Today, Acer have held the annual next@acer global press conference, announcing multiple new laptops and pieces of hardware.
First up is the update of all their main gaming laptops. This includes high-performance Helios 700, powerful Helios 300, sleek Triton 300 and refined Nitro 7.
They are all being updated with the current 10th Gen Intel Core processors, with GPU options upto the RTX 2080 SUPER and new ultra fast 240 Hz refresh rate monitors.
Acer Predator Helios 700
From $2,499.99 in the US in August & EUR 2,699/£2450 in Europe from September
The definition of a desktop replacement, the Acer Predator Helios 700 is absolutely not an ultra-portable. The current Helios 700 weights 4.9Kg weighing more than double many flagship 17.3-inch laptops weigh, including the Alienware Area-51M with its desktop components.
Its humongous size (and price) mean you get can get high-end desktop performance with either include either an overclockable 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10980HK or i7-10875H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER or RTX 2070 SUPER graphics.
Again, thanks to its massive case, it has much better cooling than its counterparts with with a new thermal solution called Predator PowerGem, included on models with the Intel Core i9 processor. PowerGem is a special material with 3.83 times more vertical heat conductivity than copper, improving the notebook’s heat emission efficiency. All models include three copper heat pipes, Acer CoolBoost Technology, a vapor chamber and two Acer custom-engineered 4th Gen AeroBlade 3D fans.
You can now have up to 2933 Hz memory (max 64 GB) DDR4 Ram with a pair of NVMe drives in RAID 0.
All of this will drive the beautiful 17.3-inch 144 Hz FHD IPS display with NVIDIA G-SYNC technology.
Connectivity is handled by the Killer DoubleShot Pro (Wi-Fi 6 AX1650i wireless and E3100G Ethernet), there is even two Thunderbolt 3 ports allowing you to connect high speed peripherals or an external GPU.
The keyboard, which features per-key RGB lighting and anti-ghosting, has been updated to include MagTek mechanical switches for the WASD keys and a set of new racing keys which offer increased precision. Designed for racing games, they feature a 1.5 mm of keycap curvature that enables gamers to make finer and more controlled movements in game. Gamers can swap the standard WASD keys on the keyboard out with the included MagForce keys and racing keys, choosing the set best suited for the game they’re playing. Once swapped, gamers can use the Predator Sense app or press the P3 hotkey in order to adjust the keys’ lighting and actuation point.
Acer Predator Helios 300
Available in North America in September, starting at USD $1,299.99; and in EMEA in July, starting at EUR 1,399, UK from £1199.99 in June.
A bit more sensibly proportioned than its bigger brother, I reviewed the Predator Helios 300 in October last year. The new model follows the same path of upgrades, you now have the latest 10th Gen Intel Core H-series processors, overclockable NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 with Max-Q Design graphics and a 240 Hz 15.6-inch FHD IPS display with 3 ms overdrive
It also supports up to 32 GB of 2933 MHz DDR4 memory, two PCIe NVMe SSDs in RAID 0 configuration and up to a 2 TB hard drive, delivering the speed and storage necessary to maintain large libraries of AAA games and movies.
This one is much easier to carry around, the model I reviewed was 2.1Kg, not something I would want to carry around all day, but certainly easy enough for a daily commute.
Acer Predator Triton 300
Available in North America from September, starting at USD $1,299.99; and in EMEA in July, starting at EUR 1,399, UK from £1199.99 in June.
I have previously reviewed the ridiculously expensive Predator Triton 900 and the excellent Acer Predator Triton 500.
The new Predator Triton 300 offers similar options to the previous Helios 300 with a10th Gen Intel Core H-series processor options, up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 with Max-Q Design graphics and a 240 Hz display refresh rate.
It further supports up to three M.2 SSDs (one PCIe, two combos), providing an abundance of storage and the lightning-fast transfer rates and speed that gamers crave.
All this performance is housed in a thin and lightweight metalchassis that measures just 19.9 mm (0.78 inches) thin and 2.1 kg (4.63 lbs), making it easy to game on the go.
Without dimensions of the Helios 300, I am struggling to tell what the difference will be with the Triton. The product images make it look a little thinner though.
Acer Nitro 7
Available in North America from October, starting at USD $999.99; and in EMEA/UK in July, starting at EUR 1,299/£1175
Finally is the Acer Nitro 7 which I also reviewed last year, this one is a little more chubby and more affordable than the Triton 300 and Helios 300, giving gamers a more accessible price point.
Weighing in at 2.5Kg it is not much heavier than the Triton 300. You still get a 10th Gen Intel Core H-series processor and up to a GeForce RTX 2060 GPU. With up to three slots for high-speed M.2 SSDs, up to 1 TB in RAID 0 configuration, up to 32 GB of DDR4 2933 memory, Killer Ethernet E2600 and Intel Wi-Fi 6, game load and response times are incredibly quick.
On top of the performance this makes possible, a 15.6-inch non-glare FHD IPS display with a 144 Hz refresh rate and 3 ms response allows for sharp visuals and smooth, blur-free gameplay.
