The Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI PHN18 is a large and powerful 18-inch gaming laptop for demanding games. I play most games smoothly at at least 60 frames per second in Full HD. For Quad HD gaming, I play with DLSS support enabled. I also have a good overview of the games on the 18-inch Quad HD screen. I also think the RGB backlit keyboard gives the laptop a cool gaming look.
Powerful NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti graphics card
I play all games smoothly in Full HD or Quad HD with DLSS support thanks to the NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti graphics card. Games with high detail and video, like Indiana Jones, I play at over 100 frames per second in Quad HD with DLSS enabled. Without DLSS, I play this game at around 80 frames per second. I even play Clair Obscure at over 120 frames per second in Quad HD. I play Microsoft Flight Simulator at about 60 frames per second in Quad HD, although I do need DLSS support for this. My graphics card is powerful enough, but I personally prefer DLSS support. This makes the game run a bit smoother, also because I'm playing in a higher resolution. Still, I play all games smoothly in Full HD and Quad HD at at least 60 frames per second.
Large Quad HD screen with a high refresh rate
The large 18-inch Quad HD screen gives me a good overview while gaming. When I zoom out during my flight in Flight Simulator, I can see almost the entire city at a glance. I also see a lot of detail. This is thanks to the 100 percent coverage in the DCI-P3 color profile. This allows me to see plenty of shadows and contrasts in dark games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. This gives the game a cool horror experience. I also play shooters and other fast-paced games smoothly. I play Doom: The Dark Ages at about 80 to 90 frames per second in Quad HD. I even play Gears of War at over 140 frames per second in Quad HD.
Sturdy chassis with a cool RGB gaming look
The laptop is not only large but also sturdy. This is due to the metal chassis. This combination makes the laptop heavy, but I don't carry this size around with me every day. The metal chassis also helps with cooling. Metal conducts better than plastic, so the laptop stays cool while gaming. I feel little heat around the keyboard, which I consider a plus. I also control the fans and the RGB backlit keyboard via PredatorSense. For the 4-zone RGB keyboard, I choose a wave pattern. This way, I see all the colors passing by while gaming. The Predator Helios Neo also has a built-in dock on the back. I connect the charger there, which I consider a nice advantage. It keeps my desk tidy and I don't have any cables getting in the way. The downside is the weight. The laptop feels heavy.