Acer Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Version: Two-minute assessment

This SpatialLabs variant of the Acer Predator Helios 300 is by far one of many strangest latest additions to Acer’s standard Predator line of high-end gaming {hardware}. 

Taking a very good all-round gaming laptop computer and slapping on an costly glasses-free 3D SpatialLabs show is actually one solution to make a machine that stands out from the gang, nevertheless it’s arduous to not wonder if such a tool was actually mandatory.

This is among the very first glasses-free 3D gaming laptops available on the market, a indisputable fact that sadly appears to be the foundation reason behind a lot of its shortcomings. As is the case with being an early adopter of virtually any new tech, you’re paying a prohibitively excessive worth to get in on the motion first whereas it is in its most unpolished state. 

As you’ll see under, the glasses-free 3D is spectacular when it really works, however there are a raft of apparent teething points to take care of. This features a unusual matrix of seen dots that spoil an in any other case wonderful show in 2D mode, totally atrocious battery life, and poor gaming efficiency every time the 3D is turned on. 

• Acer Predator Helios 300 (Black) at Walmart for $1,110

These issues will certainly be ironed out with future iterations however, for the second, it is disappointing to see shoppers being offered a product that feels a bit an excessive amount of like a prototype.

Despite this, sharing loads of traits with the design of the common Acer Predator Helios 300 means that there’s nonetheless a stable gaming laptop computer beneath all of it. The supplies are sturdy and the specs, whereas unimpressive for the worth, are completely enough for taking part in most fashionable video games in 2D.

Will these robust foundations save the Acer Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Version from turning into nothing greater than an amusing novelty? If not, what choices do you have to think about as a substitute? Let’s have a look.

Acer Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Version: Worth & Availability

• How a lot does it price? $3,499.99 / £3,299.00 / round AU$4,300
• When is it accessible? Accessible now
• The place are you able to get it? Accessible within the US, UK, and Australia

The Acer Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Version is accessible for $3,499.99 within the US, £3,299.00 within the UK, and roughly AU$4,300 in Australia. These costs, nonetheless, appear to range dramatically between retailers – so it is properly value taking the time to buy round to just remember to are getting the easiest deal.

There seems to be just one configuration available on the market which, like our assessment unit, sports activities an RTX 3080 and a 12th-gen Intel i9 processor. These specs are sufficient to comfortably deal with most up-to-date video games at 1080p, however do appear slightly outdated for the worth

Clearly, it is cheap to anticipate the distinctive SpatialLabs show to comprise a good chunk of the price right here, however these specs sting when you’ll be able to simply discover laptops with the marginally extra highly effective RTX 4070 and comparable 13th-gen Intel processors being offered for considerably much less.

• Worth rating: 2 / 5

Acer Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Version: Specs

As I discussed above, the Acer Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Version we examined got here packing an RTX 3080 and 12th-gen Intel i9 processor. Right here’s the lowdown on all the pieces else below the hood:

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Acer Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Version: Design

• Nice keyboard
• Sturdy development
• Spectacular glasses-free 3D impact

My first impressions of the Acer Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Version have been optimistic, not too sudden provided that it shares quite a bit in frequent with the superb design of the preexisting Acer Predator Helios 300.

Taking it out of the field, I used to be instantly struck by simply how sturdy all the pieces felt. The laptop computer’s physique is constructed with a nice matte plastic and the lid has been fitted with a sturdy metallic cowl. This cowl not solely appears to be like suitably premium however ought to assist forestall any unlucky scratches when the laptop computer is inevitably chucked in a bag with no case – at the least, should you’re something like me.

The keyboard is a spotlight too, with good spacing and vibrant RGB lighting that may be totally personalized with the included PredatorSense software program. There isn’t any noticeable flex when typing and I discovered the graceful journey of every key to be satisfying and environment friendly. The trackpad, alternatively, just isn’t fairly as robust due to its barely mushy clicks.

That is not at all the thinnest laptop computer available on the market, however this bulk does enable for a incredible collection of ports. You’ve easy accessibility to 3 USB 3.2 Kind-A ports for any gaming peripherals and one extra USB Kind-C Thunderbolt Four port on the rear – good for hooking the laptop computer as much as an exterior monitor or dock.

By way of video output, there’s additionally an HDMI 2.1 port and a Mini DisplayPort 1.4. The Kensington Lock can be a welcome inclusion at this worth, including some extra bodily safety do you have to want it.

The built-in audio system are one space for particular enchancment, although, as they lack bass. This may detract from the enjoyment of some video games, particularly first-person shooters the place I discovered that extra highly effective weapons like DOOM’s BFG 9000 simply didn’t really feel fairly the identical with out that added oomph.

The place issues actually begin to take a flip, nonetheless, is with the show. This can be a 15.6” IPS 4K UHD display which, due to its 3D options, lacks some anticipated niceties like a excessive refresh fee, G-Sync, or HDR.

Whereas the image is completely crisp and its colours very vivid, the whole display is roofed in an array of tiny dots. That is, presumably, one thing that’s mandatory to perform the 3D impact nevertheless it makes the show disagreeable to make use of for the overwhelming majority of 2D purposes. If you happen to spend loads of time phrase processing or shopping the web, you’re most likely going to need to plug in an exterior monitor as quickly as doable.

Fortunately these dots grow to be invisible once you allow the 3D mode, your first introduction to which is prone to be the pre-installed 3D mannequin viewer. Though the decision takes a noticeable hit once you begin this system, the outcomes have been putting sufficient to elicit an audible “wow” from me, a handful of colleagues, and a number of other members of the family. 

The complete impact is most simply in comparison with watching a 3D film on the cinema, with an actual sense of depth however with out the necessity for any awkward plastic glasses. Higher but, the total eye-tracking permits the 3D picture to convincingly observe your gaze. It could actually really feel a tad uncomfortable, although, straining your eyes over durations of prolonged use.

• Design rating: 3 / 5

Acer Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Version: Efficiency

• Glorious gaming efficiency… in 2D
• Useful Turbo button to spice up frames
• Followers are loud however environment friendly

The efficiency of the Acer Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Version is greatest approached in two distinct halves: 2D efficiency and 3D efficiency. With the formidable energy of the RTX 3080 and i9-12900H, it’s no shock that the 2D efficiency is spectacular.

Though our 3DMark benchmark outcomes have been on the decrease finish of the anticipated vary, this was possible resulting from interference from the SpatialLabs software program (mandatory for the operate of the 3D display) which can’t be disabled simply and runs within the background always. Efficiency was wonderful within the video games themselves, nonetheless, with Cyberpunk 2077 working constantly above 30 fps on its Extremely Raytracing preset at 1080p. 

Likewise, Filth 5 on its Extremely preset might obtain an admirable 50 fps, whereas the much less intensive technique title Complete Battle: Warhammer III was comfortably within the 90s. With specs this highly effective, you’re unlikely to run into any main points taking part in most up-to-date video games at 1080p and, even once you crank issues as much as 4K, cautious use of Nvidia’s DLSS lets you obtain very easy efficiency. 

Whereas the followers do grow to be loud in a short time, the thermals stay impressively constant too. A fast faucet of the turbo button (situated above the keyboard) also can considerably increase your total efficiency by overclocking the followers, CPU, and GPU.

In Cyberpunk 2077, I used to be capable of obtain a mean 53.2 fps working the identical Extremely Raytracing 1080p benchmark with turbo enabled however, as it might probably solely be used whereas plugged in and raises the already loud followers to such a stage that headphones grow to be a necessity, it’s not one thing that you just’re going to need to have switched on all the time.

Sadly, the efficiency completely tanks when you flip the 3D on. Restricted software program compatibility is an apparent weak point too and there are just below 100 titles that help 3D on the time of writing. The overwhelming majority of those are older video games and, leaping right into a recent playthrough of Wolfenstein: The Outdated Blood, it rapidly turns into clear why.

Using stereoscopic 3D requires two separate 1920 x 2160 photos to be rendered concurrently – a really graphically intensive job. On its medium preset, Wolfenstein: The Outdated Blood hovered round 50 fps with frequent stutters. 3D efficiency within the small variety of newer supported video games like Forza Horizon 5 is the same story as that title particularly can barely scrape above 40 fps.

Low-intensity appropriate indies like Abzû, a diving exploration recreation that was vastly enhanced by the charming impression of fish swimming out of the display, fare significantly better – however such poor efficiency within the library’s larger titles is a large disgrace.

The uneven body charges even appear to exacerbate the prevailing emotions of discomfort generated by the show. Your mileage might range, however I used to be shocked to really feel a nasty headache and movement illness approaching after solely 40 minutes of use in such video games.

• Efficiency rating: 2 / 5

Acer Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Version: Battery life

• The battery life is simply terrible
• Actually heavy energy brick

As famous in our assessment of the 2022 Acer Predator Helios 300, this mannequin already suffered from extraordinarily poor battery life and the addition of a brand new 3D show solely appears to have additional exacerbated this subject. 

The Acer Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Version was unable to clear Three hours within the 3DMark workplace battery benchmark – an extremely poor outcome. Taking the laptop computer out and about, I steadily discovered myself utterly working out of juice after simply a few hours of sunshine shopping. If you happen to throw some 2D gaming into the combo, you’re going to seek out your self on the lookout for an influence socket significantly sooner.

Imagine it or not, this horrible battery life in some way turns into even worse once you’re doing something with the 3D enabled. Be ready to pull the laptop computer’s hefty energy brick round with you always.

• Battery rating: 1/5

Do you have to purchase the Acer Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Version?

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Purchase it if…

You’ve cash to burn
If you happen to merely should personal a glasses-free 3D gaming laptop computer, have cash to spare, and might’t bear the considered ready for an improved mannequin then go proper forward – simply don’t come again right here should you’re disenchanted. 

You by no means go away the home
As a rule of thumb, gaming laptops suck within the battery division however this one actually takes the cake. Solely purchase this laptop computer should you’re keen to make use of it plugged in on the wall all day.

Do not buy it if…

You’re not wholly invested within the 3D gimmick
If you happen to’re not 100% certain that glasses-free 3D gaming is for you, it most likely isn’t. There aren’t many appropriate video games and the spotty efficiency of those that do work might go away you nauseous.

You need the newest specs
If you happen to’re keen to spend high greenback on a laptop computer, it’s truthful to anticipate the very newest {hardware}. Sadly, that’s not the case right here so examine the subsequent part to see what different choices you might think about as a substitute.

Acer Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Version: Additionally think about

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This may need been one of many first glasses-free 3D gaming laptop computer available on the market however Acer additionally provide a handful of machines with SpatialLabs shows geared in direction of content material creation. If you happen to’re solely concerned about utilizing the glasses-free 3D options for 3D modelling or video enhancing think about shopping for a specialist laptop computer just like the Acer ConceptD 7 SpatialLabs Version as a substitute. 

If you wish to recreation, nonetheless, you’re most likely higher off with out the (literal) headache attributable to a 3D display. Listed here are two strictly 2D alternate options that supply extra bang on your buck…

Alienware m18
It doesn’t get significantly better than this when it comes to pure gaming efficiency. The Alienware m18 is heavier than the Acer Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Version however packs higher specs (bar smaller storage) for the same worth.

Learn the total Alienware m18 assessment

Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023)
With loads of {hardware} choices, it’s simple to configure a greater worth Zephyrus M16 that’s not solely extra transportable than the Acer Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Version however can simply outperform it.

Learn the total Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023) assessment

How I examined the Acer Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Version:

• Changed my on a regular basis system for 2 weeks
• Used for gaming and doc enhancing

I used the Acer Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Version as my essential machine for simply over two weeks. This included a mixture of productiveness duties (together with the writing of this assessment) and a few gaming. Given the restricted variety of supported titles, I predominantly performed older video games that have been appropriate with the glasses-free 3D display. This included a full playthrough of Wolfenstein: The Outdated Blood (damaged up into half hour chunks to keep away from discomfort) and the opening hours of Abzû.

I additionally experimented with a handful of newer additions to the glasses-free 3D catalogue like Forza Horizon 5. By way of 2D gaming, I performed a recreation of Complete Battle: Warhammer III and wandered across the open-world of Cyberpunk 2077 to soak within the sights of Evening Metropolis after the newest replace. To check the battery life, I lugged the Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Version round with me for a couple of days and used it in numerous public settings. The patrons of my native library actually didn’t admire the loud followers.

First reviewed November 2023

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