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Updated January 16, 2024·
If price is a priority and you're looking for a gaming or high-performance computing option, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 might be a good choice. However, if you value a slim design, long battery life, and you mainly handle general productivity tasks or video editing, the Apple MacBook Pro 13 could suit you better. Be aware that the MacBook may have a higher resale value and tends to be preferred for its build quality and operating system stability. On the other hand, the Acer will likely offer more graphical power and a better gaming experience. 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 Pro 13 (2020)
- Best in class overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.5
6.3
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 Pro 13 (2020) is only fair.
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has a high-refresh-rate screen and a powerful Nvidia GPU, suited for demanding games and 3D applications, offering smoother visuals and enhanced gaming capabilities. On the other hand, the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has a lower screen refresh rate and an integrated GPU that is less powerful, making it less optimal for gaming, especially considering the limited gaming library compatible with macOS.
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 Pro 13 (2020) is good.
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 offers stronger CPU and GPU performance, which is crucial for engineering and design tasks that involve complex computations and graphic rendering, and its larger screen and higher refresh rate may benefit detailed work, but its heavier weight and lower battery life reduce portability compared to the Apple MacBook Pro 13. The MacBook, while having a high-resolution display and exceptional screen quality, is more portable with longer battery life, but it trades off some performance due to its less powerful integrated graphics and processor, making it better suited for less intensive engineering and design tasks.
Screen Quality
7.8
7.6
16.0in
SIZE
13.3in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
373.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has a better screen than the Apple MacBook Pro 13 for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 has a better screen for general use, engineering and design, and content creation.
For general use, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 offers good visibility and clarity due to its resolution and brightness, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 benefits from its high-resolution Retina display that offers exceptional detail and color accuracy. When considering engineering and design, the MacBook Pro excels with its wide color gamut, ensuring precise color representation for professional work, whereas the Acer's color range is also commendable but not as extensive. However, for gaming and 3D tasks, the Acer's screen is hampered by a lower refresh rate, making it less suitable for fast-paced visuals compared to laptops with higher refresh rates designed for smooth motion.
Battery
5.0 Hours
20.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has 5 hours of battery life. The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 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
3.0 lbs
1.1in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (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 Pro 13 (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
$1,249
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has a price of $799 and the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) costs $1,249.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.6
7.7
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
373.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
5.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
20.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
6.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.9/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 are both good for general use.
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is praised for its high refresh rate display, more RAM and powerful CPU and GPU combo which is advantageous for multitasking and better performance in intensive applications; however, its bulk and shorter battery life make it less portable than the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020). The MacBook Pro, with its longer battery life and superior screen quality, offers a strong choice for users prioritizing portability and media consumption, but it is outmatched by the Helios Neo in raw performance due to having less RAM and a less powerful CPU.
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 Pro 13 (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
7.8
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 Pro 13 (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 Pro 13 (2020) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 | Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$799 | $1,249 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | October 1, 2020 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.2'' x 11'' x 1.11'' | 12'' x 8.4'' x 0.61'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.73 lbs | 3 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 | 20 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 58.2 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 | 491 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.2/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
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 Pro 13 (2020)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | June 2022
"The MacBook Pro 13 is still a very good subnotebook. The 2022 MacBook Pro 13 might look like recycling at first, because the device is completely identical to the old model expect for the new M2 SoC. We have to admit that we were surprised to see another iteration of the MBP 13 as well. The laptop is obviously familiar, but this does not change the fact that it is still a very good subnotebook. You get an excellent chassis with good stability, a very good display, good input devices and the new M2 chip is very powerful and efficient."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 or the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (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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