Acer used Computex this week to unveil the Nitro Blaze Link (GN722), a lightweight gaming handheld that takes a notably different approach from its siblings in the Nitro Blaze family. Rather than packing an x86 APU and trying to run games locally, the Blaze Link is built around a Debian-based Linux operating system and is designed almost exclusively for streaming titles from a more powerful PC over WiFi.
The minimalist hardware reflects that focus. The device ships with 1GB of LPDDR4-2133 RAM, 8GB of eMMC storage, and an 18 Wh battery, none of which would be sufficient for running modern games natively. Those specs make more sense once you realize the Blaze Link is essentially a thin client with controller grips, intended to pair with Acer machines like the Predator Helios 18 AI or Nitro 16 over a local network. Acer has not confirmed whether cloud services such as NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, or Amazon Luna will be supported.
The physical design leans into portability. The handheld measures 286.9 x 109.8 x 33.5 mm (11.3 x 4.3 x 1.3 inches) and weighs just 464 grams (1 pound). It uses a 7 inch 1920 x 1200 5-point touchscreen, stereo 2W speakers, a 3.5mm audio jack, and WiFi 6. Controls include dual analog sticks, a D-pad, face buttons, and shoulder triggers in an ergonomic layout.
One unusual limitation is the single USB Type-C port, which Acer says supports 15-watt charging but is not intended for data transfer or peripherals. That decision underscores how narrowly the Blaze Link is scoped as a streaming-only device rather than a general purpose Linux handheld in the vein of the Steam Deck.
Acer plans to launch the Nitro Blaze Link in North America during the fourth quarter of 2026, with pricing to be announced closer to release.
