For CES 2024, Acer has gone all out on laptops. The opportunity for the manufacturer to take its Swift Go ultraportables, its Predator Helios gaming models and its entry-level Aspire Go to the next level. Unsurprisingly, we find new Intel and AMD Ryzen chips there. In addition to this, the new touch of Microsoft’s AI conversational agent, aka Copilot, is also there.
Predator Helios 16 and 18: Acer’s new gaming PCs upgrade to Intel Core Ultra
With the new Predator Helios and Helios Neo, Acer equips its gaming laptops with 14th generation Intel Core chips, aka Raptor Lake.
With the Predator Helios 18 (PH18-72) and Predator Helios 16 (PH16-72), the Taiwanese brand opts for a maximum configuration with Core i9-14900HX, 32 GB of DDR5-5200 RAM and GeForce RTX 4090. To keep everything cool, two 5th generation AeroBlade fans are included.
We then find respective 16 and 18 inch screens in 16:10 format with a WQXGA definition of 2560 x 1600 pixels, with a choice of an IPS or mini-Led panel. In both cases, these new models opt for a frequency of 250 Hz and a maximum brightness of 1000 cd/m².
In terms of connectivity, we find wifi 7, two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, a microSD card reader and an HDMI port.
Concerning the Predator Helios Neo 18 (PHN18-7) and Neo 16 (PHN16-72), Acer is slightly lowering the technical sheet, with a GeForce RTX 4070 for the graphics part and an IPS panel with a refresh rate of 240 Hz.
All models will be available from February, starting at €3999 for the Predator Helios 18 (PH18-72), €2799 for the Predator Helios 16 (PH16-72), €2199 for the Predator Helios Neo 18 ( PHN18-7) and €1699 for the Helios Neo 16 (PHN16-72).
Acer Swift Go and Swift X, make way for Intel Core Ultra
With the Acer Swift Go 14, Acer offers an Oled or IPS screen with a definition of 2880 x 1800 pixels and a 90 Hz refresh rate, compared to a 120 Hz Oled panel of 3200 x 2000 pixels for the Swift Go 16.
Inside, processors range from the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H to the Core Ultra 9 185H. To accompany them, these ultraportables are equipped with 32 GB of RAM and up to 2 TB of storage. We are also entitled to a battery life of 10 hours on the 14-inch model and 12 hours 30 minutes for the 16-inch.
Connectivity is solid with 2 USB-C Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4, an HDMI 2.1 and a microSD reader, but also wifi 7 and Bluetooth LE.
Acer will see us in the 2nd quarter of 2024 for the launch of the Swift 14 and 16, at respective prices of €1099 and €1149.
The company also unveiled a more efficient model with the Swift X 14, designed for creators. The configuration improves with the addition of Nvidia RTX 4050, 4060 or 4070 graphics cards and a 14.5-inch 120 Hz Oled screen with 100% support for the DCI-P3 color gamut. There is still a small concession on the connectivity side, with the move to wifi 6E.
The launch is also announced for the 2nd quarter, for a starting price set at €1,799.
The Aspire range expands with four new models
Not surprisingly, Acer’s affordable laptops, the Aspire Go, are also getting a little refresh.
With the Aspire Go 14 and 15, Acer delivers chips with lighter performance, but just as efficient for office automation and entertainment. We thus find an Intel processor up to Core i3-N for both models, and as a bonus a variant with AMD Ryzen 7000 Series for the 14-inch version. The latter are armed with a maximum of 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of SSD storage.
Both laptops have a Full HD IPS panel in 16:10 format, wifi 6 or wifi 7, 10 hours of battery life and efficient connectivity with USB-C port, two USB-A and an HDMI 2.1.
In the Intel version, the Acer Aspire Go will start at €549, compared to €649 with the AMD processor. For its part, the Aspire Go 15 will be offered from €529. The two laptops will arrive in stores from the 2nd quarter of 2024.
Other Aspire ranges, more specific and less accessible, also benefit from new models. To begin with, the Vero range is equipped with a new eco-responsible computer, and this time carbon neutral: Aspire Vero 16.
Acer explains that it used 60% PCR plastic for the chassis and 50% for the keys, but also that it did not use any additives, paint or volatile organic compounds in the design of this computer.
In terms of technical configuration, the Acer Aspire Vero 16 has a 16-inch IPS screen (2560 x 1600 pixels), an Intel Core Ultra 7 chip, 16 GB of RAM, 2 TB of SSD max and has a battery life of 10 h 30 min. . The launch is planned for the 2nd quarter of 2024 from €1,199.
Finally, the Aspire family expands with the 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition laptop, for “creative experiences and immersive 3D entertainment”. Like the Helios 300 SpatialLabs Edition, it offers 3D viewing without glasses, here thanks to its 15.6-inch 4K screen and SpatialLabs 3D software optimized by artificial intelligence.
In terms of configuration, we find an Intel Core i7-13620H SoC and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card. The arrival of this model is announced for the month of March 2024 at a price of €1,499.
It should be noted that Acer also took the opportunity to unveil a 27-inch PC monitor at €1,999 also displaying 3D images: the 4K Predator SpatialLabs View.