Acer unveils a powerful gaming laptop, an X3D laptop, and a streaming handheld

Acer announced three new gaming devices at its latest event: the Predator Helios 18 AI laptop with up to an RTX 5090 GPU and Core Ultra 9 processor, the Nitro 16 as its first X3D-powered laptop featuring an AMD Ryzen 9 9955X3D chip, and the Nitro Blaze Link handheld for remote game streaming. The Helios 18 AI offers a dual-mode mini LED display that switches between 4K 120Hz and FHD 240Hz, while the Nitro 16 prioritizes portability with a 16-inch 1600p screen and RTX 5070 Ti graphics. These devices expand Acer's gaming lineup with high-performance options for both local and streaming gameplay.

Acer unveils a powerful gaming laptop, an X3D laptop, and a streaming handheld Read More https://www.pcguide.com/earnings-disclaimer/ Table of Contents Acer has a new range of gaming devices to show off https://news.acer.com/acer-introduces-predator-helios-18-ai-the-ultimate-gaming-laptop , with two gaming laptops https://www.pcguide.com/laptop/guide/best-gaming/ , a streaming handheld https://www.pcguide.com/console/guide/best-handheld/ , and even a keyboard https://www.pcguide.com/keyboard/guide/best-gaming/ and backpack for them all. Expanding on its lineup, there are a few interesting features on all of those, so here are some of the highlights of them. Firstly, the Predator Helios 18 AI is stacking up to be a rather impressive RTX 5090 laptop https://www.pcguide.com/laptop/guide/best-rtx-5090/ with a Core Ultra 9 290HX processor. That is the highest spec, but it looks to be quite the flagship, especially as I have already reviewed last year’s Helios 18 AI https://www.pcguide.com/laptop/review/acer-predator-helios-18-ai/ , which was a near-perfect machine. With the new one offering Vox Audio and AeroBlade 3D fans, it might bring some improvements. Then there’s the Acer Nitro 16, which is Acer’s first X3D-powered laptop. With the top-end 9955X3D processor and RTX 5070 Ti graphics, it should be quite a powerful machine. As shown by our MSI Raider A18 HX A9WJG review https://www.pcguide.com/laptop/review/msi-raider-18-hx-a9wjg/ , the tiered cache does increase its processing power, especially in non-gaming tasks. So Acer’s option should provide a great experience for it. As for the Acer Nitro Blaze Link, it is a WiFi https://www.pcguide.com/reviews/best-wifi-6-routers/ 6- https://www.pcguide.com/reviews/best-wifi-6-routers/ enabled FHD handheld to connect to your other devices to play remotely. Like the PlayStation Portal https://www.pcguide.com/news/playstation-portal-gets-a-new-update-with-1080p-high-quality-mode-and-several-other-improvements/ , it is a lightweight option for taking away and streaming your games instead. Laptop specs and release dates The Predator Helios does bring power and specs, and packs it with a mini LED https://www.pcguide.com/laptop/guide/best-mini-led/ screen for an impressive look for the media onboard. Especially the 18-inch https://www.pcguide.com/laptop/guide/best-18-inch/ , 1,000-nit display that also has a dual mode to change between 4k 120Hz and FHD 240Hz. Along with plenty of connectivity, the Helios is a powerful machine, but it’s not light either, so be prepared for a workout if you want to move it around. As for the Nitro, it does cut down on the weight and size for a bit more portability, at just a 16-inch https://www.pcguide.com/laptop/guide/best-16-inch/ size. Cutting down to a 5070 Ti GPU but packing in a 9955X3D that has some impressive specs. Dropping the screen resolution too; it’s a 1600p screen at 240Hz for some fast responsiveness and immersion. | Spec | Predator Helios 18 AI | Acer Nitro 16 | |---|---|---| | Model | PH18-I71 | AN16-A91 | | Operating System | Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home | | Processor | Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 290HX Plus | AMD Ryzen™ 9 9955HX3D processor AMD Ryzen™ 9 9955HX processor | | Graphics | Up to NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5090 Laptop GPU with 24 GB GDDR7 VRAM | Up to NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5070 Ti Laptop GPU with 12GB GDDR7 VRAM | | Display | Up to 18-inch 16:10 Mini LED, 4K WQUXGA 3840 x 2400, HDR mode, 1000 Nits, Calman Verified Delta E<2 , DCI-P3 100%, Dual-Mode Display enables switching between 4K/120Hz or FHD/240Hz, NVIDIA® Advanced Optimus, NVIDIA® G-SYNC | Up to 16-inch WQXGA 2560 x 1600, 16:10 aspect ratio, up to DCI-P3 100%, up to 240 Hz refresh rate, up to 3 ms response time, NVIDIA® Advanced Optimus, NVIDIA® G-SYNC | | Memory | Up to 256 GB DDR5 | Up to 32 GB DDR5 5600 MT/s | | Storage | Up to 6 TB total, including via three PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSD slots | Up to 2 TB total: two PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD slots, each supporting up to 1 TB of connected M.2 NVMe storage | | Cooling | Dual 6th Gen Predator AeroBlade 3D Fans, vector heat pipe, liquid metal thermal grease | Dual-fan quad-intake quad-exhaust cooling, vector heat pipe | | Dimensions and Weight | 400.96 L x 307.9 D x 17.3~29.55 H mm 3.5 kg | 356.78 W x 275.5 D x 22.05~27.95 H mm 2.5 kg | | Battery | 99 Wh | 92 Wh | | Wi-Fi and Connectivity | Intel Killer DoubleShot Pro, Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750x and Intel Killer Ethernet E5000B, Bluetooth 5.4 | Intel Killer DoubleShot Pro, Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750x, and Intel Killer Ethernet E5000B, Bluetooth 5.4 | | Ports | Two Thunderbolt 5 Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, HDMI 2.1, SD™ card reader, 3.5 mm combo audio jack, RJ-45, DC-in, and Kensington Lock | USB 4 Type-C, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, USB 2.0 Type-A, HDMI 2.1, microSD™ card reader, 3.5 mm combo audio jack, RJ-45, DC-In, Kensington Lock | | Audio | 6 speakers with Predator Vox technology, DTS®:X Ultra | 2 speakers with DTS: X® Ultra | | Camera | FHD 1920 x 1080 IR webcam with PurifiedView AI assistance | FHD 1920 x 1080 IR PurifiedView AI-assisted webcam | | Features | PredatorSense, Acer Intelligence Space, per-key RGB keyboard, Acer PurifiedVoice AI noise reduction, Predator MagKey 4.0, mechanical switch, PC Game Pass 3 months | Acer NitroSense, Acer Intelligence Space, 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard, Acer PurifiedVoice AI noise reduction, PC Game Pass 3 months | | Release date | August 2026 – NA & EMEA | August 2026 – NA & EMEA | Acer handheld specs The Acer Nitro Blaze Link https://www.acer.com/acer-nitro-blaze-link GN772 does offer a mobile gaming experience with a lightweight package at 464 grams, about 200g less than the Steam Deck. That is due to it just streaming seamlessly from Acer devices and your gaming library. The 7-inch WUXGA touchscreen should provide a great look and be able to take your games places, if you have good connectivity, though. Or you just want to continue your game while on the toilet. | Spec | Acer Nitro Blaze Link | |---|---| | Model | GN772 | | Operating System | Linux | | Display | 7-inch WUXGA 1920 x 1200, 5-point multi-touch touchscreen, 16:10 aspect ratio | | Memory | 1 GB LPDDR4, 2133 MT/s | | Storage | 8 GB eMMC | | Ports | USB Type-C charging only , 3.5 mm audio combo jack | | Control and Input | A B X Y buttons, D-Pad, L & R bumpers, L & R joysticks, L & R triggers, power button, volume button +/- , Start/Enter button, Back button, Home button, Overlay widget button | | Audio | Dual 2W speakers | | Battery | 1-cell 18 Wh | | Power Supply | AC power adapter, 15-watt Type-C power cord | | Wi-Fi and Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 80 Mhz | | Software | Sunshine, Moonlight | | Dimensions | 286.87 x 109.8 x 15.5/33.52 mm | | Weight | 464 g | | Release date | Q4’2026 – NA & EMEA |