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Predator Helios 16
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GF63 Thin
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What we think

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The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·

If you prioritize gaming performance and don't mind a heavier and larger laptop, the Acer Predator Helios 16 offers a powerful processor, high-end graphics, and a better display with a higher refresh rate. However, the MSI GF63 Thin trades some performance for a much lighter and more portable design, making it a better option for general use and if you're frequently on the go. The Acer is better suited for graphics-intensive tasks like 3D modeling, while the MSI is a more budget-friendly option for less demanding activities. 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 battery life
  • Good speakers
Advantages of the MSI GF63 Thin
  • Good portability

Key differences

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General Use

8.0
Predator Helios 16
GF63 Thin
6.0
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
498.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
249.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.2 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
6.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for general use, while the MSI GF63 Thin is only fair.

Gaming and AI

8.5
Predator Helios 16
GF63 Thin
6.0
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
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 MSI GF63 Thin is only fair.

Engineering and Design

8.7
Predator Helios 16
GF63 Thin
6.0
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.3/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI GF63 Thin is only fair.

Content Creation

8.2
Predator Helios 16
GF63 Thin
6.0
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for content creation, while the MSI GF63 Thin is only fair.

Software Development

7.9
Predator Helios 16
GF63 Thin
6.0
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is good for software development, while the MSI GF63 Thin is only fair.

Screen Quality

8.8
Predator Helios 16
GF63 Thin
6.1
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
498.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
249.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a better screen than the MSI GF63 Thin for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.

Battery

6.5 Hours
Predator Helios 16
GF63 Thin
4.2 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The MSI GF63 Thin has 4.3 hours of battery life.

Portability

Fair
Predator Helios 16
GF63 Thin
Good
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The MSI GF63 Thin 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
Predator Helios 16
GF63 Thin
6.5
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has good build quality, while the MSI GF63 Thin has only fair build quality.

Cost

$1,236
Predator Helios 16
GF63 Thin
$599
Product image
Product image

$0

$500

$1,000

$1,500

$2,000

The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a price of $1,236 and the MSI GF63 Thin costs $599.
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How the Acer Predator Helios 16 and the MSI GF63 Thin compare to other laptops

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Spec Comparison

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Acer Predator Helios 16MSI GF63 Thin
Acer Predator Helios 16MSI GF63 Thin

GENERAL

Price
$1,236
$599
Release Date
March 1, 2023May 1, 2019
Overall Dimensions
14.2'' x 10.9'' x 1''14.1'' x 10'' x 0.85''
Weight
5.73 lbs4.1 lbs
Width
14.15"14.13"
Depth
10.88"9.99"

INTERNAL

Processor
Intel i7-13700HXIntel i5-10300H
RAM
16 GB8 GB
DDR Memory Version
54
RAM Slots
22
Storage
1024 GB256 GB

BATTERY

Battery Life
6.5 Hours4.25 Hours
Battery Capacity
90 Wh51 Wh

SCREEN

Diagonal Size
16"15.6"
Display Technology
IPSIPS
Resolution
2560 x 16001920 x 1080
Refresh Rate
240Hz60Hz
Display Brightness
498 nits249 nits

RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS

Build Quality Score
7.4/106.5/10
Portability Score
6.4/107.4/10
Gaming Laptop Appearance
YesYes
Premium Business Laptop
NoNo
Fan Noise Score
7.5/108/10

HARDWARE FEATURES

Keyboard Quality Score
7.5/107/10
Speaker Quality Score
7/106.8/10
Webcam
1080p720p
Fingerprint Reader
NoNo
Backlit Keyboard
YesYes
Number Pad
YesNo

CONNECTIVITY

USB Type-A
33
USB-C ports
21
USB-C Charging
YesNo
Display Outputs
31
Thunderbolt Version
4N/A

Shopping

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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."

MSI GF63 Thin

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Dig into reviews and images

NotebookCheck

Florian Glaser | January 2020
"If you leave aside the meagre port selection (no card reader, no DisplayPort, no Thunderbolt 3 or USB 3.1 Gen2), the fan control that could be improved (idle mode!) and the relatively dark and slow display, the MSI GF63 Thin 9SC does not have any major weaknesses. The 15-inch gamer is compact, has a low weight and offers a good price-to-performance ratio, which should please gamers that are looking for both a portable and an affordable gaming notebook. Input devices, battery life, case quality and performance are all appropriate for this purchase price."

Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 16 or the MSI GF63 Thin

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 MSI

MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.

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