Acer has unveiled Project DualPlay Mini, an experimental gaming handheld that can transform into a compact laptop-style PC. The concept was presented at IFA 2026 in Berlin, alongside Acer’s new Predator Atlas 7 gaming handheld. 

The 8-inch Project DualPlay Mini combines conventional handheld gaming controls with a built-in, backlit physical keyboard. Its distinctive flip-and-swivel design allows the device to change from a handheld console into a mini-laptop, giving users a keyboard-and-screen setup for productivity and PC games that benefit from traditional controls.

In handheld mode, the device is designed for console-style gaming, while laptop mode exposes the integrated keyboard. Acer says the keyboard can also be paired with a Bluetooth mouse, making the concept suitable for first-person shooters and other titles where keyboard-and-mouse input is preferred. The device can additionally connect to an external display for productivity. 

Acer has confirmed that Project DualPlay Mini is powered by Intel technology and uses a dual-fan cooling system derived from the Predator Atlas 8, including a Predator AeroBlade metal fan. However, the company has not revealed detailed processor, memory, storage, display-resolution or battery specifications.

The concept also features a small anniversary detail: “Acer 50 since 1976” is encoded in Morse code on the back, marking Acer’s 50th anniversary.

For now, Project DualPlay Mini remains a concept rather than a confirmed retail product, and Acer has not announced a release date or pricing. Nevertheless, the design highlights a potential direction for handheld gaming PCs—combining gaming, productivity and laptop functionality in a single portable device.