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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Aspire 1 is a budget-friendly option that's lighter and offers basic performance for general tasks with moderate battery life. It's good for everyday use like browsing and document editing but may struggle with more intensive tasks. On the other hand, the Acer Predator Helios 16 costs more but delivers significantly greater performance for engineering, 3D, and machine learning applications. It also has better screen quality and is equipped for gaming. However, it's heavier than the Aspire 1, which may impact its portability. Consider your needs carefully; if performance and gaming are priorities and you're okay with a heavier device, the Predator Helios 16 is the better choice. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Acer Aspire 1
- Good portability
Advantages of the Acer Predator Helios 16
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Good speakers
- Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.8
8.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
498.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.3/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for general use, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1 has weaker performance due to its basic CPU and less RAM, leading to slower response times and less multitasking capability, whereas the Acer Predator Helios 16, with its higher-end CPU and more RAM, is well-equipped for faster and more efficient operation, which is preferable for general use. Additionally, the Acer Aspire 1's inferior screen quality and smaller battery capacity limit viewing pleasure and on-the-go usage, unlike the Predator Helios 16 which offers a superior screen and longer battery life, making it more suitable for a variety of tasks.
Gaming and AI
5.6
8.5
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1 is not suited for gaming and 3D applications because it has a basic integrated GPU and a screen with a standard refresh rate, whereas the Acer Predator Helios 16 excels in these areas due to its powerful Nvidia RTX GPU and a high-refresh-rate screen, which are very important for smooth and detailed gameplay.
Engineering and Design
5.5
8.7
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.9/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1 has a lower-end CPU and integrated graphics, less RAM, and a basic TN screen, limiting its ability to handle complex engineering and design tasks efficiently. In contrast, the Acer Predator Helios 16 packs a high-end CPU, dedicated high-performance GPU, more RAM, and a superior IPS display, offering the power and visual clarity necessary for intensive applications.
Content Creation
5.9
8.2
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for content creation, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
6.1
7.9
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is good for software development, while the Acer Aspire 1 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
5.2
8.8
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
498.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a better screen than the Acer Aspire 1 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Acer Aspire 1 likely has a low-resolution screen with limited brightness and an inferior panel type, which impacts overall clarity and viewability, making it less suitable for any tasks that require good visual fidelity. The Acer Predator Helios 16 emphasizes color accuracy with its very good screen quality, featuring broader color gamuts to cater to the precision needed in engineering and design. However, its lesser quality in gaming and 3D may be due to a lower refresh rate, which is essential for smooth motion and responsiveness in fast-paced visual environments.
Portability
Good
Fair
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Acer Aspire 1 has good portability, while the Acer Predator Helios 16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.5
7.4
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has good build quality, while the Acer Aspire 1 has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$243
$1,599
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Aspire 1 has a price of $243 and the Acer Predator Helios 16 costs $1,599.
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Key similarities
Battery
6.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Acer Aspire 1 has 6 hours of battery life. The Acer Predator Helios 16 has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Acer Aspire 1 and the Acer Predator Helios 16 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Aspire 1 | Acer Predator Helios 16 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$243 | $1,599 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | March 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.4'' x 0.78'' | 14.2'' x 10.9'' x 1'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.19 lbs | 5.73 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.3" | 14.15" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.4" | 10.88" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Celeron N4500 | Intel i7-13700HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 128 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 36.7 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | TN | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 200 nits | 498 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 5.6/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.5/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 5.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 0 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Acer Aspire 1
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Dig into reviews and images
CNET
Joshua Goldman | May 2020
"There are no surprises and nothing's extraordinary here but this laptop's price. For those in need of an inexpensive Windows laptop for undemanding tasks, though, the Acer Aspire 1 offers just enough to get the basics done and a larger screen to do them on."
Acer Predator Helios 16
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Dig into reviews and images
IGN
Samuel Horti | June 2023
"The Predator Helios 16 stacks up well against its closest competition in benchmark comparisons. The Acer Predator Helios 16 isn't perfect. It's bulky, its lid feels flimsy and some of its keys are just too damned small – but none of its problems are fatal, and it shines where it counts. The powerful graphics and processor combo are spot on for this price point, the fans stop it getting hot under pressure, and the display is as good as you’ll find under $2,500. It's simply one of the best laptops to play demanding games on."
Get a great deal on the Acer Aspire 1 or the Acer Predator Helios 16
About Acer
Acer is a prominent Taiwanese electronics brand which makes a wide range of laptops, with multiple product lines catering to personal use, gaming, and business use. They are renowned for having exceptional value for money, as they frequently offer good specifications at a lower price than other manufacturers.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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