Standing screen display size | 15.6 Inches |
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Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
Max Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 Pixels |
Processor | 4.1 GHz core_i7 |
RAM | 16 GB DDR4 |
Memory Speed | 2666 MHz |
Hard Drive | 256 GB SSD |
Graphics Coprocessor | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 |
Chipset Brand | NVIDIA |
Card Description | Dedicated |
Graphics Card Ram Size | 6 GB |
Wireless Type | 802.11ac |
Number of USB 2.0 Ports | 2 |
Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 2 |
Average Battery Life (in hours) | 7 Hours |
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Ships from: Xiyi Electronics Sold by: Xiyi Electronics
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Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop PC, 15.6" FHD IPS w/ 144Hz Refresh, Intel i7-8750H, GTX 1060 6GB, 16GB DDR4, 256GB NVMe SSD, Aeroblade Metal Fans PH315-51-78NP
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | acer |
Model Name | Acer Predator Series |
Screen Size | 15.6 Inches |
Color | Black |
Hard Disk Size | 256 GB |
CPU Model | Core i7 |
Ram Memory Installed Size | 16 GB |
Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
Graphics Card Description | Dedicated |
Graphics Coprocessor | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 |
About this item
- 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8750H 6-Core Processor (Up to 4.1GHz) with Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Overclockable Graphics with 6 GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM
- 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED-backlit IPS display (144Hz Refresh Rate, 300nit Brightness & 72% NTSC )
- 16GB DDR4 2666MHz DRAM Memory & 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD | Extra empty accessible slot for 2.5 inch hard drive or SSD.Maximum Power Supply Wattage:180 W
- Gigabit Wi-Fi |Backlit Keyboard | USB 3.1 (Type C) | Dual All-Metal AeroBlade 3D Fan Cooling | Metal Chassis.Battery Capacity:3320 mAh
- Up to 7-hours of battery life
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This Item Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop PC, 15.6" FHD IPS w/ 144Hz Refresh, Intel i7-8750H, GTX 1060 6GB, 16GB DDR4, 256GB NVMe SSD, Aeroblade Metal Fans PH315-51-78NP | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | $1,123.00$1,123.00 | $1,068.00$1,068.00 | -15% $1,099.00$1,099.00 List: $1,299.99 | $1,079.99$1,079.99 | -16% $840.00$840.00 List: $999.00 | -22% $1,279.99$1,279.99 List: $1,649.99 |
Delivery | Get it Mar 22 - 26 | Get it Mar 27 - Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 24 | Get it as soon as Tomorrow, Mar 20 | Get it Mar 26 - Apr 2 | Get it Mar 27 - Apr 2 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Screen quality | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.4 |
For gaming | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 4.1 | 4.3 |
Battery life | 3.3 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 3.4 | 3.5 |
Touch Screen | 3.0 | 5.0 | 3.2 | — | — | 3.2 |
Sold By | Crazy Deals(SN Recorded) | Halandy Electronics | Mall of Americ (SN Recorded) | Best Tech Deal Corp | QuickSpeed Tech-signature required at delivery | Sinirio |
display size | 15.6 inches | 15.6 inches | 15.6 inches | 15.6 inches | 15.6 inches | 16 inches |
hard disk size | 256 GB | 512 GB | 512 GB | 512 GB | 512 GB | 1 TB |
computer memory size | 16 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB |
cpu manufacturer | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel | Intel |
cpu speed | 4.1 GHz | 5 GHz | 4.6 GHz | 4.7 GHz | 1.7 GHz | 5 GHz |
cpu model number | Core i7-8750H | Core i7-10750H | i7-11800H | Core i7-12700H | Intel® Core™ i7-12650H | i7-13700HX |
operating system | Windows 10 Home | Windows 10 Home | Windows 10 | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
From the manufacturer
Summon Your Strength
Designed for those with a need to speed, the Predator Helios 300 gaming notebook combines powerful 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with high-performance NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics driven by the new NVIDIA Pascal architecture. Two all-metal AeroBlade 3D Fans and stellar audio capabilities support intense gaming sessions while the sporting red accents and black chassis with geometric lines adds to the drama.
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8th Gen Intel Core i7- 8750H processor
With a killer combination of smart features, the Intel Core i7 processor is devastatingly powerful.
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Full Throttle Acceleration
Conquer the competition with the powerful NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics.
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Stay Cool
The all-metal AeroBlade 3D fans offer advanced aerodynamics and superior airflow.
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Superfast Loading Speeds
Fast 256GB SSD and 16GB DDR4 memory accelerate boot-up times and shorten in-game loading times.
Supercharged Refresh Rate
The 144Hz refresh rate speeds up the frames per second to deliver an ultra-smooth 2D motion scenes. The rapid refresh rate shortens the time it takes for frame rendering, lowers input lag and provides gamers an excellent in-game experience.
PredatorSense
The Predator notebook features the PredatorSense gaming control panel, providing customization and control of gaming features, including system temperature, CPU fan speed and system fan speed.
Lifelike Visuals
A 15.6" Full HD panel with IPS technology, sRGB color gamut that allow you to see games with consistent, brilliant color from any perspective.
Upgrade As You Wish
The compartment doors allow you to upgrade storage and memory as you see fit. Remove the covers and exchange the components for quick & easy upgrades.
Immersive Sound
Listen to voices and special effects with increased clarity through Acer TrueHarmony and Dolby Audio Premium.
Backlit Keyboard
The iron red backlit illuminates the keys making sure gamers are always striking the right notes during gameplay.
Why Buy Predator Gaming Accessories?
Predator Galea Headset | Predator Cestus RGB Mouse | Predator Mouse Pad | Predator Aethon Keyboard | Predator Gaming Backpack | |
Customer Reviews
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3.8 out of 5 stars
49
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4.3 out of 5 stars
231
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4.7 out of 5 stars
782
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4.5 out of 5 stars
56
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4.6 out of 5 stars
1,167
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Specification
| True Harmony Technology | Dual Omron Switch Design | Tightly Woven Textile | Kailh Blue Switches | Soft Padded Shoulder Straps |
Feature
| Adjustable Headband Design | Predator Quarter Master SW | Reduced Friction Surface | 10 Lighting Effects | Water-repellent |
Detail
| Suspended Headband Design | On-Board Memory | Non-slip Rubber Base | 109 standard keys | Padded Interior and Pockets |
Design
| Retractable Microphone | 16.8 million RGB colors | Heat-bound Edges | 5 Macro keys | Headset Strap (certain models) |
Spec
| Soft cushioned ear pads | — | Oil, Water and Heat Resistant | Switch Life 70 million Strokes | — |
What's in the box
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Product information
Technical Details
Brand | acer |
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Series | Acer Predator Series |
Item model number | PH315-51-78NP |
Hardware Platform | PC |
Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
Item Weight | 5.51 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 10.47 x 15.35 x 1.05 inches |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 10.47 x 15.35 x 1.05 inches |
Color | Black |
Processor Brand | Intel |
Number of Processors | 6 |
Computer Memory Type | DDR4 SDRAM |
Flash Memory Size | 256 |
Power Source | Battery Powered |
Voltage | 240 Volts |
Batteries | 1 A batteries required. (included) |
Additional Information
ASIN | B07CTHLX8C |
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Customer Reviews |
4.3 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #32,006 in Computers & Accessories (See Top 100 in Computers & Accessories) #5,487 in Traditional Laptop Computers |
Date First Available | June 11, 2018 |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Product guides and documents
Product Description
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH315-51-78NP Gaming Laptop comes with these high level specs: 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8750H Processor 2.2GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 4.1GHz (9MB Smart cache), Windows 10 Home, 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED-backlit IPS display, 144Hz Refresh Rate, 300nit Brightness, 16:9 aspect ratio, 72% NTSC, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Overclockable Graphics with 6 GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM, 16GB DDR4 2666MHz Memory, 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD, Secure Digital (SD) card reader, Optimized Dolby Audio Premium sound enhancement, Acer True Harmony Plus Technology, Two Built-in Stereo Speakers, Intel Wireless-AC 9560 802.11ac Gigabit Wi-Fi which can deliver up to 1.73Gbps throughput when using 160Mhz channels (Dual-Band 2.4GHz and 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, HD Webcam (1280 x 720) supporting Super High Dynamic Range (SHDR), 1 - USB 3.1 (Type-C) port (Gen 1 up to 5 Gbps), 1 - USB 3.0 port (featuring power-off charging), 2 - USB 2.0 ports, 1 - HDMI 2.0 with HDCP support, 4-cell Li-Ion Battery (3220 mAh), Up to 7-hours Battery Life, 5.51 lbs. | 2.5 kg (system unit only) (NH.Q3FAA.001).
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, value, appearance and performance of the laptop. They mention that it has a solid build quality, can run most games on high quality at 60 fps and that the red on the case looks better than in photos. That said, some complain about the cooling, battery life and sound quality. Opinions are mixed on performance and gaming.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the laptop. They say it has a solid build quality, and can run most games on high quality at 60 fps. The laptop speakers are pretty good, and the chassis is nice. It's good for gaming, and is great for solo play for Microsoft Windows.
"...The sound, when sent through the laptop speakers, is pretty good, on par with TV's roughly the same size, though a bit softer than I'm use to due..." Read more
"...It's extremely fast, able to do basically everything within a fraction of the time as my desktop.. It has its issues, but I'm no longer a spoiled..." Read more
"...I purchased this one because it was reviewed as being sturdy and cooler than other gaming laptops. I haven't had any specific problems with..." Read more
"...good build quality - very sturdy. the steel case is very nice and feels high quality. good screen hinges..." Read more
Customers like the value of the notebook computer. They mention it's an excellent gaming computer, particularly for the price point, and has a great price to power ratio.
"...The current price for this laptop is excellent, a bargain when you consider a similarly equipped gaming tower now costs much more...." Read more
"...I think the CPU and GPU in this laptop are quite good and the price is acceptable...." Read more
"...Other than that I would highly recommend it as its price to power ratio is insanely decent...." Read more
"...The 1060 is a great value and is perfectly capable of handling games at 1080p...." Read more
Customers are impressed with the appearance of the laptop. They mention that it has a premium feel, the screen is gorgeous, and it supports ultra HD resolutions without a graphics card. The red on the case looks better than in photos. The display is leaps and bounds better than many laptops in this price range, with crisp, clean, good color, and minimal light bleed. Overall, customers are happy with the laptop's appearance.
"...Still, the picture is crisper than the older and larger one, which makes watching documentaries or reading my assignments much more pleasant due to..." Read more
"Screen Quality: Excellent. 144 Hz, 1920 x 1080 pixels. Screen looks excellent for the price. Youtube and games look great on this screen...." Read more
"...This is a beast. 6 cores with hyperthreading. It supports ultra HD resolutions without a graphics card...." Read more
"...overall everything about it has been very impressive, ive tried DMC5 at max and warframe, and cod games as well as skyrim all at max, fan speeds hit..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the performance of the laptop. Some mention that GTA, apex legends, etc, runs smoothly and at a high enough fps, while others say that the network performance was horrible and caused it to throttle, stutter, and sputter. The screen looks great, has a good refresh rate, and framerates well over 60FPS. However, some customers say that their network performance became horrible after several driver installs and windows updates, causing it to spike and truncate. The laptop's fans on high speed do not help nearly enough with the throttle, and the CPU starts getting throttled with the gameplay getting more intense.
"...The numeric keypad works okay, I'm literally use to actual 10-key calculators, so this one is smaller and more bunched together, but I'm sure I..." Read more
"...Every game I play nowadays, league, GTA, apex legends, etc, runs smoothly and at a high enough fps, so it's good enough for me personally...." Read more
"...It's extremely fast, able to do basically everything within a fraction of the time as my desktop.. It has its issues, but I'm no longer a spoiled..." Read more
"...I thought. After a restart, though, I got up to around 7-8 mb/s. Not that fast, but the games got downloaded and one of my concerns was..." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the gaming capabilities of the laptop. Some mention that it can handle pretty much any game on the market, while others say that it's absolutely horrendous when gaming, uncomfortable to use, and gets in the way of gaming.
"...Youtube and games look great on this screen. Big enough and completely suits all my needs for gaming and watching videos...." Read more
"...When not gaming (About 2 hours of light use) and absolutely horrendous when gaming..." Read more
"...I highly recommend this as a multi-functional laptop...." Read more
"...Gaming is great on here. I play GTA 5 with mods, high graphics, and it just runs great...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the cooling of the laptop. They mention that it gets hot and toasty, and there are an insane amount of hot keys that you could accidentally press.
"...Also, there are an insane amount of hot keys that you could accidentally press, some of which I still have yet to figure out what the hell I..." Read more
"...Still seems like it gets hot, I have noticed on research they tend to put meh thermal paste and very little on the chips and require a new thermal..." Read more
"...Overheating. Well, everyone has read the reviews. Yes this laptop can run hot. Too hot to the touch in certain areas...." Read more
"...It's LED, so they contribute little heat and consume very little power, but for some every watt counts I guess...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the battery life of the laptop. They mention that the battery is ruined, the gaming performance is seriously limited on battery, and the laptop needs to be manually shut down and restarted every five hours of use.
"...By far my biggest obstacle I have yet to overcome is the battery life...." Read more
"...Battery life sucks. Get over it, its a gaming laptop, but its bad...." Read more
"...Also yes the battery will drain when gaming, this is normal too, when the little power brick does not have enough amperage it grabs from the battery..." Read more
"...Battery Life – expect nothing more than 2.5-3 hours while using it for productivity...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the sound quality of the laptop. They mention that the speakers are bad and the fan is pretty loud. The sound settings are a bit of a headache, and the laptop starts beeping and the screen alternates between dim and lit.
"...think one of them is already blown somehow, but the sound settings are a bit of a headache because the GPU also comes with a sound board; each will..." Read more
"...but they aren't even close to ear level so all the sound is getting muffled by your lap...." Read more
"...POSITIVES:1. Graphics are pretty darn nice.2. Fans are nice and quiet when you are just browsing/surfing the web.3...." Read more
"...Fan Noise – Just like any other gaming laptop it is indeed loud. Use headphones while gaming...." Read more
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Out of the box the Acer Predator Helios 300 15" screen was ready to go. I removed the trial antivirus and Office 365 versions, and installed my preferred OS, the prerelease version of Windows (I've been doing it for years due to the unusual way I use my computers). I then got into the tools and assigned specific programs to either the default GPU or the Nvidea GTX-1060 6GB GPU as appropriate, regardless of whether I would be using my MR headset (also Acer) or not. I added an external switch controlled USB 3.1 hub and the MR headset and was impressed. The sound, when sent through the laptop speakers, is pretty good, on par with TV's roughly the same size, though a bit softer than I'm use to due to the speakers pointing down rather than at me. It's plenty load enough to be heard in the next room clearly, but not so loud it bothers the neighbors like the flight simulator does (I guess I'm louder than the nearby airliners taking off, lol).
Once I was happy that everything worked, I allowed Acer to update any outdated BIOS requirements, and then had to get into the BIOS to turn the screen backlighting on full time, rather than have it turn off after a few seconds of inactivity (annoying, but saves power if on battery only). This picked up the speed a bit further towards what I had expected according to all I researched about this machine. I then personalized the screen lid with my own stickers, preferred to the Predator logo and name at university.
The primary function of the Helios 300 is in the virtual world, mimicking as closely as possible the arrangement of multiple screens from the flight simulator "inworld" so I could study more effectively and productively for my classes when my disability leaves me stranded in bed at somewhat unpredictable and annoying times. I have Second Life and Sansar set up, both of course to the GTX-1060. Second Life does not appear to have a working model for mixed reality (or even full virtual reality from what I've read), but my testing with Sansar does appear to work rather well. Both operate at roughly 60 fps when I hit the turbo mode, heating things up to roughly 80 deg Celsius at maximum settings on the main screen (Second Life) and with mixed reality (Sansar). A quick word to Linden Labs about the controllers not being recognized had them coding to fix that problem. I'm stationary in the real world, so the controllers are much needed in the virtual world to move about (hence the choice of mixed reality rather than Oculus or Hive at twice the price, plus costs and problematic setup of sensors, in a wheelchair, not happening.
For school I get Office365 Student and Educator from the University, all the apps, plus speech to text apps for days I cannot type. I find I do have to use the headset I have for me to be heard properly, the mics built into the laptop tend to pick up everything and try to type words it interprets from the sound of GE and PW airliner engines screaming on departure over my apartment complex. It even tries to type out the birds having their early morning music jam in the large tree outside my window. The headset doesn't pick up anything more than a foot from its front, so problem solved.
If planning on intense gaming with this little beast, I strongly recommend a cooling pad under it. At 80 C, that's 20 degrees from being able to boil water at sea level, so a tad warm on the lap. I do not recommend closing the lid during MR/VR sessions at all due to the high temperatures, especially when ambient room temperature is more than 70 F or so.
The Helios 300 also comes with 16 GB DDR4 memory, which I intend to upgrade to the maximum 32 GB when I go to add an additional large capacity storage drive. Adding storage and RAM is easy, one screw each for access, 4 additional screws for removing the drive caddy waiting for your storage option. One note on the drive this one came with, what happened to the Optane M.2 drive the machine is supposed to come with? Intel reports that it was installed, but the drive my system arrived with is not the Optane drive it was told was installed. Just a thought, so long as it operates as specified I'm good, and the Optane storage module was never in the description, so no worries. Just an odd thing to come across, I guess.
Despite having the extra $200 to go with a 17.3" screen rather than the 15.6" (with a 1 TB drive instead of 256 GB), I am using this one for school when unable to use my main rig, and take it to every doctor appointment to stay caught up with school even if they opt to admit me into the hospital (life with my disability). The 15.6" is much easier to handle behind me than the heavier and larger 17.3" I have retired, which means it can go in my backpack rather than rest on my lap and then slide rapidly forward to the floor when I inevitably have to stop short to avoid running someone down in the hallway that just stepped out from around a corner. Still, the picture is crisper than the older and larger one, which makes watching documentaries or reading my assignments much more pleasant due to reduced eye strain. 2 hours before bedtime (at home), the screen switches modes (a Windows feature) to seriously reduce blue light levels, which works rather nicely to insure I am ready for bed on time and not lying awake for a few hours after.
As mentioned, I do not advise having the lid closed when the laptop is running, not even in sleep mode (as technically it is still running), since heat can build rather quickly. I hate touchpads, largely because one of my meds reduces electrical conductivity in my digits (fingers and toes), so touch screens and pads do not see me or act much differently than I had intended. I picked up a rather nice gaming mouse (unknown where the previous one I ordered ended up, but it wasn't with me) that works rather nicely, and it allows me to switch dpi settings on the fly depending upon my range of motion limits on any given day (the higher, the faster and further the pointer on the screen moves, a gaming feature that works nicely wit disabilities as well). On better days, or when I need finer control on a mesh object I am building, I can down-tune it to move more slowly and shorter distances with the same effort. Just a thought, throwing it out there in case others would rather a mouse over a touchpad. The touchpad is easily enabled and disabled using Fn + F7. If you are like me and type a lot, this is a handy little feature.
At first, I wasn't certain about the keyboard, since I rarely get along with this particular design. I can type with confidence, however, as it feels quite mechanical compared to my retired Acer laptop I thought had the same design. The red backlighting is easy on the eyes, even when typing in the dark. Just be sure to get into the BIOS to turn the backlighting to always on, or do what I did early on after the update and just memorize the positions of keys that do nothing unless you combine it with another key, pressing those will turn the backlighting back on. It's LED, so they contribute little heat and consume very little power, but for some every watt counts I guess. The numeric keypad works okay, I'm literally use to actual 10-key calculators, so this one is smaller and more bunched together, but I'm sure I will adjust.
I never recommend hibernation mode, since it rarely comes back up the way you had it when you told it to save what you were doing. Odds are it'll come up with problems, requiring you to reboot anyway. Sleep mode works (with the lid open), and you can shut it down and later quickly power right back up again.
This laptop is "brick-able" if stolen, so keep your serial number handy just in case. You'll lose all your data, but that happened when someone ran off with it anyway. The idea is to destroy the data and make the computer unusable without having to replace everything other than the case, power supply, and battery. It's cheaper to buy one than it is to steal one (most portable electronics are going to this) Do what I do and save important things (like my classwork for the current term) on the one drive, it will then be waiting for you when you get home, to work, or to class when you sign in with your Microsoft account email. Also, be smart and pick a randomly generated password and PIN, you will find life much easier if you do. I use Windows Security for antivirus and firewall protection, it's free and I figure it is their operating system therefor they know where all the security issues are. If not, everything is backed up regularly anyway.
There are plenty of videos on YouTube to show you how to easily upgrade storage and memory, including upgrading of the M.2 primary drive, not to mention lots of tips and tweaks for all gamers and power users. Make sure one of the first things you do is register your new laptop with the manufacturer to start your warrantee. I did not go with the Amazon one, mainly because by the time I might need it, I've already replaced the laptop with the latest and greatest anyway. I've had excellent experience with Acer laptops for several years, and have worked on the hardware side of things with tower, desktop, all-in-one, and laptops, so simple repairs I can do for myself (since 1978). If you aren't comfortable doing those repairs, the Amazon warrantee is a very good one (from what I've been told), and I do get it for peace of mind with tech I do not know how to repair. To date, I have yet to have a warrantee issue with Acer, and I look forward to that continuing with this machine. The current price for this laptop is excellent, a bargain when you consider a similarly equipped gaming tower now costs much more.
Grab one while you can, and have fun!
Battery Life: Meh. It isn't going to last very long even if you're just chillin' watching youtube videos or netflix. Gaming, it's definitely not going to last more than an hour or so. But I always have it plugged in, so I don't really care about this. However, you have to make sure it's in "better performance mode" and not "best performance mode" while doing hardcore gaming. When I put it all the way up to the best performance mode possible while gaming, my battery was actually slowly draining WHILE it was PLUGGED IN. The drain was slow, but it got down to about 94% after an hour or so. That's a bit lame. But after putting it in the proper mode and undervolting and such, there's no issue and it stays at 100%. This is just potential minor issue, but I think it's worth mentioning.
Gaming: I can play GTA V at 60fps on ultra settings. League of legends on ultra settings at about 110 - 120 fps. Good enough for me. You should of course search up acer helios predator 300 gaming videos on youtube if you're curious how it performs in various games. It does much better than a PS4 pro. So I'm pleased. Every game I play nowadays, league, GTA, apex legends, etc, runs smoothly and at a high enough fps, so it's good enough for me personally.
Cons: Space. You're going to want to spend money on purchasing and installing an extra 1TB or 2TB hard drive or SSD if you're a hardcore gamer like me. The built-in 256 GB SSD the laptop comes with is nice, but with the size of many major games nowadays, it's just not going to be enough for you. Thankfully my laptop came with the screws and stuff you need to install a second SSD, which is what I did. I dropped another 150$ on a second 1TB SSD. I've heard that some people had their "cage" missing that you need to install an SSD, and had to contact Acer to get one mailed to them for free. I was lucky enough to have a cage and screws included with mine.
Overheating: Not a problem anymore since I undervolt mine and bought a cooling pad and it runs just fine and at safe temperatures, but if you haven't done either of these things I've heard that the laptop can potentially reach unsafe temperatures.
***You will likely have to go on youtube and watch a video or two on how to undervolt your computer so it doesn't overheat while gaming. After doing this I saw virtually no drop in performance but a humongous drop in heat while gaming, so it seems to have fixed everything. After undervolting, I'm able to play demanding games like GTA V on ultra while staying in the 55 - 60 degree Celsius range which I've heard is quite safe and optimal. But it's annoying to do all this if you're a computer noob and don't really want to learn how to do it. It'd be nice if the computer didn't have overheating issues in the first place. Before undervolting, I may have saw heat spikes of about 75 - 80 degrees Celsius while gaming. I am not an expert on computers and GPUs and CPUs and what temperatures they can safely handle for how many years and such. But I've heard people with this computer voice real concerns that their helios has reached 85 - 90 degrees or even higher under certain conditions. I can understand why that would make anyone nervous. That seems quite hot and is a definite issue. Learn to undervolt it a bit or reapply some thermal paste or both and everything should be peachy.
I've had it for about a month and I'm quite pleased. I think the CPU and GPU in this laptop are quite good and the price is acceptable. Overall I'm pleased with my purchase and would definitely recommend to anyone getting into PC gaming.