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What we think
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Updated January 12, 2024·
The Acer Aspire 3 15 is a budget-friendly choice well-suited for general use, with adequate performance for everyday tasks like browsing the web and office work, and benefits from quiet, fanless operation. On the other hand, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16, while pricier, offers significantly higher performance suitable for more intensive applications such as 3D rendering, machine learning, gaming, and engineering tasks, boosted by a high refresh rate display and advanced graphics capabilities. The Helios Neo 16 also has a larger screen size and a better keyboard with RGB lighting, but it is heavier and less portable than the Aspire 3 15. 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 3 15
- Good portability
- Good battery life
Advantages of the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16
- Good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Good speakers
- Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.6
7.6
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
244.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
373.0 nits
9.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.1/10
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is good for general use, while the Acer Aspire 3 15 is only fair.
The Acer Aspire 3 15, with a basic processor and graphics, less RAM, and a smaller battery, offers passable performance for routine tasks and good battery life, complemented by a lightweight design that bolsters portability for everyday use. Conversely, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 boasts a more powerful CPU and GPU, double the RAM, and a higher-capacity battery to handle heavier workloads with ease, at the expense of being heavier and having a lower battery life when considering its advanced capabilities, which might limit mobility but provide a more robust experience overall.
Gaming and AI
5.8
7.5
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is good for gaming and AI, while the Acer Aspire 3 15 is poor.
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is better for gaming and 3D because it has a more powerful Nvidia RTX GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, providing smoother visuals and enhanced gaming performance. In contrast, the Acer Aspire 3 15 has a less capable AMD Radeon GPU and a lower refresh rate, which is less optimal for demanding graphical tasks but may be more cost-effective for casual gaming and everyday use.
Engineering and Design
5.9
8.3
4.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.0/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Aspire 3 15 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 3 15 offers suitable performance for engineering and design with its standard processor, RAM, and graphics, but the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 excels due to a more powerful CPU, double the RAM, a higher-end GPU, and a superior screen, which translates into better handling of demanding tasks and visuals. While the Aspire is more portable and has quieter operation, the Helios Neo provides enhanced capabilities and screen quality crucial for engineering and design at the expense of higher weight and potential operational noise.
Content Creation
7.0
7.7
4.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 and Acer Aspire 3 15 are both good for content creation, though the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is somewhat better.
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
7.0
7.5
4.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 and Acer Aspire 3 15 are both good for software development, though the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is somewhat better.
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
6.2
7.8
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
244.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
373.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has a better screen than the Acer Aspire 3 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Acer Aspire 3's display offers adequate clarity and brightness for daily tasks and productivity apps, but its limited color range and lower resolution may not suit detailed engineering work or deliver the vibrant visuals required in gaming. The Acer Predator Helios Neo, with its higher resolution and broader color gamut, provides more visual fidelity for intricate designs and precise engineering applications, but its refresh rate is not optimal for the fast-paced action in modern 3D games, where quick image rendering is crucial. For gaming and 3D work, seeking a laptop with a high refresh rate is key for smooth motion, so despite its strengths, the Helios Neo might fall short for those specific purposes.
Battery
9.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Acer Aspire 3 15 has 9.5 hours of battery life. The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has 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.
Portability
Good
Fair
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
3.9 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
1.1in
The Acer Aspire 3 15 has good portability, while the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2
7.4
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has good build quality, while the Acer Aspire 3 15 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$330
$799
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Acer Aspire 3 15 has a price of $330 and the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 costs $799.
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How the Acer Aspire 3 15 and the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Aspire 3 15 | Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$330 | $799 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | April 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.4'' x 0.74'' | 14.2'' x 11'' x 1.11'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.97 lbs | 5.73 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.29" | 14.2" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.35" | 11" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 3 7320U | Intel i5-13500HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 128 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 40 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 244 nits | 373 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.7/10 | 6.2/10 | |
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 | 6.3/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6/10 | 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 | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Acer Aspire 3 15
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Rtings
Alexander Tozzi, Ryan Lim, and Yannick Khong | March 2023
"The Acer Aspire 3 is okay for school use. It feels reasonably well-built, and it's easy to carry around. The display looks decently sharp and provides plenty of space for multitasking, but it doesn't get bright enough to combat glare. Its Intel Core i3-N305 CPU and integrated graphics can only handle simple tasks, like text processing, web browsing, and video playback, so it isn't ideal for students in more technical fields like 3D graphics. Unfortunately, the battery lasts only around six to seven hours of light use."
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Mark Knapp | August 2023
"The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 sacrifices portability and a truly budget price in the name of additional power. While remaining relatively budget-friendly, this gaming laptop packs serious processing chops, and Acer optimizes its internals to deliver respectable 1080p (or 1200p) gameplay from an RTX 4050. Its keyboard and chassis design won't win it any awards, but its display is a cut above for the price."
Get a great deal on the Acer Aspire 3 15 or the Acer Predator Helios Neo 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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