Zotac is preparing to launch the next iteration of its Gaming Zone handheld gaming PC at Computex in Taiwan later this month. Building on its introduction to the handheld PC gaming segment last summer, Zotac’s new device is focused on both performance and user experience, featuring a significant hardware upgrade and a notable shift in its software platform. The device will be powered by AMD’s cutting-edge Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor and, diverging from most competitors, will run a custom distribution of Manjaro Linux tailored for handheld use. This strategic move marks a distinct departure from running Microsoft Windows or Valve’s SteamOS, the latter of which is the foundation of the popular Steam Deck.
The hardware specifications for the new Gaming Zone are aimed at delivering top-tier portable gaming. The handheld sports a 7-inch OLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate for smooth visual performance. Internally, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Strix Point chip represents a substantial upgrade from the device’s first-generation predecessor, which used the Ryzen 7 8840U (an 8-core Zen 4 CPU with 12-core RDNA 3 graphics). The new chipset includes 12 Zen 5 CPU cores combined with 16 RDNA 3.5 GPU compute units, providing a leap in both graphics and processing power. A more advanced neural processing unit (NPU) included with the chip is designed to better handle Artificial Intelligence tasks, integrating modern computational demands directly into the handheld form factor.
Additional features on the next-generation Gaming Zone include LPDDR5x memory for faster multitasking, expandable storage via a PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD slot (M.2 2280), Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity for high-speed wireless communication, two USB4 ports, and a 48.5Wh battery for extended gaming sessions. By pairing powerful modern silicon with a robust, open Linux-based operating system, Zotac is positioning the Gaming Zone as a compelling competitor that caters not just to gamers, but also to enthusiasts interested in open platforms and emerging Artificial Intelligence workloads on portable hardware.
