Acer Nitro V 15 review: An ultra-affordable gaming laptop

Budget gaming laptops are in a troublesome spot. While many are nonetheless obtainable beneath $1,000, the sacrifices essential to attain a three-digit worth have gotten extra noticeable with current machines. Acer’s Nitro V 15 makes its justifiable share of sacrifices to hit an MSRP of $850, however sport efficiency stays intact. In addition to the dependable sport efficiency, there’s additionally a various port choice and the construct high quality is surprisingly good. Let’s get into it.

Looking for extra choices? Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best gaming laptops obtainable proper now.

Acer Nitro V 15: Specs and options

Acer’s cost-cutting measures are obvious in its specification. The laptop computer chooses Intel’s Core i5-13420H, an eight-core processor that sits close to the underside of Intel’s H-Series line-up, and cuts reminiscence to a meager 8GB.

• CPU: Intel Core i5-13420H
• Memory: 8GB LPDDR5
• Graphics/GPU: Nvidia RTX 4050 6GB
• Display: 15.6-inch 1,920 x 1,080 IPS 144Hz 
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Webcam: 720p 
• Connectivity:  1x HDMI, 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
• Networking: WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1, Gigabit Ethernet
• Biometrics: None
• Battery capability: 57 watt-hours
• Dimensions: 14.3 x 9.4 x 1.06 inches
• Weight: 4.66 kilos
• MSRP: $849.99

This saves money for the important thing element: Nvidia’s RTX 4050. Though hardly a powerhouse, the Nvidia RTX 4050 is a contemporary Nvidia GPU that helps the 40-series’ full vary of options. Only a handful of other just like the Lenovo LOQ 15 and the most recent MSI GF63 Thin Series supply the RTX 4050 at an identical worth.

Acer Nitro V 15: Design and construct high quality

The Acer Nitro V 15 is on the very backside of the funds gaming market, so it’s clever to maintain expectations in verify. It has a easy, matte black plastic exterior adorned solely by blue-and-silver stripes alongside the show lid and a Predator brand. It appears to be like nice, however not trendy. A design like this might’ve hit retailer cabinets at any time over the previous 5 years.

It’s an enormous laptop computer as properly. The 15.6-inch show’s bezels aren’t large however are bigger general than on costlier gaming laptops. That makes the Nitro V 15 roughly as large as some 16-inch fashions, although not as deep. Thickness is available in at a girthy 1.06 inches, too. 

However, Acer scores a win with the laptop computer’s affordable 4.66 kilos of heft. That’s lower than comparably priced gaming laptops just like the Dell G16 Gaming (at 6.3 kilos) and Asus TUF Gaming A15 (at 4.85 kilos). I wouldn’t name the Acer Nitro V 15 ethereal, nevertheless it matches properly in most laptop computer backpacks and received’t really feel too burdensome to hold throughout campus or to your native espresso store.

The Nitro V 15 is a little more inflexible than anticipated, too. Display flex is noticeable when opening the laptop computer, however no extra so than with any equally priced machine and the decrease chassis feels strong in-hand. That’s all the time good to see in a funds gaming laptop computer.

Acer Nitro V 15: Keyboard, trackpad

IDG / Matthew Smith

A keyboard with numpad is crammed contained in the Acer Nitro V 15’s body. It barely matches and requires just a few sacrifices like half-sized numpad keys and barely undersized Shift, Tab, Control, and Caps Lock keys. Still, the Nitro V 15 is a big laptop computer and there’s loads of palm relaxation house beneath the keyboard.

Key really feel is nice, however unremarkable. Each key supplies a wholesome vary of journey and ends its journey with a definitive thud earlier than springing again with a vigorous motion. Typing can really feel a bit imprecise regardless of that, maybe as a consequence of a slight flex and wobble throughout the center of the keyboard when typing at excessive speeds. That’s typical for a funds gaming laptop computer, although, and the Nitro V 15’s keyboard stays usable for hours on finish.

The Nitro V 15’s touchpad is a disappointment and replicates a budget, easy really feel widespread to most gaming laptops. It’s fairly massive, measuring about 5 inches large and three inches tall, which is nice information if you happen to like to make use of multi-touch gestures. Yet the floor feels poorly outlined from the palm relaxation and suffers an affordable, toy-plastic sheen. It’s satisfactory however not nice to make use of for various minutes.

Acer Nitro V 15: Display, audio

IDG / Matthew Smith

The Acer Nitro V 15’s show is a 15.6-inch 16:9 widescreen with a decision of 1920×1080 and a refresh price of 144Hz. It’s about as fundamental because it will get for a gaming laptop computer in 2023.

Image high quality is suitable. The show lacks the colourful coloration and deep distinction present in laptops with an OLED or Mini-LED show, and 1080p lacks the crisp presentation of options with 1440p (or higher) decision. Still, 1080p appears to be like fairly sharp on a 15.6-inch display screen. 

Brightness might be a difficulty, although, because the Acer Nitro V 15’s show has a most of simply 275 nits. That’s fairly low (most laptops obtain 400 nits, or extra) and may make the laptop computer tough to make use of in a shiny, sunlit room or outdoor. 

Motion readability, however, is nice. The Nitro V 15’s refresh price of 144Hz isn’t cutting-edge nevertheless it’s not dangerous, both. Motion readability is drastically improved over a 60Hz show with good element in fast-paced objects and a crisp presentation throughout quick digital camera pans in 3D video games. 

While the Nitro V 15’s show is suitable for the worth, audio high quality falls quick. The built-in audio system lack quantity and have a harsh, metallic sound at excessive volumes. Bass is essentially absent, too, which provides music and video games a flat and hole presentation. Headphones or exterior audio system are necessary to take pleasure in video games, motion pictures, or music. 

Acer Nitro V 15: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

The most constructive factor I can say concerning the Acer Nitro V 15’s webcam is that it exists. It’s a fundamental 720p digital camera with horrible sharpness and a boring, flat, lifeless presentation. The digital camera is serviceable sufficient for informal video calls, however don’t even take into consideration streaming.

I used to be extra impressed by the microphone. It delivered sturdy quantity and a crisp presentation that made my recorded dialogue simple to know. It didn’t strongly decide up the noise of an area heater in the identical room, both, although louder and extra abrupt sounds will come by means of.

Biometric login isn’t obtainable. That’s no shock, as I can’t recall any gaming laptop computer beneath $1,000 that provides it. You’ll need to step as much as the $1,500 worth level, or extra, earlier than fingerprint readers and facial recognition-capable cameras turn out to be customary.

Acer Nitro V 15: Connectivity

IDG / Matthew Smith

Acer packs many ports into the Nitro V 15, most of which line the laptop computer’s left flank. There you’ll discover Gigabit Ethernet, an HDMI 2.0 port, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and a single USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port. 

The USB-C port additionally handles USB Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alternate Mode, so it may be used to cost the laptop computer and/or join with a USB-C monitor (or different monitor, with the precise adapter). Acer’s specs don’t listing the quantity of USB Power Delivery obtainable, nevertheless it seems to be a bit wanting the 135 watts supplied by the included energy brick. That means the laptop computer battery could discharge whereas at heavy load and on USB-C energy.

An further USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port and 3.5mm audio jack are discovered on the left flank. That makes for a complete of three USB-A ports, which is great—you’ll be able to join a keyboard, mouse, and nonetheless have room left over for a webcam or exterior arduous drive. 

Wireless connectivity is nice, too, with help for the most recent Wi-Fi 6E customary and Bluetooth 5.1. Both are customary for any new laptop computer, regardless of the worth level, nevertheless it’s good to see Acer didn’t select to chop corners right here. Wi-Fi 6E goes mainstream and supplies a pleasant enhance to Wi-Fi speeds at quick ranges.

Acer Nitro V 15: Performance

The Acer Nitro V 15 is cheap for a gaming laptop computer and cuts just a few corners to make its pricing doable. Intel’s Core i5-13420H is an effective instance. It’s an eight-core processor with 4 efficiency cores, 4 environment friendly cores, and a most Turbo Boost of 4.6Hz. The extra highly effective Intel Core i7-13700H, which is widespread in gaming laptops that promote for just a few hundred {dollars} extra, has 14 cores and a most Turbo Boost of 5GHz.

Acer additionally equips the Nitro V 15 with a mere 8GB of RAM and a small 512GB strong state drive. These are modest specs, and so they result in modest efficiency in productiveness duties.

IDG / Matthew Smith

We begin with PCMark 10, a holistic system benchmark that features processor, graphics, and reminiscence checks. The Acer Nitro V 15 hits a good however not excellent rating of 6,379, which locations it behind many just lately reviewed gaming laptops. To be truthful, the Nitro V 15 is far cheaper than most of those options, nevertheless it’s shocking to see even the older MSI Katana with Intel Core i7-12650H stroll away with a straightforward win.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Cinebench R15 tightens the competitors, although the Nitro V 15 nonetheless finally ends up on the backside of the heap. Its rating of 4,310 is near the older MSI Katana however clearly outperformed by costlier gaming laptops. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

The story doesn’t change in Handbrake, the place the Nitro V 15 as soon as once more posts a modest consequence. That’s to not say it’s sluggish, however its efficiency is extra just like a thin-and-light laptop computer like the LG Gram SuperSlim than different massive, thick gaming laptops.

The Acer Nitro V 15’s processor efficiency is simply okay, nevertheless it’s additionally arguably not that vital. Gaming is what issues most. Nvidia’s RTX 4050 6GB is the star of this present and provides most graphics energy of 75 watts, which is true in the midst of the 35-to-115 watt vary it will probably help. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

3DMark’s Time Spy benchmark gave the Nitro V 15 a powerful begin with its rating of 7,771. That’s not far off some laptops with extra highly effective Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics, such because the MSI Prestige 16 Studio, and delivers an enormous leap over older laptops with Nvidia RTX 3050 or RTX 3050 Ti graphics. That’s an vital level, as avid gamers on a funds are more likely to see older laptops with RTX 3050/3050 Ti {hardware} at costs just like the Nitro V 15.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Shadow of the Tomb Raider additionally delivers a good consequence for the Nitro V 15. It achieved a median of 105 frames-per-second at 1080p decision and Highest element. That’s a exceptional sturdy rating of an affordable gaming laptop computer and once more delivers a large uplift over older laptops with RTX 3050/3050 Ti graphics.

IDG / Matthew Smith

The competitors narrows in Metro Exodus, however the Nitro V 15’s efficiency stays respectable. It delivered a just-barely-playable common of 32 frames per second at 1080p and Extreme element. That would possibly sound meager, however the sport’s Extreme element setting is strictly that: the sport nonetheless appears to be like nice at decrease element settings, which show completely playable. And whereas the Nitro V 15’s consequence was borderline, it’s one other large achieve over the older MSI Katana and its RTX 3050 Ti graphics.

Acer’s Nitro V 15 isn’t a powerhouse, however its gaming efficiency is robust for the worth. It can deal with many titles from the final console era at excessive element settings and 1080p decision, in addition to newer video games that don’t push cutting-edge visuals. 

Acer Nitro V 15: Battery life

Budget gaming laptops are likely to battle with battery life and the Acer Nitro V 15 is not any exception. It achieved a tad greater than 4 hours of endurance in our customary battery take a look at, which loops a 4K file of the quick movie Tears of Steel. 

Four hours isn’t horrible for a laptop computer on this class, nevertheless it’s not sufficient to handle a full work day away, or perhaps a flight from San Francisco to New York. That means you’ll wish to pack the ability brick. 

It’s a small energy brick, at the least, measuring about 5 and half inches lengthy and three inches large. And whereas the laptop computer’s USB-C port doesn’t present sufficient energy to deal with the laptop computer at full load, it does present sufficient to cost the laptop computer whereas it’s idle or performing much less demanding duties (like net searching or Microsoft Word). That’s useful if you happen to overlook the brick at dwelling.

Acer Nitro V 15: Should you purchase it?

Acer’s Nitro V 15 is an effective funds gaming laptop computer that delivers what issues most: sport efficiency. It can exceed 60 FPS in all kinds of video games at 1080p, although you’ll want to show picture high quality down a notch or two in essentially the most demanding titles. The Nitro V 15’s processor efficiency is much less spectacular, its RAM is meager, and its battery life is mediocre, however the identical is true for many price-competitive gaming laptops. Ultimately, your shopping for determination will hinge on worth. The Nitro V 15 is strong however doesn’t overachieve, so search for a sale.