Acer’s formidable new Predator Orion 7000 desktop can crush any game with its RTX 4090, and it’s joined by two refreshed Nitro V laptops

Acer's formidable new Predator Orion 7000 desktop can crush any game with its RTX 4090, and it's joined by two refreshed Nitro V laptops

What you need to know

  • Acer announced two new gaming laptops — the Nitro V 14 and Nitro V 16 — at IFA, along with a new Predator Orion 7000 pre-built gaming desktop.
  • The Nitro V 16 and Predator Orion 7000 are powered by Intel and NVIDIA, while the Nitro V 14 has an AMD Ryzen and NVIDIA hardware combination.
  • The Nitro V 16 is expected to launch in NA and EMEA markets in October starting at $1,300/€1,449.
  • The Nitro V 14 is expected to launch in NA and EMEA markets in September starting at $1,100/€1,199.
  • No release date or pricing is set for the Orion 7000 desktop.

As a seasoned PC enthusiast with a penchant for high-performance gaming rigs and a background in technology journalism, I must say that Acer’s Predator Orion 7000 (PO7-660) has caught my eye. With its sleek design, branded Predator case, and the promise of next-gen Intel CPUs, it seems like a dream machine for those who prefer pre-built systems over DIY.


2024’s IFA event in Berlin is scheduled to kick off on September 6, however, Acer has already revealed a variety of new laptops, monitors, and gaming equipment ahead of time. Of particular interest to PC gamers are the newly announced Nitro V laptops and the Predator Orion 7000 pre-built desktop, which combines AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA performance hardware

I’m particularly thrilled about the upcoming Orion 7000 desktop, as Acer hints at future-generation Intel processors, possibly the “Arrow Lake” series, combined with a top-tier NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU. Let’s explore the three exciting gaming PCs that Acer is planning to release

Acer’s new Nitro V 16 and Nitro V 14 are mid-range gaming laptops

Acer's formidable new Predator Orion 7000 desktop can crush any game with its RTX 4090, and it's joined by two refreshed Nitro V laptops

Acer's formidable new Predator Orion 7000 desktop can crush any game with its RTX 4090, and it's joined by two refreshed Nitro V laptops
Acer's formidable new Predator Orion 7000 desktop can crush any game with its RTX 4090, and it's joined by two refreshed Nitro V laptops
Acer's formidable new Predator Orion 7000 desktop can crush any game with its RTX 4090, and it's joined by two refreshed Nitro V laptops
Acer's formidable new Predator Orion 7000 desktop can crush any game with its RTX 4090, and it's joined by two refreshed Nitro V laptops

Although Intel unveiled its upcoming “Lunar Lake” mobile processors on September 3, Acer opted to utilize the 14th Gen Core HX mobile chips instead for the latest Nitro V 16

That’s still a ton of performance for gaming, and the Nitro V 16 has what it takes to keep up with its optional 16-inch 2560×1600 display with 180Hz refresh rate. With up to a Core i7-14650HX CPU, NVIDIA RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, 32GB of upgradeable DDR5 RAM, and a 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD, you can expect stable frame rates at QHD+ even in demanding games.

That is, of course, the top configuration, which will cost a lot more than the entry-level model that Acer pegs at about $1,299.99. It looks like it will have a Core i5-14450HX CPU, NVIDIA RTX 3050 GPU, and an FHD+ display with 165Hz refresh rate. I’d rather see Acer go with an RTX 4050 for this entry model, but the last-gen GPU should still make easy work of less demanding titles.

As an analyst, I find that Acer’s Nitro line prioritizes affordability over top-tier features, a trend that is consistent in this particular model. For instance, the laptop’s camera offers only a 720p resolution, and it relies on Wi-Fi 6 rather than the more advanced and dependable Wi-Fi 6E. Furthermore, its battery capacity stands at just 57Wh

When you’re planning to purchase a high-performance laptop designed primarily for gaming, it’s important to keep your expectations modest regarding battery life. It’s common for top-tier gaming laptops not to offer exceptional battery performance due to their powerful hardware. However, a MUX switch will indeed enhance the runtime when using the laptop for productivity tasks

Acer says the Nitro V 16 (ANV16-71) is launching in October in NA and EMEA markets.

Acer's formidable new Predator Orion 7000 desktop can crush any game with its RTX 4090, and it's joined by two refreshed Nitro V laptops
Acer's formidable new Predator Orion 7000 desktop can crush any game with its RTX 4090, and it's joined by two refreshed Nitro V laptops
Acer's formidable new Predator Orion 7000 desktop can crush any game with its RTX 4090, and it's joined by two refreshed Nitro V laptops
Acer's formidable new Predator Orion 7000 desktop can crush any game with its RTX 4090, and it's joined by two refreshed Nitro V laptops
Acer's formidable new Predator Orion 7000 desktop can crush any game with its RTX 4090, and it's joined by two refreshed Nitro V laptops

The ANV14-61 variant of the Nitro V 14, unlike its 16-inch counterpart, adopts a distinct strategy. Acer markets it as a more compact choice for gamers and students who move around with their preferred games, and its white design should attract those seeking a change from the standard gamer laptop look. Unfortunately, Acer does not disclose the extent of RGB customization for the keyboard; however, images suggest a soothing light blue tone for the keys

Two display options with a size of 14.5 inches each are offered, ranging from Full High Definition Plus (FHD+) at 1920×1200 pixels, all the way up to Quad High Definition Plus (QHD+) at 2560×1600 pixels. Both displays maintain a 16:10 aspect ratio, boast a swift 120Hz refresh rate, and reproduce 100% of sRGB colors. Given that the highest-end GPU inside this model is an NVIDIA RTX 4050 Laptop GPU, I find it hard to justify the need for a higher refresh rate

The starting model announced by Acer, priced at $1,099.99 and expected to hit shelves in North America and Europe this September, appears to feature an AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS CPU alongside an NVIDIA RTX 2050 Laptop GPU. Additionally, Acer mentions the possibility of an upgraded AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS CPU, as well as the option for either an NVIDIA RTX 3050 or 4050 graphics card. This model could also potentially boast up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a storage capacity of up to 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, much like its larger counterpart, the Nitro V 14. Moreover, a MUX switch for the GPU is included to extend battery life

I’m not too thrilled about the Nitro V 14’s camera quality given its 720p resolution, but it excels in terms of connectivity options. It boasts advanced features like Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, USB4, dual USB-A 3.2 ports, HDMI 2.1, and a microSD card reader. These capabilities are particularly useful for creative work and photography

Acer’s Predator Orion 7000 desktop gets next-gen Intel CPUs and up to a NVIDIA RTX 4090

Acer's formidable new Predator Orion 7000 desktop can crush any game with its RTX 4090, and it's joined by two refreshed Nitro V laptops
Acer's formidable new Predator Orion 7000 desktop can crush any game with its RTX 4090, and it's joined by two refreshed Nitro V laptops
Acer's formidable new Predator Orion 7000 desktop can crush any game with its RTX 4090, and it's joined by two refreshed Nitro V laptops
Acer's formidable new Predator Orion 7000 desktop can crush any game with its RTX 4090, and it's joined by two refreshed Nitro V laptops

From a tech enthusiast’s perspective, nothing gets me more pumped than the Predator Orion 7000 (PO7-660). This powerhouse was specifically engineered by Acer to deliver top-tier performance for those who prefer not to DIY their gaming rigs. Its sleek design and distinctive Predator casing add an extra layer of style to its high-performance capabilities

In Acer’s latest Predator CycloneX 360 gaming PC, the addition of case fans and a 360mm AIO liquid cooler for the CPU offers customizable RGB lighting. According to Acer, this new combination can reduce temperatures at the motherboard by approximately 9 degrees Celsius compared to previous Orion desktops, representing a significant increase in efficiency

Working with a high-end graphics card like the NVIDIA RTX 4090 on your desktop, Acer’s built-in PredatorSense 4.0 software offers an opportunity for personalization. This app allows you to adjust RGB lighting to suit your preferences and also provides a user-friendly interface for overclocking certain hardware components

After buying it, there’s ample space for enhancements within the device. A drive bay supports up to 4TB of Hard Disk Drive (HDD) storage, there’s provision for up to 6TB of M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe Solid State Drive (SSD) storage, and you can install up to 128GB of dual-channel DDR5 Random Access Memory (RAM). It operates on a power supply of up to 1,200 watts

As a tech enthusiast, I’d be thrilled to share that my PC is equipped with a variety of versatile ports for seamless connections. It sports dual Thunderbolt 4, USB-A 3.2, HDMI 2.1, and a trusty 3.5mm audio jack. For the video ports, you’ll find those tailored to your preferred GPU. When it comes to wireless connectivity, I’ve got the latest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 on board for a smooth, efficient experience!

Acer hasn’t disclosed any details about the release date or cost of the Predator Orion 7000 yet. We can expect to find out more once Intel officially unveils the specific next-generation processors that Acer has hinted at in this teaser

Next-gen Intel “Arrow Lake” chips are expected soon

It seems there’s a lack of specific information about the Predator Orion 7000’s processor options, cost, and release date. Acer has mentioned Intel’s next-generation processors in their announcement, which many speculate to be the unannounced “Arrow Lake” chips. However, since these processors haven’t been officially disclosed yet, there’s a lot of conjecture circulating about its launch date, performance, and pricing

It is rumored that there might be a change in Intel’s naming structure for their flagship desktop processors, with the Core Ultra series potentially replacing the current lineup. This adjustment seems to follow the recent pattern set by their mobile processors. The new desktop chips are not likely to lag far behind the recently unveiled Intel “Lunar Lake” Core Ultra Series 2 mobile CPUs, which were introduced at IFA 2024 just yesterday

After a challenging year marked by legal issues, CPU malfunctions, and workforce reductions (which Intel seems to be moving past), their anticipated unveiling of the “Arrow Lake” series desktop processors could bring positive developments for supporters of Intel’s team

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2024-09-04 16:29