Acer unveils 16

Oct 14, 2023

Rival manufacturers have a new predator to contend with.

It's almost time for Computex, one of the largest tech expos in the world, ready to kick off in Taiwan this year from May 30 to June 2. Plenty of big names will be in attendance, and Acer plans to make a big impression with a triad of new devices. We had a sneak peek at booth plans, with a 16-inch addition to its Predator gaming laptop range standing out as particularly exciting.

Previously showing off Predator laptops with glasses-free 3D, the upcoming Triton 16 similarly packs the latest 13th Gen Intel Core CPUs alongside NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 laptop GPUs. The Predator Triton 16 has more attractive standout features, and the ultrathin Acer Swift Edge 16 stands tall with a gorgeous OLED display packed into a portable chassis. Plus, there's a brand-new eco-friendly addition up Acer's sleeve this year.

One of the biggest challenges for gaming laptops is keeping thermals under control, especially when you're packing the latest GPU tech under the hood. Thankfully, Acer can tackle temperatures with its dual 5th Gen 'AeroBlade 3D' fans and 'Vortex Flow' optimization within a metal chassis lined with liquid metal thermal grease. It sounds like a lot of jargon, but our Acer Predator Triton 500 SE (2022) review proved they have the know-how for proper cooling.

Going all-in on the gamer appeal, Acer even throws in a one-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for instant access to hundreds of PC games, with more added to Game Pass every month. A vast array of ports allows gamers to connect controllers and headsets for portable gameplay, and the 16-inch IPS display boasts an ultra-smooth 240Hz refresh rate alongside per-key RGB lighting for the finishing touch.

As the promotional shots suggest, the Acer Swift Edge 16 is a thin, lightweight 16-inch laptop designed for creative professionals on the go. Built using a magnesium alloy, it barely measures 12.95mm (about half an inch) and weighs 2.71 lbs. Despite the slim chassis, the Edge is packing a beautiful 3.2K OLED panel supporting up to 3200 x 2000 resolutions at 120Hz with a 0.2ms response time.

It's also rated for 100% DCI-P3 color gamut support, with a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio for a 500-nits peak brightness alongside VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification. That's a lot of fancy terminology that equates to a color-accurate panel, perfect for artists and creative editors — looking to AMD for its components, the Swift Edge 16 features Ryzen 7040-series CPUs and Radeon 780M graphics.

Besides aiming for the best gaming laptop crown, Acer will also show off its first eco-friendly Wi-Fi 6E mesh router made at Computex. The tri-band set will be rated for up to 7.8Gbps combined bandwidth, all made with 30% PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastic and 100% recyclable paper for the included documentation. Picking up a 4-unit set promises to cover up to 10,000 sq. ft. with a reliable wireless signal, which could rival some of the best mesh Wi-Fi routers upon release.

"We are thrilled to launch the Acer Connect Vero W6m mesh router with support for Wi-Fi 6E tri-band connectivity within any home of office."

If you plan to visit Computex this year in Taiwan, you'll be able to check out both the Predator Triton 16 and Swift Edge 16 alongside this new router set at booth M0820, 4F, Hall 1, in the Taipei Nangang exhibition center. Keep your eyes peeled for our thoughts on the new Predator Triton 16 gaming laptop and how it compares to last year's Triton 500 SE.

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Ben is the channel editor for all things tech-related at Windows Central. That includes PCs, the components inside, and any accessory you can connect to a Windows desktop or Xbox console. Not restricted to one platform, he also has a keen interest in Valve's Steam Deck handheld and the Linux-based operating system inside. Fueling this career with coffee since 2021, you can usually find him behind one screen or another. Find him on Mastodon @[email protected] to ask questions or share opinions.