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Updated January 12, 2024·
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is better suited for intensive tasks such as gaming, 3D modeling, or engineering due to its powerful Intel i5 processor and Nvidia RTX graphics card. It also offers a larger storage capacity and more ports for peripherals, hence it supports a wider variety of connections which can be essential for specific use cases. However, it is heavier and has a shorter battery life, resulting in lower portability. The Apple MacBook Air, with its Apple M1 chip, is a solid choice for general use and benefits from longer battery life and a lighter design for better portability. Its high-resolution screen is excellent for media consumption, and macOS is often preferred for creative tasks. Yet it may fall short for high-demand applications and gaming. Both laptops have a premium build quality but choose the Acer if performance is the priority or the MacBook Air if you value portability and battery life. 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 Neo 16
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Air (2020)
- Best in class overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.5
6.2
8.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
10.0/10
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is good for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Air (2020) is only fair.
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.
Engineering and Design
8.3
7.3
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.0/10
8.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Apple MacBook Air (2020) is good.
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 stands out for engineering and design use due to its more powerful Intel processor, more RAM, and a dedicated Nvidia GPU, which are crucial for demanding software, while the MacBook Air, with its efficient Apple M1 chip and integrated GPU, offers a high-quality screen and exceptional portability but may not handle intensive tasks as effectively. Although the MacBook Air is lighter with a fanless design, the Helios Neo 16's higher performance components make it better suited for resource-intensive engineering applications, but it is heavier and may have more operating noise due to cooling fans.
Screen Quality
7.8
7.5
16.0in
SIZE
13.3in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
373.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
395.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has a better screen than the Apple MacBook Air for gaming and AI.
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 and Apple MacBook Air (2020) offer displays with sufficient resolution and brightness for clarity and visibility in general use, with panel types that provide wide viewing angles and consistent colors. Both laptops feature displays with color gamuts that cover a broad spectrum, necessary for precision in engineering and design tasks, ensuring accurate color representation. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the Acer's lower refresh rate results in less smooth motion, which isn't ideal when fast response and fluid visuals are critical, while the Apple MacBook Air's display is not tailored to high refresh rate activities that these applications demand.
Battery
5.0 Hours
15.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has 5 hours of battery life. The Apple MacBook Air has 15 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
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
13.3in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
1.1in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) has very good portability, while the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
10.0
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) has best in class build quality, while the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$799
$1,000
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has a price of $799 and the Apple MacBook Air (2020) costs $1,000.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.6
7.6
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
373.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
395.0 nits
5.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
15.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
6.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.9/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) and Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 are both good for general use.
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 offers a strong CPU, ample RAM, and high-quality screen suitable for various tasks, along with good battery life, but its heavier build and gaming-centric design reduce its portability compared to the exceptionally portable Apple MacBook Air (2020), which offers a solid balance of performance with its own CPU and sufficient RAM, a high-resolution display with superior screen quality, and long battery life, making it ideal for everyday carrying and use. Both laptops have quality keyboards and speakers with reliable heat management, but the Acer's larger storage and better screen refresh rate make it more suited for gaming and intensive tasks, while the MacBook Air prioritizes portability and user experience with its more compact and quieter design.
Content Creation
7.7
7.8
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.0/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) and Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 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
7.5
7.7
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) and Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 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 Neo 16 and the Apple MacBook Air (2020) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 | Apple MacBook Air (2020) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$799 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | November 1, 2020 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.2'' x 11'' x 1.11'' | 12'' x 8.4'' x 0.63'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.73 lbs | 2.8 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.2" | 11.97" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 11" | 8.36" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-13500HX | Apple M1 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5 Hours | 15 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 49.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 13.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 373 nits | 395 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 10/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 3 | |
Shopping
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16
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PCMag
Mark Knapp | August 2023
"The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 sacrifices portability and a truly budget price in the name of additional power. While remaining relatively budget-friendly, this gaming laptop packs serious processing chops, and Acer optimizes its internals to deliver respectable 1080p (or 1200p) gameplay from an RTX 4050. Its keyboard and chassis design won't win it any awards, but its display is a cut above for the price."
Apple MacBook Air (2020)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | July 2022
"The Apple MacBook Air M2 Entry is a very good, but too expensive daily MacBook. The new MacBook Air M2 is undoubtedly once again a very good mobile companion, but we are still a little bit disappointed on a very high level, which is definitely connected with the increased price point. The new chassis is extremely slim and the front edge is no problem during typing, but the bezels are pretty wide for a modern device and in addition with the vertical space required for the notch, the new Air has larger footprint than some Windows rivals."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 or the Apple MacBook Air (2020)
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 Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
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