Acer Predator Helios 300: Full Review, Specs Details, Pros & Cons

Acer’s innovative, budget-friendly, and feature-packed Predator Helios comes stacked with envious gaming and professionally endearing capabilities. Despite brands like MSI and Razer continuously showcasing their expertise in the gaming-centric arena, it is literally impossible to oust the Predator Helios 300 from the domain, courtesy of the extensive specs sheet, targeted gamer-friendly attributes, and an innovative thermal layout to keep throttling at bay.

One Line Review: If you are not specifically into aesthetics and only seeking an insanely powerful gaming laptop, characterized by a top-of-the-line GPU, latest processor, and a gamer-friendly screen, the Acer Predator Helios 300 is the perfect gadget to invest in.

Acer Predator Helios 300: Enlisting the Specs

Processor: 2.60 GHz Intel Core i7-10750H
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
Display: 15.6-inch Full HD (1920×1080)
Operating System: 64-Bit Windows 10 Home
Weight: 5.51 Pounds
Battery-Life: Up to 6-Hours
Port Arrangement: 1 USB Type-C, 1 HDMI 2.0. 1 Mini DC, Gig Ethernet LAN, and 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 2×2, Bluetooth 5.0,
Special Features: Innovative AeroBlade 3D Thermal Layout

Note: Acer has enlisted several variants of its fabled Predator Helios 300 notebook, based on varying processing and graphics-centric capabilities. However, we shall enlist the specs and dissect only the version that our experts could get their hands on.

Acer Predator Helios 300: Dissecting in Detail

Throughout the length of this detailed review, we shall talk about every aspect of the Predator Helios 300, as tested and analyzed by our team of experts. That said, the reviewed version was used for 5 weeks as the primary machine and tested for extensive gameplay, throttling, professional performances, speed, value for money, and other concerns.

Performance

When tested for processing speeds and performances, the hexa-core, 10th gen i7 processor came out to be on top. Therefore, it wouldn’t be wrong to infer that you can use this notebook for driving excellent gaming and even professional performances, as it strikes the perfect balance between the number of cores and the single-core Turbo boost frequency of 5.0GHz.

For gamers, the RTX 2060 GPU is also a refresh addition, allowing you to indulge in recent titles like Yakuza Like a Dragon and Death Stranding at 1080p settings. Besides, the RTRT and DLSS technologies associated with the graphics card also help you with exceptional DCC and CAD centric performances.

In addition to 5 hours of regular gaming, our experts used the Predator Helios 300 for running Photoshop, Illustrator, Maya, and other relevant applications, without encountering lags.

Memory Allocation

The processing setup is appropriately complemented by the dual-channel RAM. With 16GB of system memory and a processing speed of 2933MHz to show for, it is one of the best features on-board for your multitasking, graphics-centric, and game-playing preferences. In case of storage is one of your concerns, the 512GB is slightly restrictive but fast and adequately upgradeable, courtesy of two M.2 slots, and one HDD Bay.

Display

The display flaunted by the Predator Helios 300 is in line with almost every game there is, considering the 15.6-inch real-estate, brilliant viewing angles, and most importantly, the 144Hz refresh rate. You must understand that only Full HD resolution paired with an IPS panel isn’t adequate for immersive gaming and creative tasks and this is why Acer introduces you to the 72 percent NTSC palette and the 300-nit brightness count.

User-Interface

Acer’s brilliant and sharp display appropriately houses the interactive Windows 10 Home edition OS. Besides being responsive, the featured operating system also makes device management possible when paired with the innovative Predator Sense UI. Not just that, the OS also makes it easier for you to access DirectX 12 Ultimate gaming support as Acer ensures that every driver is readily in place.

Design

This notebook isn’t your regular portable gadget but assumes a more rugged form factor. While the durability quotient shoots through the roof, the chunkiness is persisted with at 5.51 pounds. However, it is the innovative thermal design that contributes majorly towards the heft. In addition to symmetrical fans, the AeroBlade 3D heat-dissipating thermal layout is certainly worth those additional pounds.

Keyboard and Touchpad

Hailed as a gaming notebook, the 4-zone, WASD compatible keyboard shouldn’t come as a surprise to anybody. Besides, it pairs perfectly with the Predator Sense UI and offers one-touch access to the Turbo and Overclocking modes, as per preferences. Complementing the same is the smoothest possible trackpad.

Audio and other Specs

Gaming and streaming acoustics are perfectly taken care of by the stereo speakers and the concerning DTS X Ultra enhancement. The surround sound audio module is followed by a responsive webcam and voice-purified microphones, for a more holistic professional coverage.

Ports and Connectivity

As enlisted previously, the Predator Helios 300 accommodates every necessary port, precisely for reassuring the fastest possible data transfers, peripheral connections, and setting up external workflows. The Type-C support on offer is followed by HDMI, HDCP, and Mini DisplayPort connectivity. Besides, the USB 3.2 Gen 2 support also makes room for USB charging support.

As far as connectivity is concerned, the Bluetooth 5.0 standard allows you to use wireless devices with ease. However, the Killer DoubleShot Pro conglomerate ensures Wi-Fi AX and Killer Gig Ethernet support, precisely for setting up the fastest possible internet connections. Therefore, the Predator Helios 300 is one of the more perfect gadgets for class-leading 4K and Twitch streaming experiences.

Battery

While Acer promises 6 hours’ worth of autonomy, extended gaming sessions did impact the claims as our experts could barely manage 4 hours of backup. However, the day we only used the laptop for basic content creation, the 6-hour mark was easily achieved, allowing us to churn out a few additional minutes.

Customer Support

Acer’s customer support is one of the best in the retail space. In case your Predator Helios 300 experiences any kind of issue, you can readily place a request or report the same, either via emails or direct phone calls. In most cases, issues are resolved within 24 to 48 hours.

Price

The Predator Helios 300 from Acer, regardless of the variant you choose, is easily the most cost-effective gaming laptop on the market. While it easily qualifies as the best laptop under 1500 dollars, it is the value for money that stands out as the best attribute.

Pros

10th gen processor
Future-proof gaming notebook
GPU flaunts RT cores and 6GB VRAM
Dual-channel RAM
Stellar gamer-friendly display
Standout acoustics

Cons

Lacks Thunderbolt 3 support
Restricted storage capacity

Acer Predator Helios 300: FAQs

Q1. Is Acer Predator Helios 300 a reliable gaming laptop?

A1. The inclusion of RTX 20-series GPU, 10th gen chipset, and 144Hz screen refresh rate make this one of the most reliable gaming laptops in the market. Lending additional assistance is 16GB of high-speed RAM and the underrated 3ms display response time for eliminating trailing.

Q2. Are there different versions of the Acer Predator Helios 300 available in the market?

A2. Yes, the Predator Helios 300 is easily Acer’s most popular gaming notebook, available in a wide range of options, precisely with the chipset, GPU, storage, and RAM centric tweaks. In case you are seeking additional power, the RTX 2070 Max-Q variant with a dual-storage module is also up for grabs. Besides, you can also select the 17.3-inch models for better gaming experiences.

Q3. How the standout cooling feature associated with the Acer Predator Helios 300 works?

A3. It is the innovative AeroBlade 3D heat-dissipating technology that stands out as it helps regulate the higher TDP levels associated with the processing components.

Q4. Is Acer Predator Helios 300 good enough for creative content creators?

A4. Keeping the gaming performances aside, the Predator Helios 300 is one of the best notebooks for content creators, considering the high-end CPU, sizable chunk of RAM, and excellent keyboard with decent key travel.

Q5. Are there any better notebooks than the Acer Predator Helios 300 in the given price segment?

A5. You can consider purchasing the Acer Nitro 5 for a slashed price tag or even consider getting the sleeker, Acer Triton 500 for experiencing portable gaming performances.

Verdict

In conclusion, the Acer Predator Helios 300 is loaded with specifications and even gadget management attributes. Apart from that absence of a Thunderbolt 3 port, the gadget doesn’t have any other chink in its armor. In addition to gaming, this notebook also has the capability of doubling down as a potent professional ally, provided you are interested in graphics-intensive tasks like designing, editing, modeling, and rendering. Lastly, the pricing is competitive enough and there is hardly any other gaming notebook in the market offering such an expansive specs sheet for under 1200 dollars.