Acer is refreshing a few of its gaming laptops this yr at CES and the corporate has introduced a brand new entry in its Predator Helios Neo lineup, the Predator Helios Neo 18.
All 4 laptops are getting {hardware} updates with 14th Gen Intel chips, alongside NVIDIA GeForce 40-series GPUs. Acer can be beefing up different elements of those laptops. As an illustration, the 2 Predator Helios laptops include MagKey 3.0. switches, just like the MagForce switches it introduced on the Predator Helios 700 just a few years in the past.
These are hot-swappable switches that you could simply detach to interchange for one thing extra to your liking. A function that you just not often if ever discover on laptop computer keyboards. These are solely on the WASD keys although. Nonetheless, swapping them out for one thing with shorter journey time and extra responsiveness might assist offer you an edge in multiplayer video games.
Moreover, Acer has added Wi-Fi 7 to the Predator Helios 16 and Predator Helios 18. Each these laptops include upgraded shows too. This time round, Acer is utilizing Mini LED so you possibly can count on a vivid distinction of colours. Acer additionally says the screens include a 1000-nit peak brightness so glare shouldn’t be a lot of a difficulty. Avid gamers may also respect the WQXGA decision and the lightning-fast 250Hz refresh price. A lot of frames could make all of the distinction. So the excessive refresh price on these laptops is unquestionably going to be one of many higher strengths.
These can include as much as an Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU and as much as an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU. As at all times although, you’ll have the ability to select from a number of configurations. With lower-powered fashions coming in at extra reasonably priced costs. Acer says the Predator Helios 16 and 18 will launch this month beginning at $1,899.99 and $1,999.99 respectively. This implies these RTX 4090 fashions will little question be fairly costly.
The Predator Helios Neo laptops can be extra reasonably priced
These trying to save a bit money might need to take a look at Acer’s Predator Helios Neo fashions as a substitute. These may also are available in 16-inch and 18-inch variations, however they’ll begin at a lower cost and that might mean you can swing for a mannequin with one of many extra highly effective graphics playing cards. Retaining that in thoughts, going for the higher GPUs will nonetheless make these laptops costly. They do begin decrease however simply by just a few hundred. As they’ll launch beginning at $1,499.99 for the Predator Helios Neo 16 and $1,549.99 for the Predator Helios Neo 18.
Nonetheless, saving just a few hundred is saving just a few hundred. And if you’re trying to get a robust gaming laptop computer you’ll need to save no matter you possibly can. If you wish to go for these fashions you’ll have to attend a bit longer, nonetheless, as a result of they received’t be launching till March. The Neo fashions will include the identical WQXGA decision shows however they received’t be Mini LED and the refresh price goes all the way down to 240Hz. In addition they solely include as much as an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. And that’s what helps carry the worth down a bit.
Moreover, they’ll include as much as 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. In addition to DTS:X Encompass Sound audio system for a greater audio expertise if you’re not utilizing headphones. One good little profit is that the entire laptops will include a free one-month trial of Xbox Sport Move Final. We wouldn’t say that’s a promoting level, however it’s a good bonus.
These received’t have the MagKey 3.0 however they’ll include as much as the Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU. Apparently, Acer has gone with the Intel Core chips right here versus the Intel Core Extremely CPUs that it put within its Predator laptops that it introduced on the finish of final yr.