Better Than Expected but Not Great

There are solely so some ways you may construct a handheld console for us ascended apes with two fingers and 10 digits. Even contemplating that, the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 feels too acquainted regardless of its overt race automobile 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 fearful it could take the identical, spiraling path MSI did with the Claw.

It feels higher within the hand than I initially assumed it’d based mostly on footage 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 embrace Corridor impact sensors. 

There’s a helpful devoted keyboard button, so there’s no want for a shortcut. In hand, the race automobile decals aren’t too distracting. Every little thing 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 players who do. 

The built-in Acer Sport House software program wants a whole lot of work. You’ll be able to carry up a management panel to alter some choices, like controlling VRR between 60 and 144 Hz refresh charges, establishing AMD FSR, or turning on the easy efficiency monitor. There aren’t any speedy choices for controlling TDP or fan speeds. The launcher menu at present 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 customers could have totally different specs choices at totally different worth ranges. A 2 TB storage possibility would certainly be costly, however Acer informed me they’re contemplating the way it will evaluate to the high-end competitors. Whereas you could find 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 a substitute of utilizing the AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive cellular processor like Asus or Lenovo, it opted for the AMD Ryzen 8840HS. In all the things however title, it’s the identical chip. I don’t know why Acer opted for the particular 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 models. 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 must always consider these handhelds have been operating constantly for hours on finish. This wasn’t the setting for any sort 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 gadgets 

Regardless of VRR and a higher-than-average refresh price, the show is nearly par. At max brightness, the display screen is vivid 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 screen with a wider colour 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 screen is purportedly extra vitality environment friendly, giving it extra longevity, which Acer gained’t profit from. There’s time for issues to alter, however it will likely be exhausting to win a race when rivals are thus far forward.