It’s been a while since we’ve seen a unique entry in the handheld gaming PC space. So far, Valve’s Steam Deck has a commanding lead, while the rest are mostly Windows-based platforms. Among these brands, Acer’s entries have been flying under the radar, while its competitors have been aggressively marketing their hardware. However, if the Project DualPlay Mini is anything to go by, the status quo might change soon.
Brands such as ASUS, MSI, and Lenovo regularly update their lineup. Meanwhile, other manufacturers such as OneXPlayer, AYANEO, and GPD are also doing the same, albeit with a healthy dose of gimmicks. The Project DualPlay Mini, on the other hand, seems to be positioned for a hybrid niche.
It’s one that targets users who need a device for both productivity and entertainment. It looks like Acer settled on an interesting mechanism to quickly switch between two modes. There are two ways to play your favorite titles. In handheld mode, the unit looks and feels like the usual portable gaming system.
The display is flanked by the D-Pad, face buttons, and analog sticks on each side, with the shoulder buttons and triggers where they ought to be. For those who prefer to use a keyboard for first-person shooters, a clamshell hinge lets you open it like a laptop and exposes a full keyboard layout.
Next, flip the screen over, and all that’s left to do is pair a wireless mouse, then play away. Of course, in this configuration, the Project DualPlay Mini can double as a standard notebook to get some work done. Acer is yet to share more about the technical specifications, but we do know the unit will ship with an Intel chipset and use Predator AeroBlade fan cooling technology.
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Images courtesy of Acer
