![]() We test their visual chops using the Graphics sub-score in 3DMark’s Fire Strike Extreme benchmark, a synthetic benchmark that focuses on pure GPU performance. Gaming laptops need strong graphics capabilities, of course. It’s just lackluster compared to rival screens. Don’t get me wrong: The Predator Helios 300’s display is serviceable overall. Some colors lack pop and feel washed-out as a result, especially vibrant hues. In fact, at 230 nits maximum, it doesn’t even hit the minimum brightness level we use for our battery run-down tests, which run at a standardized 250 to 260 nits to simulate comfortable indoor viewing. It’s nice and sharp with wide viewing angles, but far too dim. I wish I could say the same for the 1920×1080 IPS display. The Helios 300’s keyboard and touchpad excel overall. I’d have preferred dedicated left- and right-click buttons, but hey, I’m a purist. The clickpad-style touchpad handles very smoothly and accurately. They can be turned on or off manually, but not dimmed or customized on a per-key basis. Fetching red backlights augment the keyboard and look nice against the black keys. The chiclet-style keys have plenty of travel and aren’t overly loud in use. The inputs feel comfortable and responsive, too. You’ll feel it in your backpack but won’t break your spine lugging it around. With 5 pounds, 7.9 ounces of heft and a 1.1-inch thickness, the Helios 300 is fairly compact for a gaming rig. Two angled red stripes flank the Predator logo on the lid, ensuring everyone in the coffee shop knows you’re using an Acer. The laptop chassis includes plenty of plastic, as you’d expect in a gaming notebook in this price range, but Acer augments it with a sleek, brushed-metal lid and keyboard deck. Given how easy it is to crack open the Predator Helios 300-the empty hard drive bay is secured shut by a single Phillips screw-I’d recommend going the DIY route to add more storage to the laptop. Acer offers another configuration that supplements the SSD with a 1TB mechanical hard drive, but at a steep $300 premium. This entry-level configuration includes an SSD with a scant 256GB capacity that’ll fill up fast in this era of plus-sized games. Despite the affordable price, Acer didn’t skimp on the memory, stocking the Helios 300 with 16GB of DDR4 RAM. Not here: The Predator packs the same quad-core Core i7-7700HQ processor found in laptops that cost two or three times more, along with a full-fat 6GB GeForce GTX 1060-no dialed-back Max-Q version here. Weight: 5 pounds, 7.9 ounces, or 7 pounds with power brickĪround this price range, you’ll normally find gaming laptops equipped with a lesser-powered GeForce GTX 1050 or GTX 1050 Ti graphics card, or a middling Core i5 CPU.Ports: 2x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 3.1 Type-C, HDMI, SD card reader, ethernet, headphone jack, lock slot.We’re reviewing the entry-level 15-inch version. Acer Predator Helios 300 specs, features, and priceĪcer offers the Predator Helios 300 in several configurations spanning both 15.6-inch and 17.3-inch display sizes.
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