Windows-based handheld gaming machines have gained traction in recent years, with many OEMs, including Acer, joining the fray. At this year’s IFA in Berlin, the Taiwanese giant played around with a question: how can we innovate the gaming handheld form factor?
Well, say hello to the answer—the new Project DualPlay Mini.
Gaming or productivity: why not both?
At a glance, the Intel-powered DualPlay Mini appears to be identical to the Acer Predator Atlas 8, as both are equipped with an 8-inch display. Similarly, it still features a pair of analogue sticks, a D-pad, 4 action buttons, and shoulder buttons.
But as it turns out, you can open the DualPlay Mini up, revealing a backlit keyboard. After that, just flip the screen and voila—the DualPlay Mini has become a laptop.
If you feel that the 8-inch screen is too small, you can simply hook up the DualPlay Mini to an external display for more screen space. All in all, the DualPlay Mini looks like a nifty device for those who love to game on the go while still being able to work on documents and spreadsheets when the situation calls for it.
Still a concept, though
For those sneaking in one or two sessions at the office who are excited to get their hands on Acer’s new dual-nature handheld gaming device, we have bad news for you. As interesting as Project DualPlay Mini looks, it is still a concept device.
That pretty much explains why the word “Project” is in its name, and why Acer did not release a spec sheet for the DualPlay Mini. Even if Acer decides to turn it into a mass-produced product, the DualPlay Mini is not going to be cheap, especially as we are currently going through a global memory shortage.
