This year’s Computex has showcased a notable trend towards handheld gaming devices. Companies like Asus and MSI unveiled new offerings, emphasizing the growing popularity of portable gaming experiences. Among them, Zotac, renowned for its graphics cards and mini PCs, has entered the handheld gaming console arena with its latest creation, the Zone. Having had the opportunity to experience the Zone firsthand at Zotac’s booth, I was particularly impressed by its build quality and stunning 7-inch AMOLED display.
One standout feature of the Zone is its innovative trigger buttons, which feature switches underneath that allow users to adjust the springiness of the triggers. This unique capability enables gamers to tailor the trigger response to their preferences, providing enhanced control and precision during gameplay. Despite not being able to test games on the Zone due to the crowd, I was able to try out the trigger switches and immediately noticed a significant difference in feel.
Under the hood, the Zone is powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 8840U APU, boasting 8 cores and a maximum boost clock of 5.1 GHz. Notably, this APU is equipped with an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) that could enhance its performance in AI workloads, setting it apart from other handheld consoles on the market.
The device features a vibrant 7-inch 1080p AMOLED display, offering stunning visuals with vivid colors and deep blacks. With a brightness rating of 500 nits and a refresh rate of 120 Hz, the display delivers smooth and immersive gaming experiences, rivaling those of larger gaming monitors.
In terms of controls, the Zone is equipped with Hall Effect joysticks, known for their precision and durability. These joysticks felt responsive and precise during my hands-on experience, offering smooth and accurate control inputs.
Visually, the Zone sports a sleek and understated design, with a gray aesthetic that aligns well with Zotac’s corporate branding. Subtle yellow accents beneath the joysticks add a touch of personality, while the matte silver triggers and built-in kickstand contribute to its overall premium look and feel.
However, some aspects of the Zone’s design could be improved, such as the stability of the kickstand, which felt slightly loose during my evaluation. Additionally, while the device boasts impressive specifications including a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, details about SSD upgradability and form factor compatibility remain unclear.
Connectivity-wise, the Zone offers a single USB4 port for charging, along with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth support for wireless connectivity. For additional storage expansion, users have the option to utilize a microSD card slot.
Set to be released in Q3 with pricing yet to be announced, the Zotac Zone appears to be a promising addition to the burgeoning PC handheld market. However, final judgment on its performance and value proposition will have to wait until comprehensive testing can be conducted.
This year’s Computex has brought forth a fascinating trend, one that’s capturing the imagination of tech enthusiasts worldwide: the rise of handheld gaming devices. Among the plethora of announcements, companies like Asus and MSI have taken the spotlight with their latest offerings, signaling a clear shift towards portable gaming experiences.
However, it’s Zotac, a name synonymous with graphics cards and mini PCs, that has surprised many by venturing into the handheld gaming console market with its newest creation, the Zone. Having had the privilege to experience the Zone firsthand at Zotac’s booth, I was immediately struck by its exceptional build quality and the mesmerizing beauty of its 7-inch AMOLED display.
What truly sets the Zone apart is its innovative approach to trigger buttons. Unlike conventional designs, the Zone’s trigger buttons feature switches underneath, allowing users to adjust the springiness of the triggers according to their preference. This ingenious feature empowers gamers to fine-tune their gameplay experience, offering enhanced control and precision in every session. While I wasn’t able to test games on the Zone due to the bustling crowd, I did have the opportunity to try out the trigger switches, and the difference in feel was unmistakable.
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