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Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 Gets RTX 5080 and Core Ultra 9 for $2,399

Lena Fischer 2 min read

Acer updates the Predator Helios Neo 16 with Intel Core Ultra 9 and RTX 5080. Starting at $2,399, this mid- range gaming laptop offers high performance.

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16
PC HARDWARE

Acer has updated its Predator Helios Neo 16 gaming laptop with faster processors and newer graphics cards. This refresh matters because it brings the latest and silicon to a mid-range chassis at a more accessible price point than previous flagship models. Gamers and creators looking for a balance of power and portability now have a new option that avoids the extreme costs of top-tier machines.

New gaming laptop balances power and portability with updated internals

The new laptop features a 16-inch display with a 2.5K resolution and a 240 Hz refresh rate. Acer uses an IPS panel that offers 500 nits of brightness, which provides good visibility without the burn-in risks of OLED screens. The device runs on Intel Panther Lake HX processors, specifically the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus in the top configuration.

Specifications

  • CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
  • GPU: Nvidia 5080 (16 GB VRAM)
  • Display: 2.5K IPS, 240 Hz, 500 nits
  • RAM: 32 GB
  • Storage: 1 TB SSD

Under the hood, the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus pairs with Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 graphics featuring 16 GB of VRAM. Benchmarks suggest this new CPU delivers about 11% higher performance than the previous Core Ultra 9 275HX. The system supports up to 32 GB of RAM and includes a 1 TB SSD for storage, ensuring plenty of space for large game libraries and projects.

Powering the machine is a 92 Wh battery, which Acer supports with a 330 W AC adapter. The laptop is available now in the US and UK markets. In the UK, the RTX 5080 model costs 3099 GBP (around $4,173). US pricing starts at $2,399 for a variant with the Core Ultra 7 and RTX 5070, while a Micro Center exclusive offers the Core Ultra 9 and RTX 5070 Ti for $2,499.

We looked at similar gaming laptop releases earlier while tracking the shift to Panther Lake processors. The updated Predator Helios Neo 16 is positioned between Acer's entry-level Nitro series and its premium Predator Helios lineup. This positioning makes it a practical choice for users who want high refresh rates and strong CPU performance without paying for the most expensive components available.

Source: NotebookCheck

GeForce RTX Intel NVIDIA

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