Zotac steps into the ring: The Zone aims for high-end handheld glory

Image: Zotac

Move over, ROG Ally X and MSI Claw 8 AI Plus! Zotac—the graphics card giant—has officially thrown its hat into the second-generation Windows gaming handheld ring with the Zone. This newcomer brings unique features to the table, setting itself apart from the competition.

The Zone boasts an OLED screen, a rarity in the PC handheld space (only the Steam Deck OLED offered it previously). It also features innovative two-stage adjustable triggers like an Xbox Elite controller, drift-resistant Hall effect joysticks, and symmetrical PlayStation-style joysticks. But wait, there's more! The Zone packs in programmable dials around each joystick, twin Steam Deck-like trackpads, a built-in kickstand, a secure Windows Hello camera, and conveniently placed USB4 ports on both the top and bottom.

The Zotac Zone is powered by a familiar AMD Ryzen 7 8840U chip, similar to what we've seen in other handhelds. This means it utilizes the integrated Radeon 780M graphics. However, like the ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go, it gets a boost with faster LPDDR5X-7500 memory, potentially offering a performance edge over the original Ally, especially considering the Zone's more modest 1080p resolution.

The base configuration offers a generous 512GB of M.2 2280 storage (a full-sized SSD slot!) and 16GB of memory.

A potential drawback is the Zotac Zone's seemingly modest 48.5Wh battery, smaller than both the Steam Deck OLED and the recently announced 80Wh packs from ASUS and MSI. Additionally, the 7-inch 120Hz OLED screen lacks variable refresh rate (VRR) support, similar to the Steam Deck. However, the display boasts a bright 800 nits, and the programmable jog dials add a unique customization option.

Be prepared for a hefty device! The Zotac Zone measures 310 x 135 x 40mm (12 x 5.3 x 1.6 inches), making it even larger than the bulky Lenovo Legion Go. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6E and a UHS-II microSD reader.

While Zotac was an early adopter of AirJet's solid-state cooling technology in mini-PCs, it seems the current iteration isn't powerful enough to handle the heat generated by the 8840U chip. Cost might also be a factor. So, for now, the Zone relies on a traditional fan and vents for cooling.

According to sources, the Zotac Zone is expected to launch in September at a price of around US$800 (around CA$1,096), placing it at the premium end of the consumer gaming handheld market. However, it's worth noting that the ROG Ally X, with its significantly larger battery, also carries the same price tag.

The Zotac Zone offers a compelling feature set with its unique control scheme, bright OLED display, and expandable storage. However, the smaller battery and lack of VRR might raise concerns for some gamers. With a hefty price tag and a September release window, the Zone will need to prove its performance and value proposition to compete effectively in this burgeoning market.

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