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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Predator Helios 300 is slightly less expensive than the MSI GP66 Leopard, and while both laptops have comparable processors and RAM, the Helios 300 sports an Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU and the Leopard a more powerful RTX 3080. This means the Leopard offers better performance for 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming at a higher price. Both have 15.6-inch displays and similar battery capacities, but the Helios 300 has a slightly longer battery life for typical use. The Helios is marginally heavier and its power brick is lighter, so the difference in portability may be negligible. 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
- The Acer Predator Helios 300 has no clear advantages over the MSI GP66 Leopard.
Advantages of the MSI GP66 Leopard
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.2
7.8
6.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI GP66 Leopard and Acer Predator Helios 300 are both good for gaming and AI, though the MSI GP66 Leopard is somewhat better.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Screen Quality
7.3
7.5
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
294.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
The MSI GP66 Leopard has a better screen than the Acer Predator Helios 300 for general use, and gaming and AI.
If you prioritize a vibrant display with accurate colors for tasks like web browsing or document editing, both the Acer Predator Helios 300 and the MSI GP66 Leopard provide good resolution and brightness. For engineering and design work, where color precision is critical, these laptops may offer satisfactory color gamut coverage, addressing professional needs. However, for gaming or 3D applications, where a high refresh rate matters most, both models fall short, likely leading to less fluid visuals and a compromised experience in fast-paced scenarios.
Battery
3.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 300 has 3.5 hours of battery life. The MSI GP66 Leopard has 5 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.
Build Quality
7.4
8.0
The MSI GP66 Leopard has very good build quality, while the Acer Predator Helios 300 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,099
$1,400
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Predator Helios 300 has a price of $1,099 and the MSI GP66 Leopard costs $1,400.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.4
7.5
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
294.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
3.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.8/10
The MSI GP66 Leopard and Acer Predator Helios 300 are both good for general use.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 and the MSI GP66 Leopard both feature capable CPUs and ample RAM, ensuring smooth performance for general use, while their high-quality screens enhance visual experiences. Despite being less portable due to weight and size, and having moderate battery life, their storage, comfortable keyboards, decent speakers, along with efficient heat management and operating noise, make them versatile for various tasks beyond just gaming.
Engineering and Design
7.6
7.9
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
6.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI GP66 Leopard and Acer Predator Helios 300 are both good for engineering and design.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 and MSI GP66 Leopard are equipped with high-performing CPUs and GPUs, substantial RAM, and quality screens, making them suitable for demanding engineering and design tasks. While both have comparable core specifications, the MSI GP66 Leopard distinguishes itself with a more powerful GPU that can handle more intensive graphical tasks, though the Acer Predator Helios 300 offers slightly better battery life which may be more convenient for working on-the-go.
Content Creation
7.3
7.4
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI GP66 Leopard and Acer Predator Helios 300 are both 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
7.1
7.2
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI GP66 Leopard and Acer Predator Helios 300 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.
Portability
Fair
Fair
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Acer Predator Helios 300 and MSI GP66 Leopard both have only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Acer Predator Helios 300 and the MSI GP66 Leopard compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Predator Helios 300 | MSI GP66 Leopard |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,099 | $1,400 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2021 | May 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 10'' x 0.9'' | 14.1'' x 10.5'' x 0.92'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.51 lbs | 5.25 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.3" | 14.09" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10" | 10.51" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-11800H | Intel i7-11800H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 3.5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 59 Wh | 65 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 294 nits | 362 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.9/10 | 6.9/10 | |
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 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 0 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Acer Predator Helios 300
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Christian Hintze | November 2022
"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."
MSI GP66 Leopard
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Christian Hintze | December 2021
"The MSI GP66 Leopard is a good budget high-performance gamer. The MSI also does a lot right outside of the pure performance despite it's low price. For example, the adaptive cooling system really surprised us positively, even in Extreme Performance Mode. And the display is not a budget panel either, but at least outshines the competition in terms of brightness. Of course, you also have to accept a few compromises in this price category. These include the Leopard's poor battery runtimes and the less than optimal build quality, which is also noticeable in the more complicated maintenance."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 300 or the MSI GP66 Leopard
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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