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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is a more expensive, high-performance laptop suitable for intensive gaming, 3D rendering, and engineering, with a larger screen, higher refresh rate, and better color coverage. However, it's heavier and has a shorter battery life, impacting portability. The Acer Swift X (2022) is less expensive, lighter, and has a longer battery life, making it more portable and better for general use. While it can handle some gaming and creative tasks, its performance in 3D and engineering tasks isn't as strong as the Predator Helios 16. Choose the Helios 16 for performance-intensive tasks or the Swift X for on-the-go work with moderate performance needs. 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 engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
Advantages of the Acer Swift X (2022)
- Very good portability
- Very good battery life
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.5
6.6
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Acer Swift X (2022) is only fair.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 offers superior gaming and 3D performance with a higher-end Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and a higher screen refresh rate suitable for fast-paced visuals, while the Acer Swift X (2022), equipped with a less powerful Nvidia RTX 3050 and a standard refresh rate, delivers fair performance that may be adequate for less intensive gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.7
7.5
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Swift X (2022) is good.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 stands out for engineering and design due to its powerful processor, high-end graphics unit, and superior screen quality, along with ample storage and RAM, making it optimal for demanding tasks but less portable due to its weight and size.
Screen Quality
8.8
7.0
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
498.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
330.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a better screen than the Acer Swift X for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 offers a vibrant display with a high resolution and brightness, making it well-suited for general use, such as browsing and video streaming, where clarity and visibility are essential. For engineering and design, its wider color gamut support ensures accurate color reproduction which is critical for tasks requiring color precision. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the screen's lower refresh rate may lead to less fluid motion and responsiveness, which can be a drawback for fast-paced interactive experiences.
Battery
6.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Acer Swift X has 10 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
Fair
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Acer Swift X (2022) has very good portability, while the Acer Predator Helios 16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,236
$1,313
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
$2,000
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a price of $1,236 and the Acer Swift X (2022) costs $1,313.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.0
7.8
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
498.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
330.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Predator Helios 16 to be very good for general use, while the Acer Swift X (2022) is good.
The Acer Predator Helios 16, with its higher-end CPU and more capable graphics processor, excels in demanding tasks but has reduced portability and battery life compared to the Acer Swift X, which offers a solid CPU for everyday tasks, lighter weight for easy carrying, and longer battery life, making it well-suited for on-the-go use while still being powerful enough for general tasks. Both laptops come equipped with ample RAM and high-quality screens, but the Predator Helios 16 is designed for more intense use cases like gaming, which is reflected in its larger screen and build, while the Swift X prioritizes portability and extended battery life without significantly compromising performance.
Content Creation
8.2
7.8
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Predator Helios 16 to be very good for content creation, while the Acer Swift X (2022) 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.
Software Development
7.9
7.7
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and Acer Swift X (2022) 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.
Build Quality
7.4
7.6
The Acer Swift X (2022) and Acer Predator Helios 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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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Acer Predator Helios 16 and the Acer Swift X (2022) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Predator Helios 16 | Acer Swift X (2022) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,236 | $1,313 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | April 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.2'' x 10.9'' x 1'' | 12.3'' x 8.4'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.73 lbs | 3.09 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.15" | 12.3" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.88" | 8.4" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700HX | Intel i7-1260P | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 58.7 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2240 x 1400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 498 nits | 330 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.4/10 | 8.6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 2 | |
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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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."
Acer Swift X (2022)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sebastian Jentsch | March 2022
"The Swift X is an Acer for entry-level gaming. With the entry-level graphics chip, our Acer not only beats every single current AMD and Intel iGPU, but also Intel's dGPU Iris Xe Max. However, despite being a GDDR6 version, the GTX does not match the expectations set by its own counterparts from our database. This may be a result of the single fan, which only produces moderate noise levels under load. The performance level of the thin and light 1.4 kg (~3.09 lbs) 14-inch laptop is impressive nonetheless."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 16 or the Acer Swift X (2022)
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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