In an event held this Thursday (20), Acer completely updated its line of Predator gamer PCs with more powerful hardware and new proposals. In addition to the 13th generation Intel Raptor Lake processors and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4000 GPUs, the machines draw attention to their refined design with premium construction and the presence of some of the giant’s cutting-edge technologies, such as the 3D SpatialLabs screen.
Predator Triton 17X brings Core i9 and RTX 4090
The Acer Predator Triton 17X is the most advanced of the presented notebooks, combining an Intel Core i9 13900HX processor, with 24 cores and 32 threads running at up to 5.6 GHz, with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile in its maximum configuration of 175 W (150 W). W + 25 W via Dynamic Boost). The machine also features up to 64 GB of DDR5-5600 RAM and an impressive 4 TB of M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD storage.
The novelty marks the evolution of Acer’s design by bringing a more sober construction than we usually associate with a “gaming notebook”, adopting a single-piece aluminum body and only a discreet Predator family logo on the lid. Delivering the laptop’s gaming DNA is its keyboard with per-key RGB lighting, accompanied by a discreet Predator logo in the region of the wrist rest, which also features RGB.
The cooling system stands out for combining liquid metal on the processor with a trio of fans and huge air vents, including a main one that practically takes over the entire rear area. Another of the strongest points is the 17-inch screen in 16:10 ratio with Quad HD+ resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels and curious refresh rate of 250 Hz — most modern panels in the category offer 240 Hz.
The display’s advanced specs go further by using an AmLED panel from AUO: it’s basically a display with Mini LED backlighting. The manufacturer promises 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut, intense contrast and peak brightness of 1,000 nits, which would reach around 800 nits even when not playing content in HDR, a very respectable characteristic. Closing the package is the presence of Nvidia Advanced Optimus and G-Sync, to eliminate frame drops when the FPS is inconsistent.
Predator Helios Neo 16 is a potent intermediate
Rookie member of the intermediate Helios family, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 brings the most refined design of the new generation in a less premium body, with specifications that seek to balance high performance and price. The novelty brings unspecified 13th generation Intel Raptor Lake-HX processors — probably the Core i7 models — along with GPUs up to the GeForce RTX 4070 Mobile, with consumption established at 140 W (115 W + 25 W via Dynamic Boost).
Also included in the datasheet are up to 32GB of DDR5-4800 RAM and up to 2TB of M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD storage. Both the company’s most robust updated fans and the liquid metal in the CPU are present here to ensure good temperatures. In turn, the 16-inch screen in 16:10 ratio is simpler than the one seen on the Triton 17X, but no less full-bodied.
There are two options: an IPS LCD with a Quad HD+ resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, a refresh rate of 165 Hz and a promised response time of 3 ms; and a Full HD+ IPS LCD of 1920 x 1200 pixels, 165 Hz frame rate and 100% sRGB color gamut coverage. Both are Advanced Optimus compatible and feature variable refresh rate (VRR) with Nvidia G-Sync to eliminate dropped frames.
Its design is another highlight, as it mixes plastic with details in blue and metal on the keyboard deck and on the cover, where there are a series of mysterious inscriptions and the Predator logo with reflections in purple. Acer revealed that these inscriptions represent a secret code, which “would reward those who decipher it”.
Predator Helios 3D 15 embarks immersive screen
Acer was one of the first companies to bet on a new generation of 3D screens with SpatialLabs technology, which combines special layers on the display with cameras that track the user’s eyes to keep the effect working as it should regardless of the angle at which the panel is viewed. observed. The technology returns in the new Acer Predator Helios 3D 15, another member of the company’s intermediate family that proposes to offer a more immersive gameplay experience.
With a body reminiscent of the previous generation model, the Helios 3D 15 packs powerful hardware with a Core i9 13900HX, non-detailed power Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile GPU, and up to 32 GB of DDR5-5600 RAM. Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, the brand’s renewed cooling system, Thunderbolt 4 ports, an Ethernet port for wired networking and a MicroSD card reader are also present.
As mentioned, the focus of this model is its 15.6-inch screen with 3D SpatialLabs technology — Acer claims that more than 70 games have already been adapted for the panel, and has announced partnerships with a few more studios, including giants like Square Enix .
Predator Triton 14 focuses on portability
Closing the series of gamer notebooks for 2023 is the Acer Predator Triton 14, the company’s new bet to fight with models like the Alienware X14 and the Razer Blade 14 in the segment of ultraportable gamer laptops. Even though it is quite compact, the launch is equipped with powerful hardware, led by the Intel Core i7 13700H CPU, with 14 cores and 20 threads running at up to 5.0 GHz, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 or RTX 4050 GPUs, as well as up to 32 GB of RAM LPDDR5-6000.
Although it does not specify the power of the components, the company brought the robust cooling system of the rest of the family, with liquid metal in the CPU and the new fans, a measure that should make even more difference here, considering the reduction of internal space. The Triton 14 also draws attention to its connectivity with Wi-Fi 6E, and the MicroSD card reader, an important aspect for professionals, who seem to be one of the focuses of the machine.
Its 14-inch screen is yet another feature to be taken care of, incorporating a 250 Hz Mini LED panel and 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 range, but a more modest brightness of “only” 600 nits — a very respectable value that is above most of the competitors.
Predator Orion X is powerful compact desktop
Acer is no stranger to desktops, but its desktop PC lineup has always prioritized performance, embracing oversized cases. The company decided to bet on a new idea with the Predator Orion X, a compact PC that combines a total weight of 9 kg case with the most advanced specifications available at the moment. During the event, the manufacturer said it took longer than planned, given the challenge it set itself.
The machine unites an Intel Core i9 13900KS processor, with 24 cores and 32 threads running at up to 6.0 GHz, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, as well as up to 32 GB of DDR5-5600 RAM and up to 2 TB of M.2 SSD storage NVMe PCIe 4.0, with an additional hot-swappable bay, that is, that can be exchanged at any time, even with the computer turned on. The release would also be very upgrade friendly, allowing the user to easily access the internals.
To combine the reduced dimensions design with powerful processing, the company used liquid cooling with a 240 mm water cooler and divided the internal area into three zones — Zone 3 houses the water cooler and is positioned next to Zone 1, where the processor, the SSDs and the power supply, while Zone 2 is dedicated to the video card and two bays for 2.5-inch HDDs. Completing its technical sheet are premium features such as Wi-Fi 6E connectivity and USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 ports, with a transfer rate of up to 20 Gbps.
New displays up to 175 Hz
Concluding the extensive list of novelties, Acer presented two new gamer monitors, starting with the Acer Predator X34 V, one of the giant’s first bets on OLED screens. The panel has an ultrawide 21:9 aspect ratio, an ultrawide Quad HD resolution of 3440 x 1440 pixels and a refresh rate of 175 Hz, in addition to having a modest 1800R curvature and having HDR, attested by the DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400 certification.
By bringing an OLED panel, the user can still expect intense contrast, almost non-existent response time, measured at 0.1 ms by the company, and high color accuracy with 99% coverage of the DCI-P3 range. Also present are VRR with AMD FreeSync Premium, Acer’s various protections to reduce stress on the eyes and a very curious design, with a huge bottom edge that even looks like a speaker — a sound system has not been confirmed, however.
The other novelty is the Acer Nitro XZ452CU V, which in addition to the strange name, also has a very different technical sheet. The panel of unknown technology — possibly IPS LCD — has 44.5 inches, a very sharp curvature of 1500R and a super ultrawide ratio of 32:9, seeming to seek to position itself to compete with models like Samsung’s Odyssey Neo G9.
Peripheral features Dual Quad HD resolution of 5120 x 1440 pixels, 165 Hz refresh rate, VRR with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, amazingly wide color coverage of 90% of DCI-P3 gamut, protections to reduce eye stress and HDR with DisplayHDR 400 certification. Also strong points are the integrated USB hub, the Ethernet port to transmit the network signal to the PC and a KVM switch, which allows controlling more than one computer with the same set of mouse and keyboard.
price and availability
The new devices in the Acer Predator gaming lineup hit the market in the coming weeks, with the following planned dates and prices:
- Acer Predator Triton 17X — opens in May, prices start at $3,799 (~R$19,200)
- Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 — premieres in May, prices start at US$1,200 (~R$6,065)
- Acer Predator 3D 15 — debuts in June, prices start at $3,499 (~R$17,700)
- Acer Predator Triton 14 — opens in May, prices start at $1,499 (~R$7,600)
- Acer Predator Orion X — debuts in September, prices start at $3,999 (~R$20,215)
- Acer Predator X34 V — debuts in the last quarter of 2023, prices starting at US$1,299 (~R$6,570)
- Acer Nitro XZ452CU V — debuts in the last quarter of 2023, prices starting at US$999 (~R$5,060)
Acer has not yet reported if and when it intends to bring the devices to Brazil, but it is almost certain that at least some of them — such as the Helios Neo 16 and monitors — will be launched here.
