After Acer’s first round of CES 2024 announcement featuring routers and monitors, here’s the second part of the full lineup so let us continue.
Gaming Laptops
First, we have the refreshed Helios 16 and Helios 18 fitted with a 14th Gen Intel Core mobile processor of up to the i9-14900HX and up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU for the ultimate mobile gaming experience. Everything is displayed onto the WQXGA 16:10 panel with optional MiniLED variant refreshing at the maximum of 250Hz alongside 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and 1000 nits of brightness.
With such powerful hardware, the internals are cooled by the dual 5th Gen AeroBlade fans, vector heat pipes, and liquid metal thermal grease to consistently provide the performance gamers want. Speaking of gamers, the cool RGB-enabled Predator logo and Infinity Mirror lighting bar on the back plus customizable keyboard RGB lighting can all be accessed in the newly updated PredatorSense app.
The keyboard also has a special trick on its sleeve, particularly the WASD keys using a special MagKey 3.0 mechanism where users can swap out the switch for something else with choices between MagClick and MagSpeed. The former provides satisfying clicks and tactile feedback while MagSpeed aims for faster actuation and more RGB patterns.
Users can also find the PurifiedView and PurifiedVoice techs for clearer video and voice calls alongside a wide range of I/O ports plus DTS:X Ultra-enhanced audio for the onboard speakers and headphone output.
On the other hand, the Helios Neo family not only gives the 16 a refresh but also there’s the new 18-inch model for this year. Specs-wise, it is just a tad lower than the Helios with the same CPU choices and the GPU tanking the ceiling a bit, going as far as the RTX 4070 Laptop GPU only.
Memory configs can go up to 32GB DDR5-5600 and 2TB PCIe 4.0 while the display is set at WQXGA 240Hz 3ms with 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. The panel is also NVIDIA Advanced Optimus and G-SYNC supported for fast, tearless, and hassle-free gaming.
Aside from settling for a more standard “laptop” keyboard without the quirky MagKey thing, the rest of the board is quite similar like the I/O ports, webcam and mic AI filtering, DTS:X speakers, PredatorSense 5.0 app out of the box, and such.
Last but not least, yet another new size enters the Nitro family with the new Nitro 17. Although not rocking the latest and greatest, it is still highly viable with its up-to-Intel Core i7-14700HX and up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU to go with up to 32GB DDR5-5600 RAM and a maximum of 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD.
The large 17.3-inch display comes with the standard 1440p resolution and boasts 165Hz refresh rate, 3ms response rate, and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. Under the hood, a streamlined and efficient thermal design of dual-fan quad intake/exhaust vents plus vector heat pipes and liquid metal thermal grease on the CPU pretty much sums up the package in general.
Other notable features include the AI-powered PurifiedView and PurifiedVoice techs, 720p webcam, 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports, high-speed wireless connection, and more.
For the prices, here’s what they will start from:
- Predator Helios 18 – From USD1,999.99/EUR3,999/RMB24,999 starting March/February/January
- Predator Helios 16 – From USD1,899.99/EUR2,799/RMB18,999 starting January/February/January
- Predator Helios Neo 18 – From USD1,549.99/EUR2,199 starting March/February
- Predator Helios Neo 16 – From USD1,499.99/EUR1,699/RMB8,499 starting March/February/February
- Nitro 17 – From USD1,249.99 starting January
GPUs
Now moving to the GPU department where we’ll take a look at the new Predator BiFrost series blessed towards the Radeon RX 7800 XT. Powered by two 8-pin PCIe power connectors, the 16GB VRAM GPU comes in this beefy, black look housing 3x Predator FrostBlade 3.0 fans with wave-patterned blade textures that can deliver extra airflow towards the card while the vapor chamber takes up the main job of heat transfer.
Taking up a total of 3 slots, a wide range of PC chassis can take it in with ease while the ringed design and subtle RGB make it recognizable as a Predator series product. Users can also use the Predator BiFrost Utility App to get hardware information, monitor temps and voltages, as well as adjust fan curves and intensities.
Meanwhile, the standard Nitro series sees the Radeon RX 7800/7700/7600 XT OC with the latter being Team Red’s mid-range offering for 2024 and all of them run the Nitro FrostBlade ringed fans for high airflow and pressure while the dual-ball bearing systems minimize friction while withstanding high temperatures.
The RX 7600 XT OC is also given a copper base for better heat conductivity towards the heat pipes and to wrap it up, high-quality capacitors for longevity and an aluminum backplate + metal anti-bending strip for rigidity support.
Reference prices for all the cards are as below:
- Predator BiFrost Radeon RX 7800 XT OC – USD549.99 starting February / EUR599 starting Q1
- Nitro Radeon RX 7800 XT OC – USD509.99 starting February / EUR579 starting Q1
- Nitro Radeon RX 7700 XT OC – USD459.99 starting February / EUR519 starting Q1
- Nitro Radeon RX 7600 XT OC – Price TBA, launching in February
