Acer Unveils AI-Powered Predator Helios Neo Gaming Laptops

Acer's new gaming laptops with AI power won't hurt your pockets

Acer has introduced two new gaming laptops outfitted with the latest chips to enable AI features. The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI and Helios Neo 18 AI were announced at a recent Counter-Strike gaming tournament in Poland, according to Engadget. The laptops can run processors up to Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU, which facilitates their AI features. Acer said it intends for the Helios Neo 16 model to be a portable gaming option, and the Helios Neo 18 to be good for replacing a desktop computer. The Predator Helios Neo 16 features a 16-inch OLED WQXGA display with a 240Hz refresh rate, 400 nits maximum brightness, DCI-P3 100%, and 1 ms response time. The Helios Neo 18 features an 18-inch Mini LED WQXGA display with a 250Hz refresh rate, DCI-P3 100%, and 3 ms response time. Recommended Videos The Predator Helios Neo 16 AI and Helios Neo 18 AI both have simple and minimalist designs, with the Helios RGB logo prominent on the back panel, in addition to "dynamic 4-zone" RGB keyboards. They have similar hardware support with 64GB of RAM and up to 2TB of internal storage. Other similarities between the devices include Intel Killer Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6E, for connectivity, as well as NVIDIA G-SYNC, Advanced Optimus, and MUX Switch. The Helios Neo 16 supports Bluetooth 5.4 or above, while the Helios Neo 18 supports Bluetooth 5.3 or above. Many of the two laptops' I/O ports are also identical. Both devices also have 90-watt-hour batteries. The Predator Helios Neo 16 AI will be available in North America in April with a starting price of $1,900. The Predator Helios Neo 18 AI will be available in North America in May with a starting price of 2,200. They will also be available in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in June, with a starting price of €1,700 and €1,800 respectively.

Acer announces new Predator Helios Neo AI gaming laptops with Intel Core 200HX and RTX 5070

Acer is expanding its Predator Helios Neo AI gaming laptop series with a new pair of larger notebooks featuring Intel's Core Ultra 9 275HX CPUs. The laptop maker announced a 14-inch version last fall and today revealed more powerful variants with 16-inch and 18-inch displays. Those displays come in four different options, with the highest tier being an 2560x1600 resolution OLED display featuring a 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time on the Neo 16. The Neo 18 comes with either a Mini LED display or LED display that hits a 250Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time. The main difference between the display levels appears to be brightness (ranging from 300 to 500 nits) and response time, with the fastest level hitting 3ms. The AI-capable laptops can sport either an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti or 5070 laptop graphics card capable of running DLSS 4 and several Nvidia-based AI models meant to boost FPS, reduce latency and improve image quality. Both sizes of Predator Helios Neo will feature up to 64 GB of memory and 2 TB or storage. Acer says the 16-inch version is meant for people on the go while the 18-inch model is intended to be more of a desktop replacement. As with most things gaming PC, the Predator Helios Neos will feature "subdued minimalist" 4-zone RGB keyboards and RGB logos. All the laptops will run Windows 11 and come with three months of PC Game Pass for free. The Predator Helios Neo 16 will launch in the United States in April with the 18-inch variant following in May starting at $1,899 and $2,199, respectively.

Acer introduces new Predator Helios Neo AI gaming laptops

Acer has expanded its Predator Helios Neo lineup with the launch of the Predator Helios Neo 16 AI and Predator Helios Neo 18 AI gaming laptops. The new models feature Intel Core Ultra 200HX series processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 series laptop GPUs, designed to enhance gaming performance with AI-driven capabilities. The laptops, announced in Katowice, Poland, come equipped with up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti laptop GPU. The Predator Helios Neo AI series introduces AI-assisted features for gaming and content creation, along with display options that include OLED and Mini LED panels. The Predator Helios Neo 16 AI offers up to a WQXGA OLED display with a 240 Hz refresh rate, while the Predator Helios Neo 18 AI includes a Mini LED panel with a 250 Hz refresh rate. Both models support NVIDIA G-SYNC and NVIDIA Advanced Optimus for smoother gameplay. Cooling technology includes Acer's 5th Gen AeroBlade 3D fans, liquid metal thermal grease, and a Vector Heat Pipe to maintain system performance under load. The laptops also come with up to 64 GB of DDR5 memory and 2 TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage. Connectivity features include Intel Killer Ethernet E3100G, Wi-Fi 6E, Thunderbolt 4, and multiple USB ports. Is it worth spending $2,000 on the Nvidia RTX 5090? The Predator Helios Neo AI series incorporates AI-driven optimizations, including NVIDIA DLSS 4 for performance scaling and ray tracing enhancements powered by 4th Gen RT Cores. The laptops also integrate Acer's AI-enhanced software features, such as PurifiedVoice 2.0 for noise reduction and PurifiedView 2.0 for webcam image enhancements. The devices ship with Windows 11 and include three months of PC Game Pass, offering access to a selection of games, including upcoming releases such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

Acer just announced two new gaming laptops with great specs and sleek designs

They can both be outfitted with the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor. Acer just revealed two new gaming laptops at IEM Katowice, a Counter-Strike tournament in Poland. These are entries in the company's Predator Helios Neo AI line of laptops, so they are filled to the brim with both bells and whistles. The Helios Neo 16 AI and 18 AI can be outfitted with up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU. Both of these computers also boast sleek, minimalist designs, with RGB logos on the lid and "dynamic 4-zone" RGB keyboards. They support up to 64GB of RAM and up to 2TB of internal storage. The laptops also come with Intel Killer Ethernet and integrate with Wi-Fi 6E, so online gaming sessions should be zippy as can be. Both models support NVIDIA G-SYNC, Advanced Optimus and MUX Switch. The Neo 16 AI includes an OLED WQXGA display with a 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. The Helios Neo 18 AI features a Mini LED WQXGA panel with a 250Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time. The Neo 16 is being advertised as a great option for portable gaming, while the Neo 18 is being marketed as a desktop replacement. The Predator Helios Neo 16 AI will be available in the US sometime in April, with prices starting at $1,900. The Neo 18 AI goes on sale this May, with prices starting at $2,200. Acer has been busy lately. The company announced a at CES 2025, in addition to a nifty-looking (and chonky) .

Acer reveals something special for gamers on the go

Summary Acer debuts new Predator Helios Neo AI line of powerful laptops for gaming on the go at affordable prices. The Helios Neo 16 AI and Helios Neo 18 AI feature up to Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU. Both laptops offer impressive display options, with the Neo 16 having an OLED display and the Neo 18 featuring Mini LED technology. Gaming handhelds are pretty great, but sometimes you need a full-blown laptop for your portable gaming needs. If you're on the hunt for something new, Acer has pulled back the curtain on two powerful laptops that should be right up your alley. Related Acer Predator Helios 16 (2024) review: A big, beautiful gaming laptop with power to match The Acer Predator Helios 16 is a beast of a machine that offers fantastic overall and gaming performance with a brilliant display and a cool design Posts 1 Acer reveals its new Predator Helios Neo AI laptops In an emailed press release, Acer shared with us two of its new gaming laptops: the Helios Neo 16 AI and the Helios Neo 18 AI. Each one fits a specific purpose: Acer's Predator Helios Neo AI line focuses on delivering affordable price points by zeroing in on select key components. The Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) AI is ideal for gamers and professionals on the go, while the Helios Neo 18 AI (PHN18-72) serves as a great desktop replacement option. Both gaming laptops are equipped with the latest technology in the market and feature subdued minimalist designs with an RGB logo on the lid and dynamic 4-zone RGB keyboards. Both the Neo 16 and 18 sport up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU, which should be enough to get you gaming wherever you go. Whichever model you pick, you can grab up to 64GB of RAM and 2TB of storage, plus an Intel Killer Ethernet E3100G port and Wi-Fi 6e. If you opt for the Helios Neo 16 AI, you'll see your games on an OLED WQXGA (2560x1600) display with a 240 Hz refresh rate and 1 ms response time. The Neo 18 AI has a Mini LED WQXGA (2560x1600) display, 250Hz refresh rate, and 3ms response time. As such, it's worth checking out both screens to help you decide which one suits your needs better. If you'd like to grab your own, the Predator Helios Neo 16 AI will be released for $1,899.99 in April, and the Neos 18 AI will sell for $2,199.99 in May.

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI and Helios Neo 18 AI with up to Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, up to RTX 5070 Ti GPUs announced

Acer has introduced the Predator Helios Neo 16 AI and Predator Helios Neo 18 AI, enhancing its gaming laptop series with significant AI capabilities. These models are equipped with up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU, designed for cutting-edge gaming performance. Both new laptops leverage NVIDIA's Blackwell architecture, featuring GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs. These GPUs support NVIDIA DLSS 4, enhancing performance for gaming and creative tasks. Moreover, they offer NVIDIA NIM microservices for AI assistant development, automation, and workflow optimization. The Helios Neo 16 AI sports an OLED display, while the Helios Neo 18 AI comes with a Mini LED screen. Both support NVIDIA G-SYNC, Advanced Optimus, and a MUX Switch for optimized visuals. The displays offer high resolutions and refresh rates: WQXGA at 240 Hz for the 16-inch model and 250 Hz for the 18-inch model. Cooling is managed with Acer's 5th Gen AeroBlade 3D fan technology, liquid metal thermal grease, and Vector Heat Pipe systems. Running Windows 11, these laptops provide three months of PC Game Pass, including access to new games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. They feature a sleek design with RGB lighting, support up to 64 GB RAM and 2 TB storage, and include Intel Killer Ethernet E3100G and Wi-Fi 6E for connectivity. Acer's PredatorSense 5.0 app allows for performance tuning, and the AI Experience Zone enhances both gaming and productivity. Additional software like Acer PurifiedVoice 2.0 and PurifiedView 2.0 improves audio and video communications.

Acer unveils new Predator Helios Neo AI laptops with RTX 5070 and 5070 Ti GPUs, starting at $1,900

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. Something to look forward to: Acer has announced new products in its Predator Helios Neo series that are among the first laptops to feature RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti mobile GPUs. They come in a variety of options, including Mini LED and OLED displays, with prices starting at $1,899. The new Predator Helios Neo 16 AI and Predator Helios Neo 18 AI gaming laptops pair the mid-range Blackwell mobile GPUs with Intel's Arrow Lake-HX CPUs. Both laptops can be fitted with an RTX 5070 or RTX 5070 Ti alongside a Core Ultra 7 processor 255HX or a Core Ultra 9 processor 275HX, which should give them plenty of gaming performance. The now-compulsory addition of "AI" at the end of the name indicates these are more products that will have their artificial intelligence capabilities promoted heavily - even though a study showed how the inclusion of the term can put consumers off buying something. Both devices offer four display types. In the case of the Predator Helios Neo 16 AI, users can choose a 16-inch 2560 x 1600 OLED screen with a 240Hz refresh rate, a standard panel with the same resolution at either 240Hz or 180Hz, or a 1920 x 1200 screen at 180Hz. The OLED model has a 1ms response time, which increases to 3ms in the other variants. Related reading: The Best Laptops - Early 2025 The desktop-replacement Predator Helios Neo 18 AI swaps out the OLED option for an 18-inch 2560 x 1600 Mini LED at 250Hz, a 2560 x 1600 LED at 240Hz or 165Hz, or a 1920 x 1200 LED at 165Hz. All four options have 3ms response times. The new Helios laptops can be specced with up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM (6,400 MHz), while storage consists of up to 2TB of PCIe Gen 4 in the two SSD slots. They also come with 90Wh batteries, Wi-Fi 6E support, FHD IR cameras, and four-zone keyboard lighting. Port-wise, the laptops offer one Thunderbolt 4 port, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, three USB-A ports, one HDMI 2.1, a 3.5mm headphone/mic jack, a microSD slot, and an ethernet port. The Predator Helios Neo 16 AI is expected to start at $1,900 (RTX 5070/Ultra 7 255HX/FullHD screen) when it launches in the US this April. It will be €1,699 in the EMEA region at launch in May. The Predator Helios Neo 18 AI is expected to start at around $2,200 in the US this May. This bigger laptop will start at €1,799 in EMEA regions upon release in June.

Acer unveils new Predator Helios Neo AI gaming laptops: up to RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU

Acer has just announced an expansion of its Predator Helios Neo family of gaming laptops, powered by up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and NVIDIA's new GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU. The new Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI gaming laptop features an 18-inch Mini-LED display with a 2560 x 1600 native resolution and super-smooth 250Hz refresh rate with a 3ms response time. Acer provides some other display configurations: an 18-inch LED with 1600p @ 240Hz, an 18-inch LED with 1600p @ 165Hz, and finally an 18-inch LED with 1200p @ 165Hz. We have up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor (with the option for the Core Ultra 7 255HX), up to 64GB of DDR5-6400 memory, and up to 2TB of Gen4 SSDs. On the GPU side of things, Acer's new Predator Helios Neo 18 AI gaming laptop is configured with up to NVIDIA's new Blackwell-based GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU, with another option for the RTX 5070 Laptop GPU. Inside, we have Acer's new 5th Gen AeroBlade 3D Fans, liquid metal thermal grease, and vector heat pipes keeping the Predator Helios Neo 18 AI gaming laptop cool. There's Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C ports, dual USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports, dual USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A ports, HDMI 2.1, microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. Acer also introduces the new Predator Helios Neo 16 AI gaming laptop features, which features a 16-inch OLED display with a native 2560 x 1600 resolution and super-smooth 240Hz refresh rate, with a faster 1ms response time (thanks, OLED). Acer also provides some other display configurations here, with 16-inch LED options at 1600p @ 240Hz, and 1600p @ 180Hz.

I'm touching Acer's new Predator laptops right now - and they're perfect for creatives

I'm at Intel Extreme Masters in Katowice in Poland, a huge esports event that has also become the annual venue for Acer to announce their latest gaming laptop range for the year ahead. This year, like everywhere else you look, AI is at the forefront, as I've now had a close-up, hands-on encounter with the new Predator Helios Neo 16/18 AI range. Constituting two different-sized variants, 16 and 18 inches, the Helios Neo is a slightly sleeker, lighter, lower-specced and more rounded version of the hold-up-a-bank-bulky Predator Helios laptops. This year, I noticed less difference than before, though, and that is emphasised by the new Helios Neo 16/18 AI models I've just seen. With the latest Intel Core Ultra 'Arrow Lake' processors, a more capable NPU, 64GB of RAM, a choice of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070/5070 Ti laptop graphics cards and WQXGA and options of screens including WQXGA, OLED and Mini-LED, and more RGB than a 90s rave (look, I'm not complaining), these models undo the weight-loss efforts of the Helios Neo S launched at CES, and in some style too. The 16-inch one comes in at 2.7 kilos, and the 18-incher is a behemoth at 3.3 kilos, outdoing even the Helios I reviewed in 2023, and described as having 'the heft of a blunt assault weapon'. I have been assured, though, that the fan noise in these new models won't be as ear-splitting as that particular model, though, so creatives will want to keep an eye (and ear) out for this model when it comes to market. While marketed as a gaming laptop, for obvious reasons (that extruding lip behind the screen, that weight, that array of RGB lighting), the Predator makes me excited from a creative viewpoint. Firstly, the internals in a professional creative laptop and a gaming laptop are largely identical. Here we have high-bandwidth RAM, and lots of it, a new 50-series NVIDIA graphics card, Thunderbolt 5 ports, and a high-resolution screen with a (promised) colour gamut, much like you'll find in an ASUS ProArt or a Lenovo Yoga or an MSI Creator, just with more RGB and maybe slightly different emphasis regarding design. Secondly, more creative software has started utilising AI-boosted NPUs. With the 13 TOPs NPU in the Arrow Lake processor on board here (on top of the 50-series graphics), I'm keen to see how it will handle AI upscaling video, running local processes in Photoshop and DaVinci, and finding out whether you can spend more than 8 minutes away from a power outlet. Of course, if 5070 graphics don't quite cut it for you, the Predator Helios (without a Neo in the name) will have up to 5090 graphics and up to a mind-scrambling 192GB of RAM. However, as I said in my review of the 5090 FE desktop card (which admittedly is more powerful than the laptop version), you won't need to stretch that far unless you need big-studio-spec graphics and 3D performance and money's no issue. The Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) will be available in North America in April, starting at $1,899.99, and in Europe in May, starting at €1,699. The Predator Helios Neo 18 AI (PHN18-72) will be available in North America in May, starting at $2,199.99, and in Europe in May, starting at €1,799. I'm currently pestering Acer's representatives for a UK price, and will update this info as soon as they have an answer. We will of course be getting our grubby mitts on the new Predator Helios and Helios Neo models for a full review to see how they stack up against the other top 2025 suitors for creatives' hard-earned money.

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (2025) hands-on review: A mid-range monster?

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate. Acer just announced the new Predator Helios Neo 16 and 18 AI, which bring RTX 50-series power at a pretty decent price. Neo has always been the company's mid-range lineup, and I'm quietly confident that with the hardware choices made this year, the company may have cracked the code. Whether it's that 16-inch OLED panel (or 18-inch mini-LED) option to really make those games look truly gorgeous, the tougher frame with no dramatic plastic bending of that keyboard deck, or that vastly better touchpad, Acer's paid attention to the fundamentals while giving us some nice added extras. But the question still stands around just how powerful it will be. We've seen just what the 50-series can do in desktops in terms of multi-frame gen and all that DLSS 4 goodness. But outside of some of Nvidia's promises, we're yet to see how it really performs. Plus, there's the other big question of battery life. The previous Neo systems weren't necessarily the stamina champs, even when compared to other gaming laptops. But from what I tried, are these in the running to be considered for our best gaming laptops list? Provided the company plays its cards right, absolutely, based on my hands-on experience so far. With an early hands-on like this, it's all about spotting the signs that a company is onto something, and Acer is definitely on the right track. While we wait to get the latest hardware in our testing lab, we can go off what is being promised from the likes of Intel and Nvidia. That Ultra 200 HX series seems to reverse the course on what happened last year when companies added Intel to their gaming laptops -- focusing on performance rather than throttling it with power efficiency. It's why I said any gaming system sporting this chip was a red flag, but I'm quietly confident Team Blue has turned this around. This is especially critical given that RTX 5070 or 5070 Ti the Neo's being outfitted with. Now in pure GPU rendering, the difference between this and the 4070 is pretty small, but that's missing the point. With DLSS 4 and all the neural technologies like multi-frame gen and AI-aided ray tracing turned on, side-by-side, Nvidia's promising a 2x jump in performance in key games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy. Pair that with up to 64GB DDR5 RAM, and you've got a real mid-range beast that could crush 1440p gaming. Oh, and let's not forget about the new generation of cooling in here too -- sporting fans with blades at just 0.01mm thin, and liquid metal to eliminate the risk of thermal throttling. I've dabbled with the Neo lineage in the past, and they're lower cost shows in some areas like a mushy trackpad and a keyboard deck with a ton of flex. That's not the case here, however. Running the Neo 16 and 18 through their typing and clicking paces showed a rigid board and a nice, tactile clicking experience. Of course, totally understand that your go to peripheral will be a gaming mouse (if you're playing games with a touchpad...are you OK?). However, for the day-to-day workload, that utilitarian aesthetic helps it blend well into any meeting, and the snappiness of the tactile feedback from the keyboard and touchpad will be satisfying when going through your tasks. Sure, at the base prices of $1,899 and $2,199 for the 16 and 18-inch respectively, you're getting run-of-the-mill LCD displays, which I assume will be fine. But that little bit extra can secure a gorgeous OLED panel with 240Hz refresh rate on the 16-inch, and a bright, crispy mini-LED panel on the 18. I wish OLED could come to the 18-incher too, but these are the configurations we're getting, and Acer paying more attention to screen quality is most certainly welcome for gaming on-the-go! My main beef comes from joining together some threads from the past of the Neo family, and connecting it to what's happening with these systems. In terms of dimensions, these are pretty respectable notebooks at just over an inch thick. I've seen gaming laptops look more like doorsteps in the past few months, so some sleekness is welcome. However, at 4.9 pounds for the 16-inch model and a whopping 7.3 pounds for the 18, these are heavy -- a drastic increase over last year's models and something you'll have to consider when popping these in your backpack. Get ready for more of a hike with these rather than a walk without hefty weight. So let me just state the numbers here. The Helios Neo 16 and 18 are both coming with the same size 90 Wh batteries as last year -- both of which were not that good on the stamina against the total wattage 2024's Intel chips and Nvidia RTX 40 series GPUs consumed. Now, in 2025, we've got an even more power-hungry Intel 200 HX CPU and the 50 series that is reported to have a higher wattage requirement too... Can you see what I'm getting at here? I don't want to say anything definitive until we've tested these laptops. But this makes me nervous. I know I talked about both the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI and 18 AI here, but my focus is on that 16-inch model. With that OLED screen and powerful specs, this could be a mighty machine of portable gaming. There are some things to worry about here, such as the sheer weight of it and the battery life concerns. But all things considered, Acer's made improvements where it matters, and I'm excited to see how it fares in our lab testing.