Acer has announced a significant upgrade to its flagship gaming laptop range, the Predator Helios 18 AI, which now features a dual-mode Mini LED display capable of switching between 4K resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz when running at 1080p. The new laptop was unveiled at CES and is set to be available in the US in May, starting at $2,999.99.

The Predator Helios 18 AI's display is not the only impressive feature, as it also boasts up to an Intel 15th Gen Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 mobile graphics, 192GB of DDR5 system memory, and 6TB of PCIe Gen 5 SSD storage. The RTX 5090 GPU, in particular, is a significant upgrade, supporting over 150 optimized AI apps for tasks such as language learning models, image generation, and more.

In addition to its impressive internal specs, the Predator Helios 18 AI also features a redesigned exterior with more configurable RGB lighting. The laptop also includes swappable mechanical keys and proprietary sixth-gen AeroBlade metal fans for improved thermals, which Acer claims can increase airflow by up to 20 percent compared to plastic fans.

Aside from the Predator Helios 18 AI, Acer also announced an updated Predator Helios 16 AI, which shares many of the same features as its larger counterpart, including a 2560 x 1600 OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate. The Predator Helios 16 AI can be configured with the same processor and GPU as the Predator Helios 18 AI, alongside up to 64GB of RAM and 4TB of PCIe Gen 5 SSD storage. It is set to be available in the US in June, starting at $2,299.99.

Both laptops feature support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3, but port selection is now limited to two Thunderbolt 5 jacks, which may be restrictive for some users depending on their existing peripherals and gaming accessories.

The Predator Helios 18 AI and 16 AI represent a significant upgrade to Acer's gaming laptop range, offering users a powerful and feature-rich gaming experience. With their impressive displays, powerful processors, and advanced AI capabilities, these laptops are sure to appeal to gamers and content creators alike.

The release of the Predator Helios 18 AI and 16 AI also highlights Acer's continued commitment to innovation and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in gaming laptops. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Acer's new laptops are received by gamers and how they compare to other high-end gaming laptops on the market.