If you require a laptop for high-end gaming, 3D rendering, or intense engineering software, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 offers superior performance which justifies the higher cost. On the other hand, if you prioritize affordability, portability, and sufficient capability for everyday tasks like browsing, document editing, and media consumption, the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 should be adequate. Expect the Acer to have lesser battery life due to its powerful components, and it will be heavier, making it less convenient to carry around compared to the lighter and more energy-efficient ASUS. 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
Good for general use
Very 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 ASUS Vivobook Go 12
Excellent portability
Very good battery life
Key differences
General Use
7.6/10
5.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
373.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
5.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
6.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is good for general use, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is equipped with a high-performance CPU, substantial RAM, and a dedicated graphics card, making it well-suited for demanding applications and providing a smooth experience for general use, whereas the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is hindered by a basic CPU, minimal RAM, and integrated graphics, rendering it less capable for multitasking or media-rich tasks. Additionally, while the Acer’s larger screen and superior quality enhance viewing, its bulk and shorter battery life might limit portability compared to the more compact and longer-lasting ASUS, which may still be adequate for lightweight tasks.
Gaming and AI
7.5/10
5.4/10
8.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16's superior gaming and 3D performance comes from its Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU and high screen refresh rate of 165, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is hindered in these tasks by its less capable Intel UHD Graphics 600 GPU and a lower screen refresh rate of 60. Additionally, the CPU and screen quality are better on the Acer Predator, rounding out its suitability for more demanding applications.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
5.3/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
8.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is equipped with a high-performance CPU, a robust GPU, and ample RAM, well-suited for the heavy demands of engineering and design tasks, plus it boasts a high-quality, larger screen. In contrast, the ASUS Vivobook Go 12's lower-tier CPU, basic integrated graphics, limited RAM, and lower-resolution, smaller display make it less suitable for those intensive tasks.
Content Creation
7.7/10
5.7/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is good for content creation, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
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
7.5/10
5.7/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is good for software development, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
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.
Screen Quality
7.8/10
5.1/10
16.0in
SIZE
11.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
373.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has a better screen than the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, a laptop like the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16, with its higher resolution and brightness, will provide clearer and more vibrant visuals compared to the ASUS Vivobook Go 12, which may have lower resolution and less brightness, leading to a less sharp and dimmer display. In engineering and design, the Acer's superior color gamut coverage means it can display a wider range of colors more accurately, essential for detailed and color-sensitive work, whereas the ASUS likely has limited color range, affecting precision in visual tasks. For gaming and 3D, the Acer's shortfall on refresh rate means less fluid motion and potential for screen tearing, while the ASUS, despite its overall poor screen quality, would still be hindered by both low refresh rate and inferior resolution and panel type, affecting overall visual performance.
Battery
5.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has 5 hours of battery life. The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has 10 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
Excellent
16.0in
SIZE
11.6in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.3 lbs
1.1in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has excellent 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
5.1/10
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has good build quality, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$799
$267
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has a price of $799 and the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 costs $267.
"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."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 or the ASUS Vivobook Go 12
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 ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
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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