Acer Predator Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI Gaming Laptop 16" Review

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI is a bit of a paradox. On one hand, it's packing some of the most cutting-edge hardware you can get in a laptop right now, like that new Intel 275HX CPU and a gorgeous 240Hz OLED screen. On the other, it's a chunky 2.68kg machine that's in the bottom 10% for portability. This isn't the laptop you toss in your bag for a coffee shop session. It's a desktop replacement that wants to be the centerpiece of your gaming setup.

So who's this for? Honestly, it's for the gamer or creator who wants a stunning, high-refresh visual experience above all else and doesn't plan on moving the machine much. That OLED screen is the star of the show here, and the 32GB of RAM and 2TB SSD are fantastic for future-proofing. It's built for people who value raw visual fidelity and multitasking headroom.

The 'AI' in the name points to that Intel Ultra 9 CPU, which is designed to handle on-device AI tasks. For most gamers right now, that's a bit of a 'nice to have' feature. The real story is the combination of a top-tier CPU and a very good, but not top-tier, GPU. It sets up an interesting dynamic between processing power and graphics muscle.

Let's talk numbers. That Intel 275HX CPU is a monster, sitting in the 95th percentile. In practice, this means nothing is going to bottleneck it. You can game, stream, have a dozen Chrome tabs open, and run Discord in the background without a hiccup. It's pure overkill for gaming alone, but it makes the system feel incredibly snappy and is a huge boon for video editors or 3D artists working on the go.

The RTX 5060 with 8GB of GDDR7 VRAM is solid, landing in the 83rd percentile. It'll crush 1440p gaming, especially with DLSS 4 helping out. You're looking at high-to-ultra settings in most modern titles at that native 2560x1600 resolution. The 8GB of VRAM is the only slight concern for future AAA games, but for today's library, it's more than enough. The real performance magic happens on that 240Hz OLED display. The combination of near-instant pixel response times and that high refresh rate makes everything, from Windows animations to fast-paced shooters, look buttery smooth.

At just under $2,000, the Helios Neo 16S sits in a competitive spot. You're paying a premium for that stunning OLED panel and the flagship Intel CPU. If you compare it to other RTX 5060 laptops, it will likely be more expensive, but you're getting a much better screen and a more powerful processor in return.

The value really hinges on how much you prize that display. If a top-tier visual experience is non-negotiable, then the price makes sense. If you're more focused on pure GPU power for the dollar, you might find better value in a laptop with a higher-tier GPU but a more standard IPS screen.

Compared to something like the MSI Vector 16 HX, you're trading some potential GPU power (the MSI might offer up to an RTX 5070) for a far superior screen and a more future-proof CPU. The MSI will likely game a bit better, but the Acer will look and feel better doing almost everything else.

Then there's the Apple MacBook Pro 14 with M4 Max. It's a different universe. The MacBook destroys it in battery life, portability, and build quality, and its screen is also phenomenal. But for gaming, it's not even a contest. The Acer's RTX 5060 and wider game library support make it the clear choice for gamers, while the MacBook is for creators in specific ecosystems. Finally, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is a more direct competitor. It often excels in cooling and sustained performance. You might get slightly higher frame rates in the Lenovo, but you'll almost certainly be looking at a less impressive IPS display unless you pay significantly more.

If you want the best-looking gaming experience on a laptop and you plan to use it primarily in one or two places, the Helios Neo 16S is an easy recommendation. That OLED screen paired with high-end specs creates a truly immersive setup. It's also a surprisingly capable machine for creative work thanks to the color-accurate display and powerful CPU.

However, you need to be honest about your lifestyle. If you travel a lot or need to carry your laptop to class frequently, look elsewhere. Its low portability and reliability scores are big red flags for a mobile machine. For a true 'gaming on the go' laptop, the MSI Vector or a Lenovo Legion might be a better, more durable fit. But for a stunning desktop replacement that doubles as a entertainment hub, this Acer is hard to beat.