Acer Nitro 16 (2023) review: affordable gaming

Acer has made one in all our favourite gaming laptops even higher.

Concerning the Acer Nitro 16 Gaming Laptop computer

The Acer Nitro 16 comes with just a few completely different configuration choices, together with a selection between AMD and Intel processors. All fashions use a 16-inch display, although higher-end variations have a higher-resolution 2560 x 1600 show. Our evaluation unit got here with an AMD Ryzen 5 CPU and GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, although higher-end fashions can be found with a Ryzen 7 and as much as GTX 4070 GPUs. Intel Core i7-powered fashions can be found as effectively, however solely with RTX 4050 GPUs.

Whatever the configuration, fashions can be found in Obsidian Black or Black.

Acer Nitro 16 specs

• Value as configured: $1,199
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS (6-core, 12-thread, max velocity 5.0GHz)
• Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050
• Reminiscence: 16GB DDR5 SDRAM
• Storage: 512 GB PCIe NVMe SSD 5600 MHz
• Show: 16-inch (1920 x 1200), 400 nits max (rated), 423 nits max (measured) 165Hz IPS
• Ports: 1 x USB-C 4.0, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Sort-A, 1 x USB-A 2.0, 1 x HDMI 2.1, Gigabit Ethernet, 3.5mm headphone/mic
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
• Digital camera: 720p
• Battery: 4-cell, 90Wh
• Weight: 5.95 kilos
• Dimensions: 14.8 x 11.02 x 1.1 inches
• Guarantee: 1-year restricted guarantee
• Particular options: DTS:X audio

What we like

Shiny, succesful show

Whereas a variety of laptop computer makers go for a show with a 16:9 ratio (the usual for TV exhibits and films), it isn’t fairly as good for searching the net or modifying paperwork. The Acer Nitro 16 opts for a 16:10 facet ratio, one thing we’re seeing in increasingly more laptops, whether or not they’re gaming machines or productivity-focused.

That mentioned, the Nitro 16’s 165Hz refresh price has little use in the case of productiveness. That is 100% gaming-focused, and together with help for Nvidia G-Sync, it signifies that video games persistently look nice, whether or not you’re working an outdated favourite or a contemporary hit.

It’s additionally a brilliant show. Acer claims the mannequin we reviewed has a max brightness of 400 nits, however we measured it barely increased at 423 nits. Distinction can also be comparatively spectacular, measuring 1318:1 at most brightness, and 1373:1 at half brightness. Contemplating most IPS shows measure round 1000:1, that is above common.

Nice efficiency for the worth

Whereas the 6-core AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS CPU and RTX 4050 GPU aren’t slowpokes, they aren’t as much as par with the {hardware} you’d anticipate to see in a higher-end gaming laptop computer. That mentioned, they will handle some stunning efficiency, each in gaming and in benchmark eventualities.

Operating the Geekbench 6 single-core benchmark, the Acer Nitro 16 measured a powerful 2466, putting it simply behind the Origin EON14-S (2023) and forward of the Lenovo Legion 5 Professional Gen 8 (2023), each laptops throughout the identical value vary because the Nitro 16.

Benchmarks are helpful instruments, however should you’re occupied with shopping for a gaming laptop computer, the essential half is how effectively the video games really run—and the Acer Nitro 16 did a decent job with each sport we threw at it. Operating Cyberpunk 2077 on Extremely graphics settings at 1200p resulted in a median body price of 74 frames per second (fps). Enabling ray tracing reduce the framerate in half, however 35 fps nonetheless isn’t unhealthy contemplating the worth. Utilizing DLSS 3.0 made the body price bounce to 105 fps with out ray tracing, and 75 fps with ray tracing enabled.

Complete Conflict: Warhammer 3 isn’t recognized for being simple on computer systems both, however the Nitro 16 held up admirably on this sport, too. After a number of runs, the body price averaged 59 fps. This isn’t going to push the 165Hz refresh price to its restrict, but it surely’s nonetheless spectacular contemplating the sport was working on Extremely settings. Operating the sport on Medium settings will get you nearer to maxing out the refresh price.

All of the connectivity you want

In relation to wi-fi connectivity, there isn’t a lot on the Acer Nitro 16 that you simply gained’t see on the overwhelming majority of contemporary laptops; you get Wi-Fi 6E alongside Bluetooth 5.3. That is totally unsurprising and completely sufficient to cowl your entire wi-fi wants.

The again panel is the place issues get extra attention-grabbing. Right here you’ll discover the barrel-style energy connector, an HDMI 2.1 port, a 10Gbps USB-C connector, and the totally fashionable USB 4 Sort-C port. Certain, loads of laptops ship with the very same connectivity lately, but it surely’s much less anticipated on a price range mannequin.

The left aspect of the laptop computer incorporates a Gigabit Ethernet port, a USB 3.0 port, a microSD card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The best measurement incorporates a pair of USB 2.0 ports, just a few standing lights, and a Kensington lock slot.

Loads of battery life

The Acer Nitro 16 incorporates a 4-cell battery with a capability of 90Wh. Many gaming laptops, principally the dearer, higher-specced ones, have similarly-sized batteries, however not all of them can maintain a cost for a similar size of time, particularly for so long as the Nitro 16.

In our battery take a look at, the Nitro 16 stayed powered for practically 8 hours, with a run time of seven hours and 52 minutes. This was the seventh-highest rating in comparison with different gaming laptops we’ve examined, placing it simply 5 minutes behind the 2022 Razer Blade 14.

Some gaming laptops tend to empty the battery shortly, even once they’re hibernating. I didn’t discover a lot drain in any respect throughout my time testing the Nitro 16, although this could fluctuate fairly a bit based mostly on how and the place you’re utilizing your laptop computer—and its complete {hardware} configuration.

What we don’t like

Lackluster sound

It’s a standard development amongst laptop computer makers, gaming and in any other case, so as to add all kinds of audio processing to their machines. With this Acer Nitro 16, it’s DTS:X, although varied Dolby sound modes additionally pop up in different laptops. This may occasionally provide the impression that the sound goes to be spectacular, however that’s often removed from the case, and it’s definitely removed from the case with the Nitro 16.

Most laptops don’t supply immersive sound, however the Acer Nitro 16 sounds skinny, even in comparison with different fashions that provide DTS:X or one other particular audio characteristic. That is particularly clear with music, because the bass is essentially nonexistent, even should you try to spice up it with EQ. For YouTube movies, the sound is ok sufficient, but it surely definitely doesn’t lend any type of influence to video games.

Granted, the included DTS Sound Unbound software program is extra geared towards headphones, and should you’re spending most of your time gaming, you’re most likely utilizing a headset. Nonetheless, that is one in all only a few main misses on this in any other case spectacular laptop computer.

Annoying bundled software program

Bundled software program is a reality of life in the case of shopping for any laptop computer, however some producers are extra egregious than others. You possibly can anticipate a gaming laptop computer to incorporate software program that manages efficiency, temperatures, and different options. The Acer Nitro 16 does the identical by way of its NitroSense software program, which might really be helpful. However Acer additionally included different software program that… didn’t make an entire lot of sense to us.

NitroSense handles typical gaming laptop computer settings like efficiency modes, temperature monitoring, and preserving observe of different apps like Nvidia’s GeForce Expertise. The software program is flashy and just like different choices like Asus’ Armoury Crate, but it surely’s nonetheless helpful.

That’s not true for all the things. You’ll additionally discover icons for Dropbox and Planet9, although neither of those apps are literally put in. Click on both one, and also you’re prompted to really join and use these companies. With Dropbox, this can be helpful, however the Planet9 software program has proved to be a difficulty for Acer Nitro customers on Reddit, with some claiming the software program was inflicting freezing. Contemplating Planet9 is an esports-focused social media hub, it’s robust to think about many consumers lacking it.

It’s not that these stubs for paid software program installs are particularly intrusive, however in any other case, there isn’t an excessive amount of to complain about with the Acer Nitro 16. It might be good to depart this type of apply behind; it’s annoying to “uninstall” software program that isn’t absolutely put in within the first place, but it surely may very well be extra irritating than it’s.

Do you have to purchase the Acer Nitro 16?

Possibly, it is a stable price range gaming laptop computer

The gaming efficiency and brilliant, crisp 1200p show make the Acer Nitro 16 a surprisingly succesful gaming laptop computer, particularly contemplating its comparatively low value of $1,200. Funds gaming laptops are an train in tradeoffs, and plenty of producers make cuts within the improper areas, however Acer doesn’t right here. The Nitro 16 doesn’t chase pure efficiency, falling again on an RTX 4050 as a substitute of an RTX 4060, however its show and battery are forward of choices just like the MSI Katana 15. The 16:10 show is ideal for modifying images or paperwork along with gaming.

The areas the place the laptop computer does falter are simpler to take care of than some options, just like the Acer Nitro 16’s sound. It’s not horrible, but it surely’s not notably impactful. In case you’re utilizing the laptop computer for gaming, nevertheless, it’s possible you’ll need to use a gaming headset anyway, wherein case the comparatively weak audio system don’t matter as a lot. That is true of the pre-installed software program as effectively: when you’ve gone by means of the difficulty of uninstalling it, you don’t have to fret about it anymore.

The principle subject is that the efficiency may be held again by the RTX 4050, which is slower than the RTX 3060 within the 2022 Acer Nitro 5. Granted, for video games with DLSS 3.0 help, this characteristic could make up for the body price variations, however you’re nonetheless getting a lesser GPU. Contemplating the older mannequin can also be extra reasonably priced, that makes for a troublesome choice between newer options and extra uncooked energy.

However contemplating what the Acer Nitro 16 was capable of do with fashionable video games on Extremely or equal settings, it ought to final for some time. You could have to decrease the settings on video games launched within the coming years, however you don’t want to fret in regards to the laptop computer turning into out of date in a single day.

Acer Nitro 16

The Acer Nitro 16 could not have the efficiency of, say, the MSI Katana 15, however its battery life and brilliant 16:10 display make it a greater decide.

Meet the tester

Chris Wouk

Contributor

Kris Wouk is a contract tech author and musician. Whereas he is been writing about know-how for greater than 10 years, that is a drop within the bucket in comparison with the period of time he has spent enamored with tech. When he isn’t testing devices, he spends most of his time in Ableton Reside.

See all of Kris Wouk’s opinions