Acer Unveils Cutting-Edge Gaming Laptop Featuring Intel’s Arc G3 Chip

Intel is making a significant move into the handheld gaming PC market with the announcement of its new custom chips, the Arc G3 and Arc G3 Extreme. These chips mark Intel’s entry into the space following the MSI Claw and the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus. The Panther Lake variant of these chips features two fewer CPU cores compared to Intel’s Panther Lake laptop chips but includes a full complement of Xe3 GPU cores for gaming purposes.

Intel is promising day-0 graphics driver updates and precompiled shaders for smoother gameplay on these chips. The Arc G3 and Arc G3 Extreme will be featured in handheld devices such as the MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus, the OneXPlayer 3, and the Acer Predator Atlas 8.

The new Acer Predator Atlas 8 will come in two variants, one with the Arc G3 Extreme and Arc B390 graphics with 12 Xe3 GPU cores, and one with the Arc G3 and Arc B370 with 10 Xe3 cores. Both variants will come with 24GB of LPDDR5x RAM and a unique metal fan for improved cooling.

The handheld will weigh around 810 grams with a large 80Wh battery or 770 grams with a 60Wh battery. It will feature an 8-inch screen with a 1920 x 1200 resolution and a variable refresh rate of 48-120Hz. The device will also include Hall effect triggers, carbon film joysticks, and a fingerprint sensor in the power button.

The Acer Predator Atlas 8 will come with Windows 11 and Xbox Mode, along with Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 7, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm headset jack. Intel plans to launch the Atlas 8 in October, although pricing and battery life details are yet to be revealed.

The handheld market is seeing a trend of higher prices, with leaks suggesting that devices like the Acer Predator Atlas 8 could follow suit. The Steam Deck recently experienced a significant price increase as well.

In a recent update, Intel shared more information about the handhelds, including confirmation of two additional devices. This move signifies Intel’s commitment to the handheld gaming market and its efforts to compete with other players in the space.