The PC handheld space continues to grow, and the biggest of all is Acer’s new Nitro Blaze 11. As soon as I saw it announced at CES I knew I had to try and get it in my hands, at least for the sheer curiosity of “Will this thing even fit my hands?” The answer is yes — though, kinda just barely.
I brought a Steam Deck OLED with me for a quick size and feel comparison. One of the first things I noticed is that it’s much more precarious to pick up the the Blaze 11 the way I’m used to grabbing the Steam Deck: by gripping it on the top and bottom edges. My fingers just barely stretch far enough for this position. Once in hand, the 2.3-pound Blaze 11 actually feels lighter than you’d expect, making it not too unwieldy if you do most of your “portable” gaming at home on the couch like I do. (Playing it in bed may be a hazard to your face.)
While the Blaze 11 isn’t as heavy as I feared, the Steam Deck OLED’s 1.41 pounds feels like a featherweight in comparison. The Deck also feels a little more solidly built. Acer’s handheld isn’t flimsy, but it did feel cheaper.
But, credit where credit’s due: playing games on such a big screen in your hands is a treat, and the kickstand felt solid…
Read the full story at The Verge.