Meet the Acer Nitro Blaze 11: The Ultimate Hybrid Gaming Marvel Unveiled at CES 2025!

Another CES, yet another contemporary handheld gaming console. However, Acer’s Nitro Blaze 11 distinguishes itself from the typical Steam Deck rival.

The Taiwanese technology firm unveiled the portable PC on Monday in advance of the grand annual expo in Las Vegas, introducing a fresh addition to its Nitro line of handheld gaming devices. It’s enormous in scale yet surprisingly light, featuring a detachable controller design reminiscent of a Nintendo Switch on steroids — with the bonus of some laptop capabilities.

Mashable had the opportunity to test the Nitro Blaze 11 shortly before its release, and while it leans a bit towards the question of “who is this intended for?” it is an immensely impressive and adaptable device for the appropriate type of user with disposable income.

Experience of using the Acer Nitro Blaze 11

That’s the smaller, also-new Acer Nitro Blaze 11 in the background on the right.
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

It must be noted: At more than 14 inches in width and almost seven inches in height, this device is colossal — enormous, hefty, sizeable, stout, even majestic. It competes with Apple’s largest iPad Pro effortlessly. It overshadows my hands, previously capable of spanning a full octave on a regular piano.

However, the dimensions of the Nitro Blaze 11 are somewhat misleading. The initial experience of lifting it is rather surprising: it weighs a mere 1,050 grams, approximately 2.3 pounds. I am astonished by its lightness; it is unexpectedly comfy to grip. A significant plus for gamers’ wrists everywhere.

It’s particularly remarkable when considering the power the device holds. Internally, there’s a laptop-grade AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor paired with 16GB of RAM and an NPU capable of achieving up to 39 trillion operations per second (TOPS) in AI applications. This is combined with AMD Radeon 780M graphics and up to 2TB of storage. It’s worth mentioning that it became quite warm on the back merely from sitting on its stand in Acer’s media showroom.

Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The Nitro Blaze 11 has yet to receive a battery life rating, but an Acer representative indicated there might be a reason: “It’s not something to brag about.” This is hardly surprising, considering all specifications.

The device boasts an engaging 10.95-inch touchscreen featuring a 120Hz refresh frequency and a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. It utilizes an IPS display, not OLED like the recent Steam Deck or Switch models, but it appears smooth and vibrantly detailed in person. (It’s rated at 500 nits luminance.)

Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

On either side of the display are two detachable controllers that glide out of their slots easily and click gratifyingly back in. Both controllers feature a joystick adorned with a colorful lit border; a D-pad lies beneath the left one and action buttons sit above the right. Though they feel a tad plastic-like, they are overall well-constructed, and the joystick movement is exceptionally smooth. They incorporate magnetic Hall Effect technology (as do their triggers), ensuring that the long-term stick drift issues that are common with the Switch should be avoided here.

In a similarity with Nintendo, the rear side of the Nitro Blaze 11 includes a kickstand that allows you to switch(!) to utilizing it in tabletop mode. It’s robust and remains stationary when not in operation. When I highlighted the Switchiness of the Nitro Blaze 11’s layout, Acer’s representative commented, “It performs well.”

Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Now we begin to diverge from Switch territory: The Nitro Blaze 11 operates on Windows 11 and includes some features that render it functional as a laptop alternative. For instance, there is a webcam positioned at the very top of its screen, and users can pair it with peripherals such as a keyboard through Bluetooth or its USB-A port. It doesn’t entirely feel like a full laptop substitute, but if you’re required to jump on a quick Zoom session or draft an email and it’s the only gadget you have, you won’t be left in a tough spot.

Acer Nitro Blaze 11 cost and launch date

Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Acer’s representative indicated that the firm has not yet precisely identified its target demographic for the Nitro Blaze 11, but younger commuters in Asia desiring a subtle way to enjoy PC games while traveling are a primary focus.

I’m somewhat caught in the same dilemma. With an introductory price of $1,099, I believe a conventional gaming laptop would be a more prudent acquisition for most individuals. Nevertheless, I desire one. It’s impressive. It’s stylish. And occasionally, excitement outweighs practicality.

The Nitro Blaze 11 is slated for release in Q2 2025 along with the smaller new Acer Nitro Blaze 8 ($899), featuring an 8.8-inch 144Hz display; it excludes its larger counterpart’s detachable controllers, kickstand, and camera. Stay tuned for our comprehensive review.

Mashable is live from CES 2025! This week, we’re reporting on all the most thrilling and significant advancements, so please keep returning to check in with us. Would you like to propose a product you represent for our team’s evaluation as we determine the Best of CES? Here’s more details on how to proceed.