Acer Nitro V 16 overview: Inexpensive mid-range gaming mastery

Value When Reviewed

$1,099.99

Finest Costs In the present day: Acer Nitro V 16

$969.49

$1099.99

Up to now, gaming laptops might by no means hope to maintain up with desktop gaming rigs, however the newest multi-core CPUs and pixel-pushing GPUs in laptops could make even probably the most demanding AAA video games playable on the go. Nonetheless, you’ll pay handsomely for the privilege, with high-end gaming laptops working hundreds of {dollars}. In the event you don’t wish to spend that a lot, laptops just like the Ryzen-powered Acer Nitro V 16 may very well be simply what you want. It’s acquired all the pieces you want and nothing you don’t.

This machine sports activities a succesful RTX 4060 GPU and an eight-core Ryzen 7 8845HS processor. Mix these with a quick IPS show, and you’ve got a strong gaming expertise for round $1,000. Nonetheless, you received’t discover a lot use for the Acer Nitro V 16 past gaming on account of its poor battery life and apparent gamer aesthetic.

Additional studying: Finest gaming laptops 2024: What to search for and highest-rated fashions

Acer Nitro V 16: Specs and options

The Nitro V 16 runs on the eight-core AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS CPU, which was launched in late 2023. AMD has since launched a brand new technology of laptop computer Ryzen chips with extra AI chops, however that’s not an issue for the V 16. This machine additionally has an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, which might course of extra AI workloads than a CPU if the necessity arises.

The GPU is able to working any trendy sport. Whereas the decision of 1920×1200 isn’t exceptionally excessive in 2024, it pairs properly with the RTX 4060 to run video games with medium or excessive settings at native decision. The 16GB of included DDR5 RAM can be ample for mid-range gaming, however it’s gentle for inventive work. If these specs don’t be just right for you, the Nitro V 16 is probably not the appropriate machine.

Whereas the Acer Nitro 14 has comparable specs, it’s slightly extra highly effective and costly. The 16-inch mannequin solely has just a few minor spec variants, with a beginning MSRP of $999.99. That’s cheaper than most RTX 4060 gaming machines, however the base mannequin solely has 8GB of RAM. I examined the 16GB model (priced at $1,099.99), which is the minimal reminiscence allotment it’s best to contemplate in 2024. The excellent news is that this model of the machine is usually discounted under $1,000.

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS
• Reminiscence: 16GB DDR5
• Graphics/GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
• Show: 16-inch 1920×1200 IPS @ 165Hz
• Storage: 1 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD
• Webcam: 720p
• Connectivity: 1x USB-C (USB4, 40Gbps), 2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm audio jack
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3
• Battery capability: 57Whr, 135W charging
• Dimensions: 14.25 x 11.07 x 1.24 inches
• Weight: 5.5 kilos
• MSRP as examined: $1,099.99

Acer Nitro V 16: Design and construct high quality

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

When it’s closed, the Acer Nitro V 16 doesn’t scream “gaming PC,” however it does lower an imposing silhouette with its 16-inch show and thick 1.24-inch profile. It’s an all-black affair, save for the silver Acer Nitro emblem in the midst of the lid. Opening the lid, there’s one other inlaid Nitro emblem on the wrist relaxation and one under the show.

The Nitro V16 is all plastic, and you’ll discover that instantly upon touching it. It doesn’t appear cheaply made, however you possibly can really feel the plastic physique flexing across the trackpad and cooling vents. Whereas plastic may not be as strong as steel, the Nitro V 16 feels typically sturdy. The hinge is easy, if a bit stiff. Nonetheless, it stays put, and there’s subsequent to no wobble, even if you pound away on the keyboard.

The chassis has tapered edges that make it a bit simpler to select up, however it’s acquired extra heft than a enterprise laptop computer, even with the plastic physique. This laptop computer weighs in at 5.5 kilos, which is heavy in comparison with most laptops however aggressive for a 16-inch gaming PC. I just like the outsized rubber toes on the underside, which assist hold the machine from transferring round in your desk.

The Nitro V 16 has fewer ports than you’ll discover on a productiveness laptop computer or a higher-end gaming machine. It’s greater than adequate for the common gamer, although. You get two high-speed USB-A ports, one on either side. There’s additionally a full Ethernet port on the left aspect. Round again, you get the DC energy plug, HDMI out, and the laptop computer’s lone USB-C port. This isn’t a handy location for that port, however at the least it’s quick, with assist for USB4 at 40Gbps.

The Acer Nitro V 16 has a sturdy cooling system that includes two inner followers that pull in air from the highest and backside of the machine. That’s helpful if one of many vents is briefly obstructed, however you possibly can hear the followers droning via the massive vents above the keyboard.

Heat air is accelerated out the perimeters of the PC via sizable exhaust ports, sustaining low thermals contained in the machine. You may need to look at the place you place your mouse—the exhaust blasts outward a long way from the pc and it’s sizzling.

Subsequent to the cooling vents, the V 16 has a small glowing button to change efficiency modes. With every press, the colour adjustments and the system overlay tells you which ones mode you’ve activated. It is a helpful option to change from battery-efficient modes to high-power for enjoying video games. Alternatively, you possibly can press the “Nitro” key to launch the efficiency tuning shopper for much more management.

Acer Nitro V 16: Show and Audio system

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

This 16-inch IPS LCD has a decision of 1920×1200 and a refresh charge of 165Hz. There’s loads of display actual property, however there’s no choice for a touchscreen right here. That’s wonderful, contemplating it has a typical non-convertible hinge and it’s aimed principally at players. There’s a 720p webcam squeezed in simply concerning the display. It’s wonderful in a pinch, however the image is grainy and flat. There’s no assist for IR-based Home windows Good day, so that you’ll want to make use of a password or PIN to unlock this laptop computer.

The show brightness is on the weak aspect at 300 nits, however the colours and viewing angles are good for the value. You may spend just a few hundred extra to get a sharper LCD and even an OLED, however this panel is nice for gaming, notably in the event you’re into twitchy shooters like Fortnite or Counter-Strike. The RTX 4060 has no bother rendering trendy video games at 1200p, and the 165Hz refresh charge presents easy motion in fast-paced scenes.

The stereo audio system are tucked below the sting of the laptop computer, which is true of most notebooks. The audio system get moderately loud, however the audio is hole and garbled at excessive volumes. The sound is serviceable so long as you permit it at a modest stage. If you need extra immersive sound, you’ll want headphones or exterior audio system.

Acer Nitro V 16: Keyboard and trackpad

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

The keyboard on this machine may very well be slightly divisive. This PC presents a quiet, smooth typing expertise. On the flip aspect, the keys aren’t very tactile, and the bottom-out is simply too mushy. These qualities received’t matter in the event you’re primarily enjoying video games on the Nitro V 16, however it’s not supreme for typing lengthy paperwork.

At simply over 14 inches broad, the Nitro V 16 is simply massive sufficient to supply an expanded keyboard structure—you’ll discover a full quantity pad to the keyboard’s proper, however the keys are solely about 60 % as massive as regular keys. That makes the pad slightly too cramped for my style, however some should still be comfortable they’ve a quantity pad in any respect on a 16-inch laptop computer

I used to be very comfortable to see that Acer additionally made room for full-sized arrow keys. Most trendy laptops shrink these keys down to save lots of house, however that makes them more durable to search out by contact. And proper subsequent to the arrow, Acer has included the now-customary Microsoft Copilot key.

The keys themselves are backlit with orange LEDs—no colour choices right here. The WASD cluster additionally has a bit extra shine-through floor to set it other than the remainder of the deck. Equally, there’s a small dimple on W to make it simpler to search out by contact.  It’s not probably the most elegant look, however the Nitro V 16 isn’t about subtlety.

The Acer Nitro V 16 has a big sufficient trackpad, however it looks as if it may very well be greater given the quantity of unused actual property under the keyboard. It’s simply your commonplace touchpad, no glass or extra unique supplies. I discovered it to be a really responsive pad, although. Tapping, dragging, and different gestures are detected reliably and precisely.

Acer Nitro V 16: Efficiency

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

PCMark 10 is designed to check a machine throughout quite a lot of metrics like internet shopping, video chat, and picture enhancing. The Acer Nitro V 16 scores 7,235, which is aggressive however slightly behind comparable laptops, together with the Acer Nitro 14. CPU efficiency is a main issue with PCMark, so shifting from the default Balanced efficiency mode to Efficiency bumps the PCMark rating by about 300 factors.

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

Cinebench is a CPU-focused check that reveals how a PC handles heavy however transient multi-core workloads. Extra CPU cores grant larger scores in Cinebench and cooling doesn’t matter very a lot. The Nitro V 16 scored 6,258 on this check, which is larger than many Intel-powered laptops. Once more, the equally outfitted Acer Nitro 14 runs just a bit forward with the default efficiency tuning.

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

The Handbrake check is just like Cinebench in that it reveals how a pc handles multithreaded duties, however it is a longer-duration check the place thermals matter extra. This laptop computer manages 6,258 in Cinebench. The strong cooling resolution pays off, preserving the Nitro V 16 aggressive with dearer laptops.

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

Our first gaming check is 3DMark Time Spy, a graphical benchmark that focuses on GPU efficiency. At 9,206, the Acer V 16 presents incredible sport efficiency, working even or barely forward of different RTX 4060 machines. It takes an RTX 4070 or larger to constantly beat this laptop computer in 3DMark, however these machines are way more costly. For instance, the Alienware x16 R2 is about the identical dimension and weight and it leaves this machine within the mud, however it additionally prices twice as a lot.

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

Recreation benchmarks just like the one included with Shadow of the Tomb Raider might help us perceive a system’s actual world gaming expertise. With a median body charge of 130, the Acer Nitro V 16 positively establishes its gaming chops on this benchmark. This body charge is healthier than quite a few RTX 4060 machines we’ve examined and it nearly matches some RTX 4070 laptops.

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

The Metro Exodus benchmark is a little more demanding, giving higher-specced machines an opportunity to shine. Nonetheless, the V 16 nonetheless reaches a median of 38 fps, which is greater than aggressive with gaming laptops with comparable elements.

General, I’ve been very pleased with the Acer Nitro V 16’s efficiency. Whereas the CPU falls slightly behind in some benchmarks, that’s not one thing you’ll discover in every day utilization. Throughout productiveness and gaming, this machine by no means left me ready. The GPU isn’t the very best round, however it’s greater than highly effective sufficient to run trendy video games on the 1200p LCD at excessive body charges. Nonetheless, the show doesn’t have G-Sync assist to cut back tearing at excessive body charges.

It may not deal with probably the most demanding visible enhancements (e.g. ray tracing) in addition to dearer GPUs, however it nails the fundamentals.

Acer Nitro V 16: Battery life

Regardless of weighing about the identical as comparable gaming PCs, Acer solely managed to suit a 56Wh battery within the Nitro V 16. That’s nearer to what we’d anticipate for a mid-range productiveness PC and it’s a lot smaller than the 76Wh cell within the Acer Nitro 14. It comes with a 135W charging brick that connects to the DC barrel port. You may also cost the machine over USB-C however it fills extra slowly and received’t run in efficiency mode when powered by USB-C.

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

Our battery check consists of enjoying a 4K copy of Tears of Metal on repeat with the display at 250 nits till the laptop computer runs out of juice. The V 16 brings up the rear in our rundown check at 234 minutes (simply shy of 4 hours), which is about what I’d anticipate given the massive show and small battery.

Basically, you possibly can anticipate slightly extra time per cost in every day use by preserving the show brightness decrease—we needed to flip it many of the method as much as hold the benchmark constant. I’d estimate round 4 or 5 hours of productiveness utilization on battery, however video games will drain it a lot sooner. That makes the V 16 extra a poor alternative for gaming on the go. In the event you can’t discover a energy outlet, this laptop computer simply received’t final very lengthy.

Acer Nitro V 16: Conclusion