A big focus of Acer's IFA 2015 showcase is its new Predator lineup, the company's dedicated gaming brand. While on one hand they're announcing some low-end Windows 10 Mobile phones, on the other they're throwing these out in to the world. The new Predator 15 and 17. And they're packing some heat.
Intel's new Skylake chips are going to be everywhere at IFA and these two gaming focused machines are no exception.
The quick breakdown on some of the specs, then:
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| CPU | 6th-gen Intel Core i7-6700HQ (Skylake) |
| RAM | Up to 32GB RAM DDR4 |
| Display | 15- or 17-inches with NVIDIA G-Sync |
| Display Resolution | Full HD or 4K (15-inch), Full HD only (17-inch) |
| Storage | Up to 512GB PCIe SSD |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX980 |
| Other | Triple Fan design, gaming control panel, four built-in speakers and two subwoofers, USB-C |
| Price | From $1499 (15-inch), From $1599 (17-inch) |
Like all gaming-centric notebooks, these are targeted at a very specific buyer. If you're wanting serious horsepower to play the latest and greatest PC games, you're in luck. And if one subwoofer isn't enough on your notebook, how about having two?
There's some cool stuff going on with the cooling, too, with the triple-fan system featuring a swappable module from Cooler Master that plugs into the Optical Drive slot. Acer also has its CoolBoost app on tap to help gamers tweak accordingly.
They're not cheap, but then you wouldn't expect them to be, either. The 15-inch starts at $1500 but you'll soon be seeing that go up the more option boxes you tick. We'll be hoping to get a closer look from the show floor, but for now, check out the full press release below.
Acer Unveils New Predator 15 and 17, its Most Powerful Gaming Notebooks Ever
BERLIN, GERMANY (September 2, 2015) Today Acer took the wraps off its highly anticipated line of Predator gaming notebooks. Designed for those with a need for speed, the Predator 15 and Predator 17 gaming notebooks combine powerful 6th Gen Intel® Core™ processors with high-performance NVIDIA® GeForce® graphics, fast DDR4 memory, PCIe solid state drives, advanced cooling and stellar audio capabilities. Sporting red accents and a black chassis with geometric lines and soft texture coating for extra grip, the Predator notebooks are ready to tackle any challenge.
Full Throttle Acceleration
For extreme performance, all models include the 6th Gen Intel Core i7-6700HQ processor, while select models feature NVIDIA GeForce GTX980 graphics, up to 32GB of DDR4 memory and enterprise level 512GB NVMe PCIe solid state drives2, which can transfer a 10GB movie within 4 seconds. In addition, full USB 3.1 Type-C support allows the ultra-fast transfer of files, movies, songs and photos between external storage devices.
"The Predator notebook PCs from Acer will offer gamers an incredible experience," said Kirk Skaugen, Intel senior vice president and general manager, Client Computing Group. "Powered by the new 6th Gen Intel Core processor, our best processor ever, Predator notebook PCs deliver the performance needed for a fun, immersive and powerful mobile gaming experience."
Preventing game lag and missed opportunities, Acer Predator notebooks include Killer DoubleShot Pro, which allows Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections to work together for the ultimate high-speed attack. The Killer Network Manager determines the attributes of each link and determines which apps should run on each connection.
"For gamers, the difference between winning and losing is often only a fraction of a second," said Michael Cubbage, CEO at Rivet Networks. "Like Acer, Killer is dedicated to helping gamers win by providing the fastest and the most powerful gaming experiences. The all new Predator 15 and 17 notebooks from Acer are designed from ground up to give gamers the edge."
The Predator 15 notebook line includes models with 15.6-inch Full HD or 4K (3840x2160) Ultra HD panels. The Predator 17 notebooks feature 17.3-inch Full HD displays. Both lines support up to three displays including one NVIDIA G-SYNC™ monitor for the ultimate in gaming visuals and realism.
Triple Fan Design Keeps it Cool
For extreme gamers who need to keep their notebook operating at lower temperatures, Predator FrostCore allows them to further enhance their notebook's performance as needed. It consists of a swappable Cooler Master® fan module, exclusive to Acer, which can be inserted into the notebook's optical disk drive bay to cool down intense gaming sessions.
Acer's dust protection system, Predator DustDefender, uses dual high-speed fans with reverse rotation to remove dust build-up, improve heat dissipation and minimize noise. The fan blades utilize an ingenious dust propelling mechanism at an extremely high speed to vastly improve air flow around high-performance components. By removing dust and maintaining a cool temperature, Predator DustDefender ensures performance is consistent, enhances user comfort and extends the notebook's lifespan.
Lastly, the CoolBoost app allows for custom adjustments to the fans' airflow. A Turbo Mode option delivers maximum fan speed and cooling power when heavy use requires an added boost.
PredatorSense Gaming Control Panel
The new notebooks also feature the PredatorSense gaming control panel, which provides customization and control of gaming features, including macro programmable keys for up to 15 in-game shortcuts and adjustable lighting controls. The Predator ProZone backlit keyboard is divided into four lighting zones which can be lit or dimmed individually and features a programmable key. In addition, a dedicated physical key allows gamers to lock both the Windows key and touchpad quickly to prevent accidental invoking.
Predator SoundPound
Acer cranks up the entertainment value with SoundPound, a combination of stellar audio features. Predator 17 models feature SoundPound 4.2, which includes four built-in speakers and two subwoofers, delivering 12 watts of sound, while Predator 15 models feature SoundPound 2.1, which includes two speakers and one subwoofer, for six watts of sound. In addition, Dolby® Audio™ surround sound enhances the overall sound quality, while both notebooks support studio quality headphones of up to 600 Ohm (600Ω) impedance.
Pricing and Availability
The Acer Predator 15 and Predator 17 notebook lines, shipping with Windows 10, will be available in North America in November with prices starting at US$1,499.99 for the Predator 15 and starting at $1,599.99 for the Predator 17. They will also be available in EMEA in November with prices starting at €1,599 for the Predator 15 and starting at €1,799 for the Predator 17. In China, they will be available in October with prices starting at ¥16,999.
