Last year, Acer showed off a concept gaming laptop called the Predator Project DualPlay that not only came with powerful specs, but also a built-in controller.
Most recently, they introduced a portable PC console called the Project DualPlay Mini that came with a built-in compact keyboard, using the knowledge from their Predator Atlas 8 and Atlas 7 console announcements, with their own laptop building expertise.
Specifications and Design
The Project DualPlay Mini’s specifications are not yet known as it is still just a concept device, but from the statement released by Acer itself, the processor used seems to be from Intel, and since it is still a portable gaming console, it can be concluded that it may use the same Intel Arc G3 Extreme processor used in the Acer Predator Atlas 8 and Atlas 7 consoles. Apart from that, the memory and storage details are still unknown.
This console also comes with a controller that uses TMR (tunneling magnetoresistance) wood which is more durable even when used to play your favorite computer games aggressively and reduces the probability of stick drift issues. The input buttons are also in my opinion deep enough and comfortable to press, while the shoulder buttons use Hall Effect switches and have the same effect as the TMR controller.
Project DualPlay Mini comes with an 8.0-inch touchscreen display, similar to what is used on the Predator Atlas 8. But the uniqueness here is that this display can be rotated 180 degrees to turn this gaming device into a “dwarf laptop”.
And technically, it is not only the display part that can be rotated, but the upper part of the console body, including the controller and input buttons, needs to be raised to show the keyboard part. In fact, there is a sequence that needs to be followed to use this hardware in both modes, but the process of getting used to it is not that long.
I tried playing the game installed on this console, Forza Horizon 6, but since this console is still just a concept device, the gaming experience is not very stable, and always exits to the desktop.
However, I feel that in some aspects, such as the comfort of holding this console, it is better than the Predator Atlas 8. The controller handle of this console comes with a more comfortable texture and groove, and I don't know if it's just for me, but the weight is not too different when compared to the Atlas 8 either.
Although it is just a concept device, the design of the Project DualPlay Mini also shows a number of considerations that make me think that this is a device that makes it a device that can be commercialized in the future.
When opened to become a laptop, the display hinge part seems to be designed so that it does not block the I/O plugs on the back of the device, and the sides of the display also do not interfere with the shoulder buttons.
The keyboard part of this console was also a surprise to me, because my initial expectation was that this part would come with a very compact design, but when I tried it myself, it was not that different from the keyboard on other compact and light laptops. This is because the entire bottom space is used to house this keyboard, and its depth also allows me to type with it without hurting my hands.
However, I have also seen some other individuals have a little difficulty using this keyboard because their palms are much larger than my hands.
Perhaps one drawback that many will say is about the lack of a touchpad on this console, but the screen display of this console also comes with a touch feature, so it may not be a problem. But if there is one issue here, it may be that during my brief period of use, the bottom of this console I felt was very hot, and this may be because the performance of the chip used has not been optimized, and is only ready for the GPC 2026 announcement event.
Will This Device Be Sold in the Market?
Speaking to James Lin, General Manager of Acer's laptop division, the development of concept devices like the Project DualPlay Mini is not new to them, as they have also launched other concept products before such as the Predator Project DualPlay laptop with a built-in controller last year, and the Predator 21X which was later sold in limited numbers.
He did not say that the Project DualPlay Mini will not be sold in the market, but all the new knowledge they gained while developing this console will be considered for use in their other computing devices in the future.
