If you need a laptop for gaming or intensive engineering tasks, the Acer Predator Helios 300 is designed for high performance with likely better graphics and processing capabilities suitable for those activities. However, it may cost more and be less portable due to its size and weight. On the other hand, if you prioritize everyday tasks, value portability, and are looking for a more budget-friendly option, the HP 15" Laptop could be more suitable, albeit with lower performance for demanding applications. Consider the battery life too; the HP may be better for longer usage without charging, which is beneficial if you're often on the move. 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 300
Good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Good speakers
Good keyboard
Advantages of the HP 15" Laptop
Good portability
Good battery life
Key differences
General Use
7.4/10
6.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
294.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
250.0 nits
3.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
6.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Acer Predator Helios 300 is good for general use, while the HP 15" Laptop is only fair.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 is equipped with a more powerful CPU, double the RAM, a higher screen refresh rate which is better for smooth visuals, and a superior GPU which makes it more suitable for demanding tasks, whereas the HP 15" Laptop's less advanced CPU, lower RAM, and integrated graphics make it adequate for less intensive applications. Despite its higher performance, the Acer's shorter battery life and heavier build make it less portable compared to the HP, which offers better portability and longer battery life, making the HP more suited to on-the-go use despite its modest performance.
Gaming and AI
7.2/10
5.9/10
6.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Acer Predator Helios 300 is good for gaming and AI, while the HP 15" Laptop is poor.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 outshines the HP 15" Laptop in gaming due to its superior Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU and a higher screen refresh rate of 144Hz, offering smoother visuals and graphical performance suitable for gaming and 3D applications. In contrast, the HP 15" Laptop's Intel UHD Graphics is less powerful and its standard screen refresh rate of 60Hz is more suited for general use rather than intense gaming or 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
7.6/10
6.2/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
6.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios 300 is good for engineering and design, while the HP 15" Laptop is only fair.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 offers superior CPU and GPU performance for demanding engineering and design tasks, with a robust Intel i7 series processor and dedicated Nvidia RTX graphics, making it suitable for work that requires high processing power and graphical capabilities. In contrast, the HP 15" Laptop is equipped with a more modest Intel i3 processor and integrated graphics, providing adequate performance for less intensive applications but potentially struggling with complex software used in engineering and design.
Screen Quality
7.3/10
6.3/10
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
294.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
250.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 300 has a better screen than the HP 15" Laptop for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Acer Predator Helios 300, with its vibrant and high-resolution display, is great for general use and engineering tasks, offering crisp visuals and a wide range of colors that professionals need. However, its lower refresh rate can detract from the smoothness required in fast-paced gaming scenarios. The HP 15" Laptop provides adequate resolution and brightness for everyday tasks and some engineering work, but its limited color range and refresh rate fall short for the precision of design work and the rapid frame delivery critical to gaming and 3D applications.
Battery
3.5 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 300 has 3.5 hours of battery life. The HP 15" Laptop has 6 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
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The HP 15" Laptop has good portability, while the Acer Predator Helios 300 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4/10
6.0/10
The Acer Predator Helios 300 has good build quality, while the HP 15" Laptop has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,204
$377
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Acer Predator Helios 300 has a price of $1,204 and the HP 15" Laptop costs $377.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Predator Helios 300 to be good for content creation, while the HP 15" Laptop is only fair.
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
7.1/10
6.7/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Predator Helios 300 to be good for software development, while the HP 15" Laptop is only fair.
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.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Acer Predator Helios 300 and the HP 15" Laptop compare to other laptops
"The Acer Predator Helios 300 review is an overclocked gaming laptop with a good display. The Predator is large, heavy, and loud, but also offers plenty of performance according to gamers. An overclocked gaming laptop - or its user - also has to struggle with the usual disadvantages we mentioned above. On the other hand, overclocking is optional, and those who like it quieter and can live with a few less frames per second can also switch to the significantly more moderate Standard mode. Then the Helios 300 won't be any louder than the competitors."
"Chances are high that the HP 15 is one of the first laptops to pop up when you search for an inexpensive notebook. Indeed, its price tag is very tempting for many, and of course, this is the reason for its popularity. However, the HP 15" suffers from poor performance due to low power consumption. On the bright side, one of the good things about it is the port selection. On the inside, this includes two SODIMM slots for memory, an M.2 PCIe x4 slot for storage, and a SATA drive bay. However, the TN panel, and mediocre input devices are not ideal."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 300 or the HP 15" Laptop
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.
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
111,495
Recommendations made
24,158
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.