This story is a part of our new Way forward for Gaming sequence, a three-site take a look at gaming’s most pioneering applied sciences, gamers, and makers.
That is the third 18-inch gaming laptop computer I’ve reviewed in 2023 (though the primary for Gizmodo). It’s a pattern that’s hopefully going to stay round effectively into the longer term, as getting access to an nearly desktop-monitor-size display screen, plus high gaming parts, is strictly what laptop computer avid gamers want proper now.
Many latest gaming laptops have shrunk all the way down to 15-inch screens, which might be extra transportable and cheaper, however the general expertise pales compared to enjoying the identical sport on a bigscreen TV by means of a $500 PS5 or Xbox Sequence X. Bumping your laptop computer display screen as much as 18 diagonal inches makes video games really feel way more immersive, as I found when enjoying new video games like Starfield or Baldur’s Gate 3.
The configuration examined right here options an Intel Core i9-13900HX CPU, Nvidia RTX 4080 GPU, 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.
I’ve beforehand examined 18-inch methods from Alienware and Razer, and each of these manufacturers have their followers. Configuring every system as identically as doable, each the Acer Helios 18 and Alienware M18 might be had for round $2,999, whereas the Razer Blade nonetheless prices a hefty premium of just about $800 extra. To be truthful, it’s the nicest design of the bunch, but it surely’s not $800 a lot nicer.
Notice that Finest Purchase at present has this mannequin on sale for a number of hundred {dollars} off, but it surely reveals up as at present out of inventory. In the event you can snag one at this discounted value, it’s a no brainer. There’s additionally a $1,999 model (on sale at Finest Purchase proper now for $1,699) with an Intel i7-13700HX, 16GB RAM, an Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and 1TB SSD.
Design and construct high quality
Contemplating the Acer Helios lid homes an enormous 18-inch display screen, it’s impressively flex-free. The matte black physique picks up a couple of fingerprints right here and there, however the general look is subtle and retains the whole factor from trying too gamer-y. That mentioned, I choose a few of the extra attention-grabbing coloration choices I’ve seen in some Alienware laptops over the previous few years, together with a really sharp-looking matte white.
The lid hinges are inset, leaving a portion of the physique behind it when the clamshell is open. This offers the system higher stability when open and permits for extra environment friendly cooling. The little little bit of the laptop computer that extends from the rear holds lots of the system’s ports and connections, together with the ability port and two USB-C ports, and it has some built-in lighting that’s good with out being intrusive.
Different ports are on the left and proper sides, together with a rarity nowadays, an ethernet jack, plus a complete of three USB-A ports and a microSD card slot. An enormous energy brick gives 330W of energy, so be sure you make room in your bag for it when you plan on toting this factor round (it received’t sport for lengthy off the battery, which is typical for gaming laptops).
That massive show
The actual star right here is the 18-inch QHD+ IPS show. It’s a miniLED panel with a quick 240Hz refresh charge, which is nice for aggressive avid gamers.
After all, even with the Nvidia 4080 GPU, enjoying new video games on the highest element ranges on the max 2,560 X 1,600 decision will preserve you nearer to 60-100fps in one thing like Starfield.
Taking part in video games, modifying images or net browsing, the display screen was vivid and crisp, though I saved the brightness cranked up more often than not. A 1,920×1,200 decision model can be obtainable, however that feels low for an 18-inch display screen designed to sit down so near your face.
Efficiency and gaming
A mixture of things assist this method be one of many quickest I’ve examined. The Intel Core i9-13900HX processor is a part of Intel’s HX line, that are almost desktop-level 55-watt chips (in comparison with Intel U-series chips present in super-slim or funds laptops, that are rated at 15 watts).
My present PC go-to video games are Starfield and Baldur’s Gate 3, each of which might be difficult to run at excessive resolutions and excessive element settings. We additionally ran, amongst different benchmarks, 3D Mark Time Spy to check this to different high-end gaming methods, and 3D Mark Wild Life Excessive simply to point out the way it compares to non-gaming laptops.
In the event you’re seeking to spend much less on a gaming laptop computer, that’s straightforward. You could find one thing like a 15-inch Dell G Sequence and a configuration with an Intel Core i7 and Nvidia RTX 4060 for underneath $1,500. In the event you’re going all-in on an costly system that can final you thru the subsequent few generations of video games and gaming {hardware}, I really like the large display screen, high-end parts and the truth that this makes an important all-day, on daily basis laptop that feels extra like a semi-portable all-in-one PC than a laptop computer.
See all the most recent {hardware} information and critiques from Gizmodo right here.
