Acer Predator 17 (G9-973-78CM) Review: Performance & Design

The Acer Predator 17 G9-973-78CM is a gaming laptop that offers VR-capable performance and solid gaming features at a reasonable price, starting at $1,499.99. It is lighter and slightly thinner than its predecessor, the Acer Predator 17 X, but still maintains a heavy and bulky design. The laptop features a 17.3-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 pixels, and a Cooler Master fan module that can be swapped out for the optical drive to enhance cooling during gaming sessions.

Specifications

The laptop is equipped with a 2.6GHz Intel Core i7-6700HQ processor, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 graphics card, and 16GB of RAM. These specifications ensure smooth gameplay performance on most gaming tests. The Acer Predator 17 scored well on 3D and gaming benchmarks, delivering commendable frame rates even on demanding games at higher settings. While it performed adequately on everyday productivity tasks, it lagged in multimedia tasks such as Photoshop. Additionally, the laptop offers better-than-average battery life, lasting 4 hours and 44 minutes on a video rundown test.

Design

The Acer Predator 17 maintains a bulky and flashy appearance with its design. The build quality is robust, and the choice of materials, including red accents and LED lighting, might not appeal to professional users, but are typical in the gaming laptop market. The laptop’s exterior features a rubberized texture that is resistant to fingerprints and smudges. The bottom panel includes intake vents, warning signs, rubber feet, and a quick-release lock for a hot-swappable optical drive.

Display

The laptop boasts a 17.3-inch Full HD IPS display with Nvidia's G-Sync technology, providing smoother gaming experiences. The display performance includes metrics such as brightness, contrast, and color accuracy, offering gamers vibrant visuals.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The Acer Predator 17 features a scissor-switch keyboard with RGB backlighting, providing responsive and comfortable typing. The touchpad also offers comfortable tracking and includes dedicated clicker buttons. Additionally, there are five programmable buttons on the laptop, enhancing the gaming experience.

Performance

Performance-wise, the Acer Predator 17 does not disappoint. The Core i7-6700HQ processor paired with a GTX 1070 GPU delivers high frame rates and impressive gaming performance. It performed well in gaming benchmarks and offers overclocking capabilities. However, the laptop did exhibit some GPU throttling and had an average battery life of around three hours under intensive usage.

Connectivity

The laptop provides a comprehensive range of I/O ports, including USB 3.0, USB-C, DisplayPort, HDMI, and Ethernet. It also supports dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1. Furthermore, the Acer Predator 17 comes with a pre-installed PredatorSense app, allowing users to monitor system performance, adjust settings, and create macros.

Noise, Heat, and Cooling

Fan noise, cooling efficiency, and temperature management are crucial aspects evaluated in the Predator 17. The laptop features Acer's Arrow fans and a FrostCore cooling system, which helps manage temperatures efficiently during gaming sessions. Although the fan noise is noticeable, it is generally within acceptable limits for a gaming laptop.

Battery Life

The battery life of the Acer Predator 17 is typical for a gaming laptop. It lasted around 4 hours and 44 minutes on a video rundown test. Although the G-Sync technology can impact battery drain, it ensures a smoother gaming experience.

Price and Availability

The Acer Predator 17 is priced at $1,499.99 but can be found at lower prices on different platforms, such as Walmart and Acer's web store. Compared to competitors like Alienware, Asus ROG, and MSI, the Predator 17 offers a good balance of performance, features, and price.

Overall, the Acer Predator 17 G9-973-78CM is a solid choice for gamers seeking a high-performance laptop with VR capabilities. Despite its bulk and some limitations in multimedia tasks, its robust specifications, impressive gaming performance, and reasonable price make it an attractive option in the gaming laptop market.