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Updated January 10, 2024·
Choose the Acer Predator Helios 16 if you prioritize gaming or intensive 3D and machine learning tasks, as its powerful CPU and GPU excel in these areas. However, it's bulkier and has a shorter battery life. On the other hand, the Apple MacBook Pro 14 provides superior build quality, a high-resolution mini LED display, and a significantly longer battery life, making it better for general use, productivity, and creative tasks on-the-go, but it's less tailored for the highest-end gaming or specialized engineering software due to macOS limitations and different hardware optimization. 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 Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023)
- Very good for software development
- Excellent overall display quality
- Best in class overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
8.0
8.5
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
498.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
489.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
13.5 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
6.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and Acer Predator Helios 16 are both very good for general use, though the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14's higher portability due to its lighter weight and longer battery life, coupled with its superior screen quality, Apple M2 Pro CPU, and overall better quality of keyboard and speakers make it very good for general use. On the other end, the Acer Predator Helios 16, while offering higher storage out of the box and a powerful Intel CPU suitable for gaming, falls short in portability and battery life, making it just good for general use.
Gaming and AI
8.5
7.0
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is good.
The Acer Predator Helios 16, with its Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and a high screen refresh rate of 240, is tailored for high-performance gaming and 3D graphics work. In comparison, the Apple MacBook Pro 14 has the capable Apple M2 Pro GPU and a lower screen refresh rate of 120, providing good 3D performance, but keep in mind that many popular games are not compatible with Mac operating systems.
Software Development
7.9
8.4
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is 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.
Screen Quality
8.8
9.2
16.0in
SIZE
14.2in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
498.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
489.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a better screen than the Apple MacBook Pro 14 for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
When choosing a laptop for general use, the Apple MacBook Pro 14's high-resolution display with bright and vibrant colors outshines the Acer Predator Helios 16, providing a crisp and vivid experience for everyday tasks. The MacBook Pro 14 also leads in engineering and design, thanks to its superior color accuracy and wide color gamut that ensures precise and consistent colors critical for professional design work. However, for 3D applications and gaming, the Acer Predator Helios 16, despite its lower quality screen, may be the better option due to a higher refresh rate which results in smoother visuals and better responsiveness during fast-paced scenes.
Battery
6.5 Hours
13.5 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 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
Fair
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.2in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has very good portability, while the Acer Predator Helios 16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
10.0
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the Acer Predator Helios 16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,526
$1,630
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a price of $1,526 and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) costs $1,630.
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Key similarities
Engineering and Design
8.7
8.4
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is equipped with a powerful Intel CPU and Nvidia RTX GPU, making it excellent for handling demanding engineering and design workloads, and it boasts a high refresh rate IPS display for crisp visuals, although it is heavier and offers less battery life which impacts portability. On the other hand, the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) features the integrated M2 Pro CPU and GPU providing robust performance for similar tasks, complemented by a high-resolution Mini LED display with stunning image quality, while also offering a more portable design, longer battery life, and higher quality speakers and keyboard, but with less connectivity options due to the absence of Ethernet and fewer external display outputs.
Content Creation
8.2
8.5
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) 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.
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How the Acer Predator Helios 16 and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Predator Helios 16 | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,526 | $1,630 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | January 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.2'' x 10.9'' x 1'' | 12.3'' x 8.7'' x 0.61'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.73 lbs | 3.5 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.15" | 12.31" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.88" | 8.71" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700HX | Apple M2 Pro (10C) | |
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 | 13.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 69.6 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 14.2" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 3024 x 1964 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 498 nits | 489 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 10/10 | |
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 | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
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 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
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."
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | January 2023
"In the Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023, the M2 Pro is slowed down. From the improved 5nm process, the new M2 Pro is a very solid upgrade. Graphics performance has increased by about 25% in tandem with a clear improvement in efficiency. The processor has also seen a performance leap of up to 20%, but this is accompanied by an increase in consumption of up to 25%. Fundamentally, Apple its maintaining its advantage over AMD and Intel, particularly in optimized applications where the results are very good in view of the comparatively low power consumption."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 16 or the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023)
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 Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
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