What You Need to Know
The updated line of 14th generation Intel gaming laptops from Acer features improvements in AI integration.
Two Predator Helios laptops and two Predator Helios Neo gaming laptops were announced, catering to both high-end power and mid-range gamers.
An enhancement to integrated AI features comes through NVIDIA RTX tensor cores and a dedicated Copilot button. The CES 2024 (Consumer Electronics Show) is still making waves. Acer announced four new laptops that bring more power and represent the first generation of what could be considered an expansion of AI hardware. Before 2024, most AI computing was done in the cloud and large data centers, but OEM manufacturers have progressed, likely at the request of major cloud providers like Microsoft, to begin offering local AI computing capabilities in new hardware. Data center operation is not cheap nor environmentally friendly, as some studies show that running Copilot and ChatGPT queries can cost 1 bottle of fresh water for cooling. While it is unlikely that transferring workloads from data centers to individual devices will reduce the actual overall impact of these queries, it could, over time and through technological improvement, lead to a decrease in impact. What exactly are these new gaming laptops?
The Predator Helios 18 is the largest and most powerful of the new Acer gaming laptops for 2024. (Image credit: Acer)
The new Acer Predator Helios laptops come in 18 and 16-inch options. The mid-range Acer Predator Helios Neo laptops also come in 18 and 16-inch options. All these new laptops are “upgraded with 14th generation Intel Core processors, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 series GPUs with DLSS 3.5. Laptop NVIDIA RTX GPUs are equipped with specialized AI Tensor Cores, allowing unparalleled AI performance and creative application acceleration, ultra-efficient productivity, extremely fast gaming, and more.”
As Acer pointed out, and we also addressed, NVIDIA RTX features are now supported in 500 games and applications, so getting an NVIDIA GPU shouldn’t be a disadvantage. These new laptops also come with a dedicated Copilot button on the keyboard, making AI integration easier for end users. So let’s take a look at some of the features.
Predator Helios Neo 18 (PHN18-71) and Header Cell – Column 0 | Predator Helios 18 (PH18-72) | Predator Helios 16 (PH16-72) | Predator Helios Neo 18 (PHN18-71) | Predator Helios Neo 16 (PHN16-72) |
---|---|---|---|---|
CPU | up to an Intel Core i9 14900HX | up to an Intel Core i9 14900HX | up to an Intel Core i9 14900HX | up to an Intel Core i9 14900HX |
GPU | up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 laptop GPU (MGP up to 175 W) | up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 laptop GPU (MGP up to 175 W) | up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 laptop GPU (MGP up to 175 W) | up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 laptop GPU (MGP up to 175 W) |
Display | 18-inch WQXGA or 16-inch Mini LED panels (16:10) at 250 Hz | 16-inch IPS WQXGA (2560 x 1600) at 240 Hz | 18-inch IPS WQXGA (2560 x 1600) at 240 Hz | 16-inch IPS WQXGA (2560 x 1600) at 240 Hz |
Network | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
Connectivity | 2 Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports | 2 Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports | 2 Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, HDMI 2.1 | 2 Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, HDMI 2.1 |
The Predator Helios 18 (PH18-72) will be available in North America in March, starting at $1,999.99.
The Predator Helios 16 (PH16-72) will be available in North America in January, starting at $1,899.99.
The Predator Helios Neo 18 (PHN18-71) will be available in North America in March, starting at $1,549.99.
The Predator Helios Neo 16 (PHN16-72) will be available in North America in March, starting at $1,499.99.
What Will AI-Based Hardware Look Like in the Future?
There is much talk now about laptop manufacturers using NPUs (Neural Processing Units), which purportedly assist in AI chips. All new Intel Core Ultra mobile chips are expected to have integrated NPUs, but it seems that gaming laptops will need to opt for auxiliary options like NVIDIA’s AI solution. It is likely that if Intel’s Meteor Lake CPUs offer significant improvement in the overall AI landscape in 2024, the 15th generation Intel CPUs will also have integrated NPUs. But for now, the two categories seem distinct. It seems that Acer has done everything we should expect from the new gaming laptop line. There are no major surprises here, but everything seems to be top of the line, and Acer is integrating AI as much as it can until Intel has CPUs with better gaming specifications and more AI features.
Should I Buy a New Acer Predator Helios Laptop?
Frankly, it will be difficult to find better options on the market, depending on design preference and budget. We are not yet sure how much the fully equipped builds will cost, but I do not see major red flags with these new devices, and offering a mid-tier option through the Helios Neo is a great idea. If you are looking to upgrade your laptop, the new Acer Predator Helios laptops with 14th generation Intel Core CPUs are one of the best options available. But there will be many other laptop brands releasing similar devices. Keep an eye on Windows Central, and we will continue to bring you the latest tech innovations and other interesting news from CES.