Choose the Acer Predator Helios 16 for intensive gaming, 3D rendering, and machine learning tasks due to its powerful processor and advanced graphics capabilities, but note that it's heavier and has a short battery life. Conversely, the Dell Latitude 5431 is more portable, offers longer battery life, and is better suited for general use or engineering, with a professional appearance, plus it generally costs less, though it's not as well-suited for graphics-intensive tasks or gaming. 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 Dell Latitude 5431
Good portability
Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
8.0/10
7.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
498.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
241.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
6.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for general use, while the Dell Latitude 5431 is good.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 boasts a strong CPU and dedicated graphics, a generous amount of storage, and a high-resolution display suitable for both work and play, though its heft and shorter battery life may limit mobility. In contrast, the Dell Latitude 5431 offers a balance with sufficient performance for everyday tasks, a lighter weight for easy portability, and longer battery life, making it an ideal choice for on-the-go professionals, though it falls short in storage capacity and screen real estate compared to the Helios 16.
Gaming and AI
8.5/10
6.2/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
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 Dell Latitude 5431 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
8.7/10
6.9/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Latitude 5431 is only fair.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 boasts a more powerful CPU and GPU, a higher resolution and larger screen with superior color coverage, making it ideal for demanding engineering tasks and design work where visual fidelity and processing speed are paramount. On the other hand, the Dell Latitude 5431, while offering a decent CPU and integrated graphics sufficient for less intensive tasks, enhances portability with its lighter weight and boasts better battery life, suiting professionals who prioritize mobility and battery longevity over raw performance.
Content Creation
8.2/10
7.4/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for content creation, while the Dell Latitude 5431 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
7.9/10
7.3/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and Dell Latitude 5431 are both good for software development, though the Acer Predator Helios 16 is somewhat better.
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
8.8/10
6.1/10
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
498.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
241.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a better screen than the Dell Latitude 5431 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 offers a vibrant display with sharp resolution and high brightness, making it ideal for general use and detailed engineering work where clear visuals are crucial. Its wide color spectrum caters to engineering and design professionals who need accurate color representation for their projects. However, for gaming and 3D applications, its lower refresh rate compared to specialized gaming laptops may result in less fluid motion and a less immersive experience.
Battery
6.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Latitude 5431 has 9 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
Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.3 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Dell Latitude 5431 has good portability, while the Acer Predator Helios 16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,599
$950
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a price of $1,599 and the Dell Latitude 5431 costs $950.
"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."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 16 or the Dell Latitude 5431
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.
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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About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Laptops Expert
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