Zotac is stepping up its game in the handheld market with an exciting update to its Zotac Gaming Zone device. The next-gen version will officially debut at Computex 2025 in Taiwan later this month, bringing impressive hardware upgrades and a bold move to open-source software.
The standout change? Instead of using Windows or SteamOS, the new Zotac Gaming Zone will run a custom Manjaro Linux-based OS, specially designed for handheld gaming. This unique approach could give players a faster and more responsive experience, while still supporting a huge library of games thanks to Valve’s Proton, which allows many Windows games to run on Linux.
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Under the hood, the Zotac Gaming Zone handheld is powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 chip, based on the cutting-edge Strix Point architecture. This next-gen processor brings a significant jump in both CPU and GPU performance, making it ideal for high-end portable gaming. It features an impressive 12 Zen 5 CPU cores and 16 RDNA 3.5 GPU compute units, enabling smoother gameplay, faster load times, and enhanced visuals.
Compared to the first-generation model, which used the Ryzen 7 8840U with 8 Zen 4 cores and 12 RDNA 3 graphics cores, this upgrade delivers a clear improvement in multitasking, rendering, and gaming performance.
The newer chip is also better equipped to handle future game titles and software updates, offering more headroom for advanced workloads. Whether you’re playing AAA games or emulating older titles, this level of power ensures a more responsive and enjoyable experience on the go.
Gamers can also expect:
- The new Zotac Gaming Zone doesn’t just bring raw power—it’s packed with features aimed at delivering a premium handheld gaming experience. It sports a bright 7-inch OLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, offering sharp visuals, vibrant colours, and fluid gameplay that looks stunning whether indoors or on the go. The use of LPDDR5x memory ensures fast performance and better multitasking, making it ideal for running demanding games and applications without hiccups.
- For storage, users get the flexibility of an M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 SSD slot, allowing for fast read and write speeds and future upgrades as needed. Connectivity is also solid, thanks to Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring stable wireless connections for online gaming, streaming, and pairing with accessories. The device includes two USB4 ports, giving players the option to connect to external displays, docks, or peripherals with high-speed data support.
- Powering all this is a 48.5Wh battery, designed to provide longer gaming sessions between charges. Whether you’re playing intensive AAA titles or streaming games remotely, the new Zotac Gaming Zone aims to deliver a smooth, uninterrupted gaming experience with all the essentials packed into a portable design.
The upgraded NPU (Neural Processing Unit) inside the Ryzen chip is designed to handle AI workloads, which could help with features like power optimisation or real-time image processing.
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While Manjaro has previously worked on handheld-focused Linux builds, Zotac’s adoption marks the first major commercial launch using it. It’s a big step forward for Linux gaming on handheld devices.
Zotac first showed off an early prototype of this device at CES 2025, but Computex attendees will get to see the polished version with all final touches.
Zotac Gaming Zone set to rival Steam Deck
The new Zotac Gaming Zone is shaping up to be a strong rival to popular handhelds like the Steam Deck and others, with powerful performance, better visuals, and a unique open-source OS experience.
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