Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop: Review
Many budget laptops include entry-level discrete graphics, but not all are good for gaming. A few flaws offset the Acer Nitro 5’s excellent gaming performance. Don’t misinterpret it. Nitro 5 has more to offer. It has fantastic visuals and several ports. The audio is intense, and the keyboard is large. Like other inexpensive gaming laptops, it has several drawbacks. Battery life is surprisingly short, and the display is terrible. The Nitro 5 is still a good choice for those on a budget.
Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop Specifications
Laptop Class | Gaming |
Processor | Intel Core i5-12500H |
RAM (as Tested) | 16 GB |
Boot Drive Type | SSD |
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 512 GB |
Native Display Resolution | 1920 by 1080 |
Screen Refresh Rate | 144 HZ |
OS | Windows 11 |
Wireless Networking | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth, Ethernet |
Design/Build
Plastic panels and metal facades form the angular and aggressive Acer Nitro 5. At almost an inch thick, the retro-looking laptop is more significant than the sleek, high-end gaming laptops that steal the focus. Look elsewhere for a computer that shouts, “Hey, I’m new and cool!” My favorite touch is the lid. Its matte black surfaces and pastel blue and red stripes, which resemble PCB wire traces, give it a 1980s look. Feels how? Fine. The chassis and display cover are primarily plastic and bend when touched lightly, but the design seems robust. This is due to its substantial profile and sturdy display hinges. Still, Dell’s gaming-focused Inspiron range and Lenovo’s entry-level Legion laptops appear better at similar prices. Even Acer’s Predator series is more robust, as Nitro 5 and Predator Helios 300 models share a price.
The keyboard and touchpad
Acer fits a considerable keyboard and numpad inside the Nitro 5’s chassis. Although the numpad is included, the arrow, Enter, and Backspace keys are identical to those on other computers due to the ample space. The right-side Shift key is half-sized. I wouldn’t say I like the Numpad since it separates the keyboard from the touchpad, but those who require it will appreciate it. RGB keyboard illumination is per zone, not per key.
This works for a laptop in the Nitro 5’s pricing range. Maximum backlight brightness is considerable, and numerous brightness settings are offered. The key feel is excellent. There is plenty of capacity for extended, comfortable essential travel. The keys bottom out quickly and provide good feedback. However, the keycaps feel cheap and hollow, reminding owners of the Nitro 5’s worth. The touchpad is ordinary. It’s modest at 5 inches broad and 3.5 inches deep. The Nitro 5 has modest palm rests, given its size. The responsive surface might seem constrained by Windows multi-touch motions.
Also Read- Apple MacBook Air Laptop
Display, Audio
Premium laptops cost more due to their thin designs, but this chunkier chassis is cheaper. The Acer weighs 5.51 pounds and measures 1.06 by 14.1 by 10.7 inches (HWD), making it transportable for gaming but heavier than a daily vehicle. It’s not the most portable gaming system, but it’s slim for a cheap one. Traditionally, this frame holds a 15.6-inch monitor. 17.3-inch displays have been around for a while, but 14-inch and 16-inch screens are more popular. This is your reliable, portable gaming laptop size. IPS panel with full HD (1,920-by-1,080-pixel) resolution and 144Hz refresh rate.
Performance and Gaming
The Nitro 5 mimics Acer’s design with its components. They’re simple and effective without particular care. The Nitro 5 I’m evaluating has an Intel Core i5-12500H CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD storage. These elements build a decent entry-level gaming laptop that can handle anything. To maintain 60 fps, you must adjust a game’s graphics. The Nitro 5 nearly outperformed both comparisons. The RTX 3060 doesn’t explain the score discrepancy; Intel’s 12th Generation chips are better than those of the 11th and 10th Gen. Battery life is better on the Nitro 5 than on MSI and HP. I never found the Nitro 5 sluggish while testing. It was helpful for Edge surfing, Spotify listening, and short game clip editing.
Battery life
Nitro 5 battery life is rather disappointing. Acer says battery benchmark testing should last 5–7 hours, depending on the test. In PCMark 10’s battery benchmark, the Nitro 5’s battery lasted three hours and 24 minutes before shutting down. Some years ago, I would have called a gaming laptop with over three hours of battery life extraordinary. Later gaming laptops, including the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, have exceeded nine hours in the same test. I’m not criticizing the Nitro 5’s battery life yet, but soon, battery life under four hours will seem wrong.
PROS | CONS |
Excellent graphics | Variable processor performance |
Lots of connections | Display image quality is average |
Clear, loud audio |
Conclusion
We could overlook the cheap plastic rear cover, minimal keyboard, and hefty weight. The sticky trackpad and middling screen are unjustifiable for a gaming laptop. Budget players will love the price, but serious gamers will not. Acer Nitro 5 offers more for less at $749 (£899, AU$1009). It has an Nvidia GeForce GTX graphics card, a mid-tier 8th-generation Intel Core processor, a user-controllable dual-fan cooling system, a respectable 1080p screen, and a comfortable keyboard for hours of gaming.
FAQs
What are the main specs of the Dell New Inspiron 3525 Laptop?
For processor, RAM, storage, display, and other characteristics, see the Dell website or product documentation.
Can I increase Dell New Inspiron 3525 RAM and storage?
Dell laptops offer RAM and storage upgrades. See the user manual or contact Dell support for upgrade alternatives.
What OS does the Dell New Inspiron 3525 run?
Check if the laptop runs Windows and its version.
Dell New Inspiron 3525 battery life?
Usage and parameters affect battery life. Check product literature or user reviews for battery performance.
Is the Dell New Inspiron 3525 keyboard backlit?
Some Dell laptops include illuminated keys. Check model specs for keyboard functionality.