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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Predator Helios 16, with higher performance for tasks like 3D rendering, engineering software, and gaming, comes at a higher price and is less portable due to its larger size and weight. On the other hand, the Gateway 11.6" offers a more budget-friendly option with significantly lower performance, suitable for basic tasks like web browsing and document editing; it's more portable due to its smaller size and lighter weight, but features a less capable processor, less memory, lower storage capacity, and a lower resolution screen compared to the Acer Predator. 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
- Good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Good speakers
- Good keyboard
Advantages of the Gateway 11.6"
- Excellent portability
Key differences
General Use
8.0
5.6
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
498.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
6.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.1/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for general use, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is better for general use due to its more powerful CPU, greater RAM, and higher quality screen, which contribute to stronger performance and better visuals, though it is heavier and less portable than the Gateway 11.6". The Gateway 11.6" has an excellent portability score and longer battery life making it easy to carry around, but its weaker CPU, lower RAM, and inferior screen quality limit its ability to handle demanding tasks effectively.
Gaming and AI
8.5
5.4
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is equipped with a high-end Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and a screen with a 240Hz refresh rate, making it excellent for gaming and 3D applications. On the other hand, the Gateway 11.6" laptop has a basic Intel UHD Graphics 600 GPU and a screen with only a 60Hz refresh rate, which are not suitable for demanding gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.7
5.4
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is equipped with a high-performance CPU and GPU, ample RAM, and a high-quality screen, making it very good for demanding engineering and design tasks. In contrast, the Gateway 11.6" has a basic CPU, less RAM, lower-end graphics, and a lower-resolution screen, rendering it poor for such intensive use cases.
Content Creation
8.2
5.7
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for content creation, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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
5.7
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is good for software development, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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
5.7
16.0in
SIZE
11.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
498.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a better screen than the Gateway 11.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Acer Predator Helios 16's superior panel type, higher resolution, and greater brightness contribute to a clearer and more vibrant display, while the Gateway's inferior display might appear less sharp and dim. In terms of engineering and design, the Acer's wider color gamut ensures more accurate color reproduction which is crucial for detailed work, unlike the Gateway's limited color range. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the Acer's lower refresh rate can result in less fluid motion compared to laptops designed specifically for gaming, where a higher refresh rate is key for a smooth visual experience.
Battery
6.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Gateway 11.6" has 8 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
Excellent
16.0in
SIZE
11.6in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.6 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Gateway 11.6" has excellent portability, while the Acer Predator Helios 16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
5.1
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has good build quality, while the Gateway 11.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,236
$89
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a price of $1,236 and the Gateway 11.6" costs $89.
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How the Acer Predator Helios 16 and the Gateway 11.6" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Predator Helios 16 | Gateway 11.6" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,236 | $89 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | August 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.2'' x 10.9'' x 1'' | 11'' x 7.5'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.73 lbs | 2.6 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.15" | 11" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.88" | 7.5" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700HX | Intel Celeron N4020 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 4 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 64 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | Unknown | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 11.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1366 x 768 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 498 nits | 200 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.4/10 | 9.2/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 0 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
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."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 16 or the Gateway 11.6"
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 Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
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