The Unlikely Challenger: ZOTAC’s ZONE Takes on the Steam Deck

As the gaming world was abuzz with the reveal of ASUS’s ROG Ally X, a quiet but significant announcement slipped under the radar at Computex 2024. ZOTAC, a brand known for its PC hardware and accessories, has thrown its hat into the handheld gaming PC ring with the ZONE. This unexpected entrant is poised to challenge the dominance of Valve’s Steam Deck, and we’re excited to see how it stacks up.

A New Contender Emerges

Since the Steam Deck’s launch in 2022, there’s been a growing demand for handheld gaming PCs. Running on a custom Arch Linux-based operating system, Valve’s platform has been the benchmark for others to follow. ZOTAC’s surprise unveiling brings a welcome change of pace, especially considering the recent focus on AI integration at Computex.

The ZOTAC ZONE: A New Challenger in Handheld Gaming

A Familiar Yet Fresh Design

At first glance, the ZONE’s form factor may not be revolutionary, but its button layout, features, and functionality set it apart from other systems. While some industry pundits have expressed concerns about Windows 11’s occasional finickiness, which can cause performance and gameplay issues, ZOTAC has an opportunity to iron out these kinks and potentially add a custom software overlay to improve the interface.

Under the Hood

The ZONE is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 8840U processor and AMD Radeon 870M graphics, making it a formidable opponent in the handheld gaming space. The device also boasts hall effect components in its joysticks and shoulder triggers, virtually eliminating stick drift and ensuring accurate input registration. The triggers feature a 2-stage adjustment for customized comfort and response.

 Gaming on the go has never been more convenient

A Vibrant Display and More

The ZONE features a stunning 7-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) AMOLED panel, accompanied by two trackpads, similar to the Steam Deck. Unique to ZOTAC’s system are the jog wheels integrated around the sticks and a Windows Hello front-facing camera. With 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB of internal storage, and a microSD card slot, the ZONE is well-equipped to handle demanding games.

Power and Portability

A 48.5 Wh battery powers the ZONE, which weighs in at under 700 grams and measures 310 mm x 135 mm x 40 mm. Feedback from those who’ve had the chance to hold the device praises its ergonomic grips and easily accessible rear buttons. A small kickstand is also built-in, allowing for convenient tabletop gaming.

 Take your gaming experience anywhere

The ZOTAC ZONE is an exciting new entrant in the handheld gaming PC market, and we’re eager to see how it will compete with the Steam Deck. With its unique features and impressive specs, it’s definitely one to watch.