CES 2025 provided us with an initial glimpse of new portable gaming PCs such as the Lenovo Legion Go 2, Lenovo Legion S, and Acer Nitro Blaze 11; however, there was an additional one that hasn’t received much attention: The Sunday Dragon 3D One (via Techspot)
Tencent introduced this behemoth equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V chip and a glasses-free 3D display (similar to the Nintendo 3DS), but what struck me immediately was its impressive 11-inch screen size.
As we usher in the new year, and based on what we’ve observed with the majority of gaming handhelds revealed at CES 2025, they are becoming significantly bulkier and heftier than might be feasible to manage.
When does a handheld gaming PC transform into a laptop?
I am enamored with Windows gaming handhelds and have been ever since the Asus ROG Ally debuted. These compact, handy, and portable gadgets are my favored method to engage in gaming, provided they are tailored for gamepads. After CES 2025, where gaming handhelds appear to weigh more than ever, it feels as though the “portable” nature is under threat.
The Acer Nitro Blaze 11 was the initial gaming handheld introduced of this dimension, and to demonstrate how substantial we’re discussing, it weighs an astonishing 1050 grams (2.31 pounds) and measures 36.4 x 17.1 x 1.59 centimeters. That’s enormous compared to the original Asus ROG Ally, which I have regularly utilized since its release in June 2023, weighing in at 608 grams (1.34 pounds) and 28 x 11.1 x 2.12 centimeters.
The Nitro Blaze 11 exceeds the Asus ROG Ally’s weight by a pound, but why am I so anxious about contrasting these two devices’ dimensions? After all, the Ally features a 7-inch display, while the Blaze 11 boasts a 10.95-inch screen.
This concern stems from my daily experience with the Ally. When I genuinely become absorbed in a game, I would dedicate several hours lying in bed, completely engrossed in the gadget. Even with the Ally’s weight of 1.34 pounds, my hands and arms begin to feel fatigue within an hour.
Even with the Ally that only weighs 1.34 pounds, my hands and arms tire within an hour.
The more time I spend, the more that mild discomfort sets in. There were times when I would be gaming on the Ally for weeks, and even though the weight was never overly burdensome, it’s something I was and remain aware of during use.
It’s easy to overlook that the shift to 7-inch screens was already a monumental improvement compared to the earlier generations of portable devices. Whether we’re considering the PlayStation Portable (0.62 pounds), PlayStation Vita (0.48 pounds), Nintendo DS (0.6 pounds), or Gameboy (0.49 pounds), many of these were compact and easily transportable.
The Wii U was somewhat of a prototype, but it wasn’t until the Nintendo Switch that this design proved its viability. The transition to a 6.2-inch display at 0.88 pounds was already audacious compared to the Nintendo 3DS’ 3.5-inch top screen and the device’s weight of 0.52 pounds, but now, this has become standard. We are frequently witnessing gaming handhelds in the 7 to 9 inches range.
Nevertheless, although this has become commonplace in the handheld gaming arena, it does not necessarily equate to comfort. These devices are undeniably substantial and heavy, and even the 1.34-pound Asus ROG Ally can become tiresome to hold over extended gaming sessions.
I remember utilizing my hour-long commute to and from college playing on my PlayStation Vita. I never found it particularly cumbersome or tiring to grip, regardless of the duration of use, and that’s no surprise since it only weighs 0.48 pounds.
Yet, even during that era, I continually yearned for a larger display, so I comprehend why manufacturers raised the bar with the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and now, with the Asus ROG Ally and various Windows gaming handhelds.
What lies ahead for Windows handheld gaming PCs?
At present, Windows gaming handhelds are becoming larger and more substantial. Gadgets like the Asus ROG Ally, MSI Claw, and Lenovo Legion Go balanced well by remaining beneath 2 pounds, offering sizeable screens without becoming unwieldy to hold.
However, manufacturers of gaming handhelds might be pushing the envelope too far. To be fair, the Acer Nitro Blaze 11 may be a trial run for Acer, as there are also 7-inch and 8.8-inch versions of the Nitro Blaze gaming handhelds. It’s hard to ascertain whether this will apply to the Tencent Sunday Dragon 3D One, though.
The Lenovo Legion Go 2 prototype is enormous, and even with just an 8.8-inch display, it weighs in at 2.38 pounds.
However, the seemingly increasing trend of 11-inch displays isn’t the only factor at play. The Lenovo Legion Go 2 prototype is gigantic, and even with merely an 8.8-inch screen, it weighs 2.38 pounds. This exceeds even the Acer Nitro Blaze 11 in terms of weight.
The original weight of the Lenovo Legion Go at 1.88 pounds was already on the heavier side compared to the Asus ROG Ally (1.34 pounds) and MSI Claw (1.49 pounds), but Lenovo is escalating the scale. It’s crucial to note that the Lenovo Legion Go 2 displayed at CES 2025 is only a prototype. It’s entirely plausible that the device will become lighter prior to its official launch.
Additionally, to briefly justify the Acer Nitro Blaze 11’s cumbersome dimensions, there’s a possibility that it’s not meant to be handheld. With buttons positioned at the top of the controllers, it may be feasible to rest the bottom of the device on your lap while seated or on your abdomen if lying down.
However, we won’t actually know until we experience it. A few minutes of handling the Nitro Blaze 11 is insufficient to gauge how it feels. Only after spending several hours gaming on a handheld console can one gain a clear understanding of how its dimensions, ergonomics, and weight integrate. After all, it was only after countless hours on my Asus ROG Ally that I fully grasped the sensations of holding it.
Until that time arrives, I can’t help but feel apprehensive about the direction of handheld gaming PCs: These gadgets need to find a balance between comfort and size, but thus far, it seems as though 2025 is prioritizing the latter over all else.