Acer’s Nitro Blaze 8 and Nitro Blaze 11 are Windows 11 handheld gaming PCs announced in January 2025. Both use AMD’s Ryzen 7 8840HS, Radeon 780M graphics, 16 GB of LPDDR5X memory and up to 2 TB of PCIe Gen 4 NVMe storage. The Blaze 8 is the lighter, faster-refresh option at 720 g; the Blaze 11 costs more and weighs 1,050 g, but adds detachable controllers, a built-in stand and a front camera.
Blaze 8 and Blaze 11: shared hardware
The two handhelds share Acer’s core Windows gaming platform. Each runs Windows 11 and includes Acer Game Space, plus three months of PC Game Pass. Their processor is AMD’s eight-core, 16-thread Ryzen 7 8840HS, paired with Radeon 780M integrated graphics. Both provide 16 GB of LPDDR5X memory rated at 7,500 MT/s and up to 2 TB of PCIe Gen 4 NVMe storage.
Acer also lists up to 39 AI TOPS for the platform. That figure is a vendor specification, not an independent gaming-performance result; Acer has not established comparative benchmarks for these models.
What is different between the Nitro Blaze 8 and 11?
| Feature | Nitro Blaze 8 (GN782U) | Nitro Blaze 11 (GN7112U) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 8.8-inch 2560×1600 WQXGA IPS touch panel, up to 144 Hz, 500 nits | 10.95-inch 2560×1600 WQXGA touch panel, up to 120 Hz, 500 nits |
| Weight | 720 g (Acer-listed) | 1,050 g (Acer-listed) |
| Controls | Fixed handheld controls | Detachable controllers |
| Stand | Not listed as built in | Integrated stand |
| Camera | Not listed | Front camera for calls or streaming |
| Battery | 55 Wh | 55 Wh |
| Included power adapter rating | 65 W | 100 W |
| Connectivity and expansion | USB4, USB 3.2 and microSD support | USB-C connectivity and microSD support; Acer’s announcement specifies the larger chassis but does not provide the same complete port breakdown as the Blaze 8 |
| North American starting price at announcement | USD 899 | USD 1,099 |
| Availability announced | Q2 2025 window | Q2 2025 window |
Acer says specifications, pricing and availability can vary by region. The prices and Q2 window above are announcement figures from January 2025, not a guarantee of current retail inventory.
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- POWERED BY AMD RYZEN AI & WINDOWS 11 HOME — Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 260 Octa-Core Processor (up to 5.1GHz, 16 threads) featuring Ryzen AI NPU (16 TOPS) for intelligent performance in gaming, streaming, and productivity. Pre-installed with Windows 11 Home for a modern, secure user experience.
- NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 5060 WITH DLSS 4 — Built on the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, the GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU with 8GB GDDR7 dedicated VRAM delivers real-time ray tracing and AI-boosted frame rates via DLSS 4 & NVIDIA Studio, handling AAA titles and content creation with ease.
- 16" WUXGA 180Hz IPS GAMING DISPLAY — Immerse yourself on a 16-inch 1920×1200 (WUXGA) IPS display with 180Hz refresh rate & 16:10 aspect ratio for smoother motion, wider viewing angles, and extra vertical screen space—ideal for competitive gaming and multitasking.
- NITRO COOLING & GAMER-CENTRIC CONTROLS — Dual-fan cooling system with quad-intake/quad-exhaust vents keeps temps in check during long sessions. Features 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard, NitroSense one-touch performance control, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, USB-C & multiple USB-A ports.
- 16GB DDR5 RAM & 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD — Comes with 16GB high-speed DDR5 memory (dual-channel ready) and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (with secondary M.2 slot) for lightning-fast boot times, rapid game loading, and room for your entire library—no immediate upgrades needed.bundle includes Mytrix 2.4GHz Wireless Gaming Headset.
Portability: the Blaze 8 is considerably easier to carry
At 720 g, the Blaze 8 is 330 g lighter than the Blaze 11 and uses a substantially smaller body. That difference matters when the device is held for a long gaming session or packed in a small bag. The Blaze 11’s 1,050 g listed weight is closer to a small tablet or lightweight laptop before adding any charger or case.
Choose the Blaze 8 if handheld comfort, commuting and travel are priorities. Choose the Blaze 11 if you are willing to carry more weight for its larger display and console-style flexibility.
Displays: higher refresh versus a larger image
Blaze 8
The 8.8-inch WQXGA (2560×1600) IPS touchscreen can run at up to 144 Hz. That gives the smaller model the higher maximum refresh rate, which can make supported games and desktop motion appear smoother.
Rank #2
- [Visual Excellence]: See your digital conquests unfold in vibrant Full HD on a 15.6" screen, perfectly timed at a quick 165Hz refresh rate and a wide 16:9 aspect ratio providing 82.64% screen-to-body ratio.
- [Latest 13th Gen Intel Processor]:Powered by the Intel Core i5-13420H (8 cores, up to 4.6 GHz), this CPU provides strong multi-core performance for gaming, productivity, and everyday multitasking tasks.
- [Memory & Hard drive]: 8GB DDR5 RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once, 512GB Solid State Drive ideal for faster bootup and data transfer.
- [Gaming laptops are high-performance machines equipped]: w/128gb 9H docking station; Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth; Windows 11 Pro; Backlight Keyboard; Nitro V 15's innovative dual fans and effective exhaust system.
- [Tech Specs]: 1 USB Type-C Port USB 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps) DisplayPort over USB Type-C, Thunderbolt 4 & USB Charging (Up to 65W), 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Port (Featuring Power-off Charging), 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 1 HDMI 2.1 Port with HDCP support, 1 Headphone/Speaker/Line-out Jack, 1 Ethernet (RJ-45), DC-in for AC adapter, 1 Kensington Lock Slot.
Blaze 11
The Blaze 11 uses the same 2560×1600 resolution on a 10.95-inch touchscreen and reaches up to 120 Hz. Its larger physical canvas can make strategy games, menus and Windows applications easier to read, even though its maximum refresh rate is lower.
Both displays are rated at 500 nits. Acer’s specifications do not establish battery life at either refresh setting, so a higher refresh mode should not be treated as a guaranteed endurance result.
Controls, stand and camera
The Blaze 8 is a conventional all-in-one handheld with fixed controls. The Blaze 11 adds detachable controllers, allowing the screen to be used with the controls removed, and an integrated stand for tabletop play. It also includes a front camera intended for calls or streaming. These features make the Blaze 11 more adaptable as a small Windows gaming station, while the Blaze 8 keeps the simpler, lighter handheld design.
Rank #3
- 16GB DDR4 | 1TB SSD
- Equipped With The Most Powerful and Fast 13th Gen Intel 8-core i5-13420H
- 15.6" FHD (1920x1080) IPS 165Hz, Dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 8GB GDDR7 Graphics
- 3 x USB-A 3.2, 1 x Thunderbolt 4, 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet
- Microsoft Windows 11 Professional, Backlit Keyboard, Wi-Fi 6, DTS X: Audio, 720p HD Webcam, Auth USB-C Hub
Battery, charging and ports
Both models list a 55 Wh battery. Acer rates the Blaze 8’s included USB-C power adapter at 65 W and the Blaze 11’s at 100 W. Adapter wattage describes the supplied charger’s rating; it does not by itself predict runtime or charging speed in every condition.
The Blaze 8 announcement lists USB4, USB 3.2 and a microSD slot. Acer also lists USB-C connectivity and microSD expansion for the Blaze 11. A dock can add desktop peripherals and a monitor, while a microSD card can extend game storage, but check the exact port layout and card limits for the regional model before buying accessories.
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Which Nitro Blaze should you buy?
Choose Nitro Blaze 8 when:
- You want the lighter 720 g handheld.
- You prefer the highest listed refresh rate, up to 144 Hz.
- You want to spend less at the announced North American starting price.
- You mainly play with the built-in controls and do not need a stand or camera.
Choose Nitro Blaze 11 when:
- You value a larger 10.95-inch gaming and Windows workspace.
- You want detachable controls and an integrated stand.
- You plan to use the device for calls or streaming with its front camera.
- The additional 330 g and USD 200 announced price premium are acceptable.
Neither model has an established independent performance advantage in the available specifications. Because they share the same processor, graphics, memory and storage options, the decision is primarily about size, weight, controls, display refresh and price.
Rank #4
- Advanced Hybrid Architecture Performance: The Intel Core 7 processor 240H enables you to play games, stream, and create simultaneously with ease. Intel Application Optimization boosts performance further by intelligently allocating application resources in real time
- NVIDIA Blackwell Architecture Graphics: Powered by GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop GPU, unlocking game-changing realism of full ray tracing. Equipped with a massive level of 440 AI TOPS horsepower, the RTX 50 Series enables new experiences and next-level graphics fidelity. Experience cinematic quality visuals at unprecedented speed with fourth-gen RT Cores and breakthrough neural rendering technologies accelerated with fifth-gen Tensor Cores
- AI-Powered DLSS Technology: DLSS is a revolutionary suite of neural rendering technologies that uses AI to boost FPS, reduce latency, and improve image quality. DLSS 4 brings a new Multi Frame Generation and enhanced Ray Reconstruction and Super Resolution, powered by GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs and fifth-generation Tensor Cores
- High-Resolution Display with Fast Refresh Rate: Experience exceptional clarity and vibrant detail with the 16 inch WUXGA 1920 x 1200 display, featuring true-to-life, accurate colors. Boasting a 180Hz refresh rate, it minimizes motion blur, delivering smoother, more fluid animations for an enhanced gaming experience, even during fast-paced action. 16:10 aspect ratio, 3ms Overdrive Response Time, 300nit Brightness
- Internal Specifications: 16GB DDR5 Memory with 2 DDR5 Slots Total supporting Maximum 32GB, 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, and microSD Card Reader for expandable storage options
Accessories that make sense
USB-C dock
A compatible USB-C dock can provide HDMI or DisplayPort output, USB peripherals and wired networking for desk use. Confirm that the dock supports the handheld’s video-output and power-delivery requirements.
microSD card
Both handhelds support microSD expansion. Verify the supported capacity and speed requirements for the specific regional configuration before purchasing a card.
Protective case
The Blaze 11’s larger body and detachable controllers require a different case shape from the Blaze 8. Buy a case identified for the exact model rather than assuming a generic handheld case will fit.
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- Processor and Graphics Power: Engineered with the powerful Intel 10-core Ultra 5 225F processor, featuring Performance and Efficiency cores (6P+4E) and clock speeds up to 4.9 GHz. It is paired with a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 GPU with 8GB of GDDR7 VRAM for high-performance gaming and creative workloads.
- Connectivity and Expansion: Equipped with a versatile suite of ports, including 3x USB-A 3.2, 4x USB-A 2.0, plus dedicated DisplayPort, HDMI, and RJ45 Ethernet ports for maximum compatibility with peripherals, displays, and wired networks.
- Operating System and Wireless Connectivity: Includes the modern Microsoft Windows 11 Professional and advanced Wi-Fi 6E technology, ensuring a smooth, fast, and responsive experience for everything from daily computing to high-bandwidth online tasks.
- Ideal for Demanding Applications: Perfect for users who require robust performance for multitasking, content creation, engineering software, and high-fidelity gaming, offering the power to handle intensive applications with ease.
- Versatile Setup and Home Use: A complete solution for a home office or gaming setup, with ample ports for a multi-monitor display, extensive peripherals, and stable wired internet, making it a versatile hub for productivity and entertainment.
USB-C power adapter
Replacement or travel chargers should be USB-C Power Delivery units rated appropriately for the model: Acer lists 65 W for the Blaze 8 and 100 W for the Blaze 11. A lower-rated adapter may not sustain demanding gameplay.
Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller
Acer separately sells a foldable Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller with adjustable grips, support for phones up to 8.3 inches and 18 W pass-through charging. Its announced North American starting price is USD 69.99. It is an accessory, not an item Acer lists as included with either Nitro Blaze handheld, and its fit or usefulness with a particular Blaze setup should be confirmed before purchase.
Availability and what to verify before ordering
Acer announced both devices for North American starting prices of USD 899 (Blaze 8) and USD 1,099 (Blaze 11), with availability targeted for the second quarter of 2025. Acer cautions that final specifications, prices and availability vary by region. Before ordering, check the retailer listing for the exact model number, included adapter, storage capacity, keyboard or Windows-region configuration and current stock.
The announcement does not provide independent frame-rate testing, battery-life measurements or long-term reliability results. Treat those areas as open questions rather than assuming the shared processor guarantees identical real-world performance.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
