Ally and Claw. This screen also supports AMD FreeSync Premium. Components: A Ryzen 8040 Series-Powered Handheld AMD's Ryzen 8040 series processors center on their AI capabilities; the 8840HS' neural processing unit (NPU) rates at 39 TOPS (trillions of operations per second, a measure of AI efficacy). These chips are built on Zen 4 architecture, and the 8840HS, in particular, includes eight CPU cores and 16 threads. These 8040-series processors are the same chips AMD has deployed in a small number of traditional laptops -- we've reviewed laptops like the Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 (7445) with this very processor -- while some of these handheld devices use less powerful or bespoke options. For example, the AMD processor in Asus' ROG Ally and Ally X is the Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip developed for smaller devices. The MSI Claw is the most similar to the Blaze 7, running on an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H chip, an equivalent AI processor also found in laptops. We have yet to see Intel's Lunar Lake or AMD's Ryzen Strix Point processors slated for one of these handhelds. The Blaze 7 runs on the integrated graphics built into its CPU, the Radeon 780M integrated graphics processor. While a dedicated GPU would significantly boost gaming performance, none of these devices use a discrete graphics chip due to the realities of heat and power draw in such a small body. AMD's Radeon Super Resolution scaling technology can help more demanding games run smoothly at 1080p. We can only judge this processor when we can get our hands on it for testing. While gaming is the primary concern, our testing covers gaming and general computing tasks since these machines can run Windows applications, too, with desktop and file access. While the speed of a modern processor will help general performance, it isn't easy to gauge the usefulness of local AI capabilities for this type of device. Use cases are thin on the ground, even for full-fledged laptops and Copilot+PCs, so at least from a distance, I have questions about the relevance of an AI processor on this device. Extras and Connectivity Of course, processing isn't the end of the discussion around the Nitro Blaze 7. Navigating Windows 11, looking through your library, launching games, and changing system settings can be challenging with joysticks or the touch screen. While you can connect a mouse, most time on these devices will be spent using control sticks, so each manufacturer has developed its own software solution. For the Nitro Blaze 7, Acer developed Game Space. You can pull up Game Space to access your library more quickly on the fly rather than navigate the Windows desktop to launch your games. It's customizable with your favorite titles, ties into the most popular gaming libraries, and works with a physical hotkey on the device to pull it up quickly. Some of these applications work better than others in practice; I especially find Asus' solution on the Ally quite helpful, but they all have pros and cons. Until we can try out the Game Space experience for ourselves, it's hard to say if it makes for a more seamless handheld PC experience. Regarding connectivity, the Blaze 7 includes two USB4 ports (also the charging method), a microSD card reader, and support for Wi-Fi 6E. Acer has yet to share pricing and release timing information for its first handheld gaming PC. When Nitro Blaze 7 units become available for testing, check back for our full review.

I called it! Acer takes on the Steam Deck with Nitro Blaze 7 -- and it packs a full-powered laptop chip

Remember back in January when I mentioned that Acer could be making a PC gaming handheld? Well, turns out my wishes have come true, and the company has come out the gates swinging for the Steam Deck at IFA 2024 with the Acer Nitro Blaze 7. In that piece, I asked for three features: hall effect, a way to workaround Windows 11 and an AMD chip inside. And I'll be honest, they (sort of) pulled it off! Let's take a closer look. Putting a whole laptop CPU in your handheld is the gaming equivalent of attaching two pieces of paper together with a damn sledgehammer. But as someone who loves power, I'm here for it. Acer has strapped a rocket ship to the Nitro Blaze 7 in the form of the Ryzen 7 8840S (one big "check" off the list of things I wanted to see). And while the company touts its 39 total AI TOPs of performance, the real superpower here is in its graphics. On paper, these chips are very similar -- 8 cores and 16 threads, same 3.3GHz base speed, and similar GPU layouts. But the 780M integrated graphics on the 8840Hs and the higher base TDP means you'll get more potent power out of this one. And going back to that AI performance, this means you should see some lovely Super Resolution upscaling. Just like any other gaming handheld, you've gotta make sure you can keep this thing cool, and the Nitro Blaze has a ton of fans and vents all over the place to do so. On top of that, for the ergonomics, the buttons and joysticks are logically placed and primed for longevity with Hall effect triggers -- alongside a fingerprint reader for security and a quick-access mode switch button for those moments you need extra horsepower. This is probably my biggest concern here for two key reasons. First, with the chip you normally see in some of the best laptops strapped in here, that 50Wh cell could get used up very quickly. And second, as I've proven by turning the Asus ROG Ally X into a Steam Deck, Windows 11 is a real longevity killer in gaming handhelds. On the software side of things, Acer is doing its best to workaround the annoyances of this desktop OS on a tiny handheld with Game Space. But there's no getting around the stamina consumption being more intense. My only recommendation would be to keep a portable charger close by if you're taking the Blaze 7 on a flight. Also, random side note -- the above press image Acer sent to us is insane. Please, for the love of all that is holy, do NOT use a gaming handheld (with all its open ventilation) at a beach. That is a recipe for some sandy devastation.

The Acer Nitro Blaze 7 is the latest Steam Deck rival, but we have concerns

The Acer Nitro Blaze 7 is a Windows-based PC handheld, and it certainly has some impressive core specs for the most part. There's an AMD Ryzen AI chip (8840HS, eight cores, 16 threads, 39 TOPS), a Radeon 780M GPU (RDNA 3), 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and "up to" 2TB of NVMe storage. Thankfully, we've also got a microSD card slot if you want to expand your storage on the cheap. You've also got a 7-inch 144Hz IPS LCD panel (1080p, 500 nits) with FreeSync Premium tech. One major area that concerns me is the 50Wh battery, which matches the Steam Deck OLED's battery capacity. Windows-based handheld consoles tend to consume more juice than Linux-based devices like the Steam Deck, though. So, I'm guessing the Nitro Blaze 7 won't be an endurance champ by any measure. In fact, the company's press materials make no mention of battery life, which isn't a good sign. This battery capacity also lags behind the ASUS ROG Ally X's massive 80Wh pack.

Acer Tells Gamers to Blaze It With Its New Handheld PC That Looks like a Toy Race Car

The Acer Nitro Blaze is the latest attempt to dethrone the Steam Deck with a base 2 TB of storage if you want access to all your games all the time. As in any race, being behind the pack has some advantages. It means you can look at your competitors and capitalize on their mistakes before you swoop in for the win. Acer thinks its best chance to take on the Steam Deck is the Nitro Blaze. It's coming in with a weird race car-heavy design and the most 4/20-friendly names we’ve seen for the still-burgeoning world of handheld gaming PCs. Besides the odd design, the device's big claim to fame as a Windows 11 handheld gaming rig is the full 2 TB of SSD storage. First, we have to talk about its look. It has a form factor like an Asus ROG Ally X crossed with a Lenovo Legion Go. It has a flat face, and a 7-inch IPS LCD touchscreen drops suddenly into the grips. Its backplate features two rounded vents that look like a car's speed gauges. The front plate also has a number of decals that seem to be ripped out of a sports car's dashboard, as if the “Nitro†moniker wasn’t enough to invoke the speed of a hot rod. Both the Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally top out with the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme CPU, but Acer’s taking a slightly different tack with the Hawk Point era AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS. Specs-wise, the two chips are neck and neck. Both support the same RDNA 3 integrated graphics. The 8840HS supports up to 30 W TDP, like the Z1 Extreme. Acer also boasts the chip has 39 total TOPS for AI performance in its CPU, though I’m wracking my brain trying to find a use case for AI processing on such a small, gaming-centric machine. Other than its CPU, the device runs on 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM. The 7-inch display supports up to 144 Hz refresh rates and AMD FreeSync. It will be hard to beat Valve’s OLED display on its latest handheld, but at least it’s a good baseline. As for battery life, it has a 50Wh battery. It’s equivalent to the Steam Deck OLED, but it pales compared to the Ally X’s 80Wh battery. The controls are what you expect, from the face buttons to the d-pad and left and right hall effect triggers. There’s no trackpad; strangely enough, there are no rear bumpers as you get on most other big-name PC makers’ handhelds. Instead, there’s a specific button to bring up Acer Game Space. It’s a new app like Lenovo’s Legion Space or Armoury Crate that allows users to bypass Windows and quickly access their games. The handheld clocks in at 670 grams, or 1.4 pounds. That’s just a touch lighter than the Ally X and a little heavier than the original ROG Ally or Steam Deck OLED. It’s far lighter than the Legion Go with its attached controllers, but then again, so are most handhelds. At a little over 10 inches wide, it’s going to be slightly more compact than an Ally or Deck, which may be a point in its favor for pure portability. Otherwise, it does have two USB-C ports and a microSD card slot on top of that whopping 2 TB of storage at the high end. My usual suggestion for somebody shopping for a handheld is to grab the minimum SSD you think you’ll need to play your games on the go, then grab a cheaper microSD card on sale for your less-intensive titles or for emulation. You usually will see 2 TB on the higher end gaming laptop or desktop configurations for gamers who want to have to uninstall a game as rarely as possible. Acer previously told Tom’s Guide it was “watching†the gaming handheld space. That seems a little on the nose, considering the Nitro Blaze looks very comfortable without any standout features save for the bigger SSD. I’m hoping more time with its racecar design will endear me more to it, but I'm just wondering if the specs are hiding something more profound.Â

Acer's breakthrough handheld gaming PC has one problem, and it's not the ROG Ally

Acer's Nitro Blaze 7 Windows gaming handheld PC is built with an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor, AMD Radeon 780M integrated graphics (which is the same GPU on AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme as seen in the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go), up to 2TB of SSD storage, and 16GB of LPDDR5X-7500 RAM. The Nitro Blaze 7 offers a 7-inch IPS panel at 1,920 x 1,080-pixel resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, rated at 500 nits of brightness and 100% sRGB coverage. This makes its display a bit better than the Asus ROG Ally and MSI Claw due to their 120Hz refresh rate, but it cannot compete with the Lenovo Legion Go's 8.8-inch 2,560 x 1,600-pixel resolution display or its 97% DCI-P3 coverage rating (which makes it far more colorful). Its design also stands out among competitors, regardless of whether it's to your liking. Its red and black color scheme gives it a stereotypical "gamer" aesthetic, but I do appreciate the unique decals akin to a spaceship's control panel. I also love that Acer included a dedicated keyboard pop-up button on the device. It doesn't take too long to get used to using button combinations on other Windows gaming handhelds, but having one dedicated to this function will make it more accessible for the average gamer. However, while Acer's first attempt at a Windows gaming handheld seems promising, there's one concerning element in its specs sheet that has us a bit wary. The Asus ROG Ally launched last June to critical acclaim and is considered the earliest official Windows gaming handheld, but any first attempt comes with some missteps. One such flaw related to its longevity. Battery life is vital on any mobile device, but handheld gaming consoles are in need of high power efficiency. They're meant to be played in-hand, and gaming drains battery fast. Great battery life can come in the efficiency of the processor itself, the size of the battery, or how much power is being allocated to other features. However, it's often a combination of all three that results in a long-lasting machine. The Asus ROG Ally launched with a 40Wh battery, which wasn't great and resulted in it surviving 5 hours and 51 minutes on the Laptop Mag battery test, which involves continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi at 150 nits. Even though the Lenovo Legion Go upgraded to a 49.2Wh battery, it only lasted 4 hours and 6 minutes on the same test (likely as a result of its colorful 2K-resolution display). The MSI Claw took things a step up with a 49.2Wh battery, and it lasted 6 hours and 8 minutes before running out of juice. However, the Claw's Intel processor makes it difficult to directly compare, as the ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go are powered by AMD. However, the Asus ROG Ally X promised to see an incredible boost in battery life, and when we tested it ourselves, we saw exactly that. This is through its upgrade to an 80Wh battery, which is twice the size of the original. On the same battery life test, it lasted 8 hours and 19 minutes before doing, which is an enormous increase. In our own gaming tests, where I ran Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree at 1080p with graphics set to maximum, ray tracing on full, brightness at full, and operating mode on Turbo, I saw the Asus ROG Ally X (2 hours and 15 minutes) more than double the Asus ROG Ally's (1 hour and 1 minute) battery life. We're also seeing that the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus, being unveiled next month according to Lowyat.net, will also feature an 80Wh battery with its latest model. This made me believe that battery sizes this large are what we can expect from future Windows gaming handhelds, but the Acer Nitro Blaze 7's 50Wh battery could prove to be a bit lackluster when compared to its current competition. If all of its competition is crushing it in longevity, Acer might have trouble standing out. But not everything is stacked against Acer, as it could make up for this difference elsewhere. It's no secret that the Asus ROG Ally X is a higher-end refresh of its siblings, available at a steep price of $799 (its other models launched at $599 and $699). If the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 is cutting back in certain areas, it could potentially undercut Asus in cost. We might also see unexpected efficiency out of the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS that could make it last a lot longer than anticipated, but we don't expect this due to our poor experiences with this chip's efficiency in the past. The only thing that Acer has going for it that stands out when compared to its rivals is its 144Hz refresh rate and the ability to customize it with up to 2TB of SSD storage, which would make it a worthwhile pick for those who believe 512GB or 1TB isn't quite enough. Regardless of our concerns, we're excited to test the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 itself and get a feel for what the company has done to make it stand out from the competition.

Acer Nitro Blaze 7 handheld gaming device launched

Acer announced the Nitro Blaze 7, the company's first handheld gaming device globally. It features an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor with Ryzen AI, clocking 39 total AI TOPS, and Radeon 780M graphics. The device also includes Radeon Super Resolution for real-time graphical upscaling and lag-free experiences. The Acer Nitro Blaze 7 comes with a 7-inch FHD 144Hz screen, supporting AMD FreeSync Premium, offers up to 2 TB SSD storage and 16 GB LPDDR5x memory, along with physical joystick-style buttons for an immersive gaming experience. The company offers the Acer Game Space app on the device, which integrates mainstream gaming platforms and provides various additional functions. Additionally, the device comes with a complimentary 3 months of PC Game Pass for accessing premium games.