The Acer Predator Helios 16 is a midrange priced laptop that is often less expensive and features a high refresh rate, quad HD display. It has a moderate weight and is powered by an Intel i7 processor with a Nvidia RTX 4070 graphics card. On the other hand, the MSI Vector GP76 is priced in the upper midrange and, although often more expensive, offers a larger screen with a higher refresh rate, full HD resolution, and is heavier. It is equipped with an Intel i7 processor and a Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti graphics card. The MSI also has a better overall assessment in terms of build quality, heat management, and performance for general use, 3D/machine learning, and engineering tasks. 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 overall display quality
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Vector GP76
Very good overall build quality
Very good keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
8.8/10
7.9/10
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
498.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
264.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a better screen than the MSI Vector GP76 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
If you prioritize a vivid and sharp display for tasks like writing documents, browsing the web, or watching videos, the Acer Predator Helios 16 offers superior resolution and brightness. For engineers and designers, the Acer's wider color gamut ensures more accurate color representation, which is crucial for professional visual work. However, for fast-paced 3D gaming, both the Acer and the MSI models fall short as their refresh rates are lower than what's desirable for smooth gameplay where quick screen updates are key.
Battery
6.5 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Vector GP76 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
17.3in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
6.3 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has only fair portability, while the MSI Vector GP76 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4/10
8.0/10
The MSI Vector GP76 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
$1,760
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a price of $1,236 and the MSI Vector GP76 costs $1,760.
The MSI Vector GP76 and Acer Predator Helios 16 are both very good for general use.
The MSI Vector GP76 offers double the RAM of the Acer Predator Helios 16, which can provide more fluid multitasking and generally better performance for demanding tasks, and it also has a larger screen, albeit with a lower resolution, which can be a plus for visibility but a minus for sharpness. However, the Helios 16 boasts a higher battery capacity and screen quality, with superior brightness and color coverage, making it better for extended, vibrant visual use, but it is less portable and slightly heavier than the MSI.
Gaming and AI
8.5/10
8.4/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and MSI Vector GP76 are both very good for gaming and AI.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 provides a powerful GPU and a high screen refresh rate that makes it well-suited for gaming and 3D applications, and although the MSI Vector GP76 has a slightly less powerful GPU, its even higher refresh rate can be particularly beneficial for fast-paced gaming experiences. Both laptops offer quality CPUs and screens, with the Helios showcasing better screen resolution which enhances overall visual quality, while the Vector GP76 boasts a larger screen size favorable for immersive gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.7/10
8.7/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and MSI Vector GP76 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and MSI Vector GP76 are both suited for engineering and design due to their high-performance CPUs, substantial RAM for multitasking, and powerful GPUs for graphical tasks, with the Helios 16 boasting a more recent and efficient GPU. The Helios 16 also offers a higher screen quality with a more color-accurate display and higher resolution, beneficial for detailed design work, while the Vector GP76 provides a smoother experience with its higher refresh rate, but compromises on screen resolution and color accuracy.
Content Creation
8.2/10
8.0/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and MSI Vector GP76 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
7.9/10
7.6/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and MSI Vector GP76 are both good for software development.
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 MSI Vector GP76 compare to other laptops
"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."
"The MSI Vector GP76 12UGS is a gaming laptop on speed. The advantages are clear: The Vector GP76 is a real gamer with its 360 Hz display and super-fast response times. In addition, the Core i7-12700H has double the power of the CPU in its predecessor and another highlight is the Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti with a real power consumption of 150 watts. This places the device in the top range of our database. The Vector can also operate rather quietly, offers a full sound range, improved battery runtimes, a key-configurable RGB keyboard, a very stable chassis and good upgrade options. Moreover, the display produces a nice, rich and clear picture."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 16 or the MSI Vector GP76
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.
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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