Acer Nitro vs. Predator: What is the Difference?

Ashley_Buckwell

Some of the most popular gaming laptops fall under the Acer Nitro and Acer Predator brands, with several different monitors, desktops, and peripheral devices also being sold under these brands. The Nitro series is known for offering good performance for its price range, whereas the Predator series offers superior technology.

Most people struggle to pick between the two brands because several of the laptops from both series share similar price tags and specs. With some of the models containing very high-end components, it’s important that you pick the right machine. So in this article, we’re going to explore these two popular gaming laptop series.

Acer Nitro

The Acer Nitro is a series of budget gaming computers that first launched in 2017 and that is marketed to gamers looking for high-performance machines at a reasonable price point. The Nitro series includes desktops, laptops, monitors, and other accessories and competes with other midrange computers. The series was introduced with the Nitro 5 laptop (now discontinued), which featured a 2.50-GHz Intel Core i5-7300HQ, a 4-GB NVIDIA® GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, and 8 GB of DDR4 SDRAM. Since 2017, Acer has released several iterations of the Nitro gaming laptop series, including the Nitro 14, 16, and 17. Acer also has a wide range of gaming monitors and a desktop machine under the Nitro brand.

Best options for Acer Nitro (for budget gamers)

• Acer Nitro V 14 
• Acer Nitro 16
• Acer Nitro 17

Acer Predator

The Acer Predator series offers high-performance gaming laptops and monitors designed to deliver exceptional gaming experiences, with powerful hardware and advanced features. Acer Predator has a strong presence at a number of major international gaming tournaments and hosts the annual Predator League, which is an international event held by Acer every year to reinforce the commitment of Predator in supporting the gaming industry, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. Predator’s “It Lies Within” website even won the prestigious Webby awards in 2023 for its impressive design. There are currently two laptop families under Predator: Triton and Helios. Triton is lightweight, slim, and sleek, designed for gamers and prosumers who are always on the go, whereas the Helios series consists of midrange and premium laptops with stellar specs that can replace desktop computers. Predator also covers a series of monitors that deliver exceptional visual fidelity and can support games with the most demanding conditions, with refresh rates of up to 360 Hz. Predator is an excellent choice for serious gamers who demand the best possible visuals.

The Predator range also includes mice, headsets, keyboards, routers, desks and even a backpack.

Best options for Acer Predator (for hardcore gamers)

• Acer Predator Helios 18
• Acer Predator Helios 16
• Acer Predator Triton 14

Nitro vs. Acer Predator: What is the difference

Predator is Acer’s high-end gaming brand, and Nitro is its budget gaming brand. The Acer Predator series provides the best of modern computing technology, regardless of whether you're looking for a laptop, monitor, or other device. By contrast, for Acer Nitro, it’s all about bringing modern technology down to a reasonable price. You’ll still find the latest components, but they will not be the most powerful. Acer Nitro has long been the go-to choice for those looking for the best value when shopping for laptops and desktops, whereas Predator is the premier brand for serious gamers. Let’s take a look at some of the differences between these series in more detail.

Design and build quality

Predator laptops have magnesium chassis and better cooling systems than Nitro laptops. The Nitro series, being the budget-friendly option, are usually inside a plastic case with a similar fan setup as the Predator but containing less sophisticated cooling technology. Both the Predator and Nitro have RGB lighting in their keyboards that is customizable with the Sense software.

Performance

Nitro uses Intel core i5 or i7 or the latest generation AMD Ryzen™ 5, 7, or 9 CPUs. It also uses RTX™ 30 and 40 series GPUs from NVIDIA®. Midrange Predator Helios 300 laptops have almost the same specs as the top Nitro laptops but are packaged in premium chassis and have better cooling systems. Top-tier Predator laptops like the Helios 16, Helios 18, and Triton 14 to Triton Neo 16 have far superior hardware than Nitro laptops. Predator also uses a vapor chamber in its cooling system to better handle the heating. Predator laptops use only the latest Intel CPUs.

Display

Both Nitro and Predator laptops come with 15-inch or 17-inch screens, and both series offer high refresh rate monitors, with refresh rates ranging from 60 to 165 Hz refresh. Predator Triton and Helios offer more color-accurate displays than the Nitro series. The Predator series typically offers higher resolution displays, with some models boasting 4K resolution. The Nitro 17 has a Full HD (1080p) display, which is still decent for most games and daily use, and at the top end, a 15-inch Nitro can come with 1440p. 

The Acer Predator series has a faster response time, ranging from 1 ms to 3 ms, reducing ghost and motion blur. The Acer Nitro's response time is typically around 5ms, which is still decent for most games but not as fast as the Predator series.

I/O ports and connectivity

Both laptop series house a versatile and diverse set of ports. Nitro, Helios, and Triton are equipped with at least two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports for display, file transfer, and fast charging. They also support USB-A, with a full range of USB 3.2 Gen 1 and 2 ports, even on the slimmer Triton series. On top of that, they all offer one HDMI port. 

Acer Nitro or Predator: which laptop is better for you?

1. Nitro 17 Gaming Laptop

• AMD Ryzen™ 5 8645HS processor Hexa-core (6 Core™) up to 4.30 GHz
• NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4050 with 6 GB dedicated memory
• 17.3" Full HD (1920 x 1080) 16:10 IPS, 165 Hz
• 16 GB DDR5 SDRAM
• 512 GB SSD

The Nitro 17 is ideal for those seeking a larger display and solid gaming performance without emptying their wallets. Although slightly bigger than its predecessor, the Nitro 5, the Nitro 17 retains the series’ winning formula of blending powerful components with affordability. With its AMD Ryzen™ 5 CPU and the RTX™ 4050 GPU, it handles modern games at high settings smoothly. The 17.3-inch, 165 Hz screen offers an immersive visual experience, and the roomy chassis helps maintain reasonable temperatures, even under heavier loads. Whether you’re into fast-paced shooters or sprawling RPGs, the Nitro 17 is a well-rounded machine that delivers excellent value for your money.

2. Predator Triton 14 Gaming Laptop

• Intel® Core™ i7-13700H processor Tetradeca-core (14 Core™) 2.40 GHz
• NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4070 with 8 GB dedicated memory
• 14" WQXGA (2560 x 1600) 16:10 IPS
• 16 GB LPDDR5
• 1 TB SSD

For those who need powerful hardware in a sleek, ultraportable design, consider the Predator Triton 14. Despite its smaller 14-inch frame, this laptop packs an impressive punch with an RTX™ 4070 GPU, making it perfect for gaming at high settings or handling demanding creative tasks on the move. The vivid WQXGA display provides crisp detail, and the Intel® Core™ i7 processor ensures snappy multitasking performance. Thanks to Predator’s advanced cooling solutions and premium build materials, the Triton 14 stays cool while showcasing a stylish, slim profile — a standout choice for gamers and creators who are always on the go.

3. Predator Helios 18 Gaming Laptop

• Intel® Core™ i9-14900HX processor Tetracosa-core (24 Core™) 2.20 GHz
• NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4090 with 16 GB dedicated memory
• 18" WQXGA (2560 x 1600) 16:10 IPS, 250 Hz
• 32 GB DDR5 SDRAM
• 2 TB SSD

If you’re looking for a true desktop replacement, the Predator Helios 18 offers top-tier power with an Intel® Core™ i9-14900HX and an RTX™ 4090, allowing you to effortlessly run the most demanding modern titles at ultra-high settings. Its massive 18-inch display provides an expansive viewing experience, paired with a 250 Hz refresh rate that keeps fast-paced action razor-sharp. Thanks to the beefed-up internals and advanced cooling systems, this laptop is designed to handle extended gaming sessions without breaking a sweat. Whether you’re a competitive gamer or a power user seeking desktop-grade performance, the Helios 18 represents the pinnacle of Acer’s Predator lineup.

In summary, the Acer Nitro brand can be trusted to provide the perfect balance between affordability and performance, whereas the Acer Predator series offers superior gaming performance in a well-engineered chassis, with the Helios brand giving heavyweight, desktop-level performance and the Triton brand giving powerful yet sleek computing capability. Nitro laptops are more affordable than other gaming laptops, making them an appealing option for gamers on a tight budget, and Predator laptops are the best option for hardcore gamers looking for the most powerful pro-level gaming machines.