Acer Predator Helios 300 PH315-52-78VL/72RG/72EV Review

Many a gaming laptop has emerged from the Acer stable, each one with a unique proposition. The leading laptop manufacturer has a winning game yet again with the Acer Predator Helios 300 PH315-52-78VL/72RG/72EV—a 15.6” stunner that delivers ninth-gen processing, NVIDIA RTX/GTX graphics, and a 144Hz display.

Starting at $1,199.99, this computer is expensive but less so than some of its dearer contemporaries. At this price point, it packs in both stellar performance and visual glory, all packaged in a fairly lightweight chassis (5.07lbs or 2.3kg, a thickness of 0.9”).

Presently, this laptop is available in various models—PH315-52-72EV, PH315-52-72RG, and PH315-52-78VL—that differ primarily in their CPU and GPU prowess. Let us review in depth the offerings of this gaming machine and see how far it can cater to the needs of keen gamers.

Adequate Processing Muscle

This computer is powered by an Intel i7-9750H processor, 16GB RAM, and up to 512GB SSD. The CPU—which can run up to 4.5GHz—is efficient enough for intense gaming sessions.

The RAM support, too, ensures swift loading and booting. Not many gaming laptops as powerful as this manage to triumph on the frontier of battery backup.

However, this one does not do badly; the Lithium-Ion battery can last for up to six hours on a single charge, based on your usage.

Let us talk about the heat dissipation mechanism which is particularly winsome in this laptop. Equipped with a fourth-gen aeroblade fan (all-metal, 3D), this system does an effective job of warding off heat. You can enjoy prolonged gaming sessions without fretting about sustainability or wear and tear.

On the flip side: the storage space offered is rather low. The PH315-52-78VL model, for instance, offers only a 256GB SSD, while the PH315-52-72RG and PH315-52-72EV models provide up to 512GB.

You could be disappointed if you were hoping to store all your gaming paraphernalia on this computer. Thankfully, upgrading the specs is not too dicey—you can use the open slot and the hard drive bay to beef up the processing capabilities.

Vivid & Responsive Display

For a gaming device, it is imperative to deliver a display that captures the essence of the game. The Acer Predator Helios 300 has an FHD monitor with a brightness of 300 nits and a color gamut of 72% NTSC.

The refresh rate is 144Hz which is optimal for most of the contemporary and popular games you might enjoy. Note that the screen resolution is 1920 x 1080.

This laptop also boasts of the stamina of a dedicated GPU—the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti with 6GB of dedicated memory. The PH315-52-72EV model is fitted with the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU that brings you the brilliance of real-time ray tracing and AI-enhanced graphics (artificial intelligence).

While GTX graphics is mighty enough to bolster many games, the RTX graphics card is truly phenomenal even for shooter games with several rapid movements. The resulting experience is stutter-free and fluid.

Adding to the delights of the display is the swift response time of 3ms which makes it easier to absorb yourself in the world of virtual reality. (Yes, this laptop is VR-ready and perfectly compatible with VR headsets.) The screen is also fitted with an IPS panel so that you can view the proceedings from multiple angles without facing any distortion. As Acer claims, the overall outcome is “high-octane gameplay.”

Bonus: Since this machine utilizes Waves MAXXAudio technology for acoustics, you are guaranteed superior-quality sound. This technology encompasses MaxxBass, MaxxVolume and MaxxDialog—all of them coming together for an audio output with improved bass and volume.

No enthusiastic gamer needs to be explained the importance of fine sound in the thick of the game! Two other fabulous technologies at work here are Acer True Harmony and Acer Purified; the latter works especially on the sound output during video/voice calls.

Other Gaming Friendly Features We Love

First up: the provisions for connectivity. This laptop is compatible with Killer Gaming Network E2500 (LAN) as well as Killer DoubleShot Pro Wireless-AC (802.11ac Wi-Fi with MU-MIMO technology and dual-band support).

So, you are certain to have consistent internet connectivity during online gaming marathons. Plus, the latter enables you to handpick the applications that you want to prioritize in terms of bandwidth. Talk about a Zen level of control!

Another convenient gaming-friendly feature in this computer is the PredatorSense tool. It works hard to provide a customized gaming experience that lets you control everything from the fan speed and the lighting to the overclocking that you need. You also have an iron grasp over your gaming profiles.

With this laptop, you get a fantastic full-purpose keyboard that is well-suited for gaming. It is beautifully backlit to enhance the feels, and the keycaps are concave-shaped for maximum comfort. Interestingly, the keyboard also has two unique keys to let you lead from the front—Turbo and PredatorSense.

Other than the keyboard, you can also access—or plug in—other peripherals that you need using the assortment of inbuilt ports. There is one Thunderbolt 3 Type C port, three other USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, an HDMI 2.0 and a mini display port. Additionally, you get an HD webcam that supports Super High Dynamic Range (SHDR) and offers a resolution of 1280 x 720.

The Verdict

At the face of it, the Acer Predator Helios 300 PH315-52-78VL/72RG/72EV is an impressive gaming laptop infused with all the game-friendly features that connoisseurs typically look out for.

It is powerful enough to fuel satisfactory play sessions at moderate to high settings and has a befitting display that renders all the imagery with clarity and detail. In addition, it also packs in some pro-gaming provisions that you can typically find only in more expensive laptops, such as the ability to optimize wireless bandwidth and control your gaming profiles.