If you're looking for a gaming laptop that offers strong performance and you don't mind a heavier, bulkier system, the Acer Predator Helios 16 can be a good choice, especially if you're trying to save a bit of money. However, if you need a laptop for professional applications, particularly for engineering or design work that requires precision and possibly even ISV certifications, the Dell Precision 5470, while more expensive, may offer better tailored performance for these tasks along with a lighter, more portable form factor. You would also have to consider the battery life; typically, gaming laptops like the Acer have shorter battery life compared to professional workstations like the Dell. 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 Precision 5470
Very good overall build quality
Very good portability
Best in class speakers
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.5/10
6.7/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
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 Dell Precision 5470 is only fair.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 excels in gaming and 3D applications thanks to its higher-end Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and a very high screen refresh rate of 240, which can make graphics smoother and more responsive. In contrast, the Dell Precision 5470, while also suitable for gaming and 3D, features the Nvidia RTX A1000 GPU and a standard screen refresh rate of 60, which may not be as fluid but contributes to better battery life and increased portability due to its lighter weight and smaller screen.
Engineering and Design
8.7/10
7.8/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Precision 5470 is good.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is highly regarded for engineering and design due to its more powerful GPU and higher RAM capacity, which are critical for intensive tasks and complex software prevalent in these fields, along with a superior screen quality that benefits detailed design work. On the other hand, the Dell Precision 5470, while still good for engineering and design, offers greater portability and a higher-quality keyboard, which can be beneficial for professionals who frequently travel or prefer a more premium typing experience.
Screen Quality
8.8/10
7.3/10
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
498.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a better screen than the Dell Precision 5470 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and content creation.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 excels in general use and engineering due to its high resolution and panel type which provide crisp, clear images and support a wide range of colors, satisfying the precision required for design tasks, but its lower refresh rate may not deliver the smooth visuals gamers need for fast-paced action. The Dell Precision 5470, with its good resolution and solid color reproduction, offers a dependable screen for both everyday tasks and detail-oriented engineering work, but similarly falls short for gaming and 3D applications where a high refresh rate is crucial. Both laptops may not fully satisfy gamers or professionals in 3D fields, but they stand out for general productivity and specialized engineering or design purposes where screen fidelity is paramount.
Battery
6.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Precision 5470 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
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.2 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Precision 5470 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
8.5/10
The Dell Precision 5470 has very good 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
$1,236
$1,669
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a price of $1,236 and the Dell Precision 5470 costs $1,669.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Predator Helios 16 to be very good for general use, while the Dell Precision 5470 is good.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is equipped with a powerful CPU, ample RAM, and a high-quality screen that supports intensive tasks as well as entertainment, making it versatile for general use, but it is heavier and has shorter battery life, affecting its portability. The Dell Precision 5470 also has a capable CPU and sufficient RAM for general use applications, yet stands out with its lighter weight and longer battery life, making it more portable, although it offers less storage and a less powerful GPU than the Helios, which might limit performance in certain scenarios.
Content Creation
8.2/10
7.8/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
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 Precision 5470 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
7.7/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and Dell Precision 5470 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.
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How the Acer Predator Helios 16 and the Dell Precision 5470 compare to other laptops
"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."
"The Dell Precision 5470 is a mobile workstation that's far more portable than most alternatives. Between its slim 14-inch design and top-quality MIL-STD 810H build, it's one of the best options around for taking professional-grade performance on the road or to the job site. There are tradeoffs for its portability, and users of the most demanding, graphics-intensive applications will need to carry something heavier. But the Dell's exceptional battery life underscores its desirability as the most portable workstation we've seen."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 16 or the Dell Precision 5470
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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