PC Gamer's Zak Storey argues that Acer's newly priced Predator Atlas 8 handheld gaming PC confirms the category has drifted from an affordable alternative to consoles into a premium, enthusiast-only niche. He contends that as manufacturers pack in more powerful chips and better screens, handhelds are being priced out of reach for casual buyers, undermining their original appeal as a cheaper, portable way to play PC games.

The piece frames this within a broader trend across the handheld gaming PC market, where devices from Acer and rivals have steadily climbed in price as hardware improves, pushing flagship models towards laptop-level costs. The author suggests that, at these prices, handhelds now compete with premium gaming laptops rather than budget consoles, making them a harder sell for anyone not already committed to high-end portable PC gaming.