The Acer Helios Neo 16 is one of several gaming laptop offerings from Acer in 2024, and it's really worth paying attention to, from what I've experienced in my limited time. Though the chassis is mostly unchanged from last year's version, the specs and display have been upgraded in a way that makes a big difference.
From what I've seen of it so far, it's an impressive machine that features excellent components and port selection as well as a distinct design that instantly sets it apart from other affordable products in the gaming laptop market. It could easily be one of the best cheap gaming laptops or even the best gaming laptops in general.
Acer Helios Neo 16: Price and availability
The Acer Helios Neo 16 will be launching in the US in March 2024, with its price starting at $1,499.99 (around £1,180 / AU$2,250). While not completely a budget gaming laptop, it's a much more affordable option compared to most of its competition, as many gaming rigs tend to be priced in the thousands at least.
There hasn't been confirmation of availability in the UK or Australia as of yet, though it will almost be certainly released in other regions at some point. As we get closer to the release date, that information will be made available.
Acer Helios Neo 16: Design
Image 1 of 8
(Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 8
(Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 8
(Image credit: Future)
Image 4 of 8
(Image credit: Future)
Image 5 of 8
(Image credit: Future)
Image 6 of 8
(Image credit: Future)
Image 7 of 8
(Image credit: Future)
Image 8 of 8
(Image credit: Future)
The Acer Helios Neo 16's design is similar to the 2023 Acer Predator Helios Neo 16, down to the text and decoration engraved on the back and the top of the chassis. The back of the laptop looks particularly striking with this clear plating over the metal engraved with Neo and other decorations around it.
There is one difference between the US version of the Helios Neo 16 and the models that will launch in other regions: the former won't have the cool lid design with engraved 'code'. However, the Helios Neo 18 model will have that in all regions it launches in. A bit disappointing, since it's such a unique feature, but the rest of the laptop is more than cool enough to compensate.
Though the Helios Neo 16 is a bit on the thicker and heavier side, thanks to its distinctive design it maintains an air of style and sleekness that few other cheaper options hit.
It has a great port selection that covers nearly any need and use you could have for this laptop. There's the USB Type-C and Type-A ports, an Ethernet port, HDMI, microSD, a combo jack, and more. The best part is that there are two USB ports for each type, a small but helpful feature that many other budget laptops lack.
The 16-inch QHD+ (2560 x 1600) display boasts an incredible 240Hz refresh rate and DCI-P3 100% color gamut, giving users options to expand the use of this gaming laptop to creative and editing work as well. OLED would have been a great addition, but it makes sense to omit it to keep costs down.
As a nice bonus, its RGB-lit keyboard is full-size, which is a boon for those like myself who prefer one with a number pad. The touchpad is solid and responsive, which is all I ask from it.
Acer Helios Neo 16: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Despite its affordable pricing, the Acer Helios Neo 16 sports some impressive specs. It features 14th-Gen CPUs and Nvidia RTX 4000-series GPUs, up to an Intel Core 9 14900HX and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070. There's also the choice to configure this laptop with up to 32GB LPDDR5 RAM and 2TB PCIe 4 SSD in RAID 0 storage.
While we haven't had the chance to benchmark this machine yet to find out the true scale of its gaming performance, its specs should translate into some serious power. Meanwhile, the ventilation system sounds impressive on paper, with a cooling fan system, liquid metal thermal grease, and vector heat pipes. But we have to see it in action to determine how effective it is in keeping the Helios Neo 16 properly cool.
Acer Helios Neo 16: Early verdict
(Image credit: Future)
The Acer Helios Neo 16 is one of my favorite gaming laptops to come out of CES 2024, because it sports excellent specs, a robust port selection, fantastic display, all packaged in one of the most eye-catching chassis designs around. The fact that it's a refresh of an existing product instead of a brand-new gaming laptop makes it even more surprising.
The price is easily the sweetest part of the Helios Neo 16, as affordably priced products in the gaming laptop market are unfortunately rare to come across, especially ones with current-gen specs.
Hopefully, its gaming and general performance will speak for itself once it comes time for more in-depth reviews.
Dell continues to overhaul its products' designs, and the Alienware m16 R2 refresh is no exception. The new design has a noticeably smaller chassis, making it more portable, and the gaming laptop has been upgraded with new specs and a reworked ventilation system.
When I first saw the new Alienware m16 R2 against last year's model, I was shocked at how drastic the difference in size was. And beyond that, there were several other design points added to the latest version, as well as the spec upgrades.
From what I saw, this gaming laptop looks quite impressive and will definitely be a more managable beast that will still deliver on power and performance. It could even be one of the best gaming laptops around.
Alienware m16 R2: price and availability
Revealed at CES 2024, the Alienware m16 R2 is set to launch January 11 in the US and in Canada, with an entry-level model starting at $1,499, though more powerful models will be around the $1,649 mark, with more options to come in the first quarter of 2024.
At the time of writing, we don't have any UK or Australian pricing, but going by the US numbers we expect the new m16 R2 to have similar pricing to its predecessor.
Overall, such prices seem rational for the specs (see below) the m16 R2 offers. And, as I was told by a Dell rep, the decision to only go up to a GeForce RTX 4070 was made to keep the pricing a bit more reasonable for potential buyers, with other laptops like the Alienware x16 R2 having the GeForce RTX 4080 and GeForce RTX 4090 options instead. But Alienware will likely face strong competition from other big gaming laptop makers like Asus, MSI and Acer, when it comes to making powerful yet compact machines.
Alienware m16 R2: specs
Here are the specs for the Alienware m16 R2 at a glance.
Alienware m16 R2: design
Image 1 of 9
(Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 9
(Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 9
(Image credit: Future)
Image 4 of 9
(Image credit: Future)
Image 5 of 9
(Image credit: Future)
Image 6 of 9
(Image credit: Future)
Image 7 of 9
(Image credit: Future)
Image 8 of 9
(Image credit: Future)
Image 9 of 9
(Image credit: Future)
The first and most obvious change to the Alienware m16 R2 is its size, which has been reduced by 15%, mainly due to the removal of an overly large and bulky ventilation system that stuck out of the back of its predecessor. As a result, the ventilation system had be completely overhauled with a new Alienware Cryo-tech thermal system being implemented in its place. While it's not as effective as the larger older system, Dell says it still works well in keeping the machine cool.
There's also an interesting feature that the screen can flatten down to 180 degrees. It can't rotate the full 360 degrees like a 2-in-1 laptop to become a tablet, but this feature could help to prevent hinge strain by allowing you to push back the screen that bit further.
The keyboard is broadly the same as before, but by removing the chunky rear cooling, Alienware was able to push the display further back and thus serve up more room on the keyboard desk, resulting in a larger trackpad flanked by Alienware FX lighting.
There's also has a new 'Stealth Mode' that can quickly switch from loud RGB colors to a subtle white; this'll likely be handy for people who want to use the M16 R2 for work as well as play. However, instead of using the Cherry MX switches that previous models like the Alienware m18 featured, it instead uses Alienware's own switches, similar to the Alienware Pro Wireless keyboard.
The display has a 16-inch QHD+ panel, so keeps the screen space of its predecessor despite the slimmer size. It also boasts a 240Hz refresh rate, which guarantees smooth and stutter-free gameplay for the more hardcore gamers; just bear in mind you'll need to tweak the settings of very demanding games to get the frame rates needed to take advantage of the highest refresh rates.
The Alienware m16 R2's port selection is quite generous, as despite the slimmer overall footprint, the laptop still has room for an Ethernet port that's handy for people aiming to use it as potentially a desktop replacement machine, where being able to plug in a Ethernet cable is vital for ensuring a stronger internet connection.
Alienware m16 R2: performance
Image 1 of 3
(Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 3
(Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 3
(Image credit: Future)
Once the benchmarks come out, and we put the laptop to the test ourselves, we'll have a complete understanding of the kind of performance that the Alienware m16 R2 is capable of. But judging by the use of the Intel Core Ultra CPUs and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4000-series GPUs in general, this laptop is going to be an absolute beast. Powering all of this is a 240W GaN charger.
The move to the latest RTX graphics cards also mean the m16 R2 can tap into Nvidia's newest DLSS 3.5 upscaling tech, which can cleverly render games at lower resolutions and then use upmixing to deliver visuals that look very close to the native high resolution of the laptop's display without taking the performance hit.
With up to 64GB of RAM and 4TB of SSD storage, the m16 R2 could be a great machine for so-called content creators, with the specs and performance window likely to easily power through video rendering. For pure gaming, such a high amount of RAM might be overkill. As an aside, the RAM and SSD are user upgradable, should you get a lesser-specced model and then want to upgrade at a later date.
The aforementioned Stealth Mode, which is activated by the 'Fn' + 'F2' combo, also sets the performance mode to Quiet. It's a very handy shortcut that allows you to use your gaming laptop outside without the fans ramping up to do a passable impression of a jet engine.
Dell has also beefed up its webcam, with FHD resolution. It's nice to see a gaming laptop take its built in webcam serious, as its usually a weakness of most gaming machines. Hopefully it works well even in poor or normal lighting.
Alienware m16 R2: early verdict
(Image credit: Future)
The Alienware m16 R2 is a promising refresh of last year's model, with a major decrease in its chassis size that still preserves its 16-inch display. The display is excellent with a very high refresh rate, there's a solid port selection, the keyboard has great feedback on its switches, and Alienware has added other quality of life features.
For those looking for a great desktop replacement or just a powerful yet reasonably compact gaming laptop, the Alienware m16 R2 is shaping up to be a top choice, especially as it manages to shave off unnecessary mass and weight to make it easier to transport without the need to compromise on high-end specs.
In short, the Alienware m16 R2 is an example of a well done refresh meets redesign that enhances without detracting from what makes the product well liked in the first place. We'll need to fully test the m16 R2 to see if these tweaks have proved to be effective, so stay tuned for our review.
Lenovo has been on a roll in 2023 with plenty of affordable gaming laptop options, and the Lenovo Legion 5 Slim 14 is the latest one of the bunch. A sleek, stainless steel-looking finish with the logo machine-carved into it, it’s a very simple yet distinctive aesthetic that stands out from the traditional black-colored crowd.
It’s on the slimmer side compared to some other laptops, but when looking at the Razer Blade 14 or the Origin EON 16SL, it’s harder to place this machine under the best thin and light gaming laptops, though it could easily net a spot on best cheap gaming laptops. That said, thanks to its very lightweight and 14-inch display, it really is a portable machine that can easily fit into most bags without weighing them down.
As with most other Lenovo gaming laptops, the majority of the port selection is located in the back, which can be inconvenient for some as it requires a bit of reach. Thankfully the back ports are labeled with icons to make locating them easier.
The major benefit to using three sides for ports is a robust port selection that includes two USB Type-A ports, two USB Type-C ports, an HDMI port, an SD card reader, an audio combo jack, an e-shutter for the webcam, and a charging port. However, it’s disappointing to see an ethernet port missing from the bunch, which is bizarre considering that there was plenty of space to put it in the back.
Opening the laptop up, we have the standard Lenovo laptop keyboard and touchpad, which is certainly not a bad thing. The keys are well-sized and well-spaced with a satisfying snap while the touchpad is responsive and just as snappy as the keyboard. There’s a soft white backlight for late-night typing, a more subtle option compared to the glare of RGB.
The specs are solid with an AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS CPU, up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB of storage, and a lovely 14-inch WQXGA+ 120Hz IPS (2880 x 1800p) display. There’s a nice balance between what gives solid performance but which also keeps the pricing more budget-minded.
As a result, we have some quite competitive benchmark scores that nearly match what the best gaming laptops with a much higher pricetag put out, which has been something that Lenovo’s also mastered this generation. And general performance with the best PC games nets some truly impressive results.
Sound quality is also pretty solid, especially since the speaker is located above the keyboard. Audio is clear whether you’re streaming movies, listening to music, or gaming, and at high volumes the sounds don’t lose too much. The webcam is 1080p but is of average-at-best quality, requiring great lighting for a clearer image. It comes with a physical e-shutter, which is excellent for safety and should be standard on any laptop. All in all, this is a very solid win for Lenovo–and any gamer on a budget, for that matter.
Lenovo Legion 5 Slim 14: Price & availability
(Image credit: Future)
How much does it cost? Starting at $1,439.99 / £1,399.99 (including VAT) / AU$2,949
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia
Pricing is quite good for the Lenovo Legion 5 Slim 14, starting out at $1,439.99 / £1,399.99 (including VAT) / AU$2,949 though, at the time of this writing, there’s a discount making it about $200 cheaper. My review unit is a bit pricier at $1,634.99 / £1,630 (including VAT) / AU$2,998 thanks to the RTX 4060 replacing the RTX 4050 in the base configuration. The most expensive configuration will run you $1,884.99 / £1,780 (including VAT) / AU$3,397, which is still lower than a lot of competing gaming laptops, thanks to keeping the RTX 4060.
The UK version has similar pricing to the US, though there’s an interesting difference in that you can opt for no operating system, which saves you £90 off the cheapest configuration. And the Australian version doesn’t come with that option, like the US.
The Legion 5 Slim 14 compares best in price with the Origin EON 16SL starting at $1,949 / £1,763.64 (around AU$3,050) and one of Lenovo’s other offerings, the Lenovo Legion 5i (2022) starting at $1,099.99 / £1,293.49 / AU$2,349. The latter is a truly budget option while the former offers similar specs and pricing, really boiling down to which aesthetics you prefer.
Price score: 5 / 5
Lenovo Legion 5 Slim 14: Specs
(Image credit: Future)
The review unit I received comes with the following configuration: an AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB of storage, and a 14-inch WQXGA+ 120Hz IPS (2880 x 1800) display.
The Lenovo Legion 5 Slim 14 doesn’t come in separate models, allowing buyers to somewhat configure the CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage space. The US and Australian versions let you choose between 16GB and 32GB of RAM, while the UK model only has 16GB. Another oddity with the Australian version is that if you choose the Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU, then you can only choose the 16GB RAM option.
Specs score: 4.5 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Lenovo Legion 5 Slim 14: Design
Solid port selection
Excellent display
Great keyboard and touchpad
Lenovo tends to use a stainless steel-type look for most of its gaming machines, with the manufacturer's logo machine-carved into the side. It gives the laptops a very distinctive and appealing aesthetic, which really works to stand out against the sea of boring black laptops that gamers so often get saddled with.
Though it says Slim in the name, it doesn’t look very thin compared to other laptops in that particular market, though the weight and 14-inch display size make up for it as it’s quite manageable carrying it around.
Port selection is solid, including two USB Type-A ports, two USB Type-C ports, an HDMI port, an SD card reader, an audio combo jack, an e-shutter for the webcam, and a charging port.
Pretty much every option except for an ethernet port, which makes little sense both because it’s a gaming laptop and a stable internet connection is paramount to competitive play, as well as the fact that it has ports on the back and plenty of space there to stick an extra port there.
Image 1 of 8
(Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 8
(Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 8
(Image credit: Future)
Image 4 of 8
(Image credit: Future)
Image 5 of 8
(Image credit: Future)
Image 6 of 8
(Image credit: Future)
Image 7 of 8
(Image credit: Future)
Image 8 of 8
(Image credit: Future)
Its display is the crowning 14-inch jewel with WQXGA+ 2.8K (2880 x 1800) resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, with up to 500 nits of brightness, 100%DCI-P3 color gamut, and HDR support. The result is a screen that showcases any game with a lovely depth of color and brightness. The color gamut also means that creatives can use this laptop effectively.
The keyboard is the same reliable Lenovo one, meaning wide keys that have a nice snappiness and a white backlight that’s much easier on the eyes while still useful for late-night typing. The trackpad is also the same quality type, with an equally snappy feel and high responsiveness.
Unfortunately, the webcam is also more of the same, needing work office-level lighting to make your image look good. It’s fine for conference calls but grab one of the best webcams if you need to stream.
The sound quality is also very good thanks to the speaker located above the keyboard, allowing you to hear the various layers of instrumental music, as well as vocals, and sound design. Ideal for gaming for sure.
Design score: 4.5 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Lenovo Legion 5 Slim 14: Performance
Solid all-around performance
Doesn't play nice with ray tracing
Lenovo Legion 5 Slim 14: Benchmarks
Here's how the Lenovo Legion 5 Slim 14 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark: Night Raid: 49,967; Fire Strike: 24,906; Time Spy: 10,540; Port Royal: 5,951 GeekBench 5: 1,951 (single-core); 11,595 (multi-core)
Cinebench: 16,671 (multi-core)
Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 87 fps; (1080p, Low): 207 fps Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 94 fps; (1080p, Low): 122 fps Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 63 fps; (1080p, Low): 95 fps 25GB File Copy: 19.3 Handbrake 1.6: 4:26 CrossMark: Overall: 1,886 Productivity: 1,834 Creativity: 1,987 Responsiveness: 1,753 Web Surfing (Battery Informant): 7:46:44 PCMark 10 Home test: 7,871 TechRadar Movie Battery test: 4 hours and 33 minutes
General performance is impressive, especially for its cheaper price point. Benchmark scores are comparable to more expensive gaming laptops including for 3DMark, PCMark10, Cinebench, and Geekbench. It shows that you don’t need tricked out specs in order to deliver great performance and that affordable laptops can offer a lot to even more hardcore and professional gamers.
Its results in non-gaming benchmarks like the 25GB File Copy, Handbrake, and Crossmark tests are quite good, pairing well with its high color gamut. Creatives can rest assured that they’ll be able to double this laptop as an editing and creative machine.
The AMD CPU gives the Lenovo Legion 5 Slim 14 an edge in terms of more CPU-heavy tasks, while the RTX 4060 runs even AAA games at high settings like a dream. If you need ray tracing and resolutions higher than 1080p, you need to prepare for those framerates to drop significantly, with the worst offender being Cyberpunk 2077.
Ventilation is solid between productivity work and normal gaming sessions, though not as excellent as I would have expected considering how much Lenovo brags about the cooling system. According to the manufacturer, it features phase-change thermal compounds, hybrid copper heat pipes, air intake and exhaust systems, and a 12V dual liquid crystal polymer fan system. But temperatures can still get quite a bit hot on the underside.
Performance score: 4.5 / 5
Lenovo Legion 5 Slim 14: Battery
(Image credit: Future)
Works well with normal use
Not so much with video streaming
The battery life is very interesting, as it scored very well on the web surfing testing, nearly netting eight hours. I also found that it lasts for about seven hours when using it for daily productivity work.
However, on the TechRadar movie test, it managed only four and a half hours. Extremely inconsistent results on opposite ends, though still better than most other gaming laptops.
Battery score: 4 / 5
Should you buy the Lenovo Legion 5 Slim 14?
Buy it if...
You want an easy-to-carry laptop Though it's a little thick to be called "Slim" the 14-inch screen and uncumbersome weight still makes it extremely easy to carry around.
Don't buy it if...
You want a better webcam The webcam in this is pretty average, especially if you plan on using it to livestream.
Lenovo Legion 5 Slim 14: Also consider
If my Lenovo Legion 5 Slim 14 review has you considering other options, here are two more laptops to consider...
How I tested the Lenovo Legion 5 Slim 14
I tested this laptop for about two weeks
I tested the gaming performance as well as productivity work
I used a variety of benchmark tests as well as high-end PC games to test this laptop.
To test out the Lenovo Legion 5 Slim 14 I used a full suite of benchmarks to rank both CPU and GPU performance, with more emphasis on the latter. I also tested out frame rate performance on max settings with a range of high-end PC games like Cyberpunk 2077, Dirt 5, Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered, and more.
This laptop would primarily be used for gaming, specifically hardcore gaming. Due to its GPU and high color gamut, it can also be used for creative and editing projects, and its CPU means that productivity work is a breeze as well.
I’ve tested out many laptops, especially gaming ones, which gives me plenty of experience with properly benchmarking them. I also have extensive knowledge of testing out general performance such as framerate and graphics.
It seems like recently, the gaming laptop arms race involves being as bulky and heavy as possible, but the Origin EON 16SL bucks that trend by being one of the few recent gaming laptops that balances both solid gaming performance and a thin chassis to rival some of the best thin and light gaming laptops around. Not only that, but you can even customize the chassis with a wide variety of cool art and colors, which addresses the aesthetic issue I have with most gaming PCs and accessories.
The chassis feels light, but feels like it can take at least one drop without breaking into pieces. However, the 16-inch display is no joke, with the size alone making fitting it into bags difficult even, with the relatively decent weight and thickness. The display itself is a lovely QHD+ IPS (2560 x 1600) screen with a staggeringly high refresh rate of 240Hz, meaning that you should never see a single instance of lag or stuttering.
It also has a great port selection, outfitted with two USB Type-A ports, two USB Type-C ports (one being Thunderbolt 4), one HDMI 2.1 port, one 2-in-1 audio jack, one SD Card Reader, and one Kensington Lock. However, the lack of an Ethernet port is a shame, though thanks to modern Wi-Fi technology, that's not the deal breaker it once was for gaming laptops. I do also appreciate the amount of USB slots, especially on the Type-A side which is something that seems to be lacking more with each passing laptop generation.
The webcam is a standard quality typical of a 1080p camera in a gaming laptop, the type that needs good lighting to project a clear image of you in a conference call, but still has a bit of fuzziness in the image quality. The sound quality is pretty decent as well, though its volume suffers somewhat from having the speakers at the bottom of the laptop.
For a laptop that’s so thin and lightweight, its performance is quite good. Its RTX 4070 GPU scores textbook benchmark results, putting it right between the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i and the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16, as the former has a 4060 and the latter a 4090. The only odd score was for Night Raid, in which it received a lower score than the Legion Pro 5i. That said, outside of benchmarks, it's able to handle some of the best PC games at the highest settings and still give great performance.
Despite that slight hiccup, its strong performance in other benchmarks translates well to some of the best PC games, including more intensive AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Dirt 5. Web-swinging in Spider-Man is lag-free with no visible slowdown, a feat owing much to that ridiculously high refresh rate. Ventilation isn’t bad either, but on rare occasions the laptop can go past pretty warm to hot during more intensive gaming sessions. Overall, this is easily one of the best laptops I've reviewed in quite some time.
Origin EON 16SL: Price & availability
(Image credit: Future)
How much does it cost? Starting at $1,949 / £1,763.64 (around AU$3,050)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia
One of the most refreshing aspects of the Origin EON 16SL is its starting price of $1,949 / £1,763.64 / AU$3,050, which is far lower than most gaming laptops on the market right now. The price for the review unit I received is $2,154 / £1,949.15 (around AU$3,370) though, at the time of this writing, there’s a discount that shaves off a little over $100. And if you max out your RAM to 6GB, storage space to 8TB, and get Windows 11 Pro, you’ll be paying $3,093 / £2799.04 (around AU$4,837).
These prices assume that you’re going with the base black chassis, but if you want to customize it with preset designs from Origin, that adds on an extra $39.99. And if you’re using a custom design, that costs an extra $100 for the initial laptop and $39.99 for each additional laptop.
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i is a cheaper laptop but also has worse specs, while many other laptops are like the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023) and are prohibitively more costly for nearly the same specs (barring the GPU and RAM). Also, Origin throws in a free T-shirt and mousepad with your laptop order, which is pretty sweet.
Currently, the EON 16SL is available for shipping in the US, UK, and Australia as well as many other regions. However, the Origin storefront doesn’t convert pricing from USD to AUD, so you’ll have to let either your merchant of course convert after purchase or convert yourself for the rough estimate. Either way, I converted the rough pricing above for your convenience.
Price score: 5 / 5
Origin EON 16SL: Specs
(Image credit: Future)
The Origin EON 16SL review unit that I received has the following configuration: 16-inch 240Hz QHD+ IPS (2560 x 1600) display, Intel Core i9-13900H CPU, Nvidia GeForce 4070 Laptop GPU, 32GB RAM, and 2TB of storage.
The lowest configuration comes with 32GB RAM and 2TB of storage, with the other specs unchanged. The top configuration features 64GB RAM and 8TB of storage with the other specs unchanged.
Other than the RAM, storage, and whether you have Windows 11 Home or Pro, you can’t change the CPU, GPU, or display in any configuration. However, any configuration can be customized with unique designs.
Specs score: 4.5 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Origin EON 16SL: Design
Excellent display and refresh rate
Amazing customization options
Thin and light for a 16-inch gaming laptop
What’s striking about the Origin EON 16SL at first glance is just how sleek and thin it is for such a high-powered gaming laptop. Even though it has a 16-inch screen, it’s able to fit quite well into medium-sized bags due to the lower weight and lack of space it takes up, which was rather surprising when I fitted it in my already overflowing laptop backpack.
Though it initially comes in plain black, you can customize the top plate with some really cool pre-set designs on the Origin storefront or you can even submit your own unique design to use. The pre-set designs are pretty affordable too, only costing about $40, while the unique one is $100. It’s such an excellent way to give your laptop a distinctive look without Origin having to invest in manufacturing different colors ahead of time, a win-win for both buyer and company.
The keyboard and touchpad are solid, with the former having nice-sized and snappy keys and the latter being quite responsive. You can also customize the touchpad to either use each half like a left and right mouse button or simply use the entire pad like any normal touchpad.
Image 1 of 5
(Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 5
(Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 5
(Image credit: Future)
Image 4 of 5
(Image credit: Future)
Image 5 of 5
(Image credit: Future)
Port selection is overall pretty great with two USB Type-A ports, two USB Type-C ports (one being Thunderbolt 4), one HDMI 2.1 port, one 2-in-1 audio jack, one SD Card Reader, and one Kensington Lock. Unfortunately, like many other gaming laptops, this one is missing an Ethernet port, which means there are no wired options for those who need a stable internet connection.
The webcam isn’t amazing, falling squarely in the same-y type of laptop cameras that need great lighting to make images look halfway decent. It’s fine for work-related or casual tasks but for those who want to stream and need something better, just buy a good-quality 1080p webcam instead.
Thankfully the sound quality is much better, which is surprising considering that the speakers are located on the bottom of the laptop. Whether you’re listening to classical violins, a soulful voice, or the music and sound effects from a AAA game, everything sounds crystal clear with very little muddled song at high volumes.
Design score: 5 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Origin EON 16SL: Performance
Great performance all around
Handles AAA titles on maxed settings well
Ventilation isn't bad
Origin EON 16SL: Benchmarks
Here's how the Origin EON 16SL performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark: Night Raid: 46,881; Fire Strike: 24,288; Time Spy: 11,067; Port Royal: 6,524 GeekBench 5: 2,015 (single-core); 11,818 (multi-core)
Cinebench: 13,717 (multi-core)
Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 88 fps; (1080p, Low): 215 fps Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 90 fps; (1080p, Low): 110 fps Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 45 fps; (1080p, Low): 187 fps 25GB File Copy: 14.2 Handbrake 1.6: 5:47 CrossMark: Overall: 1,874 Productivity: 1,788 Creativity: 2,089 Responsiveness: 1,554 Web Surfing (Battery Informant): 5:47:17 PCMark 10 Home test: 8,259 TechRadar Movie Battery test: 6 hours and 27 minutes
For a light and thin laptop like this one, the Origin EON 16SL’s performance is excellent. It compares well with other gaming laptops, falling neatly in between ones equipped with an RTX 4060 and an RTX 4090 in terms of benchmark scores. Its scores in benchmarks like 3DMark, PCMark10, Cinebench, Geekbench, and more are competitive against gaming machines that cost far more money.
It also performed competitively in editing benchmarks like the 25GB File Copy, Handbrake, and Crossmark, meaning that it’s also a great fit for those who do creative and video editing work.
Its performance transfers well outside of benchmark testing, even in max settings using ray tracing. For instance, in the newest highest settings ‘Ray Tracing Overdrive’ mode in Cyberpunk 2077, which was added to the latest update, on average the title ran at 67fps. For a demanding and poorly optimized game like that one, anything above 60fps on maxed-out settings is phenomenal.
Dirt 5, another demanding and poorly optimized game, managed 39fps on average with max-out settings and ray tracing turned on. Other games like Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered saw fps over 100 in any gameplay section at the highest settings and also including ray tracing.
Ventilation is pretty solid for a thin and light gaming laptop, with most gaming sessions staying between warm and very warm. If you do play particularly long and intense gaming sessions, however, be aware that temperatures can reach hot levels on the underside of the machine.
Performance score: 5 / 5
Origin EON 16SL: Battery
(Image credit: Future)
Solid battery life for a gaming laptop
Charge time is pretty good
For a gaming laptop in general, the Origin EON 16SL’s battery is pretty good. On average it can net you around six hours of run time, which is much higher than most other gaming laptops, including the more expensive options like the Razer Blade 14 (2023). Both the TechRadar movie battery test and the Web Surfing battery informant test lasted over and almost six hours, respectively.
When testing out how long it lasts under normal conditions myself, I also found the battery life to last around the six-hour mark. It also has a pretty fast charge time of roughly an hour.
Battery score: 4.5 / 5
Should you buy the Origin EON 16SL?
Buy it if...
You want a thin and light gaming laptop This laptop weighs surprisingly little for its specs and can fit into most bags and be carried around with ease.
Don't buy it if...
You want a better webcam The webcam in this is pretty average, especially if you plan on using it to livestream.
Origin EON 16SL: Also consider
If the Origin EON 16SL has you considering other options, here are two more laptops to consider...
How I tested the Origin EON 16SL
I tested this laptop for about two weeks
I tested the gaming performance as well as productivity work
I used a variety of benchmark tests as well as high-end PC games to test this laptop.
To test out the Origin EON 16SL I used a full suite of benchmarks to rank both CPU and GPU performance, with more emphasis on the latter. I also tested out frame rate performance on max settings with a range of high-end PC games like Cyberpunk 2077, Dirt 5, Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered, and more.
This laptop would primarily be used for gaming, specifically hardcore gaming. Due to its GPU and high color gamut, it can also be used for creative and editing projects, and its CPU means that productivity work is a breeze as well.
I’ve tested out many laptops, especially gaming ones, which gives me plenty of experience with properly benchmarking them. I also have extensive knowledge of testing out general performance such as framerate and graphics.
The Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) is just one of the several Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050-equipped laptops vying for budget-level PC gamers while still offering current-gen level performance. Like those models, the quality of gaming on offer is much better than a lot of other cheap offerings sporting older generations of GPUs such as an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050.
While the Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) is not necessarily going to top the best gaming laptops, it can certainly compete with the best budget gaming laptops. The question then is how it compares to those more affordable alternatives.
As we’ll see, the Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) is a solid consideration for cash-strapped gamers since it can handle most gaming tasks without too much sacrifice. There are some drawbacks, but they’re mostly intrinsic to lower-priced gaming laptops. That said, none of those are enough to discount this gaming laptop, especially considering the price.
Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD): Price & availability
How much does it cost? Starting at $1,189.99 / £1,080 / AU$2,199
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia
The Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD), also designated as model 15APH8, is priced very reasonably. You get an AMD Ryzen 5 7640S, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, 8GB RAM, and 1 TB SSD for $1,189.99 / £1,080 / AU$2,199. If you want a little more power, you can upgrade to AMD Ryzen 7 7840S, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, and 1 TB SSD, which will set you back a total of $1,379.99 / £1,300 (Aussies won’t be able to upgrade to the RTX 4060).
The test unit reviewed here is much like the base model but with the more powerful AMD Ryzen 7 7840S, which has 8 cores and 16 threads to the AMD Ryzen 5 7640S’ 6 cores and 12 threads. This upgrade adds $40 / £40 for a price of entry of $1299.99 / £1,120.
Compared to other gaming laptops with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, you can spend a little less if you want. The MSI Katana 15 (2023), for instance, is a bit cheaper at $999 (about £785 / AU$1,543). However, its battery life is a bit worse during everyday non-gaming use, its trackpad is worse, and it has a somewhat cheaper look to it.
Price score: 4 / 5
Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD): Specs
Lenovo has a very limited range of options for the LOQ 15 (AMD) model. You can only choose between two AMD CPUs, the AMD Ryzen 5 7640S and the AMD Ryzen 7 7840S, and you can only choose between two GPUs as well, namely the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060. Likewise, RAM options are either 8GB or 16GB, while you can only choose between 512GB or 1TB for the SSD.
Outside of internal component considerations, there are only two other places where you have options, namely the webcam and the display. And, strangely this is only in the UK. You can upgrade the 720p webcam to 1080p for £10 and you can upgrade from a 1080p @ 144Hz display to a 1440p one with a 165Hz refresh rate. That will cost you £50. Oh, and if you care about RGB lighting, an extra £20 will upgrade the keyboard’s backlighting from white to 4-zone RGB.
(Image credit: Lenovo)
Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD): Design
A bit heavy
Decent display with fast 144Hz refresh rate
Awkward port placement
One of the things that I appreciate about Lenovo gaming laptops is that they have a distinctive look. Just like Razer or Alienware, when you see a gaming laptop from Lenovo, you’ll recognize it as such.
To start, they all seem to come in what Lenovo calls Storm Gray, which is an imposing, brooding color that sounds boring on paper but works much better than a plain matte-black would.
Interestingly, like Alienware laptops, the lid opens up from about an inch into the laptop, meaning there’s a section that juts out. Just like Alienware, this is where some important heat piping is located to keep things cool. And, when under duress, the Lenovo LOQ 15 manages to do a pretty good job of that.
(Image credit: Lenovo)
As this is Lenovo’s budget line, it is on the heavier side, weighing in at 5.3lbs. Compare that with the slightly bigger, slightly better, and slightly more expensive Lenovo Legion Slim 5 and its 5.07lb weight and you’ll see that keeping the weight down is not going to be as much of a factor when the price is lower.
Moving on to the display, it’s not going to wow with color accuracy or HDR, but it’s a solid 1080p IPS panel with 350 nits of brightness. Its best feature is probably its 144Hz refresh rate.
There’s a 1080p webcam that’s adequate if a bit choppy. At least, Lenovo included a manual toggle located on the side of the computer to open or close a privacy shutter.
(Image credit: Lenovo)
The keyboard might not have backlighting, and its travel is not on par with an external keyboard. However, it’s easy and comfortable to type on. The trackpad is similarly capable. Since this is a gaming laptop, you’ll still need a mouse.
Lastly, the port placement is going to be a blessing or a curse depending on your preference. While there’s a USB-C port and 3.5 mm audio jack on the left side and USB-A port to go along with that privacy shutter toggle on the right, most of the ports are on the back. Along with power, an HDMI, ethernet, and two USB ports are centered along the back. This might be great for anyone who likes a clean desk and doesn’t plan on moving their laptop regularly. But, I like to have easy access to all the ports and I found having to reach behind to plug or unplug something to be a chore.
Design score: 4 / 5
Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD): Performance
Good 1080p gaming performance
Great for competitive games
Decent speakers
Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD): Benchmarks
Here's how the Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark: Port Royal: 4,773; Fire Strike: 19,991; Time Spy: 8,858 GeekBench 6: 2,367 (single-core); 8,157 (multi-core)
25GB File Copy: 27.5 Handbrake 1.6: 6:24 CrossMark: Overall: 1,571 Productivity: 1,588 Creativity: 1,636 Responsiveness: 1,345 Far Cry 61080p (Ultra) 68 fps Cyberpunk 2077: 1080p (Ultra) 21.66 fps Web Surfing (Battery Informant): 6:29:49 PCMark 10 Battery Life (Gaming): 0:46
One of the impressive things about this recent slate of Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050-equipped laptops is the fact that they all are capable of good 1080p performance and that’s certainly the case with the Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD). Obviously, there are plenty of limitations – just look at its performance during our Cyberpunk 2077 benchmark where it got just 22 fps on Ultra. For comparison’s sake, the MSI Katana 15 gets almost 39 fps in the same game, which might be due to the fact that it comes with 16GB to the Lenovo LOQ 15’s 8GB.
In more real-world testing, I was able to get playable though not completely smooth results in Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield on medium settings. I did experience a little bit of stuttering but it was a minor amount. But, playing those taxing games on low settings was rock solid.
(Image credit: Lenovo)
Outside of these top-tier and well-known resource-heavy games, not to mention two of them are brand new and the other just got a 2.0 update, everything I played including Battlefield 2042 was rock solid. While you probably won’t be hitting that 144 fps that the display is capable of on more taxing games, the hardware is there for competitive games that are a bit more lightweight. For example, Rocket League was smooth as silk.
In essence, this is great for those playing competitive games while good enough to experience heftier AAA titles though with some limitations.
The sound quality of the built-in speakers is very serviceable. It won’t make you give up on your favorite gaming headset, but it still offers a somewhat decent soundstage and frequency response. It will sound a bit boxy and don’t expect rumble, but it’s more than adequate. Plus, there are some controls through the Nahimic app for EQ and spatial audio that are nice if a bit subtle.
Performance score:4 / 5
Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD): Battery life
Quickly drains when gaming
Decent battery life with basic use
When it comes to battery life, the Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) isn’t setting any gaming laptop precedents. Under a heavy load such as the PCMark 10 Battery Life gaming benchmark, it lasts a paltry 46 minutes. I even experienced its weak battery life inadvertently when I left it unplugged but asleep for a few hours only to find the battery completely empty.
However, for basic use as shown in our Battery Informant benchmark, it can last a decently long six and a half hours. That’s pretty good compared to other gaming laptops not named Rog Zephyrus. Of course, that’s not anything special compared to most other portables.
Battery score: 4 / 5
Should you buy the Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD)?
(Image credit: Lenovo)
Buy it if...
You want good 1080p performance This laptop is more than capable with most games available right now. And, all but the most demanding can run on fairly high settings.
You want to play competitively There’s more than enough power to run any competitive game on max settings. And, the 144Hz refresh rate is perfect for providing a smooth, speedy gaming experience with those titles.
Don't buy it if...
You want excellent performance no matter the game While you can get great performance in some games, there are already some games, as mentioned above, that you can’t play with the settings maxed out. If you want to see a game like Starfield at its full potential, you’ll need something more powerful.
Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD): Also consider
If our Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) review has you considering other options, here are two laptops to consider...
How I tested the Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD)
Tested for a couple weeks
Pushed it as hard as possible gaming-wise
Played with various settings
I used the Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) for a couple of weeks, playing several demanding games like Starfield, Hogwards Legacy, Control, and Cyberpunk 2077. While doing so, I ran the games at various settings, particularly at the highest ones with ray tracing on wherever possible, and took note of the results. I also tested each aspect of the laptop from the keyboard and trackpad to the webcam and speakers.
After spending time with the Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD), it’s clear that the company managed to balance solid performance with an accessible price point for those wanting great gaming on a budget.
I’ve spent the last few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and otherwise, where I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation.
• Original review date: August 2022
• Launch price: Starting at $1,200 (about £960 / AU$1,740)
• Target price: Starting at $700 / £700 / AU$1,000
Update – September 2024: The Acer Predator Helios 300 from 2022 is a lot less available than it was when it launched, but you can occasionally find a few configurations online.
While the Predator Helios 300 from 2022 was one of the best gaming laptops going when it was released, there are definitely better option available with more updated specs that are cheaper, like this Acer Predator Helios 16 available at Amazon for less than $1,000.
As such, this model will only be worth picking up if it is well below $1,000/£1,000/AU$1,500, but if you can find it for a great price, this is still one of the best laptops for gaming on a budget that you'll find.
Original review follows.
Acer Predator Helios 300 (2022): One minute review
As far as more premium options go, the Acer Predator Helios 300 (2022) embodies most of what you’re looking for in a gaming laptop. It’s simple yet has a well-designed chassis, with gorgeous RGB keyboard backlighting, outfitted with some strong tech, and even comes with a Turbo button.
It’s a hefty fellow, though, with a weight of five and a half pounds. It’s not the heaviest gaming laptop out there but it’s one that’s difficult to carry around.
Its price reflects its quality, but it’s worth splurging on if you have the money since this is definitely one of the best Acer laptops for gaming, and Acer has a few excellent gaming laptop lines, honestly, so there's stiff competition.
The inside tech proves its quality, with the model we received sporting an Intel Core i7-12700H CPU and an Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti GPU, though you can upgrade it even further. So not only will it run any of the best PC games you throw at it, but it will run them well at fast frame rates on the highest settings.
Naturally, there’s a tradeoff for such excellent graphics and that’s the absolutely abysmal battery life, which barely lasts three hours. This is definitely a laptop that you need to keep plugged in, especially for intense gaming sessions.
The selection of ports on both sides and on the back of the laptop is one of the best we’ve seen. There are four USB ports alone, with several other mainstays such as the HDMI port, an SD card reader, an audio jack, and even a Kensington Slot for added security.
Opening it up reveals a gorgeous QHD panel display that doesn’t disappoint, with each game looking its absolute best between the vibrant colors and crystal clear display. And the 240Hz refresh rate certainly doesn’t hurt either.
Its bezels are nice and thin, giving us some significant screen real estate, though there’s no manual webcam shudder to cover it up when not in use. The keyboard is nice and roomy, includes a numlock pad, has plenty of key space to avoid most typos, and the RBG backlight is positively stunning as it changes colors on the fly.
All in all, this isn't as cheap as the best cheap gaming laptops, but it's not so premium a piece of kit that it is out of reach of most people, especially with the starting configurations. This might be a gaming laptop you end up saving up for over the next few months, but in the end you won't be disappointed with the performance, even if there are some more affordable options that might provide a better value.
Acer Predator Helios 300 (2022): Price and availability
The Acer Predator Helios 300 (2022) is definitely the kind of gaming laptop that will really appeal those who love the Gamer™ aesthetic. (Image credit: Future)
The price can get pretty steep as you improve the specs
Limited availability outside of US and UK
The Acer Predator Helios 300 is a fairly premium gaming laptop that starts out pretty affordable at $1,200, with the rig we received priced at $2,100 (about £1,760 / AU$3,091). The laptop does come with a lot of features and some excellent specs, especially as you move up the configuration stack, making it more than worth the cost. And honestly, compared with the best gaming laptops it's competing against, this pricing isn’t actually very steep. It could be more affordable once you factor in any eligible Acer promo codes around right now.
However, it’s rather difficult to purchase it outside the US or the UK, as the laptop isn’t currently available in Australia and other regions. Those living in territories that don’t have this laptop may have to import it from the US or UK, which would bump up the price of an already expensive gaming laptop quite a bit.
Value: 4 / 5
Acer Predator Helios 300 (2022): Design
(Image credit: Future)
Sleek and sexy
Great port selection
Amazing display and keyboard
The Acer Predator Helios 300 is the kind of gaming laptop that looks and feels like what you’d imagine one to be. Though it’s admittedly much sleeker and sexier than the bulky and boring budget laptops, it’s still weighty and thick — not the type of machine you can haphazardly sling over your shoulder in even the best backpack.
Spec Sheet
Here is the Acer Predator Helios 300 (2022) configuration sent to TechRadar for review:
CPU: Intel Core i7-12700H Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti RAM: 16GB DDR5 Screen: 15.6-inch, QHD IPS, 240 Hz Storage: 1TB Ports: 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1 x Thunderbolt 4, 1 x power port, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x SD Card Reader, 1 x Combo Jack, 1 x Kensington Slot Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 Camera: 1080p Weight: 5.51 pounds | 2.5 kg Size (W x D x H): 14.1 x 10.9 x 1.02 inches | 36 x 28 x 2.6 cm
Its port selection is excellent, with three USB 3.2 Type-A ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C that doubles as a Thunderbolt 4, an additional power port with a charger that comes with it, an HDMI 2.1 port, an SD card reader, a combo jack, and a Kensington Slot which should honestly be a security standard for any gaming laptop. No matter what your specific needs are, the Acer Predator Helios 300 has it covered.
The display is just as impressive as you’d expect for a modern gaming laptop, as it’s a QHD IPS screen with a 2560 X 1440 resolution and 240Hz refresh rate. You can see the quality while playing graphically demanding games, as gameplay is buttery smooth and the vibrancy of the colors is as clear as can be, making this one of the best 15-inch laptops for gaming that you're going to find.
This also translates to the webcam, which also offers full HD resolution — perfect for streaming gaming sessions. Unfortunately, there’s no mechanical blind to cover said webcam which is a little disappointing but nothing close to a deal-breaker.
Image 1 of 3
(Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 3
(Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 3
(Image credit: Future)
The keyboard is well-built as well, with keys that have good width and are spaced out enough to avoid accidental typos and double-key presses. The trackpad is also a nice size, though it could stand to be a bit bigger. But the real showstopper is the RGB lighting that’s integrated into each key and allows for some incredible light shows on your keyboard, and you can customize the lighting as well if you prefer something more solid over the default rainbow colors.
Design: 5 / 5
Acer Predator Helios 300 (2022): Performance
The Acer Predator Helios 300 can chew through nearly any game you throw at it with ease. (Image credit: Future)
Top-shelf gaming performance
Excellent air circulation
Turbo button instantly activates overclocking
For a premium gaming laptop, performance is king, or why else would you spend the big bucks for one in the first place? And the Acer Predator Helios 300 absolutely blows nearly every benchmark out of the water, nearly matching or even surpassing most of the other premium laptop models including top-tier picks from the likes of Alienware.
3DMark: Night Raid: 36,199; Fire Strike: 20,334; Time Spy: 10,263 Cinebench R23 Multi-core: 16,497 points GeekBench 5: 1,763 (single-core); 12,231 (multi-core)
PCMark 10 (Home Test): 7,704 points PCMark 10 Battery Life: 3 hours and 5 minutes Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 2 hours and 41 minutes Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 76 fps; (1080p, Low): 212 fps Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 51 fps; (1080p, Low): 92 fps Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 44 fps; (1080p, Low): 175 fps
This is due to its excellent specs including a 12th-gen Intel Core i7 and RTX 3070 Ti, as well as DDR5 RAM. And with the ability to step up to an RTX 3080, you’re getting some top-tier specs like those we saw in our a Razer Blade 15 review but at a much better price point.
If the standard performance isn’t good enough, the Helios 300 (2022) also supports G-Sync and, thanks to its Nvidia Ampere mobile GPU, ray tracing and Deep Learning Super Sampling. There’s even a special Turbo button above the keyboard which can be activated at any time and which puts both the fans and GPU and CPU into overclocked mode.
This works along with the PredatorSense software that’s automatically included with the laptop and which lets you customize RGB lighting, overclocking settings, and fan settings.
The Turbo button is especially useful as it allows you to instantly improve the already impressive air circulation and near-instantly cool down an overheated laptop, while simultaneously bumping up its performance.
Ultimately, no matter how graphically intense or poorly optimized your AAA game of choice is, the Helios 300 (2022) will chew it up and spit it out with ease.
If you need it to also balance non-gaming tasks for work or school, this is absolutely a solid choice for that as well. It's not going to have the portability of the best student laptops out there, obviously, but it'll be great for those who need some downtime after long nights writing up papers in the library.
Its powerful specs are more than sufficient for juggling multiple tasks like movie streaming, video calls, editing documents, and more, and the dual speakers deliver superb sound quality that’s perfect for listening to Spotify or your music streaming service of choice while working on an assignment.
Performance: 5 / 5
Acer Predator Helios 300 (2022): Battery life
Aaaaaand this is where the Helios 300 gets tripped up. (Image credit: Future)
Terrible battery life
Charge time is average at best
With all the positives of the Acer Predator Helios 300, there has to be at least one real negative, and in this case, it’s the battery life.
As powerful as this gaming laptop is, it shows in the absolutely abysmal battery life, which is almost a throwback to the desktop replacements from five or six years ago that wouldn't last an hour idling away from an outlet.
While not quite that bad, the Helios 300 (2022) scrapes by just to reach three hours in the PCMark10 battery test but falls even shorter than that disappointed timein our looped HD movie test. This is one laptop that must be plugged in at pretty much all times, which means if you’re carrying this around you cannot be far away from an outlet, adding even more weight to your backpack from the sizeable power adapter.
Battery Life: 1 / 5
Should you buy an Acer Predator Helios 300 (2022)?
As far as gaming laptops in this class go, the Acer Predator Helios 300 (2022) absolutely runs with top contenders. (Image credit: Future)
• Original review date: July 2022
• Launch price: Starts at $599 (about £490 / AU$865)
• New models now out
Update – September 2024: The 2022 model reviewed here is now pretty outdated - especially when it comes to the graphics card. The good news is that since we reviewed this model, HP has continued to launch updated HP Victus gaming laptops, which remain some of the best cheap gaming laptops money can buy.
The most recent model, the HP Victus 16, was released earlier in 2024, and while its starting price is a bit higher than the Victus 15, it still represents brilliant value for money. Its graphics card is the RTX 4050, an excellent budget GPU that punches well above its weight thanks to DLSS 3.0 upscaling, and it's a marked improvement over the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 that comes with the Victus 15 from 2022.
So, while you might still find this model selling for temptingly low prices at some retailers, I would recommend spending a bit more on the Victus 16 - you'll get a much better gaming experience without having to spend the kind of money some of the best (and most expensive) gaming laptops demand.
Original review follows.
HP Victus 15: Two minute review
The HP Victus 15 is what you should envision when you think about what a budget gaming laptop should be.
One of the latest models in HP’s growing lineup of low-cost gaming machines, the Victus 15 starts off extremely affordable without compromising too much on specs and only moderately increases in price as the specs climd higher. It's certainly a no-frills option that lacks a lot of refinement, but you at least get three simple colors options (mica silver, performance blue, and ceramic white) for the chassis, so it's not a bad looking laptop either.
The Victus 15 is sturdy and a bit chunky, so bags that aren’t made to carry around larger gaming laptops will have a harder time fitting it. The HP Victus 15 has a good assortment of ports and its 15.6-inch display is pretty good for the price, with solid viusuals and resolution even in higher settings, and the 144Hz refresh rate is surprisingly good.
The bezels are perfectly fine but nothing particularly noteworthy, and the webcam is pretty clear, so it’ll treat you well during streaming sessions. The keyboard is just as basic as its laptop's exterior and there’s no key backlight, which makes gaming in the dark a bit harder. On the plus side, there is a tenkey numpad on the right. Meanwhile, the keys are a good size and would be easy to type on but are a bit too smooth, which can trip you up occasionally and result in more typos.
The Victus 15 comes with either an AMD Ryzen 5 or an Intel Core i5 for the CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 mobile GPU, the latter of which really helps keep the price down. Despite the lower spec, it runs graphically intensive games pretty smoothly, even if it doesn't play something like Cyberpunk 2077 at Ultra settings very well.
Its battery life is similar to many of the other best gaming laptops, which is to say not great at all. If you’re lucky, you can keep it alive for about four and a half hours but it’s much safer to simply keep it on the charger. Its charge time is fairly decent at least so you won’t be waiting too long if you stick with the out-of-the-box charger, but it might be worth investing in a USB Type-C charger if you need something faster.
For those looking for the best cheap gaming laptop that brings a great gaming experience at a seriously affordable price, the HP Victus 15 is one to check out for sure. Though it’s simple in design and a bit bulky, its specs will run nearly any title in your Steam library at 30 FPS at least, as well as balance other work or school-related tasks.
HP Victus 15: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
Excellent price
Limited availability outside the US at this time
The HP Victus 15 starts at an incredibly low price of $599 (about £490 / AU$865) in the US with the lowest specs. The price increases with additional upgrades like an AMD Ryzen 7 or Intel Core i7, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU, 16GB memory, or a 512 GB SSD, with the highest price coming in at about $1,200 (about £980 / AU$1,730). Don't forget to take a look at HP promo codes available to potentially save more.
In the UK and Australia, this laptop appears to have very limited availability at this time, and we aren't sure if or when it will become available in those regions. We've reached out to HP for clarification and will update this review if we hear back from the company.
Value: 4 / 5
HP Victus 15: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Hefty and well-built
Solid display and keyboard
Good port selection
If you need an exterior that’s made of sturdy material and has a solid weight, then the HP Victus 15 is definitely up your alley. At five pounds, it has some heft to it which is great since it can take quite a beating, but it can also be a downside when you need to carry it around. This is a laptop that, thanks to both its weight and size, will most likely challenge the bags of most users.
HP Victus 15 Key Specs
Here is the HP Victus 15 configuration sent to TechRadar for review:
CPU: Intel Core i5-12450H Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 RAM: 8GB Screen: 15.6-inch FHD IPS LED Display, 144Hz Storage: 512GB SSD Ports: 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1 x Power port, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x SD Card Reader, 1 x Combo Jack, 1 x Ethernet port Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 Camera: 720p Weight: 5.06 pounds (2.3 kg) Size (W x D x H): 14.09 x 10.04 x 0.93 ins | 357.89 x 255.02 x 23.6 mm
An interesting feature of the HP Victus 15 is that it’s partially made of post-consumer recycled and ocean-bound plastic, uses water-based paint, and has wholly recycled packaging.
Yet the recycled parts don’t seem to impact the all-around quality of the laptop’s build. The paint job is well-done and of good quality, which is rather disappointing considering how basic the three color choices are.
There are a good range of ports including two USB Type-A ports, a Type-C port, an Ethernet port, an SD Card slot, an HDMI port, and a combo jack. It makes for a versatile laptop that is not only great for gaming but for work-related tasks as well.
The display itself is 1080p, and it looks great when playing on High and Ultra settings with other graphical features enabled, especially thanks to its 144Hz refresh rate.
Image 1 of 5
The lid of the HP Victus 15 (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 5
The underside of the HP Victus 15 (Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 5
The HP Victus 15's webcam (Image credit: Future)
Image 4 of 5
A view from the HP Victus 15's webcam (Image credit: Future)
Image 5 of 5
The ports of the HP Victus 15 (Image credit: Future)
The bezels offer decent screen real estate but aren’t particularly thin or efficient in terms of preserving screen space. Its webcam is unfortunately 720p HD, and though it’s not the best resolution it still gets the job done.
It displays your face clearing while streaming during a gaming session, as well as for video meetings. There’s no backlight for the keyboard, which otherwise is a very simple and sensible one with a good sized trackpad, limiting gaming to well-lit areas.
Design: 4 / 5
HP Victus 15: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Can play most demanding games just fine
Good ventilation for heat disipation
Works great as a school or work laptop
Though it’s a budget gaming laptop, the HP Victus 15 takes air circulation seriously, with a dual-fan setup and a much larger air vent at the bottom of the laptop than in previous models. Even during more intensive gameplay segments, it barely generated any real heat.
In terms of gaming performance, this is a budget laptop and as such there are certain concessions to be made when dealing with lower specs. For instance, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Laptop GPU that the lowest spec HP Victus 15 laptops are outfitted with only comes with 4GB VRAM.
During our test run with Dirt 5, both benchmark and normal gameplay, error messages would occasionally pop up to warn about the VRAM getting too low. And this was despite the game itself running at 30 FPS on the highest setting and at around 75 FPS on the lowest.
Cinebench R23 Multi-core: 10,082
3DMark Night Raid: 30,805; Fire Strike: 8,935; Time Spy: 3,645 GeekBench 5 (single-core): 1,596; (multi-core): 6,897
PCMark 10 (Home Test): 6,361
PCMark 10 Battery Life: 4:33
Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 4:14
Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Low): 82 fps; (1080p, Ultra): 34 fps
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Low): 48 fps; (1080p, Ultra): 24 fps
Dirt 5 (1080p, Low): 76 fps; (1080p, Ultra): 31 fps
The issue of low VRAM didn’t show up in other test runs with titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Total War: Warhammer III, and Hitman 3. On the lowest setting Cyberpunk ran at 48 FPS, which sounds bad but the game still looks and runs impressively. But you definitely won’t be maxing out your settings on this title.
Total War: Warhammer III runs at about 34 FPS on average at Ultra and 82 on Low, so if this kind of game is more your jam you can feel free to crank up the settings, but Medium is where you’ll get the best balance of framerate and graphics.
Hitman 3 was a true surprise, considering how demanding it is to run. During our test, we were able to crank up the setting to the second-highest preset and the VIctus 15 still ran above 60 FPS on average. This machine loves Hitman 3 and it shows.
The HP Victus 15 performed below other gaming laptops in the standard benchmarks like Cinebench, Geekbench, PCMark10, and 3DMark. But there wasn’t a huge discrepancy between those scores despite the machine we tested running far less powerful tech compared to other budget laptops.
In other non-gaming related tasks, the HP Victus 15 performs well. It’s able to juggle multiple tasks like streaming movies, voice/video conference calls, editing documents, and more. If you’re looking for a well-balanced laptop, this is a good option.
Performance: 4 / 5
HP Victus 15: Battery life
(Image credit: Future)
As with many gaming laptops, the battery is the worst aspect by far and the HP Victus 15 is no exception. In both our battery tests, the laptop only lasted a little over four hours, which is half of a full work day. When we used it for non-strenuous daily tasks, it lasted about the same amount of time. For gaming the battery dies much faster, which would limit sessions to maybe two hours at most.
However, its charge time isn’t bad when using the charger it comes with, taking around an hour to get to a little over 60% charged. That time would be faster if using a USB Type-C charger, and something we’d recommend if that option is available.
• Original review date: June 2022
• Launch price: Started at $999 / £1,099 / around AU$1,600
• Target price now (updated model): Starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,500
Update – July 2024: Acer's Nitro budget gaming brand is still truckin', though the humble Nitro 5 is no longer the star of the show as new Nitro 16 and Nitro 17 laptops have now arrived on the scene.
The exact Core i5 model from 2022 reviewed here is no longer available to buy directly from Acer (although it can still be found at some third-party retailers), though there are newer models still available - hence the lack of a significant price drop in the above target pricing. The current-gen configuration comes with a newer Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card, making it a straight upgrade without a bump in price; always a welcome sight.
While the Nitro 5 isn't the best laptop on the market, it was never trying to be. Instead, it aims to be the best cheap laptop - and indeed, for a while in 2022 it occupied the 'best budget' spot on our ranking of the best gaming laptops. It might be starting to show its age a bit now, but the Acer Nitro 5 is still a solid choice of gaming machine for buyers on a budget.
Acer Nitro 5 (2022): Two minute review
The Acer Nitro 5 (2022) is an excellent option for anyone looking for a budget gaming laptop, considering how the current market demand for more affordable gaming PCs and laptops has soared in recent months.
For the most part, the Nitro 5 is one of the best cheap gaming laptops around thanks to its great performance, offering a well-rounded gaming experience for its price point. In terms of specs, the Acer Nitro 5 sports some beefy specs for a budget machine, which means it runs most games at 30 FPS at least with maxed-out settings and much higher under more reasonable settings.
The screen is a 15.6-inch display with thin bezels to maximize the space but unfortunately no anti-glare, which means it’ll be that much harder to game when you’re outside in direct sunlight. The keyboard is simple but smooth and easy to use, with wide keys and a tenkey numpad on the right side. It’s also backlit for easy gaming in the dark or dimmer lighting. The touchpad is also smooth and very responsive with no noticeable input delays.
The chassis feels solid and well-built and while it’s not thin and lightweight by any stretch of the imagination, it’s still lighter than many other bulkier gaming laptops and relatively easy to carry around. It’s also well ventilated, using a dual-fan and four-exhaust setup to keep the temperatures low.
Its battery life is easily the worst feature, as it runs out of power in about four hours with regular, non-gaming use. The cable it comes with is a very slow charge, so you’ll have to splurge for a fast charging one yourself to take advantage of the built in Thunderbolt 4 support. The second worst is the 720p webcam with an average-at-best clarity, but unlike some other budget laptops you at least have one built in.
It supports Wi-Fi 6E, which means a much faster internet connection whether at home or on the go. This is a great option for streaming games when you can’t tether your laptop, though it does hinge on whether the Wifi used supports it.
The Acer Nitro 5 is a well-rounded gaming laptop that has some solid performance falling right in line with its competition, except when it comes to its below average battery life. Though not the sexiest, it’s fairly portable with a large screen size and very affordable as well, which is a definitely a bonus nowadays.
Acer Nitro 5 (2022): Price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
How much does it cost? Starting at $999/£1,099
When can you get it? It is available now in the US and UK.
Where can you get it? You can get it in the US through Best Buy, and in the UK through the Acer online storefront.
The Acer Nitro 5 is available in the US through Best Buy and in the UK through the Acer online store, with Australian availability yet to be announced. The configuration on offer features a 12th-Gen Intel Core i5-12500H, Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti dedicated graphics, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB PCIe SSD. Look out for any Acer promo codes that could bring the cost down.
Value: 4/5
Acer Nitro 5 (2022): Design
(Image credit: Future)
A very no-frills, sturdy design
Well-designed and practical keyboard
When you think of the best gaming laptops, the first thing that pops in your head might be one on the thicker side, with a simple black metal exterior, and a bezel that’s thin but nothing out of the ordinary. In other words, a fully functional design that does little to stand out. And the Acer Nitro 5 fits that to a T.
Spec Sheet
Here is the Acer Nitro 5 (2022) configuration sent to TechRadar for review: CPU: Intel Core i5-12500H Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti RAM: 16GB DDR4 Screen: 15.6-inch IPS, FHD, 144Hz Storage: 512 PCIe SSD Ports: 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1 x Thunderbolt 4, 1 x power port, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x SD Card Reader, 1 x Combo Jack, 1 x Kensington Slot
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 Camera: 720p Weight: 5.51lbs | 2.5kg Size (W x D x H): 14.19 x 10.67 x 1.06 ins | 360.4 x 271.0 x 26.9 mm Battery: 57WHr
It has a sturdy and high quality build that’s fitting for a gaming computer. It has a good amount of heft to it, so you’ll definitely feel its weight if you carry it around with you, but its size isn’t excessive enough to cause genuine stress either. As long as you have a good quality laptop bag with some decent space, it doesn’t take up too much room and won’t overburden you either.
If there’s anything about the Acer Nitro 5 that stands out, it’s the keyboard. The keys are black with a white outline, lay mostly flat, and are wider than a standard keyboard’s keys. This gives it a very distinctive look that may be visually polarizing but serves a more practical purpose, which is to make typing on them much easier for those who have thicker fingers or generally shaky hands.
Image 1 of 3
(Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 3
(Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 3
(Image credit: Future)
The smooth and flat surface also means it’s easier for fingers to glide from key to key, which is extremely important when in an intense gaming session that requires fast input. There’s also a numlock pad on the right, putting number keys in an easy to reach position.
The thin bezels are somewhat notable, as they help to maximize the screen real estate while also preventing the screen itself from having to increase in size and make the whole laptop larger and clunkier.
Its port selection is standard but in a good way, with a nice variety of ports and slots to suit most needs. There are three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-As and one Type-C, an HDMI port, an SD Card Reader, a headphones jack, and a Kensington Slot for added security. It also comes with a Thunderbolt 4 port, which is excellent for fast charging though you’ll have to purchase the cable yourself.
Design: 3/5
Acer Nitro 5 (2022): Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Performs well graphically for its configuration
Good quality HD screen
One of the most important yet underrated features of any gaming laptop is the circulation. No matter how cutting edge the specs are, if the airflow is terrible your PC is heading down to crash town. But the Acer Nitro 5 has a solid setup which includes dual-fan cooling, quad exhausts located on each side, and even an upper air intake situated above the keyboard. This translates to a very well cooled machine that hasn’t overheated in the countless hours I played around with it.
3DMark: Night Raid: 35,782; Fire Strike: 13,238; Time Spy: 5,831 Cinebench R23 Multi-core: 11,085 points GeekBench 5: 1,691 (single-core); 8,596 (multi-core)
PCMark 10 (Home Test): 6,536 points PCMark 10 Battery Life: 2 hours and 31 minutes Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 3 hours and 56 minutes Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 52 fps; (1080p, Low): 130 fps Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 76 fps; (1080p, Low): 135 fps
In terms of performance during a gaming session, it runs most graphically demanding titles pretty smoothly. We tested it using both Total War: Warhammer III and Cyberpunk 2077 and without any of the magic of ray-tracing and integrated graphics, both games are able to maintain about 30-50 FPS in Ultra settings and between 70-130 FPS in Low settings. And considering that this laptop’s benchmarks are actually a bit higher than two of the other budget competitors, it makes sense that it’s able to hold its own.
Complementing the visuals is a competent sound setup made of dual 2W speakers. While not groundbreaking in any way, the music and sound effects are immersive and support the graphics well. The keyboard is smooth, responsive, and feels satisfying to use; not to mention the red backlight is always a nice touch, especially during late night gaming sessions.
Also complementing the visuals is the 15.6-inch QHD screen, with a resolution of 2560 X1440. This is further supported by the 165Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time, meaning that not only do the graphics look nice but the visuals are crisp and smooth.
The webcam is nothing to write home about, as it’s a substandard 720p resolution that looks okay but not super crisp and clear. It’s good for Zoom meetings and will manage during streams, but don’t expect anything polished either.
All around this laptop performs pretty well for a budget machine, passing nearly every benchmark handedly. Framerate is better than you’d expect from the hardware it has, which is no doubt the CPU carrying its full weight. It has a great circulation setup, which no doubt contributes to its overall performance, and the sound supports the visuals perfectly with no breakups or other quality issues.
Performance: 4/5
Acer Nitro 5 (2022): Battery Life
(Image credit: Future)
Does not last long at all
Has a Thunderbolt option for charging
If there’s one thing that weighs down the Acer Nitro 5 and it’s the abysmal battery life. Even under normal working conditions the battery can’t seem to go past a few hours before needing a recharge, and the charge time itself is rather slow. Do yourself a favor and buy a Thunderbolt 4 charger instead.
When we ran a standard 1080p movie test, which involves looping a movie at normal settings until the battery life runs out, the battery didn’t even make it to the four hour mark before dying. The results of the PC Mark 10 Battery Life benchmark were a bit more surprising, as the laptop matched its two competitors pretty closely with its score of 6536. This is despite the other two laptops having a battery life of at least eight hours.
• Original review date: March 2022
• Launch price: Starts at $1,699 / £1,499 / AU$2,999
• Target price now (updated model): Starts at £1,749 / £1,699 / AU$2,059
Update – September 2024: The Asus ROG Flow X13 has enjoyed a major specs bump since we reviewed this model back in 2022, with the base configuration leaping all the way up from an Nvidia GTX 1650 graphics card to the far superior RTX 4050, with even beefier 4060 models available too - effectively nullifying the need for an external GPU that we remarked on in the below review.
That does mean pricing has crept up a bit in most regions, although strangely Australia has a budget version without a dedicated GPU (it uses Radeon 780M integrated graphics instead) - and while that means a far lower entry price, I would strongly recommend opting for the AU$2,499 RTX 4050 model - that's still cheaper than the older version in Australia.
If you're actually looking for a lightweight work device and only plan to do casual gaming, that 780M model might be fine - but I'd advise checking out the best ultrabooks instead.
Original review follows.
Two-minute review
The Asus ROG Flow X13 takes on a rather unusual look if you’re more accustomed to the usually chunky chassis and large displays seen on other Asus ROG gaming laptops. This 13-inch ultraportable 2-in-1-style gaming laptop actually offers a few interesting benefits though, namely that you can purchase an additional eGPU (short of external graphics card) to bump up the graphical performance of the device.
A few slim gaming laptops have appeared in recent years, with the likes of the Razer Blade 14 offering power and versilitility, all in a compact design that won't hurt your back to haul around, and eGPUs are hardly a new concept, but seeing the two benefits coexisting is still an unusual sight.
The XG Mobile eGPU doubles as a hub for all your gaming peripherals and gear by including connections for USB, Ethernet and DisplayPort, as well as boosting the GTX 1650 built into the Flow X13 up to Nvidia's RTX 3080. Sadly, our review unit didn't come with the eGPU so this review will be based solely on the performance of the unassisted ROG Flow X13.
(Image credit: Future)
Even without the eGPU, the Flow X13 is a decent little gaming laptop, with emphasis on 'little'. It’s a far cry from the performance you can expect from devices that are natively equipped with more powerful GPUs, but it's AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS processor makes it well suited for demanding applications, and you can happily run low-demand titles with few issues.
Its 13-inch size is uncommon given most folks want more screen real-estate to play games, but if you needed something compact then it could be exactly what you're looking for. It's even a 2-in-1 device, so you can transform this into a tablet to edit images or sketch if you use it with the stylus that it ships with, but the palm rejection is frustratingly bad so you'll need to be careful to not touch the display.
It's quirky, with plenty of unique features that will impress your friends even if they're already pretty familiar with gaming laptops, but that doesn't mean its offering the very best of both worlds. We're unable to test the eGPU, so we can't advise if buying one alongside the ROG Flow X13 makes it a worthwhile purchase, but as a standalone device there are better offerings out there that won't leave you feeling as if you've purchased an incomplete system, like beautiful car with no engine.
Price and availability
Spec sheet
Here is the Asus ROG Flow X13 configuration sent to TechRadar for review:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 RAM : 32GB 4200MHz DDR4 Display: 13.4-inch 16:10, 3840 x 2400 pixel, multitouch, 60 Hz Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD Ports: 1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A, 1 x HDMI, 1 x headphone jack, 1 x external GPU port Connectivity: Dual-band WiFi 6 (802.11ax) + Bluetooth 5.0 Camera: 720p HD camera with physical privacy shutter Size: 11.77 x 8.74 x 0.62 inches Weight: 2.87 pounds / 1.36 kg
The Asus ROG Flow X13 is available now, from $1,699 / £1,499 / AU$2,999, with the XG Mobile RTX 3080 Laptop GPU priced at an additional $1,499.99 / £1,299. We couldn't find an official price for the RTX 3080 eGPU in Australia, but then, we couldn't find the Flow X13 at all on the Australian Asus website.
If you wanted to buy the two as a bundle, then there's good and bad news. The good news is that the two are frequently bundled together, but both pricing and regional availability for this is all over the place. There are a few different listings for the same variant of the ROG Flow X13 that we reviewed at $3340 / £2899, but ran into similar issues trying to find something for Australia.
It’s also possible to buy the laptop with an RTX 3050 or RTX 3050 Ti GPU and weaker Ryzen 9 5900HS processor, at a similar price to the version running with an older GTX 1650 which could give a little RTX boost to creative applications and games that allow DLSS.
Design
Image 1 of 2
(Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 2
(Image credit: Future)
As far as gaming laptops go, the ROG Flow X13 is rather conservative, but that plays in well with it's marketability towards working professionals who need a portable workstation by day and a gaming beast over lunch and when you clock off for the day. At 3 lbs / 1.3kg and just 0.6 inches / 158mm thick, this won't be weighing down a bag on your morning commute and will easily fit into a standard satchel or backpack.
The black design is modern and simple, though it still retains a lot of that iconic ROG styling we've come to love from Asus. The 13.4-inch screen of the Flow X13 is very bright, clear and sharp, with a full HD 1080p resolution and a peak brightness of just under 300 nits. That's not mind-blowing, and you'll struggle to work in bright environments but the the visual quality is decent, with vivid colors coming through in gameplay and while streaming media.
Image 1 of 2
(Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 2
(Image credit: Future)
There are two display options to choose from, either 3,840 x 2,400 at 60Hz or 1,920 x 1,200 at 120Hz with the latter being the version reviewed here.
There are a few productivity benefits too, such as the display dimensions being 16:10 rather than 16:9 like many gaming laptops still use. The additional space is great as you get noticeably more vertical space with a 16:10 resolution which will result in less scrolling.
The keyboard is comfortable, with generously sized LED-backlit keys for such a small gaming device. There are dedicated buttons at the top of the keyboard control the volume, mute the microphone and launch the ROG Armory Crate control software (required to optimize GPU and other components). You're not getting a numpad, but...well, just look at the size of the laptop and don't ask for the earth.
The touchpad is also large and responsive. We certainly wouldn't suggest trying to use this to play games on, but it does a decent enough job if you're whipping it out on a train to get some work done. Still, consider grabbing a decent wireless mouse will save a lot of frustration, and models like the Razer Orochi V2 also double as a fantastic gaming peripheral if you don't want multiple mice hanging out in your bag.
(Image credit: Future)
Sadly, as is usually the case with smaller laptops, you're not getting many ports on the Flow X13. On the right you'll find a single USB-A 3.2 port and a USB-C 3.2 port you use for charging (no support for the newer Thunderbolt 3 or 4). The left side sports a 3.5mm audio jack, an HDMI port, and the proprietary XG Mobile external GPU port that's covered by a silicone cover.
The power button on the ROG Flow X13 is replaced rather precariously along the side of the device, so as to not interfere with it while in tablet mode but this does have its own set of issues. Though 2-in-1 laptops usually have power buttons on their sides, this was especially sensitive, and we did manage to accidently put the device to sleep on a few occasions.
Performance
Benchmarks
Here's how the Asus ROG Flow X13 performed in our suite of benchmark tests: 3DMark: Night Raid: 27,670; Fire Strike: 7,763; Time Spy: 3,308 Cinebench R20 Multi-core: 4,374 points GeekBench 5: 1,506 (single-core); 7,941 (multi-core) PCMark 10 (Home Test): 5,781 points PCMark 10 Battery Life: 4 hours and 3 minutes Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 3 hours and 38 minutes Total War: Three Kingdoms (1080p, Ultra): 22 fps; (1080p, Low): 87 fps Metro Exodus (1080p, Ultra): 23 fps; (1080p, Low): 82 fps
The Asus ROG Flow X13 is equipped with some pretty impressive kit for its diminutive size, rocking an AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS processor and a whopping 32GB of speedy RAM. This isn't just good for gaming, it also makes it a pretty good at managing creative applications too, especially those that will lean more on the CPU than graphics.
Even while running 10 tabs in Google Chrome (a browser known to be a memory hog), while also streaming music on Spotify, a muted video on one of the Chrome tabs and then attempting to edit some images on Adobe Photoshop, the Flow X13 keeps up. While the fans do kick in and things can get pretty dang warm, it doesn't appear to struggle with the workload, though we would suggest you don't try this while the device is on your lap.
We can't speak for how the Flow X13 performs when docked into the XG Mobile Dock eGPU, but that little GTX 1650 runs surprising well regardless. Sure, you're hardly going to be playing brand new release titles like Elden Ring on anything close to an enjoyable framerate if you don't slap the settings on their lowest possible options, but there are still some beautiful games that will run just fine.
Horizon: Zero Dawn manages an admirable 31fps on standard settings, while The Witcher 3 runs along happily at 36fps, and while both are getting on a bit in age, they do show you won't be restricted to just running indie or retro titles.
The usual low-demand Battle Royale games like Fortnite and Valorant will also play well on the system, but that's hardly surprising given those titles are designed to run on just about anything. If you wanted a new laptop for work or school that you can also play a few rounds on during breaks, this isn't a terrible option.
(Image credit: Future)
Still, if you're not keen on playing games around 30fps you'll need to buy the additional eGPU or look for something with a little more power behinds it's graphics. As it stands, the Flow 13 has more in common with something like the Dell XPS 13 than other gaming laptops - a powerful, portable workstation, but once that's a tad gutless for gaming.
Our actual benchmarks are...okay for a laptop in this price range given its other features, but you'll certainly get more for your money if you want more power for the same budget. You can buy an Asus TUF A15 for $1,300 (£1,300, around $2,000), and while it gets bested by the Asus ROG Flow X13 in productivity benchmarks like Geekbench 5, with the TUF A15 scoring 1,175 (single-core); 7,708 (multi-core) against the Flow 13's 1,506 (single-core); 7,941 (multi-core) score, It dominates the 2-in-1 at gaming capabilities, and still manages to stay fairly professional looking.
Battery life
(Image credit: Future)
Many workstation laptops can offer some pretty impressive battery life despite having powerful components, and similarly, we see that some older or budget-friendly gaming laptops can also chug along for a while thanks to them using older hardware that's less demanding on power.
The Flow X13 manages to suck in both of these regards. Battery life is pretty poor, and the 2-in-1 lasts just 4 hours and 3 minutes in the PCMark 10 Battery Life benchmark that simulates a selection of daily activities. Similarly, our looped video test only runs for 3 hours and 38 minutes, and while both scores are fairly on point for a beefy gaming laptop...this isn't.
In actual gaming, it runs dry in just under two hours, which is pretty abysmal. If you're looking for a gaming laptop that can actually run for a while away from a power outlet, consider the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 which in the same looped video test lasts an incredible 8 hours and 10 minutes.
Webcam
(Image credit: Future)
Webcams on any laptop tends to be a bit lacklustre, but having one included on a gaming device at all is a modern day miracle. Thankfully, the ROG Flow X13 does include a camera, and while its a far cry from anything on our list of the best webcams, the 720p resolution is fine for video conferencing or having a quick chat with friends.
The sensors are pretty bad though, so you'll want to make sure you're facing a decent light source. In dim light there's a lot of background noise in shot, and even if used in a well lit room the colors can look washy. It also doesn't have IR sensors or privacy shutters, so you won't be able to log in with your face using Windows Hello.
• Original review date: February 2022
• Launch price: Starts at $1,649 (about £1,250, AU$2,300)
• Target price now: N/A
Update – September 2024: R.I.P. to 14-inch Alienware laptops, I guess. Yes, Dell has killed off the X14 gaming laptop line entirely since we reviewed it back in 2022, with the company now focused only on 16- and 18-inch models. It's no longer available for purchase, although you might be able to pick one up second-hand.
Back in 2022, the Alienware X14 certainly was worthy of standing among the ranks of the best gaming laptops around, so it's a shame to see it disappear from Dell's gaming lineup. It's doubly sad given that there's no obvious replacement here either; Dell's own-brand G-series gaming laptops only come in 15- and 16-inch flavors.
Original review follows.
Two-minute review
Thin and light gaming laptops like the Alienware X14 are becoming more common as mobile PC components become more power efficient and PC makers get better at designing cooling systems that don't take up as much space. We've already seen a few laptops try to pack high power and light weight in a single chassis, but now Alienware is throwing its legendary hat - and design into the ring.
And, it ends up with one of the thinnest and lighting gaming laptops we've ever used. This laptop is just 0.57 inches thick and weighs just under 4lb, making it easy to carry in your backpack. But it doesn't sacrifice power to fit in that chassis. The model we reviewed comes with an Intel Core i7-12700H, 32GB of RAM and an RTX 3060. That's not the most powerful hardware on the market, but its more than what you'll find in most laptops this size.
But with that high power in such a portable chassis, you're going to have to pay. The model we got in for review will cost a whopping $2,299 (about £1,700, AU$3,200) in the US, quite a bit more expensive than an equivalent Razer Blade 14, though it is a bit thinner and lighter. With the high price of entry, the Alienware X14 really is a gaming laptop for people that want something that can play the best PC games at high settings, but without weighing them down. And the fact that it uses USB-C charging instead of a giant power brick definitely helps, too.
Price and availability
SPEC SHEET
Here is the Alienware X14 configuration sent to TechRadar for review: CPU: 2.4GHz Intel Core i7-12700H (14 cores, 24MB cache, up to 4.7GHz Turbo) Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 RAM: 32GB Screen: 14-inch 1080p LED, 144Hz, 7ms Storage: 1 X 2TB M.2 SSD Optical drive: N/A Ports: 1x USB-A,2 x USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, 1 x USB-C with DisplayPort, 1 x HDMI, 1 x microSD card reader, audio combo jack Connectivity: Killer WiFi 6E AX1675 (2x2 ), Bluetooth 5.2 Camera: HD 720p Webcam Weight: 4.06 pounds (1.8 kg) Size: 12.66 x 10.35 x 0.57 inches (321 x 263 x 14.5 mm; W x D x H)
The Alienware X14 is available today, starting at $1,649 (about £1,250, AU$2,300). That will get you a 12th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050. That would be enough for most esports games, and should be more than capable of handling most AAA games, especially if you use DLSS.
If you want a bit more gaming power, though, you can up the GPU to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for $1,849 (about £1,360, AU$2,580) . This is the configuration we'd recommend for most people, and the price is actually pretty good, and about what you would pay for other gaming laptops with similar specs - including our favorite low-profile gaming laptop, the Razer Blade 14.
The configuration reviewed here will set you back $2,299 (about £1,700, AU$3,200), and comes with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD. This is definitely an overkill amount of RAM and storage space, especially in a gaming laptop that maxes out with an RTX 3060. But as far as Alienware laptops go, this max configuration is actually pretty tame.
In fact, we wish Alienware pushed a little further with the X14. Even if it just included a 3070 configuration for people that want to play some Cyberpunk 2077 on the go or something. But it's likely that would have added to the bulk of the device, and it would have lost some of its charm.
(Image credit: Future)
Design
It is immediately striking how thin the Alienware X14 is when you pull it out of the box and look at it. And then, when you pick it up and notice how light it is, it's easy to forget that this is, in fact, a gaming laptop.
This is a laptop that measures just over half an inch thick and weighs just around 4lb. In a lot of ways, it's a similar profile to a MacBook Pro or a Dell XPS 15, just with a little bit of extra gaming juice behind it. The one thing that does bulk up the laptop's profile a bit, though, is the protrusion on the back.
A lot of the hot air is channeled through the vents back here, and this is also where every single port is found. However, while it's convenient in the moment when you have it on a table or something, it does unfortunately add to the footprint of the Alienware X14. This protrusion makes it a bit more difficult to fit in a bag, and if you were just barely fitting a 14-inch laptop in your bag before, you might need to get a bigger backpack. This packs away more like a 15-inch laptop than a 14-inch laptop.
However, the smaller charging cable makes up for it. This is the first Alienware laptop we've ever used that uses a USB-C charger as its primary method of charging. The charger that comes in the box is exactly the same one as comes with the XPS 15, and it works just fine with our MacBook Pro charger as well. With more and more devices using USB-C charging, it's nice having a gaming laptop that we don't have to also pack a special charger for.
As far as the ports around back that we mentioned earlier, there are two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one standard USB-C for charging, an HDMI, one USB-A port and a microSD card reader - and of course a headphone jack. As far as most gaming laptops go, this would be a bit lacking, but considering the size of the laptop, it's more than we were expecting. Luckily we haven't reached a time when gamers have to live the dongle life as well - at least not yet.
And for such a thin laptop, the keyboard is surprisingly solid. Travel is nice and deep, and bottoming out on the keys isn't as solid and shocking as on other chiclet-type keyboards. The trackpad is also surprisingly good, accurate and has a nice clicking mechanism.
Even the speakers are pretty good considering the size of the device. The only place they're lacking is in bass response. Listening to "Billions" by Caroline Polachek, the entire song comes through loud and clear. However, the deep bass in the background gets muffled by the weak woofers on the Alienware X14. In games, this means things like explosions and gunshots aren't as clear as they should be, but you should be using a gaming headset for stuff like that anyway - a shame there's only one USB-A slot though.
The display is also very good. It's a 14-inch 1080p display with a 144Hz refresh rate. It hits an average of 377 nits of brightness, which should be plenty for most people. It also manages to reach 109% of the sRGB color spectrum, which means it's extremely colorful. It's definitely not the most beautiful or bright display on the market, but it's fast, and it's accurate enough that gamers are going to love it.
Finally, because this is a gaming laptop in 2022, there is of course some delightful RGB lighting. The fan exhaust on the back of the laptop is surrounded by an RGB light bar and the Alienware logo on the lid of the laptop also features user-adjustable lighting. The keyboard also features RGB lighting, and by default comes in a gorgeous static blue setting.
Alienware is definitely a company that wants you to show off your laptop, and trust us, you're going to want to show off the Alienware X14.
(Image credit: Future)
Performance
Benchmarks
Here's how the Alienware X14 performed in our suite of benchmark tests: 3DMark: Night Raid: 41,366; Fire Strike: 15257; Time Spy: 6716 Cinebench R23 Multi-core: 13686 points GeekBench 5: 1567 (single-core); 13531 (multi-core) PCMark 10 (Home test): 6830 points PCMark 10 Battery life: 5 hours and 27 minutes Battery life (Techradar movie test): 6hours and 13 minutes Total War: Three Kingdoms (1080p, Ultra): 52 fps; (1080p, Low): 177 fps Metro Exodus (1080p, Ultra): 46 fps; (1080p, Low): 150 fps
While this is a thin and light gaming laptop, it definitely isn't specced out like one. This is equipped with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, and unlike the one you would find in, say, the XPS 17, this is a 75W version of the mobile GPU - which is very nearly the full-fat 80W maximum for this piece of silicon.
Dell was able to do this by utilizing a similar cooling solution to what's found in the X15 and X17, just with a two-fan configuration rather than four fans. That's likely why this laptop is limited to just an RTX 3060 and a Core i7, but it's definitely effective. While the laptop does get loud under load, temperatures are kept in check, and it allows the laptop to perform admirably.
In Metro Exodus at Ultra settings at 4K, the Alienware X14 manages just under 50 fps, and as soon as you turn on DLSS (which you should), that will easily hit 60 fps. Likewise, in Total War: Three Kingdoms, this laptop manages 52 fps on the Ultra preset.
This gaming laptop can absolutely play the latest AAA games at high settings at 1080p, but you are going to have to fiddle around with some of the settings if you want to hit the magical 60 fps mark. This is why we would have loved an RTX 3070 configuration. Maybe next time around, Dell will find a way to fit a slightly more powerful GPU in here.
As for the CPU in here, Alder Lake-H continues to impress. This is a Core i7 configuration and has no problem absolutely wiping the floor with its 11th-generation equivalent. It even manages to match an 11th-generation Core i9 processor in much thicker laptops like the Dell XPS 17 and the Alienware x17.
CPU heavy workloads like photo and video editing are going to be a breeze, and the Efficiency Cores in the Core i7-12700H will make sure that pesky background tasks don't get in the way of you getting things done.
(Image credit: Future)
Battery life
Battery is, simply put, the Achilles Heel of the Alienware X14. This gaming laptop just lasts around 5 and a half hours in the PCMark10 battery benchmark, and just about 6 hours in our video playback test.
This is likely because there is only an 80Whr battery in the X14, rather than the 99WHr batteries found in most gaming laptops these days. That was probably in interest of keeping the laptop as thin and light as it is, but it does mean that you're likely going to need to carry around a charger. But, again, the bright side of that is that you can charge this laptop with pretty much any USB-C charger you have lying around.
It's definitely a compromise we wish we didn't have to make. We don't really go anywhere where we can't plug a laptop in, but if you're hoping to have this thing last you through an international flight - it's probably not going to manage that.
Camera
Good webcams are more important than ever before now that telecommuting is becoming more common, and the Alienware X14's camera is pretty lackluster. It's a 720p sensor, and the images it captures aren't very detailed. The lighting is pretty awful as well, which means it's probably not a laptop we'll be taking video calls on any time soon.
It does have IR, so it supports Windows Hello, but that's pretty much the only good thing about the webcam here. Dell has been putting better webcams into its other laptops, we don't know why this laptop was neglected, especially since livestreaming has become so popular.
(Image credit: Future)
Features and software
Just like any other Alienware or Dell laptop, the Alienware X14 is loaded with Dell's own software. However, it is all conveniently contained in one launcher this time around, called My Alienware. From here, you can get updates, launch Alienware Command Center, and other various support-flavored tasks.
Alienware Command Center continues to be where you're going to find all the performance profiles and controls for RGB lighting. It also will let you scan your PC for games, so you can launch your whole library from that one app instead of juggling around a bunch of different storefronts. Definitely a nice touch, though you can get the same effect by just downloading GOG Galaxy.
