Acer's latest Predator Triton and Helios Series gaming notebooks bring the heat

Predator Helios 500 Double
Predator Helios 500 Double (Image credit: Acer)

Predator Triton 500 Double

Source: Acer (Image credit: Source: Acer)

What you need to know

  • Acer has two new Predator laptops on the horizon: The Predator Triton 500 SE and Predator Helios 500.
  • The Triton will start at $1,749 and be available in June for those in North America, though one config is available today.
  • The Helios will start at $2,500 and be available in August for those in North America.

Acer wants to ensure its 2021 lineup doesn't leave gamers feeling left out in the cold, hence why it's bringing two extreme powerhouses to the table. They are the Predator Triton 500 SE (special edition) and Predator Helios 500.

All the goodies gamers love, such as RTX 3080 GPUs and 64GB of RAM, are found in these machines. There's no question they'll handle whatever games a player throws at them. However, each notebook does a bit more than just pile on the specs.

The Predator Triton 500 SE distinguishes itself by being optimized for both play and work. It has a sleek, understated design that sets it apart from most gaming laptops which can oftentimes appear a bit gaudy. However, the Triton will look professional no matter the setting.

The Helios 500 will also pack some surprises. It'll have (up to) an overclockable 11th Gen Intel Core i9 CPU and even a 4K screen for those who want to push their machine to the max.

Here are the specs for both notebooks.

Predator Triton 500 SE

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CategorySpec
ProcessorUp to 11th GenIntel Core i9
RAMUp to 64GB DDR4-3200MHz
GraphicsUp to NVIDIA RTX 3080 Laptop
StorageUp to 4TB M.2 PCIe 4.0
Display16 inches2560x160016:10 aspect ratio165Hz, LCD165Hz, Mini LED, 1,250 nits, 100% sRGB240Hz, IPS, 3ms, 100% DCI-P3
PortsTwo Thunderbolt 4SD card readerTwo USB-A 3.2RJ45 EthernetHDMI3.5mm audio
ConnectivityKiller Wi-Fi 6E
BatteryUp to 12 hours
Dimensions0.75 inches thin (19.9mm)
ChassisAll-metal
PriceFrom $1,749
AvailabilityMay 27 (one config), June (NA)

Predator Helios 500

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CategorySpec
ProcessorUp to 11th GenIntel Core i9
RAMUp to 64GB DDR4-3200MHz
GraphicsUp to NVIDIA RTX 3080 Laptop
StorageDual PCIe NVMe SSDsRAID 0SATA HDD
Display17.3 inches3840x2160 (4K)Mini LED, 120Hz, VESA DisplayHDR 10001920x1080 (FHD)360Hz, 3ms
PortsHDMI 2.1Mini DisplayPort 1.4Two Thunderbolt 4Three USB-A 3.2 (Gen 2)RJ45 Ethernet3.5mm audio
AudioDTS:X Ultra
ConnectivityKiller Wi-Fi 6
KeyboardPer-key RGB lighting
PriceFrom $2,500
AvailabilityAugust (NA)

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As stated in the tables above as well as the box at the top of this story, the Triton 500 SE will start at $1,749 and be available in North America beginning in June, while the Helios 500 will have a starting price of $2,500 and kick off in NA in August.

However, there is one configuration of the Triton 500 SE that's available today: Its model number is PT516-51s-70TP. It packs an 11th-Gen Intel Core i7-11800H, NVIDIA RTX 3060, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 16-inch (16:10) WQXGA, 165Hz, G-Sync display. There's a link to this model at the bottom of the page, in case you want to check it out.

It's also worth mentioning that these aren't the only Predator products Acer has in store. There's also a Predator Connect D5 5G Dongle that "unleashes the potential of a computer's built-in Intel Killer Network Solution via a USB 3.1 Type-C port," according to Acer. It's designed to reduce latency.

And that's not all! There's also a Predator Cestus 335 ergonomic gaming mouse you can click around with while maintaining the comfort of your hand. It features five color-coded DPI levels and 10 customizable buttons.

As more Predator-related product details unveil themselves, we'll report back and update our coverage. Until then, this should give you a good idea of Acer's upcoming gaming slate for the time being. Be sure to check out the available model of the Triton 500 SE if you can't wait to get your hands on one of the newest gaming notebooks on the market.

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Robert Carnevale

Robert Carnevale is the News Editor for Windows Central. He's a big fan of Kinect (it lives on in his heart), Sonic the Hedgehog, and the legendary intersection of those two titans, Sonic Free Riders. He is the author of Cold War 2395. Have a useful tip? Send it to robert.carnevale@futurenet.com.