The Acer Predator Helios 300 PH315-52-78VL gaming notebook offers you the following advanced features: 6th Generation Intel Core i7-9750H processor with Turbo Boost technology and widescreen HD display up to 4.5GHz 15.6 - LED backlit display (1920x1080) inch, rate 144Hz refresh, 16: 9 aspect ratio, up to 3 minutes response time, 300 nit brightness, 72% NTSC, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Ti and 6GB of GAMDR6 GB DDR4 2666MHz available in 1 slot, 1 HDD available 3D Audio with Waves Nx, Acer True Harmony, Built-in Stereo Speakers, Acer Purified, Waves MaxxAudio Audio, MaxxBass, MaxxVolume, MaxxDialog Audio and two built-in microphones, Killer Dual Wi-Fi Network Shot Pro Wireless AC 1550 802.11ac Features 2 MUM 2 × 2 (Dual Frequency 2.4GHz and 5GHz), Killer Ethernet E2500 LAN Ethernet 10/100 / 1000Gbps, Bluetooth 5.0, HD webcam (1280 x 720) supporting SHDR (Ultra High Dynamic Range), 1 USB 3.1 Type C Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps), 3-USB 3.1 Gen 1 (1 with power charging), 1 HDMI 2.0 Supports microproject 1.4 1.4 HDCP, backlit keyboard, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, battery life up to 6 hours, 5.07 lbs. | 2.3 kg (central unit only) (NH.Q5MAA.001). Processor Speed: 2.60 GHz.
Acer Predator Helios 300 Review
The device does a good job of performing its advertising functions. This test is based on my impressions after two days of working in the unit. If there are any related issues in the long run, I can update them later.
Test Method:
I don't have many stereo tools to measure actual brightness, color gamut, and more. Generally, I have only tested the firmware and paid a lot of attention.
Building:
The top (at the back of the screen) is made of metal as well as the keyboard, palm rest, screen edge and plastic bottom. This is a good choice for design because it prevents the floor from becoming a pan. Hinges are durable and easy to move.
the screen:
The nominal brightness of the screen is about 300 lumens. This screen is lighter than the label compared to other products with similar labels. As long as there is no direct sunlight on the screen, it is fully visible outdoors during the day. The refresh rate of 144 Hz is a very exciting feature and allows some rock movements. Contrast and color palette is very effective and fun to watch. I don't have a colorimeter, so it might be smart geometry, but it seems there is no compromise. The screen is affected by the contrast of the backlight. For completely dark images, there are bright spots around the edges, but they are great for IPS LCD monitors.
GPU:
The GPU seems to be able to handle any problems with the craziest settings, and I haven't found any performance issues. Both Hexer 3 and Darksider's Warmastered Edition have achieved excellent results, with the latter running at 144 Hz without synchronization. You have reached over 14,000 likes in Final Fantasy XIV Stormbringer. Everything has reached its limits and all improvements have stopped. The laptop is predefined by an overclocking parameter called "turbo" mode, which is activated by a button in the top left of the keyboard. Of course you can create your own overclocking profile.
Like most gaming notebooks, Helios Predator 300 uses Intel Optimus to use energy more efficiently, conserve battery power and reduce fan noise. In short, Intel Optimus can dynamically switch between the integrated low-performance Intel GPU and the less energy-efficient GTX-1660ti. The system tries to guess which GPU to use in a particular process, but you can control it in two different ways. You can set the graphics processing unit (GPU) to use in a specific application in the Nvidia Control Panel as long as you are running the program (ie your game) under the Nvidia card. Alternatively, you can direct the system to prioritize Nvidia cards in all areas (it's not a good idea if you don't want to keep listening to the fan and watching the battery in front of you). Finally, there's a shortcut menu item called "Run with a graphics processor" that lets you choose anything you want to use by right-clicking the app before launching it. Therefore, Optimus is very useful for balancing performance, but there are also some unfortunate trade-offs. There is no "View" option in the Nvidia Control Panel because Optimus dynamically manages these settings. Although the GPU is technically capable of using it, the G-Sync and Fast Sync options are not available.
keyboard:
The keyboard is great in most cases. The keys are a reasonable distance, a little uncertain, quiet and feel comfortable. Usually, I push hard on my fingers to bounce. Sometimes I write double messages, but I can't adapt to anything. (I've tried using the Windows Filter Filter settings to help you, but this is a very limited accessibility option.) In Keyboard view, you can use a 10-key keyboard, but these keys are much narrower than the rest of the keyboard. 0 in the middle column to register the arrow keys, so it is a compromise. This is very annoying when you try to enter a large numeric string, for example: For example, the license key.
The touchpad:
The touchpad is large and very sensitive. There are no mouse buttons, but you can click on the bottom of the panel and the left and right corner of the left and right mouse buttons.
Voice:
Laptops have a pair of stereo speakers to lower the volume. It is very small and cannot beat the fan noise while playing. For games or anything that drives the GPU, it is necessary to eliminate noise or isolate the sound of the headphones. The effect of virtual machines, however, is surprisingly convincing.
Context
Last year, they changed the blue backlight to blue, which is more pleasing to the eye, but in a bedtime scene, its place has become somewhat inappropriate, because the blue spectrum weakens your ability to get paradoxical sleep. Yes, look for him.
the battery:
Uses a battery of 3,720 mAh, 25% more than last year. In my opinion, it does not make sense to give a "sustainable" number, since this is affected by background processing, screen brightness, operation and battery life, etc. Nobody bought this laptop to extend battery life. Some Nvidia settings are used to extend battery life during gameplay. However, all of them strangled pictures. If you want to play games without electricity, you can play games that work well on a laptop with some power.
Webcam / Microphone
The maximum webcam can be up to 720p30. This resolution can also contain still images, so it appears to be the geometry of the sensor itself. Works well in relatively low light conditions: with increased brightness, the screen is bright enough to capture details that can be used in a dark room. In a room with natural lighting, the picture is darker than your eyes and the colors are a bit faded, as with most webcams. As with most pinhole cameras, bright lights are sharper and colors are more realistic. This can be fully utilized in a well-lit office or outdoors. Stereoscopic microphones produce clear and crisp sound.
Network:
The "killer" WiFi chip in this device is very fast. My Internet service costs about 25 MB / s, and this Wi-Fi card can easily reach 23 MB / s (every byte, not a bit) when downloading games from GOG Galaxy. I am happy to see that your laptop also retains the RJ-45 for wired Ethernet connections. Uses smart and sensitive ports to maximize storage space without plugging.
Hard to access / update device:
Unlike last year's model, it does not have a fast access port. If you want to use Wi-Fi, M.2, memory, or SSD, you must completely remove the bottom of the cache. Fortunately, after loosening 10 Phillips screws and lowering the bottom cover, everything you need is important.
Cooling way:
This is the best fan I have ever seen. The heatsink and fan can be clearly seen through several cracks at the bottom, sides and back. According to the fans, like all the laptops you've used before, even worse, even if you press the Turbo button to start the overclocking profile and update these fans, you get the impression that the aircraft is ready to go. Using medium to heavy headphones, sound insulation, or noise in-game prevention is not optional.
Storage method:
A 256 GB PCIe M.2 hard drive is installed. It has a transfer speed of about 1.5Gbps and is extremely fast and powerful. There is very little left, but fortunately there is another M.2 slot to install another card later. There's also a 2.5-inch drive, but the SATA connector and media kit come with a warning that Acer no longer considers this process easy to use and recommends installing it yourself to cancel it.
Manual / Documents:
Frankly, the machine documentation is disappointing. It contains information about the port and keyboard, but it does not explain how to install an M.2, upgrade memory, or install a 2.5-inch drive. This is not exactly a rocket operation, but it still seems to be interpreted as easier. I don't want to know where you're going. The 2.5-inch SATA drive adapter must be connected to a special tape slot that does not specify how to find it on the motherboard.
Other questions:
I laughed when I saw the "turbo" button. I'd like to remind you when this was done on an Intel 386 processor, where it does exactly the same.
The BIOS relies on the most important features you have recently encountered, and does not provide a way to control and / or disable the integrated graphics processor.
This system is equipped with Norton Ultimate software. Fortunately, this is the only part of Acer Trash installed. Microsoft's standard Windows Defender is much better than Norton, and unlike Norton, it wastes many processor cycles for no reason. Windows Defender is already part of Windows 10 - Uninstall and restart Norton to enable it. It is better protected, does not expire and needs more money every year.