Customer Ratings & Reviews

Got it and plastic on outside is loose and keyboard can be better.

It works well and for basic games you don't have to worry, but it is hardly positioned in the mid-range

Acer - Predator Helios Neo 16" WUXGA 165Hz IPS Gaming Laptop - Intel i5-13500HX – GeForce RTX 4050 with 16GB DDR5– 512GB SSD - Steel Gray The Acer Predator Neo is a fast, affordable full-size laptop. This unit came with an i5-13500Hx processor and an Nvidia RTX 4050 Laptop GPU. Combined with 16 Gigs of Ram and a 512 Gig NVME SSD. The memory is upgradable as it is not soldered on the board. It has an empty full size NVME PCI-e slot for a second SSD, there is a second attachment point for a shorter SSD but it is missing the correct screw and spacer. It may be possible to move the screw and spacer from the full-size slot to the shorter one, but I did see a way to do that, so I just moved on. The screen is antiglare but is not a touch screen. The trackpad is accurate and easy to use, you’ll be adding an external mouse when you are gaming. The laptop makes a fan noise at startup. This is just a sound and is not the actual fans. According to the specs it has liquid metal thermal compound on the heatsink. While doing an internal inspection I noticed that one of the heatsink screw heads is stripped out from the factory. This was probably done to reduce the possibility of the heatsink being removed. Liquid metal is hard to deal with and will damage the components if it gets out of the sealed area. While benchmarking the laptop with both Unigine Heaven and Unigine Valley the laptop controlled its heat very well. It held 200+ FPS without running the fans at full speed. I did try the Predator Sense key to switch into gaming mode but saw no difference in the way the laptop performed. Your mileage may vary on this. On a side note to that, the first time I pressed the Predator Sense key the laptop locked up solid. After a forced reboot it worked normally each time after that. The keyboard lighting as well as performance modes are controlled by the Predator Sense software. While trying to get the keyboard lights to be just one static color I was unable to get my settings to stay. Each time the keyboard lights would go off, when they came back on they were back to the wave effect. Researching this I found that this is a common issue. If I went back and checked my settings they were what I wanted, they just didn’t work, however after a reboot they suddenly worked. There is no apply or save button in the software, but a reboot seems to fix that. This is a minor software issue I’m sure they’ll fix at some point. I’m not going to list all the ports as you can see them in the specs on the main page. There is a mode key on the top left side of the keyboard that looks like a power button but is actually for changing modes with just a press of the button. The light will change color according to what settings are being used. This is very useful if you’re going to be using this laptop for school, work, and gaming. One of the USB-A ports is a powered port for charging attached devices while the laptop is off. Be careful with this port as it remains powered even while the laptop is off with no power adapter plugged in. The unit comes with Windows 11 home. This laptop has brought back the BIOS battery, what this means is that when powered off it does not drain the main battery like most other laptops being made today. To test this I shut the laptop down and waited an extended period of time (about a week) and when I turned it back on it was the same as when it was turned off. Most laptops today will slowly drain the main battery over a few week storage period because they are using the main battery as a BIOS battery. That means the internal power side of the laptop is still powered on even when off, not the case in this laptop. I was very happy to see this battery return.

Intel HX laptop CPUs are supposed to be unlocked for undervolting and overclocking, that's the main draw. Acer has prevented this on their laptops, effectively making a i5-13500hx into i5-13500h which is significantly weaker and less features. Also anything plugged into the usbc ports was recognized as a charging device and ingnored the laptops charger, so it would go into battery saving mode slowing the whole system down plugging in a usbc hub.

My kid fried it on Christmas playing fortnight and Minecraft returned it for a desktop. It just went off and the only way to get it to turn on was to keep playing with the charger to jump start it on. Was very weird but after looking at reviews a lot of other people had the same problem.

This Acer gaming laptop is an all around high performer. Like a lot of gaming laptops one thing you notice when you first open the box and take it out is just how heavy it is. One thing I sort of understand why a gaming laptop needs a power brick for charging. These things use a lot of power. But can't that amount of power be delivered via USB-C? I mean, keep the power brick but make the plug USB-C. Not just your typical power barrel connector. Ok, got that minor complaint out of the way, now let's talk about all the good stuff. And there is a lot. I'll start with the screen. This screen simply has to be seen to believe. Refresh rate is high with no blur or streaking. On its brightest setting you should break out your sun glasses, it gets that bright. Color reproduction is excellent. Seriously, if you can swing it you should see it in person. Speakers are outstanding as well. They are not as good as a decent set of external speakers but it's more than good enough to get the job done if you're out and about. The keyboard is very robust and works well. Ok, another complaint is the trackpad. It is less than optimal and you're better off using a good external mouse. Graphics. After all this is a gaming laptop so you would expect the graphics to be top notch. And they are. Games run smooth as silk at medium to high settings on the built in screen. When connected to an external monitor at 4k the graphics perform just as well at gaming. The built in SSD is fairly fast when transferring files or installing software, no complaints there. The built in Wi-Fi 6 is a nice addition and fast enough to not bother connecting it to my ethernet hub. One last thing of note and not really a complaint. The fan noise is rather noticeable but not as bad as I've heard come from other gaming laptops. Overall this is an outstanding gaming laptop well worth your money.

Laptop starting shutting down 3 days outside of warranty, then recently it just completely died, will turn on, LED lights light up but no post. The amount I paid for this computer I expected a lot more use out of it.

The combination of the Intel i5-13500HX processor and the RTX 4050 GPU delivers impressive performance for a gaming laptop in this price range. It effortlessly handles demanding games and resource-intensive tasks. Whether you're into AAA titles, esports, or content creation, this laptop won't disappoint. It offers a smooth gaming experience with surprisingly high frame rates. This was a much larger upgrade from my experience with RTX 3050 laptops than I was expecting. I have a feeling that this laptop allowing the GPU 130W has a lot to do with that. Effective cooling is essential for gaming laptops, and the Acer Predator doesn't disappoint in this department. The cooling system ensures that the laptop remains relatively cool even during extended gaming sessions. It can get a bit noisy when the fans kick into high gear, but that's a trade-off most gamers are willing to make for optimal performance. Honestly, it's not a trade-off I have to make very often as it has enough cooling to produce good framerates without the need for Turbo. The 16-inch display is a standout feature of this laptop. With a high refresh rate and WUXGA resolution, it provides sharp and vibrant visuals. The colors are rich, and the contrast is on point, which enhances the overall gaming and multimedia experience. I was initially hesitant about an IPS display as I've been spoiled by OLEDs recently but I am more than happy with the quality of this display and really like the slightly taller aspect ratio and screen elevation, from the taller hinge. My only two complaints are the feel of the keyboard and the 90 degree power adapter. The keyboard is responsive enough but I'm not a fan of the mushy feel. It's not much of a distraction while gaming, but is very noticeable while typing. As for the power cable, a 90 degree end is usually a good thing allowing for better cord management when the charging port is on the side of the laptop. However, the Helios has the power input on the back of the laptop along with other ports which means your either directly blocking the HDMI port or placing the power cable inline with the exhaust. Not always a huge issue but an odd oversight as 90 degree power supplies aren't the norm. If you're looking for a gaming laptop that delivers outstanding performance without breaking the bank, the Acer Predator Helios Neo is definitely worth considering.

Acer makes affordable gaming laptops. Unfortunately they're cheaply made. Had to Return wifi was terrible. Went with Asus ROG.

Had this computer for 2 months and now it wont turn on

Not the best out there and for what’s it worth I’m

It was really good at the beginning but Stop working after a couple of months we

Not very happy at the moment, not even been used for 3 days and issues with the screen.

Overall, the Predator Helios Neo 16 gaming laptop has left a positive impression on me. Upon unboxing, the setup process was smooth and straightforward, just standard Windows setup. The laptop's sleek design and build quality caught my eye right away. The gaming performance of this laptop is commendable. I put it to the test with Doom 2016 at high settings, and it handled the game flawlessly without any hiccups. The gameplay was smooth, and the graphics were rendered beautifully. The laptop didn't break a sweat, even with demanding gaming sessions. The ease with which it handled peripherals, such as a mouse, keyboard, and monitor, was a major plus for an immersive gaming experience. While the Predator Helios Neo 16 managed Doom 2016 on high settings without breaking a sweat, I did experience a few bugs when attempting to run the game on ultra settings. Although not a deal-breaker, it's something worth noting. Adjusting the settings slightly resolved this, and I could still enjoy a visually stunning gaming experience. Beyond gaming, the laptop performed well during everyday tasks and multi-tasking. It felt responsive, and the display quality was impressive. Whether watching movies, browsing, or using productivity software, the Predator Helios Neo 16 delivered a satisfying experience. The laptop's build quality exudes durability, with a sleek and modern design that makes it stand out. The backlit keyboard is comfortable for extended gaming sessions, and the touchpad is responsive and precise. The battery life is decent, considering it's a gaming laptop. For everyday tasks and casual use, it lasts long enough to get through a few hours without needing to plug in. Pros: Impressive gaming performance, handling high settings with ease. Seamless setup and compatibility with peripherals. Sleek design and solid build quality. Responsive keyboard and touchpad. Cons: Ultra settings in Doom 2016 caused some minor bugs. Overall, the Predator Helios Neo 16 is a solid gaming laptop that delivers a solid gaming experience on older AAA games. It handles everyday tasks effortlessly, and boasts a sleek design. While maximum settings in graphically intense games may cause minor issues, the overall performance is impressive. If you're looking for a reliable gaming laptop with decent specs and seamless setup, this is definitely worth considering.

This laptop has taken everything I've thrown at it and handled it with ease! I play games like GTA V, the Call of Duty series, Overwatch 2, Genshin Impact, and the Plants Vs. Zombies series. Everything I played was set to max settings or at the higher end of settings. No lagging, stuttering, or overheating.  Additionally, I found it very easy to multi-task while playing video games or doing schoolwork. I could play music or listen to a video in the background while gaming with zero issues. But keep in mind that there are a lot of high-end components jam-packed into this laptop so it did get warm and the fans got a bit loud when I played graphically demanding games but that is normal and to be expected.   Coming with 16GB of RAM already sets you up for a great experience, however, you can also upgrade the ram if you feel you need more power. It comes with a 512GB SSD which can be suitable for some, but I recommend upgrading to at least 1TB for convenience. The 165 Hz IPS screen is vibrant and crisp. Given that it also comes with the latest Nvidia 4050 GPU and the latest Intel i5-13500HX CPU, I'd say it's a great package deal! At this price point, you get a LOT of bang for your buck. I can also see this laptop being great for content creation and streaming! Definitely worth checking out. 

Computer was overheating right out of the box and performed very poorly

Don’t waste your time with Acer laptops honestly. ‘

The Predator Helios Neo in an excellent mid grade gaming laptop. Equipped with a Geforce RTX 4050, 16 gigabytes of RAM, and a 512 gigabyte SSD, you will find yourself loving this laptop for YEARS to come. There’s a lot to love about this gaming laptop The laptop enclosure is a luxury to handle, it feels premium from the moment you open the box, to the first time you find the power button. Seriously, it might take you a moment to figure out where it’s at. The 165hz refresh rate isn’t anything to ignore either, it’s a 16x10 aspect ratio, giving you a bit more area vertically. But it’s still a 1080p resolution, which is why I place this laptop in the mid grade category. As a stand alone computer, this laptop is perfect for on-the-go gaming and Luckily you can always connect a 2K or 4k resolution monitor (or two) and still enjoy a great computer for gaming at home. Windows 11 is a major success for microsoft and all major gaming can be enjoyed on this laptop. The keyboard is comfortable and smooth, no weird spacing and thanks to the 16” profile, you have the comfort of a larger keyboard layout.

Very nice for the price. Does well with speed and graphics. Although not the fastest, it does well for more than just everyday use.

It's just amazing! It can run the best of games at a good 60 frames per second or more. It's very quiet when playing but a bit loud when turning it on, nothing else loud. It can basically play any game at the highest of graphics without any problems. It can run Red Dead Redemption 2 at a good stable 60 frames per second. This laptop is also of course portable which makes it even better and even more useful. The RGB lighting on the keyboard is also an amazing touch that makes the manufactures care for their consumers as it looks even better with the lighting on. It's screen is nice and decently sized and perfect. The keyboard feels nice and is easy to see especially with the RGB lighting as previously mentioned. The box it came in is gigantic and a bit hard to open at first. The laptop also comes with free Xbox Game Pass PC so you can play games to test it out a bit! It's amazing honestly, everything about it is the best and i'm even using the laptop to write this review! Just shows how great it is! 10/10