Acer unveils a powerful gaming laptop, an X3D laptop, and a streaming handheld
Table of Contents
Acer has a new range of gaming devices to show off, with two gaming laptops, a streaming handheld, and even a keyboard and backpack for them all. Expanding on its lineup, there are a few interesting features on all of those, so here are some of the highlights of them.
Firstly, the Predator Helios 18 AI is stacking up to be a rather impressive RTX 5090 laptop with a Core Ultra 9 290HX processor. That is the highest spec, but it looks to be quite the flagship, especially as I have already reviewed last year’s Helios 18 AI, which was a near-perfect machine. With the new one offering Vox Audio and AeroBlade 3D fans, it might bring some improvements.
Then there’s the Acer Nitro 16, which is Acer’s first X3D-powered laptop. With the top-end 9955X3D processor and RTX 5070 Ti graphics, it should be quite a powerful machine. As shown by our MSI Raider A18 HX A9WJG review, the tiered cache does increase its processing power, especially in non-gaming tasks. So Acer’s option should provide a great experience for it.
Prime Day may have ended, but that hasn't stopped major retailers slashing prices on popular tech hardware. Below, we've listed some of the best deals available today.
- AMD Ryzenâ„¢ 9 9900X 12-Core - was $499 now $328
- CORSAIR 4000D PC Case - was $124.99 now $75.99
- Hisense 65" Class E6SR - was $549 now $377.99
- Apple 2026 MacBook Air - was $1,999 now $1,799
- Skytech Gaming PC Desktop (9850X3d) - was $4,299 now $3,799
- Apple Magic Mouse - was $79 now $59
- MSI Prestige 16 Flip - was $2,149 now $1,899
- Kotin 9700X Gaming PC - was $2,399 now $2,199
Prices correct as of October 9th, 2026.
As for the Acer Nitro Blaze Link, it is a WiFi 6-enabled FHD handheld to connect to your other devices to play remotely. Like the PlayStation Portal, it is a lightweight option for taking away and streaming your games instead.
PREDATOR HELIOS 18 A -PH18 i71
Acer Nitro 16 AI AN16 A91
ACER NITRO BLAZE LINK GN772
Laptop specs and release dates
The Predator Helios does bring power and specs, and packs it with a mini LED screen for an impressive look for the media onboard. Especially the 18-inch, 1,000-nit display that also has a dual mode to change between 4k 120Hz and FHD 240Hz. Along with plenty of connectivity, the Helios is a powerful machine, but it’s not light either, so be prepared for a workout if you want to move it around.
As for the Nitro, it does cut down on the weight and size for a bit more portability, at just a 16-inch size. Cutting down to a 5070 Ti GPU but packing in a 9955X3D that has some impressive specs. Dropping the screen resolution too; it’s a 1600p screen at 240Hz for some fast responsiveness and immersion.
| Spec | Predator Helios 18 AI | Acer Nitro 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Model | PH18-I71 | AN16-A91 |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home |
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 290HX Plus | AMD Ryzenâ„¢ 9 9955HX3D processor AMD Ryzenâ„¢ 9 9955HX processor |
| Graphics | Up to NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5090 Laptop GPU with 24 GB GDDR7 VRAM | Up to NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5070 Ti Laptop GPU with 12GB GDDR7 VRAM |
| Display | Up to 18-inch 16:10 Mini LED, 4K WQUXGA 3840 x 2400, HDR mode, 1000 Nits, Calman Verified (Delta E<2), DCI-P3 100%, Dual-Mode Display enables switching between 4K/120Hz or FHD/240Hz, NVIDIA® Advanced Optimus, NVIDIA® G-SYNC | Up to 16-inch WQXGA 2560 x 1600, 16:10 aspect ratio, up to DCI-P3 100%, up to 240 Hz refresh rate, up to 3 ms response time, NVIDIA® Advanced Optimus, NVIDIA® G-SYNC |
| Memory | Up to 256 GB DDR5 | Up to 32 GB DDR5 5600 MT/s |
| Storage | Up to 6 TB total, including via three PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSD slots | Up to 2 TB total: two PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD slots, each supporting up to 1 TB of connected M.2 NVMe storage |
| Cooling | Dual 6th Gen Predator AeroBlade 3D Fans, vector heat pipe, liquid metal thermal grease | Dual-fan quad-intake quad-exhaust cooling, vector heat pipe |
| Dimensions and Weight | 400.96 (L) x 307.9 (D) x 17.3~29.55 (H) mm 3.5 kg | 356.78 (W) x 275.5 (D) x 22.05~27.95 (H) mm 2.5 kg |
| Battery | 99 Wh | 92 Wh |
| Wi-Fi and Connectivity | Intel Killer DoubleShot Pro, Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750x and Intel Killer Ethernet E5000B, Bluetooth 5.4 | Intel Killer DoubleShot Pro, Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750x, and Intel Killer Ethernet E5000B, Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Ports | Two Thunderbolt 5 Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, HDMI 2.1, SDâ„¢ card reader, 3.5 mm combo audio jack, RJ-45, DC-in, and Kensington Lock | USB 4 Type-C, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, USB 2.0 Type-A, HDMI 2.1, microSDâ„¢ card reader, 3.5 mm combo audio jack, RJ-45, DC-In, Kensington Lock |
| Audio | 6 speakers with Predator Vox technology, DTS®:X Ultra | 2 speakers with DTS: X® Ultra |
| Camera | FHD 1920 x 1080 IR webcam with PurifiedView AI assistance | FHD 1920 x 1080 IR PurifiedView AI-assisted webcam |
| Features | PredatorSense, Acer Intelligence Space, per-key RGB keyboard, Acer PurifiedVoice AI noise reduction, Predator MagKey 4.0, mechanical switch, PC Game Pass (3 months) ​ | Acer NitroSense, Acer Intelligence Space, 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard, Acer PurifiedVoice AI noise reduction, PC Game Pass (3 months) |
| Release date | August 2026 – NA & EMEA | August 2026 – NA & EMEA |
Acer handheld specs
The Acer Nitro Blaze Link (GN772) does offer a mobile gaming experience with a lightweight package at 464 grams, about 200g less than the Steam Deck. That is due to it just streaming seamlessly from Acer devices and your gaming library. The 7-inch WUXGA touchscreen should provide a great look and be able to take your games places, if you have good connectivity, though. Or you just want to continue your game while on the toilet.
| Spec | Acer Nitro Blaze Link |
|---|---|
| Model | GN772 |
| Operating System | Linux |
| Display | 7-inch WUXGA 1920 x 1200, 5-point multi-touch touchscreen, 16:10 aspect ratio |
| Memory | 1 GB LPDDR4, 2133 MT/s |
| Storage | 8 GB eMMC |
| Ports | USB Type-C (charging only), 3.5 mm audio combo jack |
| Control and Input | A B X Y buttons, D-Pad, L & R bumpers, L & R joysticks, L & R triggers, power button, volume button (+/-), Start/Enter button, Back button, Home button, Overlay widget button |
| Audio | Dual 2W speakers |
| Battery | 1-cell 18 Wh |
| Power Supply | AC power adapter, 15-watt Type-C power cord |
| Wi-Fi and Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 80 Mhz |
| Software | Sunshine, Moonlight |
| Dimensions | 286.87 x 109.8 x 15.5/33.52 mm ​ |
| Weight | 464 g |
| Release date | Q4’2026 – NA & EMEA |
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