Higher Than Anticipated however Not Nice

There are solely so some ways you may construct a handheld console for us ascended apes with two palms and 10 digits. Even contemplating that, the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 feels too acquainted regardless of its overt race car aesthetic. I’ve lastly had some true hands-on time with the most recent in a rising record of small-form gaming PCs, and I’m left questioning how this handheld might probably match as much as the Steam Deck OLED or Asus ROG Ally X. I’m anxious it could take the identical, spiraling path MSI did with the Claw.

It feels higher within the hand than I initially assumed it would primarily based on photos alone. The grips conform to the hand fairly properly, and there aren’t any sizzling spots in your palm on the rounded corners. The joysticks really feel much less flimsy than the Lenovo Legion Go or the unique Asus ROG Ally. They’ve extra weight to them, extra just like the Steam Deck OLED or ROG Ally X. The triggers really feel easy alongside the curve of the fingers, and they’re corridor impact. The sticks, sadly, don’t embody Corridor impact sensors. 

There’s a useful devoted keyboard button, so there’s no want for a shortcut. In hand, the race automotive decals aren’t too distracting. The whole lot you want for a handheld is there, however that’s when issues get bizarre. There aren’t any again buttons to talk of. I requested Acer why they went that route, and reps couldn’t precisely say. I don’t use again buttons, however I do know loads of avid gamers who do. 

The built-in Acer Recreation House software program wants a whole lot of work. You may carry up a management panel to vary some choices, like controlling VRR between 60 and 144 Hz refresh charges, establishing AMD FSR, or turning on the straightforward efficiency monitor. There aren’t any fast choices for controlling TDP or fan speeds. The launcher menu at the moment solely has two tabs: video games and launchers. That’s it for choices. 

The software program will hopefully enhance earlier than launch. When is that, precisely? Nonetheless to be decided. Ditto with any sorts of pricing particulars and even whether or not shoppers could have completely different specs choices at completely different value ranges. A 2 TB storage choice would certainly be costly, however Acer informed me they’re contemplating the way it will examine to the high-end competitors. Whereas yow will discover some non-mainstream handhelds from the likes of Ayaneo for $1,000 or extra, the Ally X and MSI Claw are the most costly choices at $800 MSRP.

Past any of that, I’m most involved about efficiency. As an alternative of utilizing the AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive cell processor like Asus or Lenovo, it opted for the AMD Ryzen 8840HS. In the whole lot however title, it’s the identical chip. I don’t know why Acer opted for the precise Hawk Level chip, and the corporate didn’t have a solution for me once I requested.

Acer had two comparatively intensive video games operating on its demo items. In Horizon Forbidden West, it was barely holding regular at simply above 30 or 40 FPS on low settings. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, it was leaping between 45 and excessive 50s in some areas. Now, we should always take note these handhelds have been operating repeatedly for hours on finish. This wasn’t the setting for any form of true benchmark. On the identical time, Acer selected these video games for its press demos. The corporate would know first of any points with its units 

Regardless of VRR and a higher-than-average refresh charge, the show is nearly par. At max brightness, the display is brilliant sufficient for a dim room, however an IPS LCD gained’t compete with Valve’s OLED for visible high quality or Legion Go’s bigger display with a wider shade gamut.

There’s solely a 50 Whr battery, which appears common, although paltry in comparison with the Ally X’s 80 Whr battery. It’s equal to the Steam Deck OLED, although that system’s display is purportedly extra vitality environment friendly, giving it extra longevity, which Acer gained’t profit from. There’s time for issues to vary, however it is going to be exhausting to win a race when opponents are to date forward.