It's clear that the Intel Arc G3-based gaming handhelds won't be released for under $1,000 for sure.
Acer UK Confirms Pricing for Arc G3 and G3 Extreme-Based Predator Atlas 8 Handheld; Up To $2,000 for the 32 GB - 1 TB Configuration
Gaming handhelds are now costing an arm and a leg. With rapid improvements in hardware, newer gaming handhelds do not cost any less than a mid-range gaming PC. Since the release of the Intel Arc G3 series, many vendors have quickly transitioned from AMD chips to Panther Lake SoC variants. However, while we expected lower prices, vendors keep proving us wrong, revealing price tags that are enough to make anyone cry.
Acer is one of those handheld makers that adopted the Intel Arc G3 series SoCs, deploying them in its latest Predator Atlas 8 gaming handheld. The gaming handheld is available in various configurations, including options such as Arc G3 and Arc G3 Extreme with 16, 24, and 32 GB memory configurations. This gives users the freedom to choose the hardware according to their budget, but it looks like even the cheapest one is too much for the masses.
I think the official release of the MSI Claw 8 AI+ gaming handheld made it obvious that other Arc G3-based handhelds would be similarly expensive. As confirmed by Acer UK, the Predator Atlas 8 will at least cost £999 for the Arc G3-based configuration, which includes 16 GB of memory and 512 GB of storage. This translates to around US$1,340 including tax, but as you go up, you will pay much more.
If you choose to go with the 24 GB / 512 GB configuration, you are going to pay £1,099, which is around US$1,474, and you are still getting the slower Arc G3 chip. If you want the flagship Arc G3 Extreme SoC for maximum performance, then you need to pay at least £1,299, which is around US$1742 for the 24 GB / 1 TB configuration. However, you will have to pay £1,499 for the best possible configuration, comprising Arc G3 Extreme coupled with 32 GB RAM and 1 TB storage.
This is nearly equal to US$2,000, at which you could buy Strix Halo-based handhelds before RAMpocalypse. So, the dream of owning a powerful modern-gen gaming handheld for under $1,000 seems nearly impossible, particularly if you want that high-level performance with the latest Arc G3 Extreme chip that brings 14 strong cores and Arc B390 iGPU.
News Sources: Acer, Via Kitguru
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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