Is the Acer Predator Helios 300 a Good Gaming Laptop?

Gaming laptops continue to increase in popularity, and so do the number of choices on the market. Acer’s recent unveiling of the 2022 version of its well-known Acer Predator Helios 300 generated attention for a couple of reasons. Primarily, Acer might have fixed some issues owners had criticized in the past. Also, people in the market for a new gaming machine felt relieved because chip shortages would not delay or even prevent the release.

According to Tom’s Guide, Acer will release the 2022 version of the Predator Helios 300 in March with a 17.3-inch display and a starting retail price of $1,799. Acer also plans to release a smaller version with a 15.6-inch screen and an entry-level price of $1,649. In both cases, the company will send these gaming computers to market earlier in the Middle East, Europe, and China.

The gaming computer has not made it into the hands of many reviewers, so no one has had an opportunity to develop a firm opinion about its real-world performance. On the other hand, industry watchers say that the company fixed some general design issues that hampered gamers’ experience with earlier versions.

Other positive developments include the inclusion of a Gen 12 Intel CPU and available upgrades to Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3030 GPU. With the ongoing global chip shortage, plenty of gamers will feel relieved to see this improvement in processing power. Also, both the 17.3- and 15.6-inch models will include high-resolution displays with refresh rates up to 165Hz.

Nobody knows what to expect from the battery. The 2021-version of this computer lasted about 3.5 hours on tests. Typically, gaming laptops range from about 1.5 to three hours. So the previous battery held up well under the demands of high-performance graphics. Hopefully, this version will perform as well or better.

Gamers should not have to wait too long for this machine. It appears to offer good value for performance, resolution, and battery life in the mid-priced gaming computer range. On the other hand, expect the machine to be relatively heavy, so it’s not the most portable gaming option.

Besides the internals of this new machine, Engadget liked the stylish RGB light bar on the keyboards. Also, the inclusion of the 3080 GPU will probably encourage plenty of people to put up with a little bit more of a physical burden. At the same time, more conservative shoppers might want to wait until reviewers have a chance to put it to the test.

Home Advisor listed some of the most common laptop problems that require professional repairs. These include water damage, worn or broken keyboards, and screen issues.

Of course, the prices of parts will vary, but labor costs alone might range from $45 to $90 an hour. With labor and parts, repairs generally top out at $250, but the new, high-resolution screens and other advanced parts may cost even more.

With Upsie, customers can avoid surprise repair fees and gain access to same-day professional repairs. Upsie offers broad warranty coverage, premium customer service, and highly competitive prices for its gaming laptop warranties. Upsie gives customers 24-7 claims service, flexible repair options, and robust protection against screen, mechanical, storage, chip, and electrical problems for less than their competitors.

Keep any high-quality gaming machine performing at its best with Upsie protection.