Acer Predator Helios 18 and 16 AI Laptops Unveiled with Major Upgrades

Acer has unveiled its Predator Helios 18 AI and Predator Helios 16 AI gaming laptops, boasting impressive upgrades and new features for gaming enthusiasts.

Announced at CES 2025, these laptops are set to offer top-tier gaming performance with cutting-edge displays and AI-powered features.

The Predator Helios 18 AI features a dual-mode Mini LED display that allows users to switch between 4K at 120Hz or 1080p at 240Hz.

While the refresh rate is slightly lower than its predecessor’s 250Hz WQXGA Mini LED, it provides a balance between 4K resolution gaming and high frame rates.

With 1,000 nits of brightness and Nvidia G-Sync, this display ensures a smooth, tear-free gaming experience.

Internally, the Predator Helios 18 AI packs a punch with up to an Intel 15th Gen Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 mobile graphics, 192GB of DDR5 RAM, and 6TB of PCIe Gen 5 SSD storage.

The RTX 5090 GPU is central to the laptop’s AI capabilities, supporting over 150 AI-optimized apps for tasks like LLMs, image generation, and more. The laptop will be available in the US in May, with a starting price of $2,999.99.

Meanwhile, the Predator Helios 16 AI offers similar features, including a 2560 x 1600 OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate.

It can be configured with the same processor and GPU as the 18-inch model, alongside up to 64GB of RAM and 4TB of SSD storage. It will launch in the US in June, with prices starting at $2,299.99.

Both models feature swappable mechanical keys, sixth-gen AeroBlade metal fans for enhanced airflow, and support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3.

However, their port selection is limited to two Thunderbolt 5 jacks, which may be restrictive for some users.