The Zotac Zone handheld gaming PC has been on our radar for the past month, and we’ve thoroughly tested its design, performance, and features. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth investing in this device, here’s everything you need to know.
Design and Display
The Zotac Zone features a stunning 7-inch AMOLED 120Hz display with a resolution of 1080p and up to 800 nits of brightness. While the screen offers vibrant visuals, it lacks variable refresh rate support. This means you’ll need to rely on in-game V-Sync to avoid screen tearing during graphically intensive gameplay.
The standout design feature is the unusual D-pad, which mimics an arcade joystick with micro switches for tactile feedback. The face buttons and two-stage triggers—offering both linear and hair-trigger modes—add to the device’s premium feel.
Unique Features
- Lanyard Support: While not essential, the inclusion of a lanyard slot adds convenience, though the device doesn’t come with one.
- Dual Trackpads: These provide basic mouse functionality but lack haptic feedback, making the touch screen a better alternative for navigation.
- RGB Lighting: Fully customizable via Zotac’s Spectra software, the RGB accents add a touch of style.
- Kickstand: Built-in for convenience, allowing for hands-free operation.
- USB4 Ports: Two high-speed ports ensure excellent connectivity.
Software and Customization
The pre-installed Zotac One Launcher simplifies game management and customization. While functional, it’s not without flaws—metadata scraping issues and limited customization options leave room for improvement. Performance profiles and controller settings, however, offer extensive tuning capabilities, including TDP adjustments and button remapping.
Gaming Performance
Powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U with Radeon 780M iGPU, the Zotac Zone delivers solid gaming performance across various titles:
- Forza Horizon 5: Achieves over 80 FPS at 1080p medium settings with a 15W TDP. For a higher frame rate experience, it can reach 120 FPS with a low-medium mix at 900p and a 20W TDP.
- Fortnite: Runs smoothly at 1080p medium settings with a 17W TDP, supported by FSR for improved performance.
- Cyberpunk 2077: Achieves a playable experience with optimized settings, showcasing the capabilities of the 7840U processor and Radeon graphics.
- Esports Titles: Games like Overwatch, Dota 2, and CS:GO perform flawlessly at high settings, leveraging the device's smaller 7-inch display to mask lower resolutions effectively.
Battery Life
Battery life is one of the Zone’s weaker aspects. With a 48.5 Wh battery, it offers around 4 hours of gameplay for indie titles at a 10W TDP, 2 hours for AAA games at a 15W TDP, and about 1 hour and 20 minutes in performance mode at a 28W TDP. This is comparable to other handhelds with similar battery capacities but falls short of devices with larger batteries.
Comparison with Competitors
Compared to the Steam Deck OLED, the Zotac Zone is smaller but heavier, giving it a premium feel. However, its 48.5Wh battery falls short against newer handhelds boasting larger capacities.
Availability and Pricing
Currently, the Zotac Zone is only available in the US through Micro Center, and customers must visit stores for purchases. With competitive pricing, it’s a compelling choice, though limited availability might deter potential buyers.
The Zotac Zone handheld gaming PC is a visually stunning device with excellent performance and unique features. While its battery life and software need improvement, it stands out in design and customization. If you value aesthetics and innovative controls, it’s worth considering—provided you can find one.
Video Review
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