I tried a PC gaming handheld that doubles as a mini laptop, and it’s exactly what I wanted
I own four PC gaming handheldsand I can’t help but think I’m underutilizing them. You see, I use them for gaming all the time, but they could be used for so much more — these handhelds have the power of a modest Windows 11 mini PC or laptop. A docking station could connect a handheld like the Steam Deck or Asus ROG Ally to a display, keyboard, and mouse, but it’s a clunky solution. Acer came up with a better one at IFA 2026, and it’s the first concept that I need the company to actually make.
The Acer Project DualPlay Mini is a 2-in-1 gaming handheld that tucks a full QWERTY keyboard layout under its touchscreen and controller layout. It looks like a normal handheld until you lift the top and open it like a laptop. There, you’ll be greeted with a surprisingly great keyboard. The screen flips around for “laptop mode” usage, and in seconds, your handheld has just transformed into a mini laptop. I spent about a half hour admiring and playing around with the Project DualPlay Mini, and it’s exactly what a versatile PC gaming handheld should be.
Acer’s concept levels the PC gaming playing field
With a built-in keyboard, competitive first-person shooters are on the table
By now, you’re probably wondering why your PC gaming handheld needs a built-in keyboard. Acer came up with a few pretty good reasons, and they’re convincing. For one, you could use the Project DualPlay Mini for competitive first-person shooters. A lot of games handle competitive matchmaking by creating lobbies with players using the same device type. PC gamers will be together, console gamers will be together, and mobile gamers will be together. For games without advanced matchmaking that sorts players by input method, handheld gamers usually go up against mouse-and-keyboard gamers — a joystick and buttons just don’t offer the same precision.
That’s the idea behind the Project DualPlay Mini. You can use the controller inputs or the built-in keyboard, choosing your input method based on the game you’re playing. It’s designed to pair with a separate gaming mouse to give you precise input on the go. Based on how many gigantic gaming laptops I see at coffee shops and libraries, I’d say there’s a market for this. The Project DualPlay Mini is about as portable as your typical 8-inch gaming handheld, but much more versatile.
One thing I noticed about the Project DualPlay Mini during my hands-on time with the concept is that the screen is more recessed into the chassis than any other handheld I’ve used. The controller surface, including the buttons, D-pad, and joysticks, are significantly raised above the touchscreen. This is likely to enable the “flip-and-swivel design” of the Project DualPlay Mini, which is what allows you to swing the display around in laptop mode. It’s too early to tell how this affects controller mode comfort, but laptop mode looks more ergonomically sound based on my first impressions.
We know that Acer is using an Intel processor inside the Project DualPlay Mini, but it didn’t specify which one. The cooling system uses a single Predator AeroBlade metal fan with thinner blades than the one inside the Acer Predator Atlas 8, plus one plastic fan. Acer says this metal fan improves airflow by up to 10% compared to a plastic fan. But as this is only a concept, there are still a lot of unknowns about the 2-in-1 device.
The keyboard turns this handheld into a productivity beast
No need to waste your PC gaming handheld’s power or rely on accessories
Gaming is only part of the Project DualPlay Mini’s appeal. It’s also designed to be a productivity machine when you aren’t playing your favorite titles. Considering the rising price of gaming handhelds, I think dual-purpose products are necessary to justify the higher cost. There’s also a niche market for tiny Windows 11 laptops that you might not be aware of. Laptops like the GPD Pocket 4 Mini or GPD WIN Max 3 are designed to fit in a pocket or bag, while delivering the performance you expect from a basic Windows machine.
The problem with these gadgets is that they’re novelty devices, and that means they’re expensive. They also won’t perfectly replace your regular laptop or gaming handheld, so you’re stuck carrying an extra gadget. That’s why I like Acer’s idea better — the Project DualPlay Mini would replace my gaming handheld on trips, and give me a better productivity solution for flights. I carry a small 12-inch MacBook just for use on tiny airplane tray tables while traveling, and the Project DualPlay Mini would let me leave it at home.
There are docks, hubs, and accessories that connect current gaming handhelds to external monitors and peripherals. I’ve tried them, and they do work, but setups get clunky fast. I’d certainly prefer a device like the Project DualPlay Mini that includes everything besides a mouse. That said, it seems like Acer missed an opportunity to turn the keyboard surface into a virtual trackpad, as we’ve seen from brands like Clevatura in the past.
It’s also nice that the Project DualPlay Mini has two USB-C ports, and you don’t need to waste any of them on an external display or keyboard. You’ll have them reserved for power and another accessory, which you might need, because the concept’s battery life is unclear.
This is the Acer handheld you can actually buy
The Predator Atlas 7 is a smaller, Intel-powered Acer handheld
Acer makes it clear that the Project DualPlay Mini is a concept only, and there’s no guarantee it’ll ever be made available for purchase. Most concepts don’t make it to retail, so as much as I want a Project DualPlay Mini for myself, I have to be realistic. Acer did show off a gaming handheld you’ll actually be able to buy: the Acer Predator Atlas 7. It’s a smaller version of the previously-announced Atlas 8 handheld, this time with a 7-inch, 120Hz screen with 500 nits of peak brightness.
It looks remarkably similar to the Asus ROG Ally X, but I loved that handheld, so I can’t complain. On the inside, it’s powered by an Intel Arc G3 chip and an Intel Arc B370 GPU. It also offers 24GB of RAM, up to an 80Wh battery, and dual Thunderbolt 4 points. This is surely the sensible option if you’re looking for an Acer gaming handheld, and it’ll hit shelves in November. Acer didn’t announce pricing, and considering the state of the PC marketI’d brace yourself for sticker shock.
