Our test model is a mixed-specced configuration of the Acer Nitro 5 in the 2021 AN515-57 model, with an Intel Tiger Lake Core i7-11800H processor, 16 GB of DDR4 3200 MHz RAM in dual channel (2x single rank chips), 1 TB of storage (WD SN530 included drive), and dual graphics: the Nvidia RTX 3070 Laptop dGPU and the Iris Xe iGPU within the Intel platform, with Optimus. There’s no MUX switch here, and the display is hooked up through the Intel iGPU. To put these findings in perspective, the Intel Core i7-11800H in this Nitro 5 fares similarly to the same i7 implemented by Acer in their Predator Helios 300, but runs at lower power and higher temperatures here. The same i7-11800H can perform faster in designs that allow for even higher-power allocations, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor tends to outperform the i7 at even lower power in various designs, including the AMD-based version of the Nitro 5. Both are very competitive multi-purpose laptops, with the 3050Ti configurations at around the 1000 USD/EUR mark and the 3060s as the superior performers at around 1200-1400. They do have to face tough competition from the likes of the Lenovo Legion 5 ( also reviewed here in a different variant), HP Omen 15, or the Asus TUF Gaming A15/F15 series, but based on local availability and pricing, these Nitros could be the best options among these in some regions. Follow this link for a more detailed looked at the best gaming laptops of the moment at various price ranges and classes. All in all, this Intel-based variant of the 2021 Nitro 5 is quite a lot different than the AMD model we’ve tested before. However, we did test them several months apart and with different software, so in the meantime, the AMD variant might also be a lot closer to this Intel model. At that time, though, we found the AMD model a lesser performer than this Intel variant, but also a more efficient product that ran at lower temperatures and with quieter fans.

Nonetheless, I’d look for a configuration with the higher-quality BOE panel (300+ nits, 100% sRGB, faster response) that we’ve tested on the previous Nitro 5 2021 model, it’s a much nicer screen overall and better suited for fast-paced games, thanks to the improved response times. Hardware and performance

Lenovo Legion 9i review (2023 RTX 4080 model)

The lid doesn’t feature a fully flat design and that’s mainly because the laptop is trying to look like a sports car with the two distinguishing details that are placed on both sides of the lid. You can open it with a single hand (with a slight wobble after you release it) and you’ll see that the two side-placed bezels are normally sized but unfortunately, we cannot say the same thing for the upper one and for the fat “chin”. The Web camera is orthodoxly positioned so no surprises here. With daily use, the fan noise (on the Balance and Power Saver modes) is limited and only audible in a quiet room, especially when using the laptop unplugged. The two fans are always active though, so never go idle. The cooling solution looks almost the same as the one that we found in the Predator Triton 300 (PT315-52). This means that it has three heat pipes – one of them is shared between the CPU and the GPU and the other two are solely dedicated to these chips. The cooling solution is complimented by four heat sinks and two big cooling plates that cover the video memory and the voltage regulators.

The Acer Nitro 5 (AN515-57) is a refreshed device that surprises us with its decent performance. The price tag of it isn’t too wallet-stretching but at the same time, it offers a lot of bang for its money. The build quality is just fine for this kind of notebook, sure, that’s an all-plastic build but the device feels sturdy and rigid despite its not-so-premium build materials. All in all, there is still only an 80-85W 3070 in this Nitro 5, so proper higher-power implementations will outmatch it in performance. And the same can be said about the 3060 configurations, although those are more likely better value for your money in this chassis, with their more affordable pricing.The next figure shows how well the display is able to reproduce really dark parts of an image, which is essential when watching movies or playing games in low ambient light. We’ll update once we know more, and in the meantime, follow this link for the latest updated prices and configurations available in your region. Final thoughts – Acer Nitro 5 AN515-57 As expected, the Intel platform is not as efficient as the AMD models tested earlier, and when paired with the small battery, the runtimes end up this short. The fact that the screen runs at 144 Hz on battery and does not switch to 60 Hz takes a toll as well, so you might want to manually switch it over to further increase the runtimes. All in all, don’t expect more than 2-4 hours of daily use on a charge on this Nitro 5 model. We also ran some Workstation related loads on this Intel i7 + RTX 3070 configuration, on the High-Performance profile: Still, we’ve included other color spaces like the famous DCI-P3 standard used by movie studios, as well as the digital UHD Rec.2020 standard. Rec.2020, however, is still a thing of the future and it’s difficult for today’s displays to cover that well. We’ve also included the so-called Michael Pointer gamut, or Pointer’s gamut, which represents the colors that naturally occur around us every day.