The gaming handheld market has been heating up in recent years, with devices like the Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go gaining significant popularity. Acer has now entered the fray with its Nitro Blaze 7, a new Windows 11-based handheld that aims to compete with these established players.

We’ve compared the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 to the Steam Deck, focusing on key areas such as specifications, price, and features. There are some stark differences between these two, as is the case with many rival handhelds versus the Steam Deck. Valve’s device runs on their custom Linux-based operating system (SteamOS), while the majority of alternatives run on Windows 11. That tends to be a point of contention for some users, but there’s lots more to talk about – so let’s get to it.

Specifications

Both the Nitro Blaze 7 and Steam Deck offer impressive specifications for a handheld gaming device. The Nitro Blaze 7 is powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor, while the Steam Deck uses an AMD Zen 2-based APU. The Nitro Blaze 7 also boasts a higher refresh rate of 144Hz at full HD compared to the Steam Deck’s 60Hz (or 90Hz for OLED) 720p display.

In terms of graphics, the Nitro Blaze 7 features an AMD Radeon 780M GPU, while the Steam Deck uses an AMD RDNA 2-based GPU. Both devices offer solid gaming performance, but the Nitro Blaze 7 has the edge due to its more powerful GPU. It is targeting a higher resolution though, so this helps balance out performance to a certain extent.

There are some differences between the Steam Deck LCD and Steam Deck OLED worth mentioning too. Both devices are largely the same in terms of internal hardware.

Features

Both the Nitro Blaze 7 and Steam Deck offer a similar set of features, including a touchscreen display, customizable controls, and support for various gaming platforms. However, there are some differences to consider. The Nitro Blaze 7 features a higher-resolution display and a faster refresh rate, while the Steam Deck targets a lower 800p resolution. The Steam Deck is also unique thanks to its dual trackpad design, something we don’t see on many other handhelds outside of the Zotac Zone (the Legion Go has at least one trackpad though).

The Nitro Blaze 7 also comes with pre-installed Windows 11, which means you can play a wider range of games compared to the Steam Deck’s SteamOS. Speaking of, the Blaze 7 features a dedicated ‘Acer Game Space’ button that takes you straight to all your game libraries in one place, whether you want to play via Steam, Epic Games, or whatever else. However, SteamOS is optimized for gaming and offers a more streamlined user experience, and is of course very Steam-focused. Furthermore, the Deck Verified system gives you a good understanding of compatibility before you buy.

Price

The Steam Deck has a more flexible pricing model, with options ranging from 32GB eMMC storage to 512GB SSD storage. The base model starts at $399, while the 512GB model is priced at $649. Valve has phased out some of the smaller sizes following the introduction of the OLED model, but it remains the cheaper device overall. The Acer Nitro Blaze 7, on the other hand, is expected to have a slightly higher starting price, likely around $500 or more.

We think Acer’s first handheld’s success will hinge on its price against the likes of the ROG Ally and Legion Go. The Steam Deck is unique and will likely always be a popular choice – the price is one reason why. Plus, the introduction of the OLED model (while still being great value) adds another selling point.

Alternatives to the Nitro Blaze 7 and Steam Deck

As we said before, the handheld market has been expanding a ton ever since the Steam Deck took off. With that in mind, we’ve picked out a few different alternatives, all of which are Windows 11-based.

Conclusion

Even though we’ve seen many new gaming handhelds enter the market as of late, the Steam Deck remains as popular as ever. Outside of the dedicated fanbase for Valve’s device, a range of Windows 11 alternatives have been flooding the market and the Nitro Blaze 7 has a lot to contend against outside of the Steam Deck.

Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a powerful gaming console with a wide range of features, the Nitro Blaze 7 is a solid option. However, if you prioritize affordability and a streamlined gaming experience, the Steam Deck may be a better fit.

About the Author

Tom Valentine

Tom is a tech writer with a detailed view on ensuring the best buying advice, most useful information, and latest news makes its way into PC Guide's articles.