CES 2023 | Acer Predator Helios 18: Colossal gaming laptop announced with a 250 Hz mini LED display, Intel Raptor Lake HX processors and GeForce RTX 4000 graphics cards

With skyrocketing CPU and GPU TDPs, it was only a matter of time before 18-inch laptops came back from the dead. Acer is one of the first OEMs to resurrect the not-very-portable form factor with its shiny new Predator Helios 18. Acer's Predator line usually offers top-shelf hardware, and the Predator Helios 18 is no exception. It has an exorbitant price tag to go with it, too.

The Acer Predator Helios 18 has an 18-inch display. It is available in several configurations, including WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200) 165 Hz, WQXGA (2,560 x 1,600) 165 Hz, WQXGA 240 Hz and finally WQXGA 250 Hz with a mini LED screen. The AU Optronics mini LED panel has a peak brightness of 1,000 nits and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut. The keyboard offers a per-key mini LED backlight, too, complete with copious amounts of RGB.

One can choose between the Intel Core i9-13900HX or Core i7-13700HX as a processor for the Acer Predator Helios 18. Graphics card options aren't specified, but there's no reason Acer can't fit a newly-launched GeForce RTX 4090 or RTX 4080 in the chassis. Acer's 5th-gen AeroBlade fans, liquid metal and Vector Heat pipes should help keep the power-hungry components from overheating.

The Acer Predator Helios 18 draws power from a 4-cell 90 Wh battery that requires a beefy 330 Watt charger. The laptop itself can weigh up to 3.25 kilograms (7.1 lbs), which isn't surprising. Acer has thrown in two Thunderbolt 4.0 ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, an unspecified number of USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports and a Killer Wi-Fi 6 module and Killer Ethernet jack. Gamers in EMEA and China can buy the gaming behemoth first, starting at EUR 2,499 and RMB 20,999. It will hit North American shores in March for US$1,650.