CES 2023: Acer announces new gaming laptops, monitors, and 3D gaming tech

Like many other brands, Acer has chosen CES 2023 to announce its new gaming laptops powered by the latest generation of hardware. Moreover, it has also introduced two new gaming monitors and a new glass-free 3D mode for compatible displays that promise to deliver a more immersive experience than other passive 3D technologies.

First, we have the updated Nitro gaming laptops, now featuring RTX 40 series laptop GPUs and the latest 13th Gen Intel Core processors. Available with 16 (Nitro 16) and 17.3-inch (Nitro 17) screens, the new Nitro laptops are now more compact, thinner, and lighter, making them the perfect travel companion for gaming while away from home. The Nitro 16 comes with a WUXGA or WQXGA display with a 165Hz refresh rate and 100% coverage of the sRGB colour gamut. As for the Nitro 17, it could come with either a FullHD display with 144Hz or 165Hz refresh rates or a QHD screen with a 165Hz refresh rate. Both models come with an RGB 4-zone backlit keyboard.

Regardless of the model, the Nitro laptops come with Windows 11 installed. Moreover, they pack up to 32GB of DDR5-4800 memory and up to 2TB of PCIe 4.0 storage. In both laptops, you'll get a Killer DoubleShot Pro NIC and a Killer Wi-Fi 6 1650i controller. In addition to all these, you'll also get an HDMI 2.1 port, a microSD card reader, 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports supporting PD, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, an HD camera, 2x microphones, and 2x speakers with DTS:X Ultra audio. The Acer Nitro 16 and 17 will be available in the US in May, starting at $1,199.99. In EMEA, the 16-inch model will go for €1,499 and the 17-inch for €1,599.

Moving up a tier, the upcoming Predator Helios 16 and 18 laptops bring a new design and upgraded thermals, allowing them to house up to an Nvidia RTX 4080 Laptop GPU with a 165W TGP and 13th Gen Intel Core i9 or i7 HX CPU. Like the Nitro models, you'll get up to 32GB DDR5-4800 RAM and up to 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD in RAID 0. To cool all these, these laptops use two custom-engineered 5th Gen AeroBlade 3D metal fans and vector heat pipes. As for the laptops' casing, there's a customisable RGB light bar along the top of the back vents and a mini-LED backlit (per-key) keyboard.

The Predator Helios 16 offers a 16-inch WQXGA display with a 165Hz or 240Hz refresh rate or an AUO AmLED (Mini LED) panel with a 250 Hz refresh rate. The latter supports 1000 nits of peak brightness and has a 1M:1 contrast ratio, allowing it to cover 100% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut. On the other hand, the Helios 18 has four options: WUXGA (1920×1200) at 165Hz, WQXGA (2560×1600) at 165Hz or 240Hz, or AUO's 250Hz Mini LED display. Wireless connectivity is done via the Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675 module, but there's also an Intel Killer E2600 controller if you wish to use LAN. Additionally, there are various USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, 2x USB-C Thunderbolt 4 with PD, and a MicroSD card reader. The Predator Helios 16 will be available in the US in March at $1,649.99 and in EMEA in February for €2,399. The Predator Helios 18 will come out in the US in April, starting at $1,699, and in EMEA in March for €2,499.

Besides laptops, Acer is also showcasing the Predator X45 and the X27U monitors at CES 2023. The first is a curved OLED gaming monitor with an 800R curvature and a UWQHD resolution. The monitor can cover 98.5% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut and offers a high contrast ratio and a peak brightness of 1000 nits, which should be enough to display HDR content with good quality. Connectivity options include a DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports, and a USB hub with USB-C ports. The Predator X27U features a flat 27-inch OLED panel with a WQHD resolution. Like the X45, it can cover 98.5% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut and offers a high contrast ratio, HDR 10 capabilities and a peak brightness of 1000nits.

Both monitors support AMD Free Sync Premium and come with 0.01ms response times and 240Hz refresh rates. They also are TÜV Rheinland EyeSafe-certified and have a built-in KVM switch that might come in handy for those who plan to connect a laptop and a desktop to the same monitor. The Predator X45 and X27U will be available in the US and EMEA in Q2. The X45 will go for $1,699 or €1,799, while the X27U will cost $1,099 or €1,099.

Lastly, Acer also announced that its SpatialLabs TrueGame (glasses-free 3D gaming application) will be updated in late January, introducing new features and a new 3D mode. This new mode is called 3D Ultra and promises to offer a more immersive experience thanks to its enhanced stereo rendering capabilities and the ability to project images with more realistic depth. The new update also introduces 3D Sense, a collection of 3D configurations that will allow players to set their preferences regarding visual details, effects, and 3D depth intensity.

KitGuru says: Are you interested in Acer's 3D glasses-free technology? Do you think there's still hope for 3D to become the norm?

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