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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is a more powerful machine focused on gaming and heavy tasks with a high-end graphics card. It is heavier and has a larger and higher refresh rate screen, which is good for gaming but it makes it less portable. On the other hand, the HP Spectre x360 is more versatile due to its 2-in-1 convertible design, allowing it to function as a tablet. It has a higher resolution display but less powerful integrated graphics, making it better suited for general use, portability, and creative tasks that benefit from using it as a tablet. If you prioritize gaming or performance-intensive tasks and don't mind a heavier laptop, the Acer might be preferable. But if you want a lighter, more portable laptop with the flexibility of a tablet and a sharper screen for everyday use, the HP Spectre x360 would be better. 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
- Very good overall display quality
Advantages of the HP Spectre x360
- Very good for software development
- Very good overall build quality
- Good portability
- Very good battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.5
6.6
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
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 HP Spectre x360 is only fair.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 excels in gaming and 3D tasks due to its high-performance Nvidia RTX 4070 graphics card and a screen refresh rate capable of 240Hz, delivering smoother visuals and better responsiveness. Meanwhile, the HP Spectre x360, with its Intel Iris Xe graphics and a lower refresh rate of 60Hz, provides respectable gaming and 3D capabilities but is more suited for casual use and professionals who value 2-in-1 versatility.
Engineering and Design
8.7
8.0
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and HP Spectre x360 are both very good for engineering and design, though the Acer Predator Helios 16 is somewhat better.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Screen Quality
8.8
7.6
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
498.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
406.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a better screen than the HP Spectre x360 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the HP Spectre x360 has a better screen for content creation.
For general use, both the Acer Predator Helios 16 and the HP Spectre x360 offer vibrant displays with high resolution and ample brightness, ensuring clear and sharp content visibility for everyday tasks. For engineering and design, these laptops provide wide color gamuts, enabling professionals to work with a broader range of colors for detailed and color-accurate projects. However, for gaming and 3D applications, their lower refresh rates result in less fluid motion, which may detract from the immersive and responsive experience that high-end gaming typically demands.
Battery
6.5 Hours
11.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The HP Spectre x360 has 11 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
16.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
4.7 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The HP Spectre x360 has 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
8.5
The HP Spectre x360 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
$1,000
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a price of $1,236 and the HP Spectre x360 costs $1,000.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.0
8.2
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
498.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
406.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
11.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The HP Spectre x360 and Acer Predator Helios 16 are both very good for general use.
The HP Spectre x360 is very good for general use due to its greater portability and longer battery life, along with a high-quality keyboard and speakers, which contribute to a pleasant overall user experience. On the other hand, the Acer Predator Helios 16, while offering a robust CPU and ample storage, is less portable and has a shorter battery life, making it less ideal for on-the-go use despite its strong performance capabilities.
Content Creation
8.2
8.2
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and HP Spectre x360 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.
Software Development
7.9
8.3
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HP Spectre x360 to be 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.
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How the Acer Predator Helios 16 and the HP Spectre x360 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Predator Helios 16 | HP Spectre x360 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,236 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.2'' x 10.9'' x 1'' | 14.1'' x 9.7'' x 0.78'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.73 lbs | 4.74 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.15" | 14.09" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.88" | 9.66" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700HX | Intel i7-13700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 11 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 3072 x 1920 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 498 nits | 406 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1440p | |
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 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
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."
HP Spectre x360
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Eric Grevstad | August 2022
"As we said, Lenovo's Yoga 9i is a tough competitor to the Spectre with an equally admirable OLED display. We're sad that neither of them has an HDMI port nor a niche or slot to hold the stylus, though the HP wins points for its bundled mini docking station and magnetically attached pen. Your choice will come down to screen shape—and in our eyes, just as seeing an OLED screen spoils you for an IPS panel, enjoying a tall 3:2 display spoils you for a more conventional view. The HP Spectre x360 13.5 is our new favorite 2-in-1."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 16 or the HP Spectre x360
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 HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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