From raw power to a very decent keyboard, this gaming bundle more than lives up to its asking price. You can’t expect perfection at this price, and there are some costs. The Nitro 5 is an excellent entry-level gaming laptop for those who are interested in this form factor but don’t want to pay a fortune.
Price and Availability
What is the price tag attached to it? Starting at $999/£1,099 When can you obtain it? Both the United States and the United Kingdom now stock it. Where exactly can you obtain it? In the United States, you can get it at Best Buy, while in the United Kingdom, you can purchase it through the Acer online storefront.
The Acer Nitro 5 can be purchased in the United States from Best Buy (opens in new tab) and in the United Kingdom through the Acer online store. The availability of the Acer Nitro 5 in Australia has not yet been announced. The configuration that is currently available comes equipped with a 12th-Generation Intel Core i5-12500H processor, Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti dedicated graphics, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB PCIe solid-state drive.
Design
A very no-frills, sturdy design Well-designed and practical keyboard
The first image that comes to mind when you think of the best gaming laptops may be one with a bulkier profile, a plain black metal casing, and a tiny but unremarkable bezel. In other words, a design that is totally functional yet fails to stand out. The Acer Nitro 5 meets this description to a T. It boasts a strong and high-quality construction, as befits a gaming computer. You’ll clearly feel its weight if you’re carrying it around, but its size isn’t excessive enough to cause serious strain. As long as you have a high-quality laptop bag with adequate space, it doesn’t take up excessive space and won’t load you. The keyboard is the most notable aspect of the Acer Nitro 5 laptop. The keys are black with a white outline, largely flat, and wider than those of a conventional keyboard. This gives it a very unusual appearance that may be aesthetically divisive, but it has a more practical purpose, which is to facilitate typing for folks with bigger fingers or generally shakier hands. The small bezels are notable because they assist maximize the screen real estate and prevent the screen from needing to grow in size, which would make the laptop bulkier and larger. It has a conventional port selection, but in a decent way, with a range of ports and slots to accommodate most demands. There are three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports and one Type-C port, as well as an HDMI port, an SD Card Reader, a headphone jack, and a Kensington Slot for additional protection. It also includes a Thunderbolt 4 port, which is ideal for rapid charging, although you must purchase the cable separately.
Performance
Performs well graphically for its configuration Good quality HD screen
The circulation is one of the most vital yet undervalued components of any gaming laptop. No matter how cutting-edge the specifications, if the ventilation is poor, your computer is doomed to fail. However, the Acer Nitro 5 boasts a strong cooling system with two fans, quad exhausts on each side, and an air intake located above the keyboard. This translates to a machine with excellent cooling. In terms of performance during a gaming session, it handles the majority of graphically demanding games with relative ease. Complementing the sights is a solid audio system consisting of two 2W speakers. While not revolutionary, the music and sound effects are immersive and complement the visuals well. In addition, the red backlight is always a welcome addition, particularly during late-night gaming sessions. Additionally, the 15.6-inch QHD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 complements the visuals. This is further supported by the 165Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time, which means that not only do the graphics look good, but the visuals are also clear and fluid. The webcam’s substandard 720p resolution is nothing to write home about, as it is acceptable but not particularly crisp and clear. It works well for Zoom meetings and streams, but do not anticipate a polished experience. This laptop performs quite well for a low-cost device, passing nearly every benchmark with flying colors. The framerate is superior to what you would expect from the hardware, which is undoubtedly due to the CPU pulling its weight. It has an excellent distribution system, which undoubtedly contributes to its overall performance, and the audio complements the visuals without interruptions or other quality issues.
Specs Sheet
CPU: Intel Core i5-12500H Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti RAM: 16GB DDR4 Screen: 15.6-inch IPS, FHD, 144Hz Storage: 512 PCIe SSD Ports: 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1 x Thunderbolt 4, 1 x power port, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x SD Card Reader, 1 x Combo Jack, 1 x Kensington Slot Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 Camera: 720p Weight: 5.51lbs | 2.5kg Size (W x D x H): 14.19 x 10.67 x 1.06 ins | 360.4 x 271.0 x 26.9 mm Battery: 57WHr
Battery Life
Does not last long at all Has a Thunderbolt option for charging
If there is one flaw with the Acer Nitro 5, it is the appalling battery life. Even under normal working conditions, the battery seems incapable of lasting more than a few hours before requiring recharging, and the charge time is somewhat slow. Instead, you should purchase a Thunderbolt 4 charger.
Should You Buy the Laptop?
Buy if… You have a limited budget. The price range alone is a compelling cause to purchase, as the majority of its possibilities are $1000 or less. The hardware keeps the price low while still delivering a performance that will keep up with the majority of video games. Buy if… You desire a laptop with dependable performance. This laptop performs well in the majority of games and is able to constantly maintain at least 30 FPS without integrated graphics. In addition, the monitor has an excellent refresh rate, and the laptop has a response time of up to 3 milliseconds. It includes ray-tracing capabilities as well. Don’t buy if… You want a laptop with a long-lasting battery This is the laptop’s weakest feature, with a battery life that barely lasts four hours and a lengthy charging time when utilizing the default power adapter and charging connection. If you want a decent charge, you should invest in a Thunderbolt 4 charger, which it supports thankfully. Don’t buy if… You seek an attractive machine. This laptop is designed to be durable and functional, not attractive and flashy. If you’re searching for anything other than a solid black laptop with no frills, you’ll likely have to pay more for a more aesthetically pleasing model. This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. It is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters. © 2022 Maina Wilson
