The Acer Predator Helios 300 is usually less expensive than the MSI Stealth GS66 and it comes equipped with a solid main processor and decent graphics. It is suitable for intensive gaming, has a numeric keypad, and includes ray-tracing capabilities, but it has a shorter battery life and is heavier, which could make it less ideal for carrying around. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth GS66 is pricier, but it offers a more powerful processor and superior graphics, which could lead to better performance in 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering applications. It also has a higher battery capacity for longer use, is lighter for portability, and features a higher refresh rate display for smoother visuals, making it more suitable for professionals who need powerful specs along with mobility. 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 Stealth GS66.
Advantages of the MSI Stealth GS66
Very good for engineering and design
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Good portability
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.2/10
7.8/10
6.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth GS66 and Acer Predator Helios 300 are both good for gaming and AI, though the MSI Stealth GS66 is somewhat better.
The Acer Predator Helios 300's gaming and 3D capabilities are strong due to its Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU and a refresh rate suitable for most gamers, while the MSI Stealth GS66 offers superior performance for more demanding gaming and 3D applications with an even more powerful Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti GPU and a significantly higher screen refresh rate. Both laptops come with quality CPUs and screens, with the MSI potentially providing a smoother visual experience due to its higher refresh rate, making it preferable for enthusiasts who prioritize top-tier gaming performance.
Engineering and Design
7.6/10
8.2/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
6.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Stealth GS66 is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Predator Helios 300 is good.
The MSI Stealth GS66, with a more powerful CPU and GPU, offers significantly better performance for engineering and design applications compared to the Acer Predator Helios 300, which also has a capable processor and graphics card but at a lower tier. While both laptops have high-quality IPS screens, the MSI model has better color coverage, which is essential for design accuracy, and a higher refresh rate beneficial for smooth visuals, but its superior hardware makes it less portable than the Acer model.
Screen Quality
7.3/10
8.1/10
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
294.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
280.0 nits
The MSI Stealth GS66 has a better screen than the Acer Predator Helios 300 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 and MSI Stealth GS66 both offer panels with resolutions and brightness that are satisfactory for day-to-day tasks, making them suitable for general use. For engineering and design, these laptops provide respectable color accuracy and range, covering the necessary gamuts to ensure true-to-life colors. However, for gaming and 3D work, where high refresh rates are crucial for smooth visuals, both models fall short, limiting the fluidity and responsiveness that gamers and 3D professionals seek.
Battery
3.5 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 300 has 3.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth GS66 has 5.5 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.
Portability
Fair
Good
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Stealth GS66 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
8.0/10
The MSI Stealth GS66 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
$1,204
$1,799
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Acer Predator Helios 300 has a price of $1,204 and the MSI Stealth GS66 costs $1,799.
The MSI Stealth GS66 and Acer Predator Helios 300 are both good for general use.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 and MSI Stealth GS66 both offer robust performance for general use, with powerful Intel CPUs and ample RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and quick application response. While the Acer provides good screen quality and a solid gaming appearance, its heavier weight and lower battery life make it less portable than the MSI, which also boasts a higher-quality keyboard and superior heat management, enhancing the user experience during prolonged use.
Content Creation
7.3/10
7.7/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth GS66 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
7.1/10
7.5/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth GS66 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.
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How the Acer Predator Helios 300 and the MSI Stealth GS66 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."
"The MSI Stealth GS66 is powerful enough for QHD. The Core i7-12700H and the GeForce RTX 3070 Ti found in the 12UGS model that we tested run all modern games smoothly in the native QHD resolution. The 15-inch display is very fast with its 240 Hz refresh rate, and it also offers a great color space (almost 100% DCI-P3) on top of that, which should please gamers as well as content creators, although we would have still wished for a higher brightness. Case, input devices, and connectivity (Thunderbolt 4) are at a good level. However, among other things, the GS66 loses points due to the high temperature development in 3D mode and its poor webcam."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 300 or the MSI Stealth GS66
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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