Acer Predator Helios 18vsAlienware 16 Aurora

We compare these two popular phones to help you decide which one fits your needs and budget better.

Acer
Acer Predator Helios 18
Predator Helios 18

Quick Stats

The Acer Predator Helios 18 delivers impressive performance with strong CPU and GPU capabilities overall.
The Acer Predator Helios 18 boasts impressive build quality and material selection, justifying its premium status effectively overall.
The Acer Predator Helios 18's mini LED display offers exceptional quality for gaming and content creation uses.
The Acer Predator Helios 18 boasts impressive specs, including a powerful Intel i9 processor.
Alienware
Alienware 16 Aurora
16 Aurora

Quick Stats

The Alienware 16 Aurora delivers balanced mode performance suitable for gaming, with slight decreases in frame rates.
The Alienware 16 Aurora boasts a premium build that is remarkably thin and sturdy with great feel overall.
The standout feature of the Alienware 16 Aurora is its excellent display, offering vibrant colors and crisp visuals.
The Alienware 16 Aurora offers a beautiful screen design and good internals for balanced mode performance.
Key Differences

No significant specification differences found between these devices.

Rank
Acer Predator Helios 18
Winner
#234
Alienware 16 Aurora
#235
Scores by Category
Rankings
Connectivity
Acer Predator Helios 18
#440
Winner
Alienware 16 Aurora
#446
Display
Acer Predator Helios 18
#171
Winner
Alienware 16 Aurora
#355
Performance
Acer Predator Helios 18
#6
Winner
Alienware 16 Aurora
#110
Build
Acer Predator Helios 18
#411
Winner
Alienware 16 Aurora
#426
Features
Acer Predator Helios 18
#678
Alienware 16 Aurora
#209
Winner

Note: Lower rank number indicates a better position in category.

Specifications Comparison
Specification
Acer Acer Predator Helios 18
Alienware Alienware 16 Aurora
up to 64GB
up to 64GB
up to 16000GB SSD
up to 4000GB SSD
Intel Core i9-14900HX
Intel Core 7 240H
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 (Laptop, 175W)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 (Laptop)
2x 2280 M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 See photo
N/A

Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.

Pros and Cons

Acer Predator Helios 18

Strengths

The 18in QHD 250Hz mini LED display is absolutely gorgeous and perfect for media consumption and games.
Performance is right where it should be, with unfr CPU performance in turbo mode and competitive results in our benchmarks.
The RTX 480 GPU performs admirably, being one of the fastest of NVIDIA's second best mobile cards we have ever tested.
System performance is also very snappy, both subjectively and backed up by our PC Mark 10 tests.
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.

Weaknesses

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.
Fan noise can be an issue, especially in turbo mode, which makes the Helios one of the loudest notebooks we have ever tested.
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.
The webcam is just okay, if nothing special.
Throttled SSD performance under prolonged and probably also not very realistic load can be a limitation.

Alienware 16 Aurora

Strengths

The laptop has a beautiful screen design, with a premium look that's hard to find in budget offerings.
It has good internals, including a powerful GPU (in this case, the 5060) and a massive battery life.
The laptop is relatively thin and easy to take around with you, making it perfect for students or gamers who need a hybrid device.
You can still game on it pretty damn good, despite losing 6-7% performance compared to a full wattage 560.
It's a premium budget offering that doesn't compromise on features like a great screen and long battery life.
The laptop is designed for people who need something that can do everything, making it perfect for those who want a hybrid device.

Weaknesses

The laptop does not run at full wattage (100 watts), which means you'll lose around 6-7% performance compared to other laptops.
If you're looking for absolute beast mode performance, this laptop might not be the best choice for you.
You'll need to consider whether losing a bit of performance is worth saving money and getting a more premium design.
The laptop may not appeal to those who want to squeeze every last drop of performance out of their GPU.
If you're used to gaming laptops that run at full wattage, this one's 80-watt limit might be disappointing.
Those who prioritize raw power over portability and features might find another Alienware laptop more suitable for their needs.
Read Full Reviews

Acer Predator Helios 18

The Acer Predator Helios 18 is a behemoth of a laptop, boasting a massive 18-inch QHD 250Hz mini LED display. We've been eager to get our hands on one, and after nearly nine months, we finally have the review sample in-house. Powered by Intel's i9-3900HX processor, an RTX 480 GPU, and 32GB of DDR5 RAM, this laptop promises serious gaming chops. Let's dive into the details and see if it lives up to its impressive specs sheet.

Alienware 16 Aurora

In a market where performance and portability often collide, the Alienware 16 Aurora stands out as a premium budget offering that balances power with practicality. This laptop is designed for those who need a device that can handle gaming demands while also serving as an everyday companion. With a beautiful screen, good internals, and a massive battery, it's an attractive choice for students, gamers, and professionals alike. But does its toned-down 5060 GPU performance hold it back?

Need help choosing?

Read our detailed reviews to understand which device is better for your specific needs and budget.

Read Acer Predator Helios 18 ReviewRead Alienware 16 Aurora Review

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