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Updated March 21, 2024·
If you're looking for a high-performance laptop for gaming or demanding software tasks and don't mind carrying a heavier and bulkier machine while spending more, the MSI Titan would be an excellent choice. However, if you prefer a more balanced option that offers good performance at a lower price and is easier to carry around, the Acer Predator Helios should serve you well. Remember, the MSI Titan's larger screen can be great for immersion in games or multitasking, but it will also use more battery power and be less convenient for travel. 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
- Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Titan 18 HX
- Best in class for engineering and design
- Excellent for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Excellent for content creation
- Excellent overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Excellent speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
8.0
8.8
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
498.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
6.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX and Acer Predator Helios 16 are both very good for general use, though the MSI Titan 18 HX is somewhat better.
The Acer Predator Helios 16, with a strong CPU and ample RAM, ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks and has a high-quality screen, but its portability and battery life may be concerning for those frequently on the move. The MSI Titan 18 HX also boasts excellent CPU and RAM for seamless general use, has a premium screen, but is less portable and has shorter battery life; both have considerable storage, good keyboard and speaker quality, and manage heat and noise well.
Gaming and AI
8.5
9.4
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for gaming and AI, while the Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 offers a robust GPU and high screen refresh rate that ensures smooth gaming and effective 3D rendering, ideal for gamers and professionals alike. Meanwhile, the MSI Titan 18 HX, with its top-tier GPU and even higher refresh rates, paired with a strong CPU and superior screen quality, provides an exceptional experience for those demanding the best performance and visuals in gaming and 3D applications, though it may come at a higher cost and less portability.
Engineering and Design
8.7
9.9
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
The MSI Titan 18 HX is best in class for engineering and design, while the Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 comes equipped with robust CPU, RAM, GPU, and high screen quality which are essential for demanding tasks including engineering and design software; however, the MSI Titan 18 HX surpasses it with even greater performance in these areas, ensuring smoother and more efficient work for the most complex projects. Both laptops may be less portable due to their powerful components and could have louder operating noise, but they offer different balances between mobility and capability, with the MSI aiming more at those prioritizing top-tier hardware over the ease of carrying the device.
Content Creation
8.2
9.0
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for content creation, while the Acer Predator Helios 16 is very 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
8.9
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX 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
9.2
16.0in
SIZE
18.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
498.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a better screen than the MSI Titan 18 HX for gaming and AI, while the MSI Titan 18 HX has a better screen for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 likely offers a high-resolution display with good brightness and panel type, optimizing it for both general use and detailed engineering tasks where color accuracy is key. However, its lower refresh rate could detract from the smooth visuals required for high-speed gaming and 3D rendering. Conversely, the MSI Titan 18 HX probably steps up with an even superior display in terms of color representation and resolution, enhancing the experience for general activities and color-critical engineering work, yet it also seems to fall short for gaming and 3D due to a refresh rate that doesn't match the needs of those high-refresh-rate scenarios.
Battery
6.5 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Titan 18 HX has 4 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
Poor
16.0in
SIZE
18.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
7.9 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
1.2in
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has only fair portability, while the MSI Titan 18 HX has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
8.5
The MSI Titan 18 HX 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
$1,599
$4,800
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a price of $1,599 and the MSI Titan 18 HX costs $4,800.
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How the Acer Predator Helios 16 and the MSI Titan 18 HX compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Predator Helios 16 | MSI Titan 18 HX |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,599 | $4,800 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | February 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.2'' x 10.9'' x 1'' | 15.9'' x 12.1'' x 1.26'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.73 lbs | 7.93 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.15" | 15.9" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.88" | 12.08" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700HX | Intel i9-14900HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 128 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 4 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 4096 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 18" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 3840 x 2400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 498 nits | 401 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
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 | 10/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 3 | |
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."
MSI Titan 18 HX
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | January 2024
"With no new Nvidia GPU this year for laptops, MSI had to refresh everything surrounding the graphics card to make up for it. Users are getting a new 18-inch chassis design, new 14th gen Intel HX CPU, new AC adapter, larger keys, and a new 120 Hz HDR1000 mini-LED 4K display to accompany the high price tag. Most of these changes are a step up from last year's GT77, but users are ultimately getting the same gaming performance out of both models."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 16 or the MSI Titan 18 HX
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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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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