Acer Nitro 17 review
The Acer Acer Nitro 17 ranks as the #437 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 72. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #147-ranked connectivity among 1 laptops. Consider the Acer Chromebook 516 GE or Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Acer Nitro 17 is a gaming laptop that fails to live up to its paper specs. Despite boasting a Core i7-13700H and RTX4060 GPU, the device's performance falls short in actual use. While the 2K and 165Hz display is a highlight, the power supply only reaches half of its potential, resulting in lower FPS compared to other laptops with the same GPU. The laptop remains cool during gaming sessions, but this may be due to power limitation rather than an efficient cooling system. Overall, the Acer Nitro 17 feels overpriced and underperforming, making it a less desirable option for gamers seeking strong performance.
Build
The Acer Nitro 17's build quality is a mixed bag. The design is rugged and gaming-oriented, with sharp lines and a minimalist aesthetic. However, the execution falls short. The logo is poorly applied, peeling off easily and requiring glue to secure it in place. The chassis feels flimsy and unstable, particularly when handled roughly. Despite its glossy finish, the plastic exterior doesn't quite live up to the Nitro 17's promise of a premium feel. Overall, while the design has potential, the build quality is only decent for its segment. For a superior build, Acer Predator Triton 17X could be the right choice.
Display
The Acer Nitro 17's 2K display is its most valuable feature, boasting sharpness and smoothness. The 17-inch screen is ideal for playing AAA games without an external monitor. The 165Hz refresh rate maintains excellent color accuracy, making it suitable for both graphic design and gaming. At a 2K resolution on a 17-inch screen, the display's performance is impressive, capable of pushing over 300 FPS in CSGO and maintaining smooth gameplay in other titles. Overall, the display is a highlight of the Acer Nitro 17's features. A better alternative might be Acer Chromebook 515, featuring a next-level display.
Performance
The Acer Nitro 17's performance is a letdown despite its impressive spec sheet. The i7-13700H CPU and RTX 4060 GPU, supposedly capable of high-performance, fail to reach their maximum potential in gaming scenarios. In real-world tests, the laptop struggles to maintain 80-90 FPS in Halo at high settings, falling short of other laptops with the same GPU. This is puzzling, considering the 140W power supply for the RTX 4060. The laptop's cooling system does keep temperatures relatively low, but this comes at the cost of performance. You may find Acer Predator Triton 500 SE a better fit, thanks to its superior performance.
Battery and Charging
The Acer Nitro 17's battery life is decent, lasting around 5-6 hours in moderate use. However, the charging time is slow, taking around 2 hours to fully charge from 0%. This may be a drawback for those who need a quick top-up. Despite this, the laptop's power efficiency is respectable, considering its powerful specs. Overall, the battery life is adequate, but the charging time leaves room for improvement.
Connectivity
The Acer Nitro 17 has a mediocre build quality, with glossy plastic and a finish that feels decent in its segment. The performance is also underwhelming, despite the powerful specs on paper. The i7-13700H CPU and RTX 4060 GPU never reached their maximum power, resulting in lower FPS compared to other gaming laptops. However, the laptop's temperature remains cool at around 70°C during gaming sessions. Acer Predator Triton 17X might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded connectivity.
Features
The Acer Nitro 17 boasts a robust design with sharp lines and RGB LED accents. The device features a 2K 165Hz display, making it suitable for gaming and graphic design. The laptop's build quality is decent, but its finish is marred by poorly applied logos and a glossy surface that shows fingerprints easily. For an improved features, Acer Predator Triton 17X is worth considering.
Support and Maintenance
The Acer Nitro 17's build quality feels decent but is marred by a poorly applied logo and unstable finish. Performance-wise, the laptop's power supply is misleading, as it rarely reached maximum CPU and GPU power, resulting in lower FPS compared to other laptops with the same specs. The cooling system, however, remains cool and effective.
Pros
1. The Acer Nitro 17 has a solid feel with sharp lines, four Zone RGB LED lines on the keyboard system, and a rough gaming design that's reminiscent of the old days.
2. The device has a unique way of operating, but it helps to understand how it controls its performance
3. The CPU is an i7-13700H which is not too different from the i712700h
4. The RTX 4060 GPU is better than last year's 3060 and can usually push up to 120 and 130 FPS at 2K and high settings in games like Halo
5. The laptop surface stays cool even during gaming sessions, with temperatures around 70 degrees Celsius for the CPU
6. The screen has a 2K and 165 Hertz display that's both sharp and smooth, making it great for playing AAA games without needing an external monitor
7. The device can push CSGO over 300 and 400 FPS, as well as many other games at 2K resolutions
Cons
1. The performance of the device is only on paper, and in reality, the CPU and GPU almost never reached their maximum power
2. The laptop's build quality is only decent in its segment, with a poorly applied logo that peels off easily
3. The chassis still makes a glossy plastic finish, which can be unstable in terms of build quality
4. The device's performance was lower than expected during gaming sessions, with FPS dropping to around 80-90 compared to other laptops with the same RTX 4060
5. It's unclear why Acer increased the power supply for the RTX 4060 to 140 Watts when in reality it never achieved the performance even in Turbo mode
6. The device's cooling system is excellent, but it can be misleading as it may be due to power limitation rather than actual cooling
7. Some of the design elements, such as the logo and chassis finish, are not well-made and can be distracting
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