Acer Predator Helios 18 (PH18-72) review – Desktop Performance in a Mini LED Laptop

Name: Acer Predator Helios 18
Brand: Acer

LaptopMedia.com Reviews and Analysis Acer Predator Helios 18 (PH18-72) review - Desktop Performance in a Mini LED Laptop Page 10

From: Nikolay Palaozov 27 February 2024 / 02:27 | 1

10. Verdict

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Verdict

The Acer Predator Helios 18 (PH18-72) is a universal powerful machine. It can be a desktop replacement thanks to the exceptional hardware. With the 32-threaded Intel Core i9-14900HX, the laptop is suitable for CPU-intensive tasks such as 3D Rendering because the processor can maintain high clocks and power limits. The mobile GeForce RTX 4090 is able to show a 1972 MHz frequency after 30 minutes of gameplay – that’s a tremendously good result for such a thirsty chip that dissipates tons of heat! This Acer machine can be considered (almost) as a workstation since the cooling is capable and the overall performance is great.

The optional 16:10 IPS Mini LED display (AUO B180QAN01.2 (AUO45A8)) is trying to compete with the OLED panels, at least when it comes to contrast (which here is 16000:1). The 1600p 250Hz unit could be a wet dream for both gamers and content creators for the reason that it fully covers the sRGB and DCP-P3 gamuts. The color accuracy becomes very good with an average dE score of 1.4 when our “Design and Gaming” profile is applied. That’s a noticeable improvement compared to the default 4.1 result. The PWM usage is the only thing that can spoil the party.

For daily usage, we can recommend the combo of the “Performance” preset and the “Optimus” mode. The noise levels and the overall device’s power are good and the machine switches dynamically between the iGPU and the dGPU depending on the load. All that is handled by the NVIDIA Advanced Optimus tech. The iGPU will be active for better battery life when the adapter isn’t plugged in and the integrated graphics will be bypassed to increase the game performance when you want to have fun with your favorite titles. You can undervolt and overclock the GPU (like we did) to lower the power consumption and increase the performance.

This reminds us that the device lacks CPU undervolt function which can be found in some Lenovo Legion or HP Omen devices. Such an extra can be handy for power users who want to lower the noise in “Turbo” mode by decreasing the CPU voltage.

The build quality seems good – the aluminum top of the base is solid and the same applies to the plastic bottom plate that is surprisingly rigid. Accessing the internals for upgrading or cleaning the fans is super easy – just raise the back of the device while holding the two exhausts and half of the bottom plate is already popped. You get two SODIMMs and two Gen 4 M.2 slots. RAID 0 is also supported for blazing-fast read and write speeds.

The machine offers tons of illumination customization for the RGB fans out there. This reminds us that the full-sized keyboard with swappable WASD keys is comfortable for typing and gaming. The touchpad is one of the biggest we’ve seen and it has a smooth glass surface. The PredatorSense app is full of useful features such as different power presets, GPU modes, RGB control, display overdrive, etc.

The Acer Predator Helios 18 (PH18-72) is loaded with high-end hardware that is complemented by a capable cooling solution, color-accurate display, great port selection, and comfortable input devices.

You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/acer-predator-helios-18-ph18-72/

Pros

Has two SODIMMs + 2x M.2 slots for Gen 4 SSD (plus supports for RAID 0 mode)
Covers fully the sRGB and DCI-P3 gamuts and has accurate color representation with our “Design and Gaming” profile (AUO B180QAN01.2 (AUO45A8))
250Hz 1600p Mini LED display with 16000:1 ANSI contrast (AUO B180QAN01.2 (AUO45A8))
G-Sync support + MUX switch + NVIDIA Advanced Optimus
Great I/O with five USB ports (two of them are Thunderbolt 4 connectors)
Comfortable full-size keyboard + smooth touchpad with a glass cover
Good build quality
Impressive GPU frequencies during gaming alongside above 170W GPU TGP
The Core i9-14900HX can maintain high clocks under long full loads
The fans aren’t noisy in “Performance” mode
The bottom plate can be easily opened
Great overall performance
Many RGB options
Swappable WASD keys
The PredatorSense app offers many useful features