Acer tries to dodge the RAMpocalypse with its Nitro Blaze Link by making it streaming only

Acer Tries to Dodge the RAMpocalypse with Its Nitro Blaze Link by Making It Streaming Only

With the RAMpocalypse doing its very best to ruin PC gaming, memory and storage have become ludicrously expensive, making it difficult for the handheld market to remain affordable. In response, Acer has opted for a different approach: eliminate everything required to play games locally and instead create a streaming-only device. The Nitro Blaze Link is the result, a handheld designed to rely on a connected PC rather than local hardware.

The Specifications of the Nitro Blaze Link

Officially called the Nitro Blaze Link, this device joins the rest of the Blaze lineup. However, unlike its counterparts that are packed with a powerful AMD Ryzen 8000-series APU, plenty of NVMe storage, and fast DRAM, the Blaze Link is essentially a "dead" box. It doesn't have enough memory or storage to run games locally. According to PC Mag, the device only has 1 GB of memory and 8 GB of eMMC storage for its Linux operating system.

Naturally, with such minimal hardware, there isn't much to talk about in terms of specifications. The display is a 7-inch touchscreen with a 1920 x 1200 resolution, though details on its refresh rate are unclear. While the specific chip powering the device remains unknown, the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E support is a notable feature.

A Focus on Low Power Consumption and Portability

Since there's no powerful APU with fast DRAM or a high-speed SSD, the Nitro Blaze Link has very low power demands. This is why it only comes with an 18 Wh battery. This also explains its 464 grams (16 ounces) weight, and it should mean the fans are near-silent most of the time.

So far, so good, but there is one major caveat with the Blaze Link: It will only work with a compatible Acer laptop and the company's own streaming ecosystem. The device is expected to use Sunshine and Moonlight to handle the streaming. While it might be compatible with other streaming systems, Acer is unlikely to provide support for them.

Limitations and Potential Use Cases

Since the Blaze Link can only be used on the same wireless network as your main Acer gaming PC, it won't be suitable for gaming on the go. However, for a bit of casual gaming in bed or on the couch away from your primary setup, it could be quite convenient.

The fact that Sony's PlayStation Portal is a streaming-only device didn't hurt its sales, and it's clear that Acer is hoping for a similar level of success. Ultimately, the device's reception will depend on the price tag Acer sets. The exact cost won't be known until closer to the device's launch window, expected toward the end of the year.