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Turtle Beach Stealth 500 review: lightweight yet lackluster
6:00 pm | August 4, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Turtle Beach Stealth 500: One-minute review

The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 Wireless Headset is the next addition to the already well-established Stealth series. Compatible with PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Switch, and both Android and iOS mobile devices, this versatile wireless headset is easy to set up and boasts a decent build quality, alongside clear audio regardless of what you're playing. Going into a market oversaturated with budget-friendly wireless headsets, you'd think the Stealth 500 has a lot to prove, but the number of features alongside its lasting comfort mark it as a worthwhile purchase. 

For example, its 40-hour battery life is immediately appealing to someone looking to avoid the frequent tether of a wire. Paired with its extensive sound profile, you'll be able to tune in to all the slightest noises during your session, whether that's distant enemy footsteps in Escape from Tarkov or the bustling sounds of Night City in Cyberpunk 2077. 

I don't know about you, but when I'm trying to immerse myself into an epic open-world title like Red Dead Redemption 2, I want whatever I can to drown out every sound from the outside world. I've been testing the Stealth 500 for around 50 hours, and I've been consistently surprised by the quality of audio which comes as a surprise for a budget-leaning wireless headset. Compared to a product at a similar price point like the JBL Quantum 360X, there's a noticeable upgrade in comfort due to its plush earcups, so hours of gaming can slip by practically unnoticed. 

The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 headset on a wooden floor.

(Image credit: Future)

Turtle Beach Stealth 500: Price and availability

  • $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$139

The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 wireless headset launched on May 19, 2024, so it's a fairly new addition to the brand's line of gaming peripherals. Costing $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$139 this headset is far from a premium product. But, even though it does sit on the more affordable end of the scale, compared to products within the same price bracket such as the Xbox Wireless Headset there is a lot on offer to set it apart. 

The most notable feature for me, and what justifies the price, is the audio presets available via the Swarm II app that helps customize your listening to your gaming experience. These presets alter the sound profile to emphasize certain parts of games, such as the Superhuman hearing setting which increases the volume of things like footsteps or gunshots, or the Signature Sound setting which offers the best all-around sound profile for the headset. While not essential, they’re an extra flair that most of the budget-friendly headsets I've tested don’t offer.

Even in comparison to slightly more expensive wireless headsets, such as the HyperX Cloud III, the Stealth 500 is comparable in terms of battery life and build quality - especially given its price point. Its 40-hour battery life offers double the time of the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro which costs slightly under double the Stealth. So if you're not quite ready to invest in the more expensive side of some of the best wireless headsets, this is a fantastic alternative. 

Turtle Beach Stealth 500: Specs

Turtle Beach Stealth 500: Design and features

  • In-built flip-to-mute microphone
  • Floating headband 
  • Cheap-feeling buttons and scroll wheels 

The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 is built for comfort, and it certainly delivers. I find a lot of budget-friendly wireless headsets cut corners in the quality of their build to accommodate a cheaper price tag, so I was pleasantly surprised by the Stealth 500 for the most part. The floating headband is a far more comfortable addition than a cushioned plastic headband which you'd see on headsets like the PDP REALMz wired headset or the JBL 910X wireless headset, and the ear cups are made from soft memory foam rather than the rustly, plastic material I’m used to dealing with on cheaper headsets.

The mic folds nicely into the earcup which is a solid addition rather than being static on the side of the cup, or detachable like the Turtle Beach Atlas Air. Being able to keep the microphone tucked out of the way into the earcup rather than alongside is a welcome feature and something I've only seen on more expensive headsets. Plus, being able to quickly pull the mic down when you're jumping into a call rather than scrambling to find it is a huge timesaver. Moving the microphone up will also mute your output which is far more convenient than tabbing between your call and game to manually mute yourself. 

But even with the convenience of its mic and the vast majority of the build is promising, there are still some flaws in the design of the Stealth 500. Most notably, the buttons on each earcup and the scroll wheels are made from a much cheaper-feeling plastic than the rest of the headset. There's a lot of movement from buttons before pushed and activated, and the scroll wheels move so freely that it's hard to fine-tune your volume without using the desktop audio mixer. With that said, the buttons are well-spaced, though, rather than being crammed together and making it difficult to use.

The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 headset.

(Image credit: Future)

Turtle Beach Stealth 500: Performance

  • Powerful spatial audio  
  • Variable mic monitoring 
  • Audible hiss with no audio playing 

There's a lot to praise about the audio quality and performance of the Stealth 500. It's capable of picking up on a wide dynamic range regardless of what you're playing, which helps put you in the center of the action. The 40mm drivers help provide powerful spatial audio, which is supported by the Superhuman audio setting. If you're an avid FPS player in particular, or if you're a horror fanatic looking for a headset to heighten the tension, then the Stealth 500 fits the bill. You'll hear every whisper and footstep with the Superhuman setting which will help you react in ample time.  

Premade audio profiles available through the Swarm II app also help to make the quality of your experience better. These profiles can be customized to perfectly suit what you're playing, and frankly, I think it's an impressive addition for a budget-friendly headset. This feature is something I'd expect to be available for the best wireless headsets rather than a cheaper set like the Stealth 500, and they are worth making the most of since they’re so readily available. 

One of the notable downsides of the headset is the audible hiss present once the headset is connected, but no audio is playing. This isn't the first time I've noticed this with a cheaper wireless headset, but it does reduce the quality of the product slightly. It thankfully does drown out when something is playing, so it's not something you'll have to worry about whenever in use, at least. 

The mic quality is also good. It's not groundbreaking like I experienced on the Turtle Beach Atlas Air, but it's nothing to turn your nose up at. It's clear in a call, but quick to peak and cut out with loud noises. The lack of a muffler also makes the mic sensitive to plosives which is another case of audio levels peaking, but aside from that you're getting what you pay for.

The controls of the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 headset.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Turtle Beach Stealth 500?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

You don't care for additional flourishes
With how basic the Stealth 500 is in terms of on-board features, a lot of the things that help improve the experience are stowed away in its external Swarm II app. If you don't care for sound profiles to help improve the experience, you may want to consider a headset that is ready to go once unpacked rather than one with additional software. 

Also consider...

Still not sold on the Turtle Beach 500? Here's how it stands against two similar budget-friendly cross-compatible wireless gaming headsets. 

The controls of the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 headset.

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Turtle Beach Stealth 500

  • Tested for 50 hours 
  • Used with PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 
  • Compared to other wireless gaming headsets at a similar price  

I tested the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 wireless headset for 50 hours across multiple platforms and were impressed with how easy it was to connect and use. On PC, I used the headset for Apex Legends and Risk of Rain 2, and an impressive spectrum of audio was showcased. Even the slightest sounds in the distance were picked up by the headset which made combat all the more exciting. 

On Nintendo Switch, the music in games like Ooblets helped spotlight the capabilities of the headset outside of sound effects and also helped me appreciate elements of music we had missed when listening through speakers. The same can be said for Red Dead Redemption 2 on PlayStation. The Stealth 500 helped me pick up on more natural foley such as birdsong, which in turn helped me fill out the compendium in-game. 

I also compared the headset to other budget-friendly headsets such as the JBL Quantum 360X, and more premium headsets like the Turtle Beach Atlas Air wireless headset.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2024.

JBL Quantum 360X Wireless Headset review – a decent, mid-range headset
6:08 pm | December 15, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: | Comments: Off

The JBL Quantum 360X is a solid wireless headset that may not be as top-of-the-range as sets from the likes of Turtle Beach and SteelSeries, but it still offers a great audio experience capable of immersing you into your favorite Xbox games. It may not fall among the best wireless gaming headsets, but it's still a worthwhile contender if you don’t want to splash out big bucks. 

Even though the JBL Quantum 360X doesn’t cost a fortune, it still offers robust features like strong audio quality, a detachable mic, and effective on-ear controls that ensure it has plenty to offer if you’re on the market for a new headset for Xbox or PC. It’s got a simple setup, and an easy-to-use set of controls, helping it offer a  no-nonsense console audio solution for anyone wanting to delve further into your games.

With that said, if you do cherish high-quality audio and stronger build quality, then the JBL Quantum 360X might not meet your standards. Rather, it offers a reasonable quality in both aspects rather than anything groundbreaking, but that is reflected in its price tag.  

Price and availability

JBL Quantum 360X

(Image credit: Future)

The JBL Quantum 360X headset is available for purchase right now for $64.95/£63.99, which doesn’t break the bank, and fairly reflects the quality of the headset. For US shoppers, you can buy directly from JBL or go to retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target, whereas UK customers will be able to purchase from JBL, Argos, Amazon, or Currys. 

However, just because it doesn’t cost as much as a similar wireless Xbox headset like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X ($159/£169) doesn’t mean it cuts corners on quality. Of course, it doesn’t perform to the standard of a premium Xbox headset, but it’s still an incredibly decent, well-developed product that offers value for money by the bucketload. 

Design and features

JBL Quantum 360X

(Image credit: Future)

In terms of overall aesthetics, the JBL Quantum 360X Wireless Headset is designed to mirror the Xbox black-and-green colorway. It’s simple, but the design makes it incredibly sleek. 

The memory foam ear cups are comfortable even for multi-hour use, a factor enhanced by the headset’s general lightweight build and complementing headband. That said, my one gripe with the headset’s design would be the material used to cover the foam of the ear cups, which sometimes creates a little rustle noise against my glasses - but that might just be a ‘me problem’. 

The button layout on the ear cups is another tick for the JBL Quantum 360X since things are nicely spaced out which minimizes the chances of accidentally pressing the wrong button, which is an issue I faced with the spacing on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P wireless headset. 

In addition to this, the buttons themselves are straightforward to use, with a scroll wheel and mic mute button on the left cup and the power switch on the right. All buttons and wheels are of decent quality, but they don’t feel like something to write home about. Referencing the fact this is more of a budget-friendly headset, the plastic does feel a little cheap at times, especially in the way that the scroll wheel clicks when you adjust the volume. 

The detachable boom mic is an ordinary but welcome feature - having the choice to attach it for multiplayer use, or remove it for single-player gaming is super. Plus it’s incredibly easy to attach and use. In addition to this, when the mic is in use there’s an incredibly convenient and easy-to-use mute button. 

Performance

JBL Quantum 360X

(Image credit: Future)

Generally, the sound quality is robust and enjoyable - but still has a few holes which cropped up in a few of the games I played. I used this headset while playing co-op games like Bread & Fred, Apex Legends, and Lethal Company on PC to test the microphone quality alongside the audio, but also wanted to see how it performed without the microphone attached through games like A Highland Song and Stardew Valley. It’s safe to say that the JBL Quantum 360X offers a varied sound profile, picking up on essential, quieter sounds like distant footsteps within first-person shooter (FPS) games, or background noises without cutting corners on bass-heavy sounds or audio.

With that said, sometimes the audio comes through slightly brash when there’s a sudden surge in volume. Loud, higher-pitched sounds become tinny, whereas loud mid-range sounds turn into something like a rattle within the earcups. If you play a lot of horror games such as Amnesia: The Bunker which have jarring, loud noises as part of the experience, this can interrupt the experience somewhat. I adjusted the volume to see if this helped dampen this issue, but even when the volume of the headset was low, this brash rattle would still occur. It’s not severe enough to strip you away from your game, but it’s noticeable the first few times it happens. 

Elsewhere, the headset’s design and build do a fantastic job of keeping out any background noise due to the quality cushioning of the earcups. So if you’re gaming in a loud space, then this headset will help keep you engaged and immersed purely by default. Plus, you don’t have to whack the volume up on your game to experience this either. 

Microphone audio is also clear, especially given the price point. The additional foam cover for the microphone also prevents a lot of plosives or sharp noises that cheaper mics pick up and send through. 

JBL claims a 22-hour battery life and that the set takes only two hours to charge fully Having used the headset for a little over a month, and still being able to count on one hand how many times I’ve had to charge it to full, this claim is accurate. On top of that, just ten minutes of charge will give you an hour of wireless playtime which is a great feature to have if you’re in a pinch before jumping into a multiplayer Xbox Series X game.

Should I buy the JBL Quantum 360X wireless gaming headset?

JBL Quantum 360X

(Image credit: Future)

Overall, the JBL Quantum 360X wireless headset is a decent pick for a mid-range wireless gaming headset for Xbox that concentrates on providing solid gaming audio without adding in too many flashy features. The detachable mic makes it easy to use for online play, and it’s a solid performer in both single-player and multiplayer games. 

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we tested the JBL 360X wireless gaming headset

I used the JBL Quantum 360X Wireless Headset on both Xbox Series X and PC for more than a month. On Xbox, I played games like Party Animals and Street Fighter 6, whereas on PC I used the headset for games like Apex Legends, Baldur’s Gate 3, and The Outlast Trials. On both systems, I also tested the microphone of the headset by jumping in and out of multiplayer parties and work calls, and I always found it incredibly easy to set up and connect the headset to both devices.  

If you're in the market for a wired model, we've got a guide to the best wired gaming headsets. However, we've also got a guide to the best Xbox Series X and Series S accessories if you want to take your setup even further. 

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P headset review – comfort, quality, and perfect for co-op
1:25 pm | October 20, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: | Comments: Off

Although it might not cross your mind initially, having one of the best PS5 headsets will take your experience with the console to the next level. I spent a lot of time relying on the built-in speakers of my TV to enjoy what the PS5 has to offer, but now I've had a chance to use the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P during my gaming sessions, I don't think I will ever play without a headset again. 

But even though the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P headset is designed to be paired with the PS5 primarily, anyone who also primarily uses PC as their platform of choice should consider this headset. It works seamlessly, providing the same quality audio as you can expect when in use on PS5 and only excluding the built-in compatibility with existing PS5 audio features.

Between its extensive audio profile covering every high to low note, its comfort, and its crystal clear microphone, there’s a lot that goes into why the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P headset is well worth adding to your setup. 

Price and availability

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P is available for purchase right now for $179.99 / £174.99 (around AU$349) from a variety of retailers. US consumers will be able to buy the headset from SteelSeries, or retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy, whereas UK shoppers can also purchase via the manufacturer’s site, or places such as Argos and Amazon.

In comparison to alternative premium gaming headsets such as Razer's Blackshark v2 Pro which is currently available for $199.99 / £179.99, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P falls ever so slightly cheaper - despite not cutting corners on any of the quality. The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro headset is another great example that falls among a similar price range, setting you back a whopping $329 / £279 - but as we highlighted in our review, its quality dips within its microphone, which is something the Arctis Nova 7P excels in. 

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P - design and features

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P

(Image credit: SteelSeries)

Out of the box, it’s clear that the Arctis Nova 7P is a high-quality headset. Its build is incredibly strong, featuring a sturdy, metal form factor to help give it that premium feel. It’s got a deep blue-hued headband across the top for enhanced comfort, and the ear cups are made of a pleasantly soft material. The entire product is white aside from its blue band to mimic the stylings of the PS5. 

In terms of features, buttons are kept incredibly simple, with a power button on the right cup alongside the Bluetooth button you’ll use to connect the headset to your device, and a mic mute button on the left cup alongside a volume wheel for quick adjustment while in-game. These buttons are, for the most part, easy to use and in comfortable positioning, making them easy to use when the headset is being worn.

One complaint I would have is how close the Bluetooth and Power buttons are, which sometimes results in me pressing the wrong thing when trying to turn the headset on and wondering why it's taking so long to connect. For a premium headset, it’s a fairly basic setup, and it would’ve been nice to be able to access EQ presets on the device itself.

One notable feature regarding the design of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset is its comfort during longer gaming sessions. I wear glasses when sitting in front of screens, and more often than not wearing a headset simultaneously will result in a dull ache or a feeling of abrasion behind my ears where the cups of the headset have been resting for too long, but the soft cups of the Arctis Nova 7P mean this problem is avoided entirely.

The microphone also neatly tucks away within the left cup of the headset, so when you’re just playing games by yourself, you won’t have to worry about a mic getting in the way. When you do need it though, it’s incredibly simple to pull out and move to the position you need due to its flexible mic arm, rather than it being rigid and stuck in one place.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P - performance and battery life

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P

(Image credit: SteelSeries)

Being a higher-end SteelSeries headset, the performance is very impressive. It’s simple to connect to both PC and PS5 with the included USB dongle. The sound profile is incredibly clear, and even at low volume levels, you are able to hear even the most subtle sound effects or noises within a game. It’ll impress users who love a strong bass profile, too.

The headset features support for 360 spatial audio, which makes in-game listening far more immersive and captivating. The Arctis Nova 7P is also compatible with the PS5’s Tempest 3D Audio. 

The custom high-fidelity drivers within the headset offer an impressive range, so you’ll be able to pick up on even the most subtle noises within games, or the lowest notes within songs. This is ideal for any titles like the best FPS games which require you to be on high alert for audio cues like player footsteps, or distant gunshots to signify where your opponent is hiding. 

This high-quality performance is carried over to the microphone - which is ideal for anyone who wants to make the most of the best multiplayer games on PC. With AI-powered noise canceling, you’ll be able to tailor performance to filter out background noises. Over voice channels and calls, the microphone consistently offers clear output so your teammates will always be able to hear you clearly. For titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Overwatch 2 - it’s a fantastic companion for a competitive or co-op-oriented gamer. 

As claimed by the manufacturer, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P is said to boast an impressive 38-hour battery life, but since taking it out of the box and using the headset for about three weeks on and off, I've only found myself charging it once - so I can confidently say that statement tracks. 

Battery life is an essential consideration when it comes to the best wireless gaming headsets since you don't want to have to worry about charging mid-match, and you’re free to use the headset for hours on end with no tether to a charging cable. As someone who is constantly forgetting to charge their tech, the battery life of the Arctis Nova 7P was a relief when I was jumping in and out of multiplayer games and Discord calls and simply not having to deal with a depleting battery light or audio signifier. 

As a whole, my experience with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P has opened my eyes to a whole new level of expectation when it comes to gaming headsets. Even though the product still has its flaws, such as the button placement, it's something that I would greatly recommend to anyone looking for a trustworthy headset that is a guaranteed gateway to more immersive gaming and clearly communication for co-op sessions. 

Should I buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P wireless headset?

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P

(Image credit: SteelSeries)

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we tested the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P

I used the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P across PC and PS5 for around three weeks. During this time, I've played games such as Sea of Thieves, Wizard with a Gun, Lies of P, and The Mortuary Assistant, all of which have sounded incredibly crisp and clear and made use of the headset's fantastic audio profile. In particular, using the headset for horror games has helped me pick up on several audio cues like footsteps behind me or gentle whispers which I may have missed if I had played relying on speakers instead. 

In addition, I've tested the headset during Discord calls to see how easy it was to connect and how clear the audio through its microphone sounded, and I've used it to listen to music which once again has made full use of the audio profile.

If you’re specifically looking for a headset for your Xbox, we’ve got a list of the best Xbox Series X headsets. But, if you’re looking for additional ways to make the most of your PS5, we’ve got a list of the best PS5 accessories too.  

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 review: a fair price for a fine device
8:13 pm | September 19, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Laptops | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16: Two-minute review

Acer's Predator line of laptops is well-known at this point, offering everything from desktops like the Acer Orion 7000 to high-end laptops such as the Acer Helios 300. The latest gaming machine to grace my test bench is the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 - a more budget-conscious entry into the Predator line.

That's a welcome sight since many of the best gaming laptops are fearsomely expensive; sure, I love the new Razer Blade 14, but it starts above two thousand bucks, and the average person just can't afford to casually drop that amount of money on a gaming machine. 

In today's fraught economic landscape, good-value hardware is king - and I reckon the Predator Helios Neo 16 checks that box. With this redesign of Acer's existing Helios laptop line, we've still got a high-quality machine with the latest internal components, but now at a new (and more accessible) price point.

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Now, I'm not saying that the Helios Neo 16 is worthy of our best budget laptops list - it's still a gaming laptop and therefore not exactly cheap, as you'll see below. However, it offers plenty of bang for your buck thanks to 13th-gen Intel processors and RTX 4000 GPUs across a variety of different configurations.

It also doesn't feel cheap, thanks to its RGB keyboard, sturdy chassis, and large display. Although the more affordable versions pack an FHD display, my review unit is a slightly pricier model packing a QHD+ screen that looks fantastic. The hinge is also suitably durable, with minimal wobble if the laptop is moved or picked up.

Will this Helios spin-off earn a spot among the best laptops? How does it stack up against rival laptops in the same price range? Let's take a deeper look.

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16: Price & availability

  • How much does it cost? Starting at $1,199.99 / £1,399 / AU$1,998 
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, the UK and Australia

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 starts at $1,199.99 / £1,399 / AU$1,998, although I noted while verifying prices for different models that the base US configuration (which features an RTX 4050 GPU) actually isn't available in the UK and Australia; those starting prices are for RTX 4060 models.

The highest-end model, which uses an RTX 4070 and i7-13700HX, will run you £1,799 / AU$3,999 (about $2,230), though I couldn't find that configuration anywhere in the States. The highest-spec model there appears to be my review unit, which features an RTX 4060 and costs $1,549.99 / £1,399 (around AU$2,400).

While these prices aren't exactly budget, the definition of an 'affordable gaming laptop' has shifted somewhat over the last few years. With this goalpost-moving in mind, I feel pretty comfortable saying that the Helios Neo 16 is actually a great-value product, despite costing more than a budget gaming laptop did five or ten years ago.

Interestingly, the aforementioned entry-level RTX 4050 model is already on sale at Best Buy at the time of writing, going for just $999.99 - a pretty stellar deal in today's gaming laptop market, so consider snapping that one up!

  • Price score: 4.5 / 5

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16: Specs

As I noted above, configurations of the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 vary wildly between regions. I've done my best to include the base, review, and high-end configurations here, but bear in mind that the top-spec model listed below isn't actually available in the US (not yet, anyway).

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16: Design

  • Stylish design
  • Beautiful display
  • Plenty of physical ports

The first thing I noticed upon unboxing the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 was the printed design on the exterior of the lid. My understanding is that not every Neo model has this design, but it certainly adds to the aesthetic of the laptop and makes it a bit more eye-catching than the average gaming system.

Opening the Neo up, I'm immediately treated to an excellent display. I've long been a fan of the 16:10 aspect ratio now becoming more common in laptops since it gives you that extra little bit of vertical screen real estate that makes scrolling through web pages or documents a little easier. The 1600p resolution on my review unit is excellent, with strong color density and deep blacks.

Considering that this isn't an OLED screen, it's one of the best IPS displays I've seen on a laptop. The anti-glare coating works well in all but the most brightly lit environments, and the maximum brightness of 500 nits is excellent. The 165Hz refresh rate (also found in the cheaper 1200p version of this display) is a great inclusion for anyone who plays fast-paced competitive games.

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Moving down to the laptop's bottom half, we've got a relatively normal membrane keyboard that is mostly comfortable to use. The WASD, PredatorSense, and arrow keys are partially translucent to give them extra highlighting when the RGB lighting is turned on.

I have very little to say here; the keys don't feel overly squishy, but it's also not the best keyboard on a laptop I've ever used. Middle-of-the-road is perfectly fine at this sort of price point though, so I can't complain.

I will complain about the touchpad, however! While the pad itself felt suitably responsive and offered a decent amount of tactile feedback when clicked, the positioning seems a little... off. It's set to the left-hand side (already a risky move since the standard gamer hand position sees your fingers sitting atop the WASD keys), but it's also not properly aligned with the spacebar.

I actually struggled to put my finger on what exactly was putting me off, but it just feels slightly wrong. The palm rejection worked fine for the most part, although there were one or two occasions when my left thumb would catch the touchpad and register unwanted input while I was gaming. The large size of the touchpad - otherwise a good feature - made this an issue, though I imagine many users wouldn't have the same problem. I ended up disabling the pad since I was using a mouse anyway.

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

The overall casing is plastic, not the machined aluminum you'll find on more expensive gaming laptops, but it doesn't feel flimsy. In fact, the Neo's chassis feels quite robust, and the 1080p webcam embedded in the slim display bezel is another bonus - a lesser manufacturer might've opted for a cheaper 720p camera here instead, considering the overall price.

Around the edges of the Helios Neo 16, we've got a veritable smorgasbord of physical ports - something I love to see in this era of MacBook-inspired port minimalism. We've got 3 USB-As, 2 USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, HDMI for video output, RJ-45 for wired internet, a headphone jack, and even a microSD port.

This level of port support should be considered aspirational among gaming laptop makers. Please don't starve me of my ports; I still use physical flash drives!

  • Design score: 4 / 5

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16: Performance

  • Decent gaming performance
  • 4060 can run anything at 1080p, most games at QHD+
  • Fans are loud but the system runs cool
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16: Benchmarks

Here's how the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

3DMark Night Raid: 65,825; Fire Strike: 24,487; Time Spy: 11,146
GeekBench 6: 2,490 (single-core); 14,658 (multi-core)
Total War: Warhammer III: 1080p Ultra: 83.6 1080p Low: 223.8
Dirt 5: 1080p Ultra: 97.2 1080p Low: 164.6
Cyberpunk: 1080p Ultra RT: 61.1 1080p Low: 152.0
PCMark 10 Battery Life: 1hr 41m
TechRadar Movie Battery Life: 2hr 55m 

Considering the price tag, my RTX 4060-equipped review model of the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 performed admirably. I've seen slightly better figures from other 4060-wielding laptops, but the difference is pretty marginal.

If you drop the resolution to 1080p (the standard we use for benchmarking games), there's basically nothing you can't play with a clean framerate. Even Cyberpunk 2077's Ultra preset with ray-tracing turned on just about managed to clear the 60fps barrier, and performance in synthetic tests was also strong.

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Dial things up to native resolution, and you might find yourself having to drop your graphical settings a tad to maintain a high framerate, though this won't be the case for every game. I was able to play Dirt 5 at 1600p Ultra without my fps dropping below 60, and plenty of games can now take advantage of Nvidia's DLSS upscaling tech to boost framerates when you're playing above 1080p.

CPU performance was also pretty strong - again, not the very best I've seen, but great when factoring in the price point here. I didn't experience any slowdown while opening numerous Chrome tabs or running two games at once. While the Neo comes with a perfectly acceptable 16GB of RAM in most configurations, it can be upgraded to 32GB if you're planning to run any memory-intensive software.

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

My only real gripe with the Helios Neo 16 during my testing process was the fan noise. Boy, those suckers are LOUD, even when using the balanced power preset. Knock things up to Turbo mode and it sounds like a jet engine firing in your living room.

That being said, the Neo did run pretty darn cool throughout my whole testing process, so those fans are clearly doing the job. The fans are custom-engineered all-metal 'AeroBlades' connected to five heat pipes and liquid metal thermal grease, which evidently works as advertised - props to Acer's laptop cooling team.

  • Performance score: 4 / 5

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16: Battery life

  • Unimpressive battery life
  • Large, heavy AC adapter

Sure, gaming laptops are hardly known for their all-day battery longevity, but it's always nice to find one that outlasts the competition.

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is sadly not that laptop, clocking in at less than two hours in the PCMark 10 mixed-use battery life test and only faring a bit better in our looped video playback test. In practical gaming tests I got similar results, with just over 90 minutes of playing Deathloop using the balanced power preset before the laptop gave up the ghost.

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

The Neo does at least charge pretty quickly, but the included AC adapter is huge and heavy, which severely impacts the laptop's portability. Ultimately though, most buyers will (and should) primarily use this as a desktop-replacement system, so it's not a huge issue - or at least, it's an issue shared by 95% of gaming laptops, so I can't knock the Neo too much for it.

  • Battery score: 3 / 5

Should you buy the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16?

Buy it if...

You want good value for money
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is competitively priced with a sensible starting price, meaning you get plenty of bang for your buck here - the higher-spec configurations aren't ridiculously expensive, either.

You want a multipurpose machine
The comfortable keyboard and 16:10 display make the Helios Neo 16 a perfectly good choice if you want a desktop-replacement laptop that will serve you for work just as well as play.

Don't buy it if...

You crave portability
The Neo isn't just a big laptop, it's also on the heavy side - and with its poor battery life, you'll also have to lug around the chunky AC adapter. This one's best left on your desk at home.

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16: Also consider

If the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 has you considering other options, here are two more laptops to consider...

How I tested the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16

  • Replaced my everyday system for one week
  • Used for general gaming for around two weeks

I played a wide variety of games on the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16, not just our regular suite of test titles. I spent a decent amount of time in the evenings replaying Deathloop and also dipped my toe back into Apex Legends and Valorant (the latter of which I still suck at).

To test the brightness and glare resistance of the display, I used it during the daytime and at night, even sitting out in my backyard in the middle of the day. I used it in place of my desktop PC to write most of this review as well as some of my regular everyday work, including video calls to test the webcam.

I also took the Neo with me to my friend's house, playing the rather excellent Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun for a brief period on the train. Trust me, you don't want to try using a 16-inch gaming laptop on British public transport. Just don't do it.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed September 2023

MSI Raider GE67 HX review: Big, bold, and bright
11:27 pm | March 24, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

MSI Raider GE67 HX: Two-minute review

The MSI Raider GE67 HX is a bit of a beast. 

Not, perhaps, as much as the ludicrously powerful and bulky MSI GT77 Titan (which really lives up to its name), but still a chunky, weighty gaming laptop that promises top-notch performance and - I’m pleased to say - delivers in spades, able to keep up with the best gaming laptops on the market.

At over two kilograms and packing a 15.6-inch display, the Raider GE67 HX is certainly a big-boy laptop, sitting firmly within ‘desktop replacement’ territory - sleek and portable, this device is not. But that chunky chassis contains some mighty components, most importantly a powerhouse Intel Core i9-12900HX (from which the laptop takes part of its namesake) and up to an RTX 3080 Ti graphics card for crisp, high-fidelity gaming.f

Straight out of the box, the MSI Raider GE67 HX feels durable and robust, with a premium design that sets it apart from some of MSI’s more budget offerings. Firing it up, the thick RGB lightbar that runs along the front edge spills rainbow lighting onto your desk, and the quality of the display becomes immediately apparent.

I’ll dig into the details further down in this review, but the screen is the obvious selling point of this laptop: it’s bright, colorful, and offers a crazy-fast 240Hz refresh rate, perfect for esports gaming. The keyboard - built in collaboration with gaming keyboard veterans SteelSeries - is also a highlight, quite literally since it also packs per-key RGB backlighting.

The MSI Raider GE67 HX photographed on a wooden desk with RGB lighting turned on.

(Image credit: Future)

In terms of performance, the RTX 3080 Ti in this review model more than pulls its weight: the screen resolution is 1440p, which means you’re practically guaranteed to clear 60fps in just about any game, higher if you use Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling software. In my time messing around with (sorry, carefully testing) the GE67 HX, I found that it ran all the games I played smoothly and looked good doing it.

Now, I had my gripes with the Raider GE67 HX, but they feel fairly petty in the face of its excellent performance and solid physical design. Yeah, it’s heavy, and sure, the battery life is typically lackluster (something even the best gaming laptop is going to struggle with), but these aren’t major failings as far as I’m concerned. My only major issue with the GE67 HX was how noisy the fans got, but if you’re going to use this laptop at home with a gaming headset atop your noggin, you should have no problems whatsoever - this is an excellent heavyweight choice, deserving to stand among the best laptops we’ve reviewed so far this year.

MSI Raider GE67 HX review: Price and availability

  • Starts at $2,499.99
  • UK version costs £3,099, as tested
  • Three different models available

With a starting price of $2,499.99 (around £2,030 / AU$3,730) for the RTX 3070 Ti model and a hefty $3,499.99 (£3,099, around AU$5,220) for the high-spec RTX 3080 Ti model I’m reviewing here, the MSI Raider GE67 HX isn’t exactly cheap. In fact, it sits towards the more expensive end of gaming laptops with the same GPU - but that’s not the only factor to consider here.

Most gaming laptops in the same weight class as the GE67 HX have normal laptop CPUs from Intel, denoted by an ‘H’ at the end of the name rather than this model’s HX variant. The HX chips are essentially desktop processors with more cores squeezed into a laptop profile, meaning that the CPU performance of this Raider will beat many of its peers. You’re also looking at a premium to pay for that gorgeous display, but I’d argue it’s worth the price - though anyone on a budget should definitely look at the best cheap laptops instead.

The MSI Raider GE67 HX photographed on a wooden desk with RGB lighting turned on.

(Image credit: Future)

Since this is an MSI product, you can’t buy it directly from the manufacturer in the US or Europe. Fortunately, MSI laptops are generally pretty easy to find on Amazon or similar big retailers; in fact, I spotted the 3070 Ti model of this laptop going for just $1,999 on Amazon, a seriously good deal.

  • Price score: 3.5/5

MSI Raider GE67 HX review: Specs

There are three main versions of the MSI Raider GE67 HX, which use the RTX 3080 Ti, 3080, and 3070 Ti respectively. The latter two models can come with a slightly cheaper 12800HX processor instead of the 12900HX found in my review unit; all come with 32GB of DDR5 RAM as standard, with up to a 2TB SSD depending on the model.

The MSI Raider GE67 HX photographed on a wooden desk with RGB lighting turned on.

(Image credit: Future)

MSI Raider GE67 HX review: Design

  • Beautiful display
  • Sturdy (if heavy) chassis
  • Great range of ports

First things first: wow, that’s a gorgeous screen. The 1440p OLED panel used in the MSI Raider GE67 HX is fantastic, offering VESA-certified TrueBlack 600 HDR with amazing contrast and great color reproduction along with a 0.2ms response time and 240Hz. I was consistently impressed with just how good the display looked across a variety of games, with colors that popped and deep, true blacks.

That means that it doesn’t just make games look great and provide super-snappy responsiveness and framerates for fast-paced games - it’s also capable of pulling double duty for content creators such as digital artists and video editors, thanks to the RTX 3080 Ti GPU. If you’re looking for a gaming machine that can also support your hobby (or professional work), this is a great pick.

Looking at the physical chassis, we’ve got a nice robust finish that practically screams ‘gaming’. From the prominent MSI branding on the lid and the large heat vents to the RGB lightbar and keyboard, this is a gamer’s product through and through. In other words, if you’re looking for something that won’t stand out in an office environment, this might not be the laptop for you.

The MSI Raider GE67 HX photographed on a wooden desk with RGB lighting turned on.

(Image credit: Future)

Connectivity is as good as it gets, with three USB-A ports and two USB-Cs (one of which is Thunderbolt 4 enabled) joined by HDMI video output, an Ethernet port, and an SD card reader - the latter of which has become something of a rarity on gaming laptops, and will no doubt appeal to photographers. These ports are quite evenly spread around the left, right, and rear edges of the laptop, with the charging port located on the back edge so it’s not in the way when you’re using it - since you’ll want to have it plugged in whenever possible.

The SteelSeries-designed keyboard is excellent, comfortable to use whether you’re typing or gaming, with a good level of key travel and no sponginess or noticeable input latency. The per-key RGB lighting can be easily synchronized with other SteelSeries products too, so if you’re planning on hooking up one of the best gaming mice or any other peripherals from SteelSeries, your whole setup can look fly as heck.

The trackpad is a bit less impressive; it’s not as large as I’d like for a laptop of this size, and the click feels a tad flimsy and unsatisfying. It’s not terrible, but if there’s one area where the Raider GE67 HX’s physical exterior falls down, it’s that. Fortunately, the ‘Duo Wave’ speakers deliver impressive audio in both volume and clarity - a department where many gaming laptops fall down badly. The webcam is also a decent 1080p offering, which makes a noticeable difference in video calls compared to its 720p brethren.

  • Design score: 4.5/5

MSI Raider GE67 HX review: Performance

  • Strong 1440p gaming performance
  • Intel HX-class processor is powerful
  • Fans do get seriously noisy
Benchmarks

Here's how the MSI Raider GE67 HX performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

3DMark Night Raid: 55,726; Fire Strike: 26,805; Time Spy: 11,914
Cinebench R20 multi-core: 8,862
GeekBench 5: 1,888 (single-core); 15,841 (multi-core)
PCMark 10 (Modern Office): 9,079
PCMark 10 (Battery life test): 3 hours and 6 minutes
TechRadar Battery Life Test: 3 hours and 55 minutes
Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 92 fps; (1080p, Low): 218 fps
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 109 fps; (1080p, Low): 266 fps
Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 134 fps; (1080p, Low): 293 fps 

Unsurprisingly given its powerful internal components, the MSI Raider GE67 HX made short work of our benchmarking suite. Buttery-smooth gaming at either 1080p or 1440p is no trouble at all for the RTX 3080 Ti, and there’s the option to turn on DLSS should you want to kick all the ray-tracing settings on in games like Cyberpunk 2077.

Our standard testing sees us benchmark games at 1080p resolution as a baseline standard, but I also tested all three games at 1440p to match the GE67 HX’s screen resolution, and all three cleared 60 frames per second at Ultra graphical settings without needing DLSS. This undeniably impressive showing demonstrates that even if the RTX 3080 Ti might be a generation behind now, this gaming laptop is still pretty darn future-proof.

Performance in synthetic graphical tests such as 3DMark Time Spy was similarly strong, and that HX-series CPU just sings in multi-core benchmarks, showing very strong scores in GeekBench 5 and Cinebench R20. Everyday workloads should be zero trouble here either, as evidenced by good performance in the PCMark 10 ‘modern office’ benchmark.

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The MSI Raider GE67 HX photographed on a wooden desk with RGB lighting turned on.

(Image credit: Future)
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The MSI Raider GE67 HX photographed on a wooden desk with RGB lighting turned on.

(Image credit: Future)
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The MSI Raider GE67 HX photographed on a wooden desk with RGB lighting turned on.

(Image credit: Future)

Just going back to the topic of future-proofing for a moment, this is a good place to mention that the RAM and SSD found in the MSI Raider GE67 HX are user-upgradable, meaning you can swap out your memory and storage for higher-capacity options further down the line should you so wish. I’d attest that the 32GB of DDR5 RAM in our review model is more than sufficient, but 1TB of storage won’t be enough for some users so it’s nice to see upgrading is an option here.

While the overall performance was very strong, I did have one point of contention while testing the GE67 HX: this thing is loud. Twin fans and seven heat pipes appear to do a reasonably good job of cooling the laptop (it certainly does get a bit warm, but nowhere near as hot as some of the gaming laptops I’ve reviewed), but those fans sound like a pair of tiny helicopters crammed into the plastic casing when you’re playing the best PC games.

Noisy fans are somewhat par for the course when it comes to gaming laptops these days so this is hardly a dealbreaker, but that doesn’t make me any less annoyed by it. It’s doubly frustrating here, where the performance is so good and the speakers are excellent - realistically, the best way to use this laptop is to grab yourself one of the best PC gaming headsets to block out the fan drone.

  • Performance score: 4/5

The MSI Raider GE67 HX photographed on a wooden desk with RGB lighting turned on.

(Image credit: Future)

MSI Raider GE67 HX review: Battery life

  • Giant battery doesn’t really salvage the battery life
  • Less than two hours of gaming
  • Less than five hours of light use

Gaming laptops are hardly famed for their stellar battery life, but the MSI Raider GE67 HX still disappoints. Despite packing a ginormous 99.9Whr battery (just barely below the legal limit allowed on airplanes!), it isn’t able to make it through an eight-hour workday even with the brightness on 50% and a workload of nothing more straining than web browsing and word processing.

Gaming is predictably even worse; I unplugged it at full battery one evening and played some Apex Legends with the volume at 50% and brightness at maximum, and it perished just shy of the 90-minute mark. Sure, most of its peers sit in the exact same boat, but it’s a shame to see when MSI trumpets the power of its titanic battery in the Raider’s marketing material.

Ultimately, the battery life falls in the middle of gaming laptops around the same price range: not the worse, but far from the best. Naturally, it’s worth bearing in mind that the lower-spec models of the GE67 HX have the same internal battery, so should offer somewhat better battery life. It also takes quite a while to charge to full (around two and a half hours) despite its chunky AC adaptor.

  • Battery life: 3.5/5

Should you buy the MSI Raider GE67 HX?

Buy it if...

You want a desktop replacement
The MSI Raider GE67 HX isn't the most portable of laptops, weighing over 2kg and possessing a fairly bulky chassis. If you just want to set it up and mainly use it in one place, it's the perfect replacement for a full-scale desktop PC.

You want to play esports games
Looking to play competitive titles like Valorant or Overwatch 2? That powerful GPU and snappy 240Hz OLED display mean you'll never have to worry about frame drops or input latency again.

You're a gamer and a creative
Oddly, this gaming laptop has a bunch of features that will likely appeal to creative types. A tonne of ports including an SD card reader and a high-quality display make this a good choice for photographers and video enthusiasts.

Don't buy it if...

You need something portable
This Raider is just a bit too big and heavy to easily carry around in a bad - consider something like a Razer Blade 14, or the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14.

You want a laptop for the office
There are plenty of minimalist gaming laptops that won't look out of place in a professional office environment - the MSI Raider GE67 HX, however, is not one of them. This is clearly a gaming product, and that's an aesthetic that won't suit everyone.

You're on a budget
The GE67 HX isn't ludicrously expensive for its components, but it's certainly on the pricier end of the gaming laptop scale. If money is tight, look for something with an RTX 3060 or 3050 Ti instead.

MSI Raider GE67 HX review: Also consider

If my MSI Raider GE67 HX review has you considering other options, here are two more laptops to consider...  

How I tested the MSI Raider GE67 HX

The MSI Raider GE67 HX photographed on a wooden desk with RGB lighting turned on.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Used for a week's regular work at home
  • Played games on it during the evenings
  • Took it with me to a friend's house

As with most gaming laptops I review, I simply replaced my everyday computers (an HP 2-in-1 from 2019 and my custom-built gaming desktop) with the MSI Raider GE67 HX for about a week, using it both for work and play.

This meant I used it for about eight hours a day to do all sorts of regular tasks, then squeezed in some gaming (on various titles including Warframe and Overwatch 2) whenever I could in the evenings - I have a fiance and a dog who frequently demand my attention, but I did my best. Naturally, this was in addition to running our usual suite of benchmarking tests.

Most of my testing was conducted with the laptop plugged in, but I'm always sure to use it unplugged for a while to gauge its real-world battery life. I also threw it in my messenger bag and took it on public transport to a friend's house, which I wouldn't really recommend - it's heavy, and so is the charger.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed March 2023