Acer Predator Helios 16 assessment: A lightning-fast performer with stellar thermal design

Desk of Contents

The Acer Predator Helios 16 comes outfitted with internals that’ll maintain you crusing easily by heavy gaming strain and on a regular basis duties. Add its plethora of ports, stellar thermals, and exquisite, matte show with a excessive refresh price into the combo, and this laptop computer proves it’s worthy of its value.

That stated, this laptop computer’s gamer-forward design might not go well with everybody’s tastes. With a flashy mild bar on the again and a backlit brand on the highest lid, nobody’s going to second-guess that this can be a gaming laptop computer. You possibly can change the default RGB wave mild scheme to one thing extra low-key, however its distinguished gamer aesthetic might not go unnoticed within the workplace.

With its 14th Gen Intel processor, an RTX 4080 GPU, and a top-notch thermal design, this laptop computer is certainly a severe contender as one of many greatest gaming laptops Mashable has examined. Positive, there are a number of minor options I want I might enhance, however I believe the laptop computer’s positives tremendously outweigh its negatives. 

With out additional ado, let’s dive into the nice, the unhealthy, and the whole lot else in regards to the Predator Helios 16.

Acer Predator Helios 16 value and specs 

The Acer Predator Helios 16 is a dear laptop computer, however it’s outfitted with all the mandatory internals to run AAA video games at excessive settings. Our assessment unit prices $2,299 and comes with the next specs: 

• Intel Core i9 14900HX CPU

• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 (12GB)

• 32GB of RAM

• 2TB of SSD storage

• 16-inch, 2560 x 1600-pixel, 240Hz show

If you happen to just like the look of this gaming laptop computer, however would moderately commerce barely decrease specs for a extra inexpensive value, check out this Predator Helios 16 configuration at Greatest Purchase for $1,699. It comes with the identical Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU and 2560 x 1600-pixel show, however comes with solely 16GB of RAM, 1TB of SSD storage, and an RTX 4070 GPU.

This received’t simply double as a piece laptop computer in look

Constructed with an aluminum lid and keyboard deck and a plastic backside, the Predator Helios 16 is sort of sturdy. I’d like to see an all-aluminum construct for sturdiness and even higher thermals, however that might positively elevate the laptop computer’s value.

Decking this laptop computer out in an all-aluminum chassis would additionally improve the load, and it’s already fairly hefty. This laptop computer weighs 5.7 kilos and measures 14.1 x 10.9 x 1 inches, so it isn’t a really travel-friendly companion. 

Then, in true gaming laptop computer style, there are a number of customizable RGB parts. In comparison with its predecessor, this mannequin positive factors RGB logos on the lid and under the keyboard’s proper facet. Personally, I’m not a fan as a result of they really feel like flashy, battery-draining particulars that almost all avid gamers most likely don’t care about.

While you pair these backlit logos with the seven-zone RGB Infinity Mirror bar that stands proud on the again, the Acer Predator Helios 16 merely screams, “I’m a gaming laptop.” For some, that will not be a foul factor. However for many who need to use a single laptop computer for each gaming and work, this laptop computer’s design isn’t practically inconspicuous sufficient, even after switching off all of the lights.

A big, brilliant, and matte show that’s not tremendous vibrant

The Acer Predator Helios 16 comes with a 16-inch, 2560 x 1600-pixel IPS LCD show with a 240Hz max refresh price and a three-millisecond response time.

I really like the quantity of display screen actual property this gaming laptop computer gives, particularly with its 16:10 side ratio. The max 240Hz refresh price made watching content material and taking part in video games a stutter-free expertise. And for a gaming laptop computer, its bezels are comparatively small.

To scrutinize this laptop computer’s show, I fired up a YouTube trailer for Mission: Unimaginable — The Ultimate Reckoning. 

With the show’s excessive decision, I had no points recognizing minute particulars, like wrinkles and superb traces on the actors’ faces and hair strands. Nonetheless, the colours don’t pop off the display screen as a lot as I’d like. There’s a aircraft at the start of the trailer that I think about is brilliant purple and grass that ought to be vibrant inexperienced, however these colours come throughout muted on the Predator Helios 16’s show.

Regardless of not being colourful, this matte show is sort of brilliant. Formally, it has 500 nits max brightness, which is form of remarkable for gaming laptops — they have an inclination to hover round 300 or 400 nits max. I discovered the show straightforward to see, even in direct daylight.

The ports of a gamer’s desires

For a gaming laptop computer, I’d anticipate nothing lower than a plethora of ports, and the Acer Predator Helios 16 completely delivers. 

The left facet of the Acer Predator Helios 16.
Credit score: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

On the left: 

• Ethernet (RJ-45) port

• USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port

• microSD card reader

• Headset jack

The proper facet of the Acer Predator Helios 16.
Credit score: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

On the best: 

The again facet of the Acer Predator Helios 16.
Credit score: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

On the again: 

The charging cable is fairly cumbersome, however it’s further lengthy, and the DC-in energy port is conveniently positioned on the heart of the again edge. There’s an HDMI port to attach an even bigger monitor, an audio jack to hook up wired headphones, and loads of USB ports to select from on your peripherals.

The audio system are satisfactory, however not for listening to music

The Predator Helios 16 has numerous good issues going for it, however its audio high quality isn’t one in every of them. 

This laptop computer’s two built-in stereo audio system ship sharp in-game dialogue at a quantity that’s greater than lots to listen to characters over the highly effective followers. When streaming media on the laptop computer, I obtained the identical consequence. Character voices come by effectively, however these aren’t audio system you’ll need to take heed to music out of.

I listened to “Real” by Unprocessed (feat. Polyphia’s Tim Henson & Clay Gober) and Bo Burnham’s “All Eyes on Me (Song Only),” and each songs totally lacked that full-bodied, atmospheric depth that comes from bass notes rounding out the soundstage. Pairing a few of the greatest headphones with this laptop computer is a should should you’re a music lover.

A reasonably punchy keyboard and a clean trackpad

You possibly can management the brightness and shade of every particular person key on the Acer Predator Helios 16.
Credit score: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

This laptop computer’s keyboard might not fulfill the most important keyboard snobs (it’s me, I’m the keyboard snob) as a result of the typing expertise isn’t as satisfyingly clicky as on different laptop computer keyboards. That stated, I discovered typing to be comparatively snappy general, and having a laptop computer with a full-size keyboard with well-sized and well-spaced keys is all the time a win in my ebook.

In true gaming laptop computer style, the keyboard gives RGB backlighting. Extra particularly, the Predator Helios 16 gives per-key RGB mini-LED backlit keys, so you’ll be able to management the brightness and shade of every particular person key should you’d like. Or, should you favor to avoid wasting battery life, you’ll be able to flip the lights off fully.

I’ve no complaints in regards to the trackpad. It’s massive, responsive, and feels velvety clean. Some might care in regards to the trackpad being barely off-center, however it didn’t hinder efficiency or bug me in any respect.

Acer Predator Helios 16 benchmarks and efficiency

To jog your reminiscence, listed below are the internals this Acer Predator Helios 16 configuration is working with: an Intel Core i914900HX CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 GPU with 12GB of VRAM, and 32GB of RAM. These specs work collectively fantastically to create a clean general expertise, whether or not you’re taking part in a Triple-A title at excessive presets or hoarding tabs whereas finishing a venture for varsity or work.

On our conventional laptop computer stress take a look at, which includes opening 20 Chrome tabs with a mixture of static and video content material and some background apps, this laptop computer handed with flying colours. As a result of it has a discrete GPU, I even doubled the variety of Chrome tabs, and it nonetheless refused to stutter. With all that open, I used to be in a position to sort in Google Docs and cargo a brand new web page with no points.

To emphasize take a look at this gaming laptop computer’s internals, I performed Cyberpunk 2077 for an hour at excessive presets and native decision (2560 x 1600) with DLSS turned off. Capturing and shifting round within the sport felt silky clean, and I averaged round 80 frames per second.

Whereas looping a video to run down the battery, going about my common workday duties, or taking part in Cyberpunk 2077, the laptop computer’s top-notch thermal design saved the whole lot cool. After an hour of gaming, the laptop computer’s hottest factors had been barely heat. In fact, with wonderful thermal design comes fan noise, however the one time the followers had been noticeably noisy was throughout gameplay — and even then, I might simply hear the in-game audio over the followers.

This laptop computer has a really “gamer” look.
Credit score: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Actual-world efficiency exams present how a laptop computer features within the day-to-day, however should you’re evaluating laptops earlier than shopping for, standardized efficiency benchmarks reign supreme.

On 3DMark’s TimeSpy benchmark, which assesses graphical prowess, the Predator Helios 16 delivered a staggering rating of 16,837, far surpassing most of the different gaming laptops we’ve examined. The HP Omen 17 and Alienware m16 R2 delivered scores of 12,105 and 12,224 with an RTX 4070 GPU, respectively.

To check CPU efficiency, I ran Geekbench 6. In Efficiency mode, the Predator Helios 16 earned a multi-core rating of 17,462. Switching over to Balanced mode, the laptop computer earned a barely decrease rating of 16,817. For comparability, the 2024 HP Omen 17 obtained a multi-core rating of 12,781.

Lastly, our Cyberpunk 2077 benchmark exams the laptop computer’s in-game efficiency with DLSS off, the presets notched at excessive, and usually, the decision set to 1080p. Then, we change DLSS on and report the recorded body charges. Nonetheless, this laptop computer constantly delivered puzzling outcomes when set to 1080p, which might have one thing to do with latest DLSS upgrades and the brand new mannequin.

With the decision set to 1080p, our Cyberpunk 2077 delivered 111.8 frames per second with DLSS off and 109.7 frames per second with DLSS on. The one approach I used to be in a position to up the frames per second at 1080p decision was by enabling AI-powered body era, which then churned out over 200 frames per second. 

Turning DLSS on historically will get you extra frames per second, not much less, which was mirrored in working the identical benchmark at native decision (2560 x 1600). At native decision, our Cyberpunk 2077 benchmark scored a median of 79.4 frames per second with DLSS switched off. Turning DLSS on notched a formidable 109.3 frames per second.

Acer Predator Helios 16 battery life

If you happen to’re in search of one of many greatest laptops for battery life, the Acer Predator Helios 16 isn’t the one for you.

In our battery take a look at, which includes looping a 1080p model of Tears of Metal at 50 % brightness, the Predator Helios 16 solely lasted 5 hours and 34 minutes. And imagine it or not, that’s with all of its RGB LEDs turned off. With the RGB mild bar on and blue, static lights underneath the keyboard, the laptop computer eked out a mere 3 hours and 42 minutes.

Contemplating the HP Omen 17 (with barely decrease specs) lasted 8 hours and 13 minutes on the identical video rundown take a look at, these outcomes aren’t nice. Granted, for gaming functions, you’ll be utilizing the Predator Helios 16 plugged in. However don’t anticipate to make use of this laptop computer at a library or espresso store cord-free — at the least, not for very lengthy.

Nobody’s shocked by this grainy, boring webcam

The Predator Helios 16 is a gaming laptop computer, and as such, the webcam is much from spectacular.

The webcam is nothing particular.
Credit score: Screenshot: Sarah Chaney

myself by this laptop computer’s 1080p webcam, I wasn’t shocked a bit to see boring colours amidst a grainy reflection. I even gave the webcam the most effective likelihood attainable and positioned myself in entrance of pure daylight that wasn’t too brilliant.

The webcam is comparatively sharp, confirmed by the person strands of hair I might pick in my selfie, however general, it’s fairly mediocre. Plus, there’s no privateness shutter.

Is the Acer Predator Helios 16 value it?

The Acer Predator Helios 16 is an incredible gaming laptop computer, filled with a 14th Gen Intel CPU and an RTX 4080 GPU which can be fairly able to taking part in AAA titles at excessive settings with exceptional ease and never numerous warmth, because of an adept thermal design.

I even assume that this laptop computer’s distinguished gamer aesthetic is simple to disregard should you’re merely in search of the most effective internals you will get at the most effective value. If you would like a extra refined gaming laptop computer that might double as a piece laptop computer, take a look at the HP Omen 17 as a substitute.

The most important potential flaw with this laptop computer, relying on what your wants are, is its lackluster battery life. You received’t have the ability to stray removed from an outlet for lengthy, even round your individual residence. Granted, should you don’t plan to ever play unplugged as a result of it typically means sacrificing greater body charges, then this most likely isn’t a problem value contemplating for you.

In case your prime precedence in a gaming laptop computer is general efficiency at an ideal value (and also you don’t thoughts the “gamer” look), I imagine the Acer Predator Helios 16 is certainly value it.