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Updated January 12, 2024·
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 offers a solid balance of price and performance, particularly for gaming or graphics-intensive tasks, with its dedicated Nvidia graphics card and substantial processing power tailored for demanding apps. However, its portability is compromised by its weight and larger size. In contrast, the MSI Prestige 16 is pricier but caters to professional users with its higher screen resolution, more RAM for multitasking, and a generally more premium build. Its integrated graphics may suffice for everyday office tasks and media creation but lag behind in gaming. If several hours away from a power source is typical for you, consider the MSI's longer battery life over the Acer's shorter one. 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 gaming and AI
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 16
- Very good for general use
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Good portability
- Good battery life
- Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.6
8.4
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
373.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
5.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
6.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The MSI Prestige 16 is very good for general use, while the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is good.
The MSI Prestige 16 stands out for general use primarily because it has a more powerful CPU, double the RAM, and a higher resolution screen compared to the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16; these factors contribute to smoother multi-tasking and sharper image quality. Additionally, the Prestige 16 offers more storage, a slightly longer battery life, and a higher portability score, making it more suitable for users who need a light and long-lasting laptop for everyday tasks.
Gaming and AI
7.5
6.7
8.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
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 MSI Prestige 16 is only fair.
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is equipped with a Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU and a high screen refresh rate of 165Hz, making it well-suited for delivering smooth and responsive gaming and 3D experiences. The MSI Prestige 16, while also possessing a 165Hz screen refresh rate and boasting a higher resolution display, relies on the integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics of its CPU, which may offer less graphic processing power compared to the dedicated Nvidia GPU in the Helios Neo 16 for demanding tasks.
Content Creation
7.7
8.3
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Prestige 16 is very good for content creation, while the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is good.
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
8.1
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 16 is very good for software development, while the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is good.
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
8.3
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
373.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The MSI Prestige 16 has a better screen than the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
When considering general use, the MSI Prestige 16 is favored due to its higher resolution and brightness, offering clearer and more vibrant display, which enhances everyday computing tasks. For engineering and design, this laptop again stands out with superior color accuracy and wider color gamuts, allowing for more precise visual work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short as they lack high refresh rates, which are crucial for smooth, responsive visuals in fast-paced scenarios.
Battery
5.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has 5 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 16 has 7.5 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
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
1.1in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Prestige 16 has good portability, while the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$799
$1,611
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has a price of $799 and the MSI Prestige 16 costs $1,611.
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Key similarities
Engineering and Design
8.3
8.2
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
8.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 and MSI Prestige 16 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is equipped with a capable Nvidia RTX GPU and a high refresh rate IPS screen that is good for design and 3D work, but it's heavier and bulkier, making it less portable. In contrast, the MSI Prestige 16 offers a more color-accurate and higher-resolution screen, double the RAM for multitasking, and a more powerful CPU, all packaged in a slimmer and lighter design which enhances portability but relies on integrated graphics that may not be suitable for the most demanding engineering tasks.
Build Quality
7.4
7.4
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 and MSI Prestige 16 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 and the MSI Prestige 16 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 | MSI Prestige 16 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$799 | $1,611 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | January 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.2'' x 11'' x 1.11'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.66'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.73 lbs | 4.2 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.2" | 14.09" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 11" | 10.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-13500HX | Intel i7-13700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 82 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 373 nits | 400 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.2/10 | 7.7/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
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."
MSI Prestige 16
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Make Use Of
Paul Antill | June 2023
"The MSI Prestige 16 Evo: 2023's best value 16” thin & light laptop with i7-13700H. One of the top choices for professionals and students seeking a high-performance, portable computing solution in 2023. While the MSI Prestige 16 Evo A13M may not boast the most striking design compared to some other 16" options, its relatively "safe" styling lends itself well to professional and educational environments. Significantly, it doesn't compromise on essential features like port selection or cooling performance, ensuring seamless connectivity and efficient thermal management. The 16 Evo A13M offers an excellent combination of performance, portability, and functionality, making it a compelling choice for professionals and students alike."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 or the MSI Prestige 16
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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