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Updated January 12, 2024·
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is better suited for gaming with its high-performance graphics card, while the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo, with its high-resolution OLED screen, excels at tasks like video editing and graphic design. The Predator will offer more power for resource-intensive tasks such as 3D rendering or machine learning, but it's also heavier, which might affect its portability. Meanwhile, the Prestige has a stronger emphasis on display quality and lightweight design for better portability, but may not handle demanding gaming or engineering software as well. Both have substantial storage and memory, but the Prestige has double the memory, which may be beneficial for multitasking and productivity. Your choice should depend on whether you prioritize gaming and performance or display quality and portability. 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
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo
- Very good for software development
- Good portability
- Very good battery life
- Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
8.0
8.6
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
498.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
12.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
6.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo and Acer Predator Helios 16 are both very good for general use, though the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is somewhat better.
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo has a high-resolution OLED screen and a more potent CPU with double the RAM compared to the Acer Predator Helios 16, making it better suited for tasks that benefit from a sharper display and robust processing power; however, this also makes it less portable and gives it a shorter battery life. On the other hand, the Helios 16, with its powerful dedicated GPU and high refresh-rate screen, excels in handling gaming and some engineering tasks, balancing performance with better portability and battery life, although it falls short in screen resolution and quality compared to the MSI Prestige.
Gaming and AI
8.5
6.7
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
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 MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is only fair.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 shines in gaming and 3D due to its high-performance Nvidia RTX GPU and a screen refresh rate of 240Hz, making it great for fast-paced action, whereas the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo, with a capable but less powerful Intel Arc GPU and a 60Hz screen refresh rate, offers a balance between performance and visual fidelity.
Software Development
7.9
8.5
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is 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.
Screen Quality
8.8
8.4
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
498.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a better screen than the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo for gaming and AI, while the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo has a better screen for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo both offer panels with good resolution and brightness, making them well-suited for general tasks where clarity and visibility are key. For engineering and design, the MSI Prestige stands out with superior color accuracy, benefiting users who require precise color representation for their work. However, for gaming and 3D applications where fluid motion is crucial, the lower refresh rates on these laptops may not deliver the smooth visuals preferred by gamers and professionals in animation or real-time rendering.
Battery
6.5 Hours
12.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo has 12 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
3.3 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo has good portability, while the Acer Predator Helios 16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,236
$1,349
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
$2,000
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a price of $1,236 and the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo costs $1,349.
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Key similarities
Engineering and Design
8.7
8.4
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo are both very good for engineering and design.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is equipped with a high-performance CPU and RAM sufficient for engineering tasks, bolstered by a strong GPU suitable for rendering and CAD work, and it has a bright, high-refresh rate IPS screen for clear visuals; however, it is heavier and less portable. Conversely, the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo offers a dazzling OLED display with exceptionally high resolution and accurate colors, along with double the RAM for complex multitasking, but it has a quieter operating noise and is more portable due to its lighter weight and longer battery life, despite its less powerful GPU.
Content Creation
8.2
8.6
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo and Acer Predator Helios 16 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.
Build Quality
7.4
7.4
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Acer Predator Helios 16 and the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Predator Helios 16 | MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,236 | $1,349 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | December 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.2'' x 10.9'' x 1'' | 14.1'' x 10'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.73 lbs | 3.31 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.15" | 14.11" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.88" | 10.02" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700HX | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 12 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | OLED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 3840 x 2400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 498 nits | 362 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
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 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
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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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 Prestige 16 AI Evo
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LaptopMag
Mark Anthony Ramirez | December 2023
"The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is meant to be a business-focused laptop, but it ends up being the MacBook challenger PC laptop enthusiasts have longed for. Not only can it meet and, in many cases, surpass the M2-powered MacBooks, but it is also surpassing the baseline M3 MacBooks, which is a giant leap forward for Intel-powered laptops. This isn’t hyperbole; this is what the numbers show."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 16 or the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo
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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