Verdict
With a tweaked design and a much bigger, brighter, higher-resolution display screen, the Acer Nitro 16 is likely one of the strongest Nitros but. Nonetheless, you’ll have to make some settings compromises to profit from that glorious show.
Execs
- Huge QHD+ show
- RTX 4050 offers you DLSS 3 with Body Technology
- Ample processing energy for video games and on a regular basis apps
Cons
- Not sufficient energy for QHD gaming
- Flat keyboard angle and thick deck could make typing uncomfortable
- Fundamental, boxy audio
Availability
- UKRRP: £1499
- USATBC
- EuropeTBC
- CanadaTBC
- AustraliaTBC
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16-inch 1600p ShowThe sheer measurement, 16:10 side ratio and QHD+ decision are good for big-screen gaming and leisure.
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Thirteenth Gen Intel CPUWhereas it’s a step down from Intel’s Core i9 processors, this CPU nonetheless has greater than sufficient welly for video games and productiveness apps -
Nvidia RTX 40-series GPUThe RTX 4050 is a leap ahead from the outdated RTX 3050, and comes with some great benefits of DLSS 3 and body era for a body charge increase.
Introduction
By now, you already know what you’re getting with Acer’s Nitro line: a rock-solid, value-focused gaming laptop computer that provides you what it’s worthwhile to benefit from the newest blockbusters, with out the bells and whistles of Acer’s premium Predator Helios vary. With the brand new Acer Nitro 16 AN16-51, nonetheless, there are indicators that the vary is shifting barely upmarket, with a brand new design that just about borders on flashy, plus a much bigger, brighter and all-around higher 16-inch QHD plus display screen.
That doesn’t imply Acer goes loopy. To maintain costs smart, it has gone with the CPU to a Thirteenth-gen Core i7 relatively than the high-end i9 processors, whereas the GPU choices begin with NVIDIA’s entry-level RTX 4050. There will probably be a less expensive mannequin with an i5-13500H, in addition to variations with the RTX 4060 and RTX 4070 coming down the road, with costs nonetheless to be confirmed. Nonetheless, sticking with the 4050 makes this a reasonably accessible trendy gaming laptop computer at £1499.
That’s greater than we’ve seen for some finances gaming laptops with the identical CPU however lower than we’re seeing for premium fashions with a 16-inch QHD display screen. The problem for Acer is delivering a gaming expertise above what the finances fashions can present, with out leaving you wishing that you simply’d discovered a bit more money for a higher-end spec.
Design and Keyboard
- Revamped design feels streamlined and better high quality
- Spacious keyboard with tender, quiet motion
- Nicely-thought-out connectivity throughout three sides
The Nitro has at all times been a boxy and chunky laptop computer, however the brand new design is slimmer and extra refined. The bigger display screen measurement means it has a much bigger desktop footprint than the prevailing Nitro 5, at 360mm x 280mm in opposition to the 15.6-inch mannequin’s 363mm x 255mm, and there’s no actual distinction within the thickness, at a most 27mm when closed. But some sculpted edges and a extra wedge-shaped profile assist minimise the majority, whereas the redesigned vents and gloss-finish lid – full with distinction Nitro brand – give it a subtly completely different really feel.
That is nonetheless a price gaming laptop computer, however it not appears like one. Certain, the construct goes heavy on plastics, even to the lid, however you could possibly say the identical about some considerably dearer gaming laptops, and the precise development feels impressively strong. Simply be warned that the lid’s gloss floor is a fingerprint magnet. It’s laborious to maintain clear.
The keyboard sticks nearer to the established Nitro patterns, with its flat, sq. keys stretching out throughout the entire width of the laptop computer, although we shouldn’t take the per-key RGB backlighting without any consideration. There’s little mistaken with the structure. I’d wish to see some extra separation for the cursor keys and a bigger Ctrl key on the left. The keys themselves have a barely tender motion, with nary a click on to be heard, however the deck they sit on is rock strong and the precise typing expertise feels good. Nonetheless, the mix of the thick physique and flat typing angle means this may not be probably the most snug keyboard if you would like one thing to work on all day lengthy; one thing I’ve discovered with numerous cost-conscious gaming laptops.
The touchpad clearly isn’t glass, however the plastics it makes use of are easy and it’s completely responsive in use, whereas the 125 x 80mm measurement offers you loads of area for Home windows navigation or making your means via a sport’s settings. Most players will attain for a mouse anyway, however it’s good to really feel that you simply’re not being compelled to.
I just like the method Acer has taken to connectivity, inserting probably the most accessed ports – headphones, Ethernet, a micro SD slot and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Kind-A – on the left-hand facet, with one other two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Kind-A on the proper. This nonetheless leaves area on the rear for some connections the place it’s your decision them used semi-permanently, together with two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Kind-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports and the enter for the AC adaptor. You’ve obtained every thing you want right here with none requirement for a dock, however the ports aren’t all crammed in collectively, as they generally are when every thing has to suit on one or different facet.
Show and Sound
- Robust distinction and 1600p decision imply glorious readability
- Excessive brightness ranges and vibrant colors
- Sound is highly effective, however brash and boxy
The display screen is likely one of the greatest I’ve seen on a extra value-oriented gaming laptop computer. It’s a 16-inch IPS panel with a 16:10 side ratio and a 2560 x 1600 decision, together with a 165Hz refresh charge. It’s very clear and the decision is good for laborious work or inventive purposes, however what actually sells it’s how vibrant and vibrant it’s, particularly whenever you’re watching video or enjoying video games.
We measured the utmost SDR brightness at 553 nits and the black luminance at 0.4 nits, leading to a powerful distinction ratio of 1359.5:1, however what’s actually fascinating is that it covers 99.3% of the sRGB color gamut and 75.9% of DCI-P3. That’s not unhealthy in any respect for an IPS display screen on a laptop computer at this worth level, and it exhibits whenever you’re enjoying Cyberpunk 2077 or settling down for a Netflix binge. All the things simply pops.
I’d wish to say that the audio is nearly as good, however regardless of the DTS-X branding, it’s just a little fundamental. There’s no scarcity of quantity, however the harsh mid-range and restricted bass don’t make for nice listening, and there’s little sense of area or directional sound whenever you’re watching movies or enjoying video games. You’ll be glad for the accessible headset jack on the left-hand facet.
Efficiency
- Core i7 and 32GB of RAM offer you nice on a regular basis efficiency
- RTX 4050 is best suited to 1080p gaming than native decision
- DLSS 3 might help, however it’s not an all-round repair
With a Core i7-13700H, 32GB of RAM and an RTX 4050, the Nitro 16 isn’t any match for Core i9 and Ryzen 9 monsters just like the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 or the Acer Predator Helios 16, however then it is available in at a considerably lower cost level. With six Efficiency cores and eight Environment friendly cores operating 20 threads at as much as 5GHz, the i7-13700H continues to be a ludicrously speedy CPU, and greater than able to dealing with all of your productiveness and artistic apps, particularly with the 32GB of RAM. The truth is, take a look at the leads to PC Mark 10, and there’s not a lot separating the Nitro 16 from the Predator Helios 16 and even the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16. You’re not going to note any distinction in on a regular basis use.
The distinction in budgets exhibits extra whenever you get to gaming. Working with a TGP of 140W, the RTX 4050 is roughly as quick because the outdated RTX 3060 and in addition has the benefit of DLSS 3 assist, promising a major increase in supporting titles. But it struggles within the newest, most demanding video games to hit 60fps body charges on the panel’s native decision; it’s actually significantly better suited to 1080p.
Even with some older video games, you’ll have to go a notch down from the best settings. At Extremely settings, Borderlands 3 ran at 50fps at 1600p although Horizon Zero Daybreak was high-quality at 67fps. Nonetheless, with Extremely settings at 1440p, Cyberpunk 2077 was caught at 47fps, whereas Returnal’s body charges at Epic, with out ray tracing enabled, have been restricted to 46fps. Switching right down to 1080p takes these as much as 72fps in Cyberpunk 2077 and 62fps in Returnal.
Turning on DLSS might help, leading to a lift to a really playable 77fps in Cyberpunk. Nonetheless, it nonetheless gained’t offer you sufficient for ray tracing at 1440p. At Extremely RT settings with DLSS and body era enabled, 49fps was achievable however with fixed stuttering and glitching. I may easy that out within the benchmark by switching RT settings right down to Medium, however in precise gameplay, any fight pulled the body charge down into single digits territory. Don’t even take into consideration Cyberpunk’s RT Overdrive setting. With out DLSS, this gave us a flick-screen body charge of 21fps, and even with DLSS 3 plus Body Technology I may solely get 34fps at 1440p and 38fps at 1080p.
Briefly, you’re going to wish to make some compromises. This laptop computer will run older video games and eSports titles on the native decision with every thing maxed out, however with newer and upcoming video games you’re going to wish to both cut back element settings, overlook ray tracing, use DLSS in Efficiency mode or drop right down to 1080p. Typically, chances are you’ll have to do two or extra of the above. The 4050 is a robust entry-level gaming GPU, however it’s probably not constructed for QHD gaming. And until you’re enjoying Rainbow Six: Siege or Valorant, you’re most likely not going to stretch the display screen to wherever close to its 165Hz refresh with out taking a decision hit.
Battery Life
- Not sufficient battery life for all-day productiveness
- Anticipate round 5 hours of video playback at full brightness
Huge IPS screens and 14-core CPUs aren’t normally a recipe for nice battery life, and gaming laptop computer producers don’t usually compensate by putting in a high-capacity battery. Right here you’re simply 5 hours and 12 minutes within the PC Mark 10 Trendy Workplace benchmark, and switch the display screen brightness up and also you’ll be fortunate to begin work at 9 am and get previous lunchtime with out plugging in. Begin watching Netflix with the brightness at full, and also you’ll be out of motion inside 5 hours or so, with the cost dropping by 21% in simply an hour of viewing.
Newest offers
Do you have to purchase it?
Good for gaming, with some compromises
It’s a fantastic gaming laptop computer with a unbelievable 16-inch display screen, even when the GPU doesn’t actually have the grunt to run video games at ultra-detail settings on the native decision. You’ll nonetheless respect the massive 1600p show in relation to work and leisure whereas utilizing DLSS 3 and reducing down on the element settings will nonetheless get you good outcomes with the most recent blockbusters.
You could possibly reduce prices or up your spec
Whereas inexpensive by gaming laptop computer requirements, you is likely to be higher off with a laptop computer with the identical GPU – or one thing quicker – and an excellent 1080p show. You’ll both save your self £200 or extra or get a spec able to enjoying video games with ray tracing and better element settings. The selection is yours.
Closing Ideas
The Nitro 16 is a little bit of a conundrum. There are numerous good-budget gaming laptops on the £1000 to £1500 worth level, some packing the quicker RTX 4060 GPU. We’ve but to take a look at the Asus ROG Strix G16 or the MSI Cyborg 15, however each include the aforementioned NVIDIA chip and promise nice 1080p gaming at a barely lower cost level. We’ve simply regarded on the Gigabyte G5 (2023), which manages the identical trick at below £1000. The Nitro 16 brings you a quicker CPU, double the 16GB of RAM and that 16-inch, QHD+ display screen, however and not using a GPU able to powering it, you is likely to be questioning: what’s the purpose?
Personally, I’d be prepared to pay the additional for the extra CPU horsepower and RAM, and for the benefits the display screen brings whenever you’re watching 4K video, enjoying much less demanding video games or just attempting to get some work completed. Plus, with DLSS 3 and a few adept juggling of the settings, you will get playable body charges at a barely decrease than native 1440p. If that sounds good, then the Nitro 16 is one other robust worth possibility within the Acer vary. Simply remember that it comes with compromises whenever you purchase.
How we check
Each gaming laptop computer we overview goes via a collection of uniform checks designed to gauge key issues, together with construct high quality, efficiency, display screen high quality and battery life.
We additionally spend some severe time with it enjoying the most recent Triple-A video games.
We use it as our principal laptop computer in the course of the check interval
We use constant benchmarks for honest comparisons with different laptops
We overview utilizing revered business benchmarks and actual world use
FAQs
In our expertise, Asus TUF laptops sometimes have the sting in relation to high quality design and a fantastic gaming keyboard, even on the finances worth level. Nonetheless, you may usually choose up the Acer Nitro units for a barely lower cost, so the Nitro may nonetheless be a greater possibility for these on a good finances.
The Acer Nitro 16 doesn’t have immense gaming energy however, for a title like Fortnite, you must be capable to get probably the most out of it and this system’s 1600p decision. Sure, the Nitro 16 will probably be good for Fortnite.
Trusted Evaluations check information
PCMark 10
Cinebench R23 – multi core
Geekbench 5 single core
Geekbench 5 multi core
Geekbench 6 single core
Geekbench 6 multi core
3DMark Time Spy
CrystalDiskMark Learn pace
CrystalDiskMark Write Velocity
Brightness (SDR)
Black stage
Distinction
sRGB
DCI-P3
PCMark Battery (workplace)
Battery discharge after 60 minutes of on-line Netflix playback
Horizon Zero Daybreak body charge (Quad HD)
Cyberpunk 2077 (Quad HD)
Cyberpunk 2077 (Full HD)
Returnal (Quad HD)
Returnal (Full HD)
UK RRP
CPU
Producer
Quiet Mark Accredited
Display Measurement
Storage Capability
Entrance Digital camera
Battery
Battery Hours
Measurement (Dimensions)
Weight
Working System
Launch Date
First Reviewed Date
Mannequin Quantity
Decision
Refresh Charge
Ports
GPU
RAM
Connectivity
Show Expertise
Contact Display
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