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Acer’s updated Predator Helios 300 now comes with RTX 3080 graphics

Chuong Nguyen
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Nvidia’s flagship GeForce RTX 3080 mobile graphics is making a big splash on Acer’s lineup of gaming notebooks at CES 2021. Along with Nvidia’s latest laptop GPU, Acer is also betting big on the latest silicon from AMD and Intel, as select Helios, Nitro, and Predator gaming laptops can be configured with either AMD’s latest Ryzen 5000 mobile processor or Intel’s 11th-Gen H-series CPU.

If you’re in the market for a gaming laptop, this year’s CES proves that there is no better time to be a gamer given the onslaught of powerful mobile silicon being released.

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Predator Helios 300

Though it’s not the most affordable laptop in Acer’s gaming lineup, the Predator Helios 300 proves that it has the appeal chops to be a serious mobile gaming rig thanks to this year’s bump to Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3080 mobile graphics. Starting at just $1,249, this slim mobile gaming powerhouse can be configured with specifications that are powerful enough to entice enthusiast gamers, like up to 32GB of DDR4 memory, a blazing fast 240Hz IPS display with 3ms response time for smooth gaming, and 3D simulated surround sound with DTS-X Ultra audio tuning.

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Like other Acer gaming laptops, the Helios also benefits from the company’s proprietary cooling solutions, such as quiet AeroBlade 3D fans and CoolBoost technology for better thermal regulation.

The Helios 300 will be available starting in February in North America, Acer stated.

AMD gaming with RTX 3080

In addition to announcing a Nitro monitor at CES with HDMI 2.1 port to easily switch between console and PC gaming inputs, Acer is also refreshing its Nitro gaming laptop this year.

Starting at just $749, the Nitro 5 can be configured with up to AMD’s Ryzen 7 5000 H-Series mobile processor alongside Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3080 mobile graphics. The Nitro comes with two M.2 PCIe slots that can accommodate up to a 2TB NVMe SSD and 2TB HDD for storage, and like the more premium Predator Helios 300, it can also be configured with up to 32 GB of DDR4 RAM. Wi-Fi 6, Thunderbolt 4 support, and a choice of 15.6- or 17.3-inch display round out the specifications.

More serious gamers will want to go with an FHD panel, which boosts the refresh rate up to 360Hz, though if you need a higher resolution screen, opting for the QHD upgrade still gives you a display with a fast 165Hz refresh rate with 3ms response time. Acer rated the display at 300 nits of brightness and the screens are said to cover 100% of the sRGB color space, making these systems versatile enough to be a mobile workstation — in addition to mobile gaming rig — for creative edits on the go. The keyboard also supports four-zone RGB backlighting.

US availability for the Nitro 5 was not revealed by Acer, though the company stated that the laptop will be available in EMEA beginning in March.

Predator Triton 300 SE

Priced at $1,399, the Predator Triton 300 SE for 2021 is the most premium model on Acer’s refreshed list of gaming notebooks. This gaming notebook comes in a sleek all-metal package that measures 0.7-inch thin and weighs just 3.75 pounds.

Despite its small size, this laptop packs quite a hefty punch, topping out with Intel’s 11th-Gen Core i7 35H-series processors and Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3060 mobile GPU. Gamers on the Predator Triton 300 SE will appreciate the 14-inch FHD resolution screen that boasts a 144Hz refresh rate.

The Triton 300 SE will be available in North America starting in March.

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Chuong Nguyen
Chuong Nguyen
Computing Writer
Silicon Valley-based technology reporter and Giants baseball fan who splits his time between Northern California and Southern…
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