Handheld gaming PCs have become increasingly popular,but those running Windows have often faced criticism for performance issues. The introduction of SteamOS on devices beyond the Steam Deck has generated excitement, and now, Zotac is taking a different approach with its updated Zone handheld. Rather of Windows, it will run a custom Linux distribution. Adam Patrick Murray previewed a prototype at Computex 2025.

The new Zotac Zone bears a striking resemblance to the original zotac zone, with an almost identical external design, including dual touchpads reminiscent of the Steam Deck. However, the updated model features a powerful AMD Ryzen AI 9 370 HX processor, along with increased RAM and storage capacity.

The most important change is the shift to Linux. Rather than adopting Valve’s steamos like Lenovo, Zotac collaborated with Manjaro Linux developers to create a custom operating system. The device still utilizes Steam as its game manager and includes a convenient link to Steam’s Big Picture Mode on the desktop.

Whether this change will boost the new Zone’s popularity remains to be seen,especially considering the limited availability and quiet launch of its predecessor. Details regarding the release date (expected sometime this year) and pricing are still unknown. Given the original model’s price of over $1,000 USD and the inclusion of the 370 HX chip, the new Zone is unlikely to be inexpensive.