Discover the Amazing Upgrades of Acer's Helios 300!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Design and Build Quality
3. Display and Audio
4. Performance and Specifications
5. Keyboard and Touchpad
6. Battery Life
7. Thermals and Cooling
8. Pricing and Availability
9. Pros and Cons
10. Conclusion

Introduction

The Acer Helios 300 gaming laptop has undergone a complete redesign this year, making it one of the top choices for gamers. In this review, we will explore the various improvements made to the laptop, compare its performance to last year's model, discuss its design and build quality, evaluate its display and audio capabilities, Delve into its specifications and performance, examine its keyboard and touchpad, assess its battery life, analyze its thermals and cooling system, and provide information on pricing and availability. By the end of this article, You will have a comprehensive understanding of the Acer Helios 300 and whether it is the right choice for you.

Design and Build Quality

The new Acer Helios 300 features a dark Blue finish, with both the lid and interior made of metal. While there is some flex in the keyboard and lid, the overall build quality is solid. Despite being prone to fingerprints and smudges, the laptop's smooth surface is easy to clean. The lid is embellished with a blue-lit predator logo, which cannot be customized. The screen can be tilted back up to 140 degrees, and the hinge feels sturdy. The laptop is portable and weighs 2.5kg (5.5lb), increasing to 3.5kg (7.8lb) when the large 280 watt charger is included.

Display and Audio

The Acer Helios 300 is equipped with a 15.6" 1440p 165Hz screen with G-Sync. The color gamut is surprisingly good for a gaming laptop, although the contrast diminishes when viewed from an angle. The brightness levels are adequate, surpassing the minimum requirement of 300 nits. The average gray-to-gray screen response time is measured at 7.66ms, slightly slower than the ideal 6ms for a 165Hz refresh rate. Backlight bleed is minimally noticeable during normal usage. The speakers, located underneath the front left and right corners, provide satisfactory sound quality without bass.

Performance and Specifications

The Acer Helios 300 is powered by Intel's Core i7-12700H processor and Nvidia's RTX 3070 Ti graphics. It is equipped with 16GB of DDR5 memory. The laptop performs exceptionally well in games, boasting a significant boost in average FPS compared to last year's model. The presence of a MUX switch and advanced optimus contributes to improved gaming performance. In terms of content creation, the Helios 300 delivers excellent results in rendering, video editing, and photo editing tasks. The inclusion of liquid metal on the CPU ensures efficient thermal management.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard of the Acer Helios 300 features per-key RGB backlighting, allowing customization of the lighting effects. The touchpad is smooth and accurate, although some units may exhibit slight looseness. Both the keyboard and touchpad are responsive and contribute to a satisfactory user experience. While the power button is integrated into the keyboard, accidental presses do not trigger any actions. The laptop also offers ample connectivity options, including USB ports, an audio combo jack, HDMI, and a Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port.

Battery Life

The Acer Helios 300 boasts improved battery life compared to its predecessor, thanks to its 4-Cell 90Wh battery. The removal of the 2.5" drive bay in favor of a larger battery proves to be a beneficial trade-off. The laptop lasts for approximately 5.5 hours during YouTube playback tests, a significant improvement from the smaller battery in last year's model. The absence of a 2.5" drive slot may restrict storage options for some users, but the presence of two M.2 slots should suffice for most needs.

Thermals and Cooling

The Acer Helios 300 employs a robust cooling system with dual fans and heatpipes shared between the CPU and GPU. The implementation of liquid metal on the CPU contributes to effective heat dissipation. Under idle conditions, the internal temperatures remain cool, exhibiting a marked improvement from previous iterations. The laptop performs well under stress tests, sustaining the maximum power limits for the CPU and GPU without significant thermal throttling. However, the cooling fans, especially in extreme and turbo modes, can be loud and produce vibrations that may be unpleasant for some users.

Pricing and Availability

At the time of writing, the Acer Helios 300 with an RTX 3060 graphics card starts at $1500 USD, although it is occasionally available at a discounted price. The RTX 3070 Ti configuration, which includes a 240Hz refresh rate screen, is priced $300 higher. The availability of the laptop may vary, so it is advisable to check with the retailer or visit gaminglaptop.deals for the latest deals and pricing information. In terms of pricing, the Helios 300 competes with Lenovo's Legion 5i Pro and offers similar features.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Improved design and build quality
• High-performance specifications with the latest Intel processor and Nvidia graphics
• Impressive gaming performance and content creation capabilities
• Per-key RGB backlighting on the keyboard
• Enhanced battery life compared to previous models
• Efficient cooling system with effective heat dissipation
• Competitive pricing in its segment

Cons:

• Looseness in the touchpad may be present in some units
• Limited storage options due to the absence of a 2.5" drive bay
• The loudness of the cooling fans in extreme and turbo modes

Conclusion

The Acer Helios 300 gaming laptop has undergone significant improvements compared to its previous iteration. With a redesigned build, upgraded specifications, enhanced graphics performance, efficient cooling system, and improved battery life, the Helios 300 is now a highly recommended option for gamers and content Creators alike. While it may have a few minor drawbacks such as a slightly loose touchpad and limited storage options, the overall Package makes the Helios 300 a compelling choice in its price range. Whether you prioritize gaming performance, content creation capabilities, or a combination of both, the Acer Helios 300 delivers exceptional value for its features and price.

Highlights

• The Acer Helios 300 has undergone a complete redesign, addressing the shortcomings of its previous model.
• The laptop features a solid metal build and a sleek dark blue finish.
• The display boasts satisfactory color gamut and brightness levels, with minimal backlight bleed.
• The Helios 300 delivers impressive gaming performance and content creation capabilities thanks to its Intel Core i7-12700H processor and Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti graphics.
• The presence of liquid metal on the CPU and robust cooling system ensures efficient heat dissipation.
• The laptop offers per-key RGB backlighting on the keyboard and a smooth, responsive touchpad.
• The enhanced battery life, achieved through the removal of the 2.5" drive bay, is a notable improvement.
• Pricing is competitive, making the Helios 300 an attractive option for gamers and content creators.

FAQ

Q: Can the Acer Helios 300 be upgraded? A: Yes, the Acer Helios 300 offers upgradability in terms of memory, storage, and the Wi-Fi card. Both memory slots can be accessed and replaced, and the laptop provides two M.2 slots for storage expansion. The Wi-Fi card can also be swapped for an upgraded version.

Q: Is the Acer Helios 300 compatible with Linux? A: Yes, the Acer Helios 300 is compatible with Linux. However, some features may require additional driver installation, and certain functionalities, such as customizable lighting effects and key brightness adjustments, may be limited or unavailable in Linux.

Q: How does the Acer Helios 300 compare to other gaming laptops in its price range? A: The Acer Helios 300 offers competitive performance, build quality, and specifications compared to other gaming laptops in its price range. Its redesigned features, such as the improved display, enhanced thermals, and longer battery life, make it a compelling option for gamers and content creators.

Q: Does the Acer Helios 300 support Thunderbolt connectivity? A: Yes, the Acer Helios 300 is equipped with a Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port, allowing for high-speed data transfer and connectivity with compatible Thunderbolt devices.

Q: Can the boot sound be disabled on the Acer Helios 300? A: Yes, the boot sound on the Acer Helios 300 can be disabled either through the included software or in the BIOS settings. This allows users to eliminate the default boot sound or replace it with a custom sound of their choice.