Acer has kicked off 2025 with an impressive showcase of gaming hardware during the APAC Predator League 2025, headlined by their refreshed Predator Helios series. The flagship Predator Helios 16 AI and Helios 18 AI are leading the charge with Intel’s new Core Ultra 9 275HX processors paired with NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5090 laptop GPUs. The Helios 16 features a stunning 16-inch OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate, while its larger sibling, the Helios 18, boasts an impressive Mini LED panel capable of 1200 nits peak brightness.
What caught our attention during the hands-on session was the premium build quality of both machines. The metal chassis sports futuristic RGB lighting effects, including a distinctive light bar on the back. Acer equips the keyboards with MagKey 4.0 mechanical switches, offering hot-swappable functionality – a feature that competitive gamers will particularly appreciate.
Cooling has always been crucial for gaming laptops, and Acer has addressed this with their sixth-generation AeroBlade 3D fan technology. The company claims a 20% improvement in cooling efficiency, complemented by AI-driven cooling modes that dynamically adjust based on system demands.
For gamers seeking a more portable option, the Predator Helios Neo 16S AI makes an interesting proposition. While slimmer than its predecessors, it still packs serious firepower with Intel Core Ultra 9 processors and an RTX 5070 Ti GPU. The 16-inch QHD+ display with G-SYNC support ensures smooth gaming visuals, while the matte finish resists fingerprints effectively.
Beyond laptops, Acer has also ventured into the desktop GPU market in 2025 with their Nitro Intel Arc B Series Graphics Cards. Available in B570 OC 10GB and B580 OC 12GB variants, these cards are built on Intel’s Xe2 architecture and feature up to 20 cores with clock speeds reaching 2,740 MHz.