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Updated January 12, 2024·
Choosing between the Acer Predator Helios 16 and Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 ultimately depends on your priorities. The Helios 16 offers a more powerful processor and graphics card, which makes it better suited for demanding tasks like gaming or heavy video editing. However, it's also more expensive and heavier, which can be a downside if you need something easier to carry around. On the other hand, the Helios Neo 16 is less expensive and lighter, with slightly lower performance specs, making it a more budget-friendly option for general use and lighter gaming. Both share similar features like screen size and aspect ratio, but the Helios 16 has a higher resolution and refresh rate, providing sharper and smoother visuals. If portability and budget are your main concerns, go for the Neo 16; if you're looking for top performance and don't mind the extra cost and weight, the Helios 16 would be 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 Predator Helios 16
- Very good for general use
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Good battery life
Advantages of the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16
- The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has no clear advantages over the Acer Predator Helios 16.
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.5
7.5
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is good.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is equipped with a more powerful Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and a higher screen refresh rate of 240, making it better for gaming and 3D applications when compared to the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 which has the less powerful Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU and a lower screen refresh rate of 165.
Content Creation
8.2
7.7
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for content creation, while the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is good.
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.
Screen Quality
8.8
7.8
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
498.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
373.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a better screen than the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 excels in general use and engineering/design because it likely features a vibrant display with high resolution and brightness, making it suitable for tasks that require sharp and clear visuals. For engineering and design tasks specifically, the screen's strong color reproduction capabilities across various color gamuts ensure precise and accurate color work. However, its poor rating for gaming and 3D could be due to a refresh rate that falls short of the smoother and more responsive experience that these applications typically demand, despite having good resolution and panel technology.
Battery
6.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has 6.5 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.
Cost
$1,236
$799
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a price of $1,236 and the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 costs $799.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.0
7.6
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
498.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
373.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
6.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.1/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Predator Helios 16 to be very good for general use, while the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is good.
The Acer Predator Helios 16, with powerful CPU and ample RAM, provides smooth performance for general tasks, while its higher resolution screen offers better image clarity for media and document viewing, but at the expense of shorter battery life and a lower portability score compared to the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16, which has a more modest CPU suitable for less demanding use, a slightly lower resolution screen favoring longer battery life, making it more portable.
Engineering and Design
8.7
8.3
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 with its high-end CPU, abundant RAM, and powerful RTX 4070 GPU paired with a high-resolution and high-refresh-rate screen excels for engineering and design tasks, offering robust performance and superior screen quality. Conversely, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16, while also suitable due to its capable CPU, ample RAM, and competent RTX 4050 GPU, provides a slightly lower screen resolution and refresh rate which may affect visual work to a small extent, but still upholds a solid performance standard for the same tasks.
Software Development
7.9
7.5
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 are both good for software development.
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.
Portability
Fair
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
1.1in
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 both have only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
7.4
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Acer Predator Helios 16 and the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Predator Helios 16 | Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,236 | $799 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | April 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.2'' x 10.9'' x 1'' | 14.2'' x 11'' x 1.11'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.73 lbs | 5.73 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.15" | 14.2" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.88" | 11" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700HX | Intel i5-13500HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 498 nits | 373 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.4/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Acer Predator Helios 16
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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."
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16
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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 Predator Helios 16 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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