Acer’s Nitro Blaze 11 Handheld Gaming PC: A Larger-than-Life Gaming Experience

When I first heard about Acer’s new Nitro Blaze 11 handheld gaming PC, I had to get my hands on it. The curiosity was too strong: would this behemoth even fit in my hands? To my surprise, it did – just barely.

Size Matters, But So Does Portability

For a comparison, I brought my Steam Deck OLED along with me. While the Blaze 11 is bigger, it doesn’t feel that much heavier, weighing in at 2.3 pounds. However, its 10.95-inch screen makes it look and feel less portable than its 7.4-inch rival. The Blaze 11 does have a slightly more precarious hold, requiring your fingers to stretch just a bit to grip the top and bottom edges.

Controller Options and Other Features

Playing games on such a large screen in your hands is a real treat. The kickstand, while not super sturdy, did the job just fine for propping up the device in tablet mode with detachable controllers – a feature not available on the Steam Deck. Acer also earns points for including Hall effect sticks and triggers. These features come in handy (pun intended) for gamers looking for a more immersive experience.

Potential Upgrades and Accessory Slots

The bottom of the Blaze 11 has two mysterious pins with no clear explanation – yet. According to an email from Acer’s PR Consultant, Ruth Rosene, the pins are meant for potential future upgrades or accessories, but further details are pending. The sliding switch on the top remains unused for now.

Ergonomics and Design

The top of the Blaze 11 features two USB 4 ports, one USB-A 3.2 port, a microSD card slot, and a 3.5mm headset jack – all conveniently arranged for easy access. The device’s rear design is a stark black plastic. While the design is sleek, it’s unclear how well this handheld will translate to on-the-go gaming. With a screen this big, it’s probably better suited for indoor gaming.

The Verdict: A Larger Gaming Experience

For gamers looking for a more substantial gaming experience on the go, the Nitro Blaze 11 might be a good option. However, with its larger size and weight, it’s less likely to become a frequent traveling companion. It’s worth considering whether the additional screen real estate is worth the compromise in portability.

Update: January 9th – added information from Acer about the bottom pins and top-mounted sliding switch of the Blaze 11.