Acer Nitro vs Acer Predator Comparison [2023]

Acer Nitro and Acer Predator are some of the most popular gaming laptops. The Nitro series is a more budget-friendly gaming laptop, whereas the Predator starts at an affordable price and, with better hardware, can get up to the premium price range.

Most people can’t pick between the two as some of the laptops from both series share a similar price tag. With the significant price tag in some models, many people get confused about picking one.

So, in this article, we will take the two gaming beasts, Acer Nitro and Predator, head to head and compare them based on different aspects. Read until the last to make it easier for you to pick your next gaming laptop.

About Acer Nitro Laptops

Acer Nitro is a line of gaming laptops intended to give users a reasonably powerful gaming experience at a budget price. The first Acer Nitro laptop was released in 2017. Since then, Acer has released several iterations of the Nitro series, including the Nitro 5 and Nitro 7.

The gaming laptops feature powerful processors, NVIDIA GPU, and high-refresh-rate displays with advanced cooling systems to keep them cool during long gaming sessions.

Nitro provides a perfect balance between affordability and performance. The laptops are more affordable than other gaming laptops, making them an appealing option for gamers on a tight budget. The Nitro series is a good option for gamers looking for a powerful machine that won’t break the bank.

About Acer Predator Laptops

Acer Predator series offers high-performance gaming laptops designed to deliver exceptional gaming experiences with their powerful hardware and advanced features. The series features two different models. The Helios is hefty and bulky, like a traditional gaming laptop. In contrast, Triton is a sleeker, more stylish gaming laptop in the Predator series.

The Predator laptops have the most recent Intel processors and NVIDIA GPU. They also have high refresh rate displays with refresh rates ranging from 120Hz to 360Hz for smooth gameplay and immersive visuals.

Acer Predator laptops come in various sizes, from the portable 14-inch Triton 300 to the 17.3-inch Helios 700, and offer a range of features, such as VR-ready capabilities and advanced cooling technology. With their high-performance hardware and stylish designs, Acer Predator laptops are popular among gamers and are often used in competitive gaming tournaments.

Acer Nitro vs Acer Predator Laptops: What’re the Differences?

The two gaming series from Acer, the Nitro, and the Predator, are mostly a topic of comparison. Nitro is a budget-segment gaming laptop from Acer, whereas the Predator is a premium lineup of gaming laptops.

Both laptop series are for gamers and offer robust hardware configurations to deliver an immersive gaming experience. However, there are several differences between the two series, including design, performance, display, cooling system, sound quality, ports, and price. Understanding these differences can help you choose the Acer gaming laptop that fits your needs and budget.

Acer Nitro vs Acer Predator: The Difference in Performance

The Acer Nitro series is a budget-friendly gaming series from Acer. It mainly offers entry to mid-level gaming laptops. The laptops have the latest Intel generation i5 and i7 CPUs and the 5000 and 6000 series from AMD.

Regarding the GPU, the Acer Nitro series features NVIDIA GPU ranging from GTX 1650 to RTX 3070Ti. The 1650 GPU is only available on entry-level gaming laptops in the Nitro series. Acer has also started featuring the Nitro 16 and Nitro 17 models with the latest Intel i7 13th gen processors and NVIDIA RTX 4080 graphics.

When talking about RAM, Nitro Series offers DDR4 or DDR5 RAM with 8GB, 16GB, and up to 32 GB capacity.

The Nitro series laptops are great for medium-level gaming. It runs smoothly for most games. Even hardware-intensive games like the Forza can run smoothly on the Acer Nitro. Although it delivers excellent gaming performance, it is not yet for gaming professionals looking for exceptionally excellent gaming performance.

The Acer Predator series is a premium line of gaming laptops from Acer. The Predator laptops offer i5, i7, and i9 Intel processors on their laptops. The current models have the 12th gen H processors. Acer also has started including the Predator Helios 16 and Helios 18 with the latest 13th gen i9 processors and NVIDIA RTX 4080 series GPU. At the time of writing this article, these two latest gaming beasts are unavailable in the market but will soon be available after the official release by Acer.

Moving on to the graphics, you can find Predator laptops starting from the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 up to RTX 3080Ti. The lowest RAM configuration on Acer Predator laptops is 16 GB which gets higher up to 64 GB. The Predator laptops feature DDR4 and DDR5 RAM, and LPDDR5 RAM in the series.

Predator is excellent for gaming professionals who want a laptop to handle demanding gaming needs. The premium laptops in the Predator series are some of the most powerful gaming laptops. But more entry-level laptops from Predator, like the Helios 300, deliver similar performance to the Acer Nitro series.

Acer Nitro vs Acer Predator: The Difference in Storage Capacity

The best part about the Nitro and Predator series is that both offer SSD on laptops. There are similar storage options on the Nitro and Predator series. The only difference is the minimum storage option; the Acer Nitro starts at 256GB and offers max storage of up to 2TB SSD. The Acer Predator starts the storage option at 512 GB and maxes out at 2TB like the Nitro. Some Acer Predator and Nitro models offer an additional 1TB HDD paired with a 512GB SSD.

The 256 GB storage on the Acer Nitro might not be enough for many you can easily upgrade later on or get a higher storage option with 512GB to 2TB. So, the overall storage is not a problem in both series.

Acer Nitro vs Acer Predator: The Difference in Design

Acer has made some design cutbacks in the Nitro series to make it affordable. Nitro Series comes with a pretty standard design for a gaming laptop. The plastic build doesn’t feel premium, and many people also question the durability of the plastic. The red accent and the backlight on the keyboard make it look beautiful but don’t do much to make the laptop stand out.

The Predator series stands out with its unique and innovative design. Predator Triton features a slimmer design which stands out from the rest of the gaming laptops. The Triton 500 has a complete aluminum chassis, and the silver top stands out. The Triton gives a design you would expect in a gaming laptop. It is a sleek, well-built, and sturdy gaming laptop that weighs just around 3.7 Pounds.

Acer Predator Helios screams gaming with its design. It is one of the most durable laptops with a complete metal build. It is similar to the Nitro in weight and size but gives a premium feel that the Nitro misses out on. The Helios models are heavier than the Nitro and Acer Triton, which weigh around 5 pounds.

Acer Nitro vs Acer Predator: The Difference in Display

Starting with the Acer Nitro series, the Nitro models are available in 15.6 and 17.3-inch screen sizes. The two screen sizes feature an FHD and QHD resolution. The Nitro laptops’ screen refresh rate varies from 60 Hz to 165 Hz. The higher-end laptops feature a QHD resolution display with a refresh rate of 165 Hz, and the mid-rangers feature an FHD display with a 144Hz refresh rate.

The Predator offers four screen size options, 14, 15.6, 16, and 17.3 inches. Triton is available on all four screen sizes, but the 14-inch and the 16-inch options are for the Predator Triton and are not available on the Nitro series or the Predator Helios. Talking about the resolution, you can get the additional 4K resolution on the Predator series.

The Predator also has the upper hand on the refresh rate with up to 360Hz screen refresh rate. The base models offer a 60Hz display rate; others feature 90Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz, 240Hz, and 360Hz refresh rates. Talking about the panel, Acer Nitro only features an IPS panel, whereas you can also get an OLED Panel with the Predator series.

Regarding the Display Quality, the Predator Series has better brightness, color accuracy, and viewing angle. However, the display specifications differ for different models. Regarding some specific models, the Nitro 5 has a 260 nits brightness and 100% sRGB. The Helios 300 has a display panel with better brightness of 300 nits and similar 99% sRGB and 72% Adobe sRGB color. Overall, the display quality differs on different models within the Nitro and Predator series; the numbers from Nitro 5 and Helios 300 are what you can expect from most models.

Best Deals on Acer Nitro (Suitable for budget gamers)

Acer Nitro vs Acer Predator: The Difference in Sound Quality

Acer Nitro 5 features built-in speakers with low bass and average sound quality. The laptop features two mediocre bottom-firing speakers that sound pretty flat. You will likely adjust to a higher volume to hear the music you are playing. If you prefer a better sound quality on a budget, you can get a pair of earphones or even an external speaker.

Moving on to the Acer Predator, the Helios 300 gives a dull sound with low bass. The two bottom-firing speakers are considerably loud but don’t expect HD sound quality on the laptop. The Helios 700 features a better sound setup that is not loud but decent for gaming and regular usage.

Bass seems to be a problem on the Acer gaming laptops. Triton has a better sound quality that is crisp, but the bass is almost none. The stereo speakers by TrueHarmony are loud and clear, but it would have been a cherry on top of the sound had better bass.

Acer Nitro vs Acer Predator: The Difference in Cooling System

Cooling is a critical aspect everyone should consider before buying a gaming laptop. The Nitro Series is “Chilled to Perfection.” The Acer Nitro has a dual fan with dual air intake and a quad-exhaust port design. The Nitro series also have the NitroSense utility app, which helps you control the fan speeds and the overall power plan settings.

The Aeroblade Fan technology helps keep the Acer Predator cool. The custom-engineered fans with the Vortex flow help to increase the airflow and refine the entire system. Like the NitroSense, the Predator Series use a PredatorSense utility app that lets the user take control of their design, allowing them to monitor the system, overclock, customize RGB, and create macros to maximize the system’s potential.

Overall, both laptops have a great cooling system. So you can consider it a tie between the two regarding the cooling system.

Acer Nitro vs Acer Predator: The Difference in Ports

Acer laptops, mainly the gaming lineups, have various and diverse ports that will be enough for your gaming needs. Both Nitro and Predator series have around 2 Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports for quick file transfer, display, and fast charging of the laptops.

Unlike other recent laptops, Acer hasn’t missed the USB-A ports; you can get USB 3.2 Gen 1 and 2 ports to plug your USB-A devices. Despite the Thunderbolt 4 ports, Acer has also included HDMI ports on their gaming laptops which can be used for display connectivity.

There is only one difference between the two series; Nitro misses out on the SD card slot available on the Predator series.

Acer Nitro vs Acer Predator: The Difference in Scalability

The Acer Nitro features two RAM slots which you can upgrade up to 32GB. Most Nitro models feature two SSD slots with one HDD slot on some models. You can easily upgrade your Nitro 5 up to 2TB. So, if you are on a higher budget, you can initially buy lower RAM and storage and then upgrade it later.

You can upgrade the Predator Series, mainly the Helios 700, to 64GB of RAM and 4TB of storage. Depending on the model, you can upgrade the Helios 300 to 2TB, which has an additional SSD or HDD slot. Like the Nitro 5, you can upgrade the RAM on Helios 300 up to 32GB.

Similarly, Triton can be upgraded, unlike the Nitro and Predator Helios. But it is quite a hassle to upgrade on your own. And it is essential to note that some models, like the Predator Triton 500 SE, are not upgradeable.

Acer Nitro vs Acer Predator: The Difference in Battery Performance

Don’t expect a fantastic battery life out of Acer’s gaming laptops. Both series of gaming laptops come with average battery life. Nitro 5 and the Helios 300 can last around upto 6 hours. The maximum battery life on the Acer gaming series is on the Predator Triton 500, with up to 10 hours of endurance. The gaming horses, like the Helios 700, last up to 4 hours on the battery.

The quick battery drain, especially in the better-performing gaming laptops, is mainly because of the powerful hardware. The trade-off between performance and battery life can be understood.

Regarding the battery capacity, Acer Nitro 5 features a 57.5Wh battery and a 65 Watt 20V USB-C charger. Whereas the Helios 300 features a 90Whr battery. Due to demanding hardware, both laptops last the same on a full charge.

Triton 500 features a 99Whr battery with a 180 Watt power adapter. But for USB-C charging, the maximum power distribution is limited to 100 Watts.

Acer Nitro vs Acer Predator: The Difference in Price

Regarding the price tags, the Acer Nitro 5 starts at around $670. Most Nitro Series laptops fall on the price tag of $800 to $1200. With better specifications, the price can get up to $2299, with Intel i7-12700H, RTX 3070Ti, 32GB RAM, and 2TB SSD. With the same specs but a Ryzen 7 6800H processor and 1TB SSD, it will cost you $2199.

Whereas the entry-level Predator laptop, the Predator Triton 300, starts at $1149 featuring an i7-1 1,1800H processor, RTX 3070 GPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD.

Most of the Predator series falls between $1300 to $3000. The laptop features the latest i9-11980HK, RTX 3080, 4K display, 64GB RAM, and 2TB SSD.

Best Deals on Acer Predator (For hardcore gamers)

Acer Nitro or Predator: Which Laptop Is Better for Gaming?

The Nitro series is the one for you if you are on a tight budget and want a decent gaming laptop for medium-level gaming. Acer has packed it with a performance by cutting other corners. The laptop will give you every bang for your buck and handle almost all your gaming needs.

It cannot match the performance of Predator’s mid-tier and premium laptops. Nitro’s display, design, and performance are still inferior to the Predator series. At a slightly higher price, you can go with the Helios 300, a lower-end model of the Predator series.

The Acer Predator series is for you if you want high performance, stunning display quality, and excellent designs. With two options available within the Predator series, Helios and Triton, you can choose one based on your preference. Triton is a sleek laptop that doesn’t come in a traditional bulky gaming laptop design. On the other hand, Helios is an excellent gaming laptop, slightly better than Triton. You can use the Helios laptops even for the heaviest gaming needs.

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