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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a machine for intensive engineering tasks, gaming, or 3D/machine learning with high performance, the Acer Predator Helios 16 with a stronger processor and GPU is suitable, although it's heavier and has less battery life. On the other hand, the ASUS Zenbook S 13, with its OLED display, lighter weight, and longer battery life, is better suited for general use, portability, and tasks that benefit from higher RAM like multitasking, but it's not as capable for gaming or performance-intensive tasks due to having an integrated GPU. 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 gaming and AI
Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook S 13
- Very good for software development
- Best in class portability
- Very good battery life
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
8.0
8.6
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
498.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
365.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
11.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.5/10
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 and Acer Predator Helios 16 are both very good for general use, though the ASUS Zenbook S 13 is somewhat better.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 offers a higher-powered CPU and more advanced graphics, suitable for demanding tasks, but its larger size, heavier weight, and lower battery life make it less portable and practical for everyday carry. In contrast, the ASUS Zenbook S 13 has a more portable design, considerably better battery life, and a high-quality OLED screen, along with a lighter weight which enhances its usability for general tasks and mobility.
Gaming and AI
8.5
6.5
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Zenbook S 13 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
8.7
8.2
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and ASUS Zenbook S 13 are both very good for engineering and design, though the Acer Predator Helios 16 is somewhat better.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is equipped with a high-powered Intel i7 CPU, dedicated Nvidia RTX GPU, and ample RAM, making it ideal for demanding engineering and design applications; it also features a quality IPS screen with high refresh rate and color accuracy, ensuring sharp and fluid visuals. Whereas the ASUS Zenbook S 13, while offering a significant amount of RAM and an efficient Intel i7 CPU with integrated graphics, stands out with its high-resolution OLED display, which provides exceptional color coverage and contrast, catering well to precision design work; it further benefits from being more portable with a lightweight design and longer battery life, though might not handle graphic-intensive tasks as effectively as the Helios 16.
Screen Quality
8.8
8.1
16.0in
SIZE
13.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
498.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
365.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a better screen than the ASUS Zenbook S 13 for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Zenbook S 13 has a better screen for engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and ASUS Zenbook S 13 both offer screens with high resolution and brightness, making them suitable for activities like browsing and watching videos, which is why they excel for general use. Their displays cover a broad range of colors, crucial for professional tasks that demand color accuracy, such as graphic design and engineering projects. However, for gaming and 3D applications where fluid motion is key, both laptops lack high refresh rate displays, which limits the screen quality for these particular uses.
Battery
6.5 Hours
11.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has 11 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
Best in Class
16.0in
SIZE
13.3in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.2 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.4in
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has best in class portability, while the Acer Predator Helios 16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,236
$1,400
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a price of $1,236 and the ASUS Zenbook S 13 costs $1,400.
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Key similarities
Content Creation
8.2
8.5
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 and Acer Predator Helios 16 are both very good for content creation.
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
8.3
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS Zenbook S 13 to be very good for software development, while the Acer Predator Helios 16 is good.
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 ASUS Zenbook S 13 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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How the Acer Predator Helios 16 and the ASUS Zenbook S 13 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Predator Helios 16 | ASUS Zenbook S 13 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,236 | $1,400 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | April 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.2'' x 10.9'' x 1'' | 11.7'' x 8.5'' x 0.46'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.73 lbs | 2.2 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.15" | 11.66" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.88" | 8.52" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700HX | Intel i7-1355U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 11 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 63 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 13.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | OLED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 498 nits | 365 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.4/10 | 9.5/10 | |
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 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 1 | |
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."
ASUS Zenbook S 13
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | May 2023
"The Asus Zenbook S 13 is the slimmest OLED ultrabook worldwide struggles with annoying fans. The new Zenbook S 13 leaves us with mixed feelings, particularly since last year's model was so good. Asus has completely reworked the device, making the laptop noticeably slimmer. The result also looks good and the case makes a great impression, particularly also in terms of the stability. The new plasma ceramic surface feels great, and there are no problems with fingerprints. In addition, it now includes some of the known connections such as an HDMI port and a regular USB-A connection, which is a good achievement in such a slim device."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 16 or the ASUS Zenbook S 13
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.
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
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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.
By the numbers
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Recommendations made
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