Acer is expanding its gaming handheld lineup with the new Predator Atlas 7, a more compact 7-inch model designed to deliver the performance of its recently launched 8-inch counterpart in a smaller form factor.
Alongside the new handheld, Acer has also unveiled Project DualPlay Mini, an 8-inch concept device that explores how a portable gaming machine could double as a productivity system. Both devices were showcased at Acer’s next@acer global press conference in Berlin, Germany.
Predator Atlas 7 Brings Flagship Gaming to a Smaller Form Factor
The Predator Atlas 7 (PA07-I51) is aimed at gamers looking for a high-performance handheld without moving up to a larger device. It is powered by an Intel Arc G3 Extreme processor and up to Intel Arc B390 graphics, which Acer says delivers breakthrough performance and battery efficiency for gaming handhelds.
The device also comes with a subscription to Xbox Game Pass, giving users access to hundreds of games and the broader Windows 11 gaming experience right out of the box.
Keeping that performance under control is a dual-fan cooling system built around Acer’s Predator AeroBlade technology. One of the fans is a precision metal AeroBlade unit featuring 89 blades measuring just 0.1mm thick, delivering up to a 10% increase in airflow.
It works alongside a secondary plastic fan, with Acer’s Vortex Flow tuning using angled internal channels to direct hot air out of the chassis more efficiently during sustained workloads.
Despite its compact size, the Predator Atlas 7 can be configured with a battery of up to 80Wh, allowing users to spend longer periods gaming away from a power outlet.
Designed Around Handheld Control
Acer has also paid attention to the physical design of the Atlas 7, with contoured grips, an enlarged palm rest area, recessed keys and an anti-slip texture intended to provide a more secure and comfortable grip during longer gaming sessions.
The joysticks can be equipped with tunnelling magnetoresistance (TMR) technology, offering greater precision and anti-drift performance with zero dead zones. Hall-effect analogue triggers are also included for games that benefit from greater trigger range and pressure sensitivity.
For easier access, the power button incorporates a built-in fingerprint reader, allowing users to sign into Windows securely through Windows Hello.
The handheld features a 7-inch FHD touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate, 500 nits peak brightness, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and a 16:9 aspect ratio. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus with DXC surface treatment, which helps improve scratch resistance while reducing glare.
A tempered-glass screen protector is also included, while 10-point multi-touch support provides responsive touch input across the display.
Built for Expansion and Connectivity
For users who want to connect the handheld to a larger setup, the Predator Atlas 7 features two Thunderbolt 4 ports supporting high-bandwidth docking, external displays and accessories.
Storage can also be expanded through its UHS-II microSD card slot, while Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 provide support for the latest wireless connectivity standards.
Acer’s PredatorSense software gives users access to live system monitoring, performance mode selection, RGB lighting customisation and gaming settings, with controls accessible at the touch of a button.
Audio is handled by dual 2W speakers with DTS Ultra, designed to provide greater width and detail during gameplay. The handheld also uses dual microphones with Acer PurifiedVoice, which applies AI-assisted noise reduction to keep voice communications clearer during gaming.
Project DualPlay Mini Turns a Handheld Into a Mini Laptop
Alongside the Atlas 7, Acer is showing off Project DualPlay Mini, an 8-inch Predator concept designed to explore the possibilities of combining gaming and productivity in a single portable device.
Rather than functioning purely as a gaming handheld, the concept is designed to switch between gaming and work without requiring users to carry a second device.
For gaming, Project DualPlay Mini supports two different control configurations. Its built-in backlit physical keyboard allows it to operate more like a traditional laptop, making it suitable for first-person shooter games, while the handheld configuration provides a more console-like experience for other genres.
When it is time to work, the device can function as a mobile productivity system and connect to an external display, giving users the option of using it as a compact workstation while travelling.
The concept’s most distinctive feature is its flip-and-swivel design, allowing the device to transform between handheld and mini-laptop configurations.
Acer has also incorporated a detail celebrating its 50th anniversary. The rear cover features the words “Acer 50 since 1976” in Morse Code, combining the company’s milestone with the Predator brand’s design identity.
Like the Predator Atlas lineup, Project DualPlay Mini is powered by Intel and uses a dual-fan cooling system consisting of a Predator AeroBlade metal fan and a plastic fan. The concept’s metal fan uses even thinner blades than the one found in the Atlas 7.
While it remains a concept rather than a commercial product, Project DualPlay Mini demonstrates Acer’s interest in merging traditionally separate gaming and productivity devices into a single mobile platform.
Availability
The Predator Atlas 7 will be available in North America from Q4 2026 and EMEA from November 2026.
The previously announced Predator Atlas 8, first unveiled at Computex 2026, will be available in North America and EMEA from September 2026.
Project DualPlay Mini is a concept device only and is not currently available for purchase.
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