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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Predator Helios 16 comes at a higher price but offers better performance for intensive tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering, with a more powerful main processor and graphics unit compared to the Dell G15 5520. The Helios 16 also has a superior screen with a higher resolution and refresh rate, which will benefit fast-paced gaming and detailed work. However, it is slightly heavier, which may affect portability. The Dell G15 5520 is more affordable and still suitable for gaming and general use, but with a lesser performance capacity for highly demanding tasks. 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
Advantages of the Dell G15 5520
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.5
7.7
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.7/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell G15 5520 is good.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 offers superior gaming and 3D capabilities due to its more powerful Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and a higher screen refresh rate of 240Hz, which results in smoother visual performance compared to the Dell G15 5520's Nvidia RTX 3060 and 165Hz refresh rate. Both laptops have high-quality IPS displays, but the Acer's screen also boasts a higher resolution, enhancing its suitability for high-end gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
8.7
8.2
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and Dell G15 5520 are both very good for engineering and design, though the Acer Predator Helios 16 is somewhat better.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is valued by engineers and designers for its high-resolution screen and powerful GPU, enhancing detailed work and demanding applications; conversely, the Dell G15 5520 offers a less powerful GPU and lower screen resolution, but is lighter and has a high-quality keyboard, which may be preferable for users who prioritize typing comfort and easier mobility.
Screen Quality
8.8
7.1
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
498.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
251.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a better screen than the Dell G15 5520 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 excels in screen quality for general use and engineering due to its combination of panel type, high resolution, and brightness, which ensure crisp, clear images and vibrant colors that are essential for these tasks. Its color accuracy, covering a broad spectrum of color gamuts, makes it well-suited for professional design work, allowing for precise color work in various design applications. However, its lower refresh rate compared to dedicated gaming laptops makes it less ideal for gaming and 3D applications, where fast-moving visuals can benefit from higher refresh rates to appear smoother.
Cost
$1,599
$1,000
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a price of $1,599 and the Dell G15 5520 costs $1,000.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.0
7.9
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
498.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
251.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
6.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.3/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Predator Helios 16 to be very good for general use, while the Dell G15 5520 is good.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is equipped with a superior CPU and a better GPU, offering more powerful performance suitable for heavy tasks and with a screen that provides higher resolution and brightness, catering to those prioritizing visual quality, which, along with its larger battery capacity, enhances its general use experience despite being heavier and less portable. On the other hand, the Dell G15 5520, while having a slightly lower-tier CPU and GPU, still provides ample performance for general tasks, has quality speakers and build, and is lighter, making it more portable, although it has a smaller battery capacity which may affect its run-time away from a power source.
Content Creation
8.2
7.9
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
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 Dell G15 5520 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
7.5
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and Dell G15 5520 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.
Battery
6.5 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Dell G15 5520 has 6 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
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
5.5 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and Dell G15 5520 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 Dell G15 5520 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 Dell G15 5520 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Predator Helios 16 | Dell G15 5520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,599 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.2'' x 10.9'' x 1'' | 14.1'' x 10.7'' x 1.06'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.73 lbs | 5.55 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.15" | 14.06" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.88" | 10.74" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700HX | Intel i7-12700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 56 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 498 nits | 251 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.4/10 | 6.4/10 | |
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 | 6.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
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 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
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."
Dell G15 5520
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Rtings
Olivier Martin, Ryan Lim, and John Peroramas | April 2023
"The Dell G15 (2022) is a 15.6-inch budget gaming laptop, and is great for gaming. You can configure the laptop with powerful Intel 12th Gen. CPUs and various NVIDIA dedicated GPUs, all of which deliver a smooth gaming experience at 1080p. There's also a QHD 240Hz display option if you want better visuals, though you'll have to pair it with the top-end NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti to get good frame rates. It doesn't get overly hot or loud under load, and there's no noticeable throttling on the CPU or GPU. Unfortunately, the 120Hz panel has a slow response time, causing noticeable ghosting, and it doesn't support variable refresh rate."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 16 or the Dell G15 5520
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 Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
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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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