Among Acer’s PC announcements from CES 2021 is the brand-new Nitro 5 gaming laptop line, which offers a big range of configuration and price options. The new models employ either AMD Ryzen or Intel Core CPUs, as well as Nvidia GeForce GTX or RTX graphics chips, including, in some models, the spanking-new RTX 30-Series "Ampere" GPUs.
Since CES is entirely virtual, we were unable to see the product in person. But we worked with Acer to bring you a video preview. In the video call below, we spoke a length with Eric Ackerson, Senior Product Marketing and Brand Manager at Acer, who had the Nitro 5 on hand. You can get a look at the laptop and hear a rundown of its specs and features, so be sure to check it out...
The Nitro line is typically an entry-level gaming brand, and while that’s true of the new model given the $749.99 starting price, this year’s version can also be configured up much higher than past editions. That's the main appeal of this new Nitro, since it can now scale up to match your budget and needs, in addition to starting off at as about as low a price as you'll see on a current-generation gaming laptop with a dedicated GPU.
That scale includes Nvidia's GeForce RTX 30-Series ("Ampere") GPUs, which were just announced for laptops at this show, alongside Intel's 10th Generation "Tiger Lake" Core H-series processors. The $750 base model, of course, starts with a much more modest chip, in this case the pre-existing GeForce GTX 1650.
Component Check: To RTX and Beyond
The full details are in the video, but here’s a quick rundown. Component options include Nvidia’s new RTX 30 Series (debuting for laptops at CES 2021), and a choice between Intel’s Core H Series processors and Ryzen 5000 CPUs. As mentioned, this Nitro 5 can be configured much higher than past models, including all the way up to an RTX 3080 GPU.
The display offerings are also more advanced than past models. The Intel-based version of this laptop comes with a 1080p 144Hz display, while the AMD-based version can be equipped with either a 1080p 300Hz display, or a QHD 165Hz screen. The versatility of the Nitro 5 extends to the screen size as well: It will come in both 15 and 17 inches.
The system can also be configured with a maximum of 32GB of DDR4 memory, and an option for four-zone RGB key lighting. It also features improved fans and thermals, thanks to advances in Acer’s cooling technology, as well as Wi-Fi 6 and Thunderbolt 4 support.
Be sure to watch the video for all of the details and a peek at the Nitro 5, and check back for a full review once units come available in March.