Acer's Predator line is getting an update for CES 2017. The Predator 17 X is getting the latest in the most powerful processors and graphics cards, while a trio of new mid-range monitors targeted at gamers.
Acer Predator 17 X
If the enormous and enormously expensive Acer Predator 21 X isn't your cup of tea, maybe the not-quite-as-insane-but-still-impressive — and just updated — Predator 17 X will better suit your needs. It's still practically a desktop-class gaming rig, but in a laptop's body.
New is a bump in the CPU and GPU departments. Now there's an overclockable 7th-generation Kaby Lake Intel Core i7-7820HK processor that can be boosted all the way to 4.3Ghz on its four cores and a top-end NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 GPU with 8GB of video memory. RAM runs up to 64GB DDR4-2400, and you'll have the option of either "an enterprise level NVMe PCIe solid state drive" or a trio of SATA SSDs in a RAID 0 configuration — and you thought it was fast before.
All of that feeds to a 17.3-inch IPS display in your choice of FHD (1920 x 1080) or 4K (3840x2160). It's also NVIDIA G-Sync enabled for excellent gaming performance. If you're familiar with the older Predator 17 X, last updated in April 2016, it should be — aside from the processor and graphics card, this is essentially the same laptop, right down to its red-accented black case.
The updated Acer Predator 17 X will be available in January, priced at $2,599 in North America and €2,999 in Europe; while Chinese customers will be able to grab one in February for ¥39,999.
Acer Predator monitors
In addition to updating the Predator 17 X, Acer's also expanding their Predator monitor line with a new trio of displays. Acer's gone all-in on reducing bezels on the top and sides, and they all sport NVIDIA G-Sync and ULMB, blue light filtering, and more. As far as connectivity, each has DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4 ports, plus a four-port USB hub and 3.5mm audio out.
The Acer Predator XB252Q and Predator XB272 are both flat FHD (1920x1080) TN panels offering the full sRGB color gamut, 170-degree viewing angles, 400nit brightness, 240Hz refresh rates and 1ms response times. They both also pack a pair of 2W DTS speakers. The difference? The XB252Q measures 24.5 inches diagonally, while the XB272 is a 27-inch number.
And then there's the Acer Predator Z301CT — a 30-inch ultrawide curved display. It's not an intense curve, just 1800R, but curve of the 2560x1080 makes sense at this size on a desktop display. It's a VA (vertical alignment) LCD panel, with the full sRGB color gamut, 300-nit brightness, and a quite wide 178-degree viewing angle. Along the bottom of the display you'll find three speakers plus the sensors to enable Tobii's eye tracking software.
Acer's not offered any pricing or availability for the new Predator monitors, but given the specs and technology involved, we'd expect them to not be priced too high.
