Unleashing Power: Get Up Close with the Acer Nitro Blaze 11 – The Ultimate Gaming Handheld!

The portable gaming PC market continues to expand, with the standout being Acer’s latest Nitro Blaze 11. Upon seeing its announcement at CES, I immediately wanted to hold it, primarily out of curiosity regarding “Will this device even fit in my hands?” Fortunately, the response is affirmative — although it’s precariously close.

I brought along a Steam Deck OLED for a brief size and tactile comparison. One of the first observations was that it’s quite tricky to pick up the Blaze 11 in the same manner I typically grab the Steam Deck: clasping it by the top and bottom edges. My fingers barely reach comfortably for this grip. Once secured, the 2.3-pound Blaze 11 actually feels lighter than expected, making it manageable for those like myself who generally do their “portable” gaming on the couch at home. (Using it in bed might pose a risk to your face.)

While the Blaze 11 is lighter than I initially anticipated, the Steam Deck OLED’s 1.41 pounds feel almost weightless in comparison. The Deck also seems to have a more rugged construction. Acer’s handheld doesn’t feel flimsy, but it does have a less premium impression.

That said, credit where it’s due: playing games on a large display in your hands is a delight, and the kickstand is stable for positioning it upright in tablet mode with detached controllers, something the Steam Deck cannot accomplish. Acer also deserves recognition for incorporating Hall effect analog sticks and triggers.

Update, January 9th: Included details from Acer regarding the lower pins and the top-mounted sliding switch of the Blaze 11 in their respective image descriptions.

Images by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge