Acer Predator Helios 18 review
The Acer Acer Predator Helios 18 ranks as the #234 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 76. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #6-ranked performance among 6 laptops. Consider the Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel Pro or Acer TravelMate P6, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Acer Predator Helios 18 is a behemoth of a laptop that checks all the right boxes for gamers and content creators alike. With its stunning QHD 250Hz mini LED display, Intel Core i9-3900HX processor, RTX 480 graphics, and 32GB DDR5 RAM, it's a powerhouse of performance. However, it comes with some caveats: throttled SSD performance under prolonged load, insane fan noise in turbo mode, and poor battery life (around 4.5 hours). Despite these drawbacks, the Helios 18 is still an excellent choice for those willing to put up with its quirks. Is it worth it? Yes, if you can live with its limitations.
Build
The Acer Predator Helios 18 boasts a well-crafted design that successfully balances gamer appeal with understated performance. The metal base and display lid exude quality, while the plastic bottom cover and frame show a hint of flex in the keyboard area. Despite this, the display lid remains relatively rigid. Hinges could benefit from added stiffness to minimize wobble. Overall, the Helios 18 is a sturdy machine that justifies its premium status. The tasteful RGB lighting on the back adds a touch of sophistication. Build quality and material selection are commendable, making it a solid choice for gamers seeking a large notebook. Take a look at Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 - its improved build sets a new standard.
Display
The 18-inch QHD 250Hz mini LED display on the Acer Predator Helios 18 is a highlight. For media consumption and gaming, it's exceptional. With average brightness in SDR (around 350 nits), but HDR delivering up to 1,000 nits consistently. The color gamut is stellar, covering 99% of the Adobe RGB spectrum. Color accuracy is off from the factory, but can be improved with manual calibration using our ICC profile. This display makes the Helios a great content creation companion and a top-notch gaming machine, delivering snappy response times in fast-paced titles. If you're after top-notch display, consider Acer Predator Helios Neo 18.
Performance
The Acer Predator Helios 18 delivers impressive performance, thanks to Intel's I9-3900H CPU and RTX 480 GPU. In our tests, the Helios scored well in PC Mark 10, with snappy system performance and competitive results in Cinebench R20. However, the notebook performed poorly in SSD benchmarks, with significant write speed degradation over time. The RTX 480 GPU shone in 3D Mark and Blender tests, producing high frame rates in both synthetic and real-world scenarios. Overall, the Helios' performance is solid, making it a great option for gamers who value visuals and responsiveness. It’s worth checking out Acer Predator Helios Neo 18, delivering remarkable performance.
Battery and Charging
The Acer Predator Helios 18 boasts a decent battery life, lasting around 4.5 hours in our Wi-Fi test with the screen set to 150 nits. This is acceptable for a notebook of its size and class. The battery's capacity is not specified, but it does support fast charging. A fully depleted battery can be replenished to 50% within an hour, which is convenient for on-the-go gamers.
Connectivity
The Acer Predator Helios 18 boasts an impressive array of connectivity options. On the left, you'll find USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, a micro SD card reader, and an audio combo port. On the right, two USB-A ports are available in faster 3.2 Gen 2 variety. Additionally, HDMI 2.1 is located at the back, making it easy to connect external monitors or devices. Get your hands on Acer Predator Triton 500 SE if you're looking for better connectivity.
Features
The Acer Predator Helios 18 boasts impressive specs, including Intel's i9-3900HX processor, RTX 480 GPU, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and a 2TB SSD. The device features an 18-inch QHD 250Hz mini LED display with stunning visuals in HDR titles and snappy response times. Consider discovering the power of Acer Predator Helios 700, featuring the latest advancements in features.
Support and Maintenance
The Acer Predator Helios 18 is a well-made machine with impressive performance, but its support and maintenance aspects leave room for improvement. The notebook's design and build quality are top-notch, but the throttled SSD performance under prolonged load and noisy fan in turbo mode are notable drawbacks. Battery life is average, and the laptop speakers are subpar. Overall, this gaming behemoth excels in performance, but its support and maintenance aspects need a boost to match its impressive specs.
Pros
1. The 18in QHD 250Hz mini LED display is absolutely gorgeous and perfect for media consumption and games.
2. Performance is right where it should be, with unfr CPU performance in turbo mode and competitive results in our benchmarks.
3. The RTX 480 GPU performs admirably, being one of the fastest of NVIDIA's second best mobile cards we have ever tested.
4. System performance is also very snappy, both subjectively and backed up by our PC Mark 10 tests.
5. The design approach ASA is taking with their 2023 Helios lineup is tasteful and well-executed, with a fine line between gamer and subtle performer.
Cons
1. The notebook performs rather poorly in our SSD benchmarks, with the Samsung Drive offering some very fast initial read rates that get fuddled quite severely rather quickly.
2. Fan noise can be an issue, especially in turbo mode, which makes the Helios one of the loudest notebooks we have ever tested.
3. Battery life is not great, with around 4 and 1/2 hours in our Wi-Fi test with the screen and SDR set to 150 nits.
4. The webcam is just okay, if nothing special.
5. Throttled SSD performance under prolonged and probably also not very realistic load can be a limitation.
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