Acer Nitro 5

The Acer Nitro 5, featuring 12th-gen Intel Core i5 and i7 processors along with Nvidia GeForce RTX 30-series GPU options, made its debut in India on March 31. Unveiled initially at CES 2022 in January, the gaming laptop, identified by the model number AN515-18, boasts a range of impressive features. These include a 144Hz display, up to 16GB of RAM, and an RGB-backlit keyboard. The Nitro 5 (2022) prioritizes efficient thermal management with a dual-fan cooling system and a quad-exhaust port design. It also comes preloaded with software for CPU and GPU overclocking.

The Acer Nitro 5 laptop is designed to deliver an exceptional user experience and offering a remarkable interface. Powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 Hexa-core processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, it ensures top-tier gaming sessions and impressive visuals. The 15.6-inch FHD IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate contributes to stutter-free gaming. Additionally, the laptop excels in cooling performance during extended usage, thanks to its dual fan setup and four exhaust ports.

Acer Nitro 5 price in India

The Acer Nitro 5 series provides a variety of configurations to meet different performance needs, featuring powerful AMD Ryzen processors. The model equipped with the AMD Ryzen 5 Hexa Core R5-5600H processor is available at an initial price of ₹67,500, providing a compelling option for users seeking a balance of performance and affordability. For those who require even higher processing power, there is an alternative variant of the Acer Nitro 5 available at ₹1,12,100, equipped with the AMD Ryzen 7 Octa Core R7-5800H processor, offering enhanced performance capabilities for tasks that demand a higher level of computational power, such as gaming or content creation.

Design of Acer Nitro 5

The design of the Acer Nitro 5 doesn’t attempt to revolutionize gaming laptops; instead, it maintains a straightforward appearance with a touch of gaming aesthetics. The laptop features an RGB backlit keyboard with four distinct zones, red Nitro text, and a pinstripe-like effect on the lid.

In terms of dimensions, the Acer Nitro 5 is substantial and somewhat bulky, measuring 14.19 x 10.67 x 1.06 inches and weighing 5.51 pounds. Its size ensures that you’ll be aware of its presence when carrying it in your backpack.

The laptop’s ports are distributed on three out of the four edges. On the right side, there are two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, one of which can provide power even when the laptop is turned off. The charging port is located on the back, along with a Thunderbolt 4/USB-C port and an HDMI 2.1 port. On the left side, you’ll find a 3.5mm audio jack, a traditional USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, and an RJ45 Ethernet jack.

The arrangement of ports is commendable, covering various standards and offering diverse connectivity options. However, it would have been preferable if the Thunderbolt 4 port could power the Nitro 5 for all tasks. Connecting the laptop to a Thunderbolt 4 Dock resulted in a message indicating that the Acer Nitro 5 wasn’t charging at maximum speed, recommending the use of the included 140W charger for serious computing tasks like gaming.

The 15.6-inch display of the Acer Nitro 5 has a resolution of 1920×1080 and a refresh rate of 144Hz. The bezels surrounding the display adhere to the overall design theme of the Nitro 5, although they are not slim. Positioned above the display is a 720p webcam.

The keyboard, featuring a standard layout with a small number pad on the right, is positioned below the screen. The touchpad, of medium size, is centered on the deck. Both the keyboard and touchpad offer a smooth, if basic, user experience.

In summary, the Nitro 5’s design aligns with the typical appearance of entry-level gaming laptops from recent years. It lacks distinctive or standout features, but this predictability can be seen as a positive aspect, providing users with a clear understanding of what to expect.

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Performance of Acer Nitro 5

In evaluating the performance of the Nitro 5 AN517, we conducted a comparison against several gaming laptops equipped with midrange RTX graphics, all featuring Intel CPUs. The contenders included the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE, Dell XPS 17 9720, HP Victus 16 with RTX 3060 graphics, MSI Katana GF76 with RTX 3050 Ti, and the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro with RTX 3070.

To begin, we utilized PCMark 10, a benchmark that assesses performance in everyday computing tasks such as office productivity, web browsing, and video chats. The Nitro 5 fell slightly behind its Intel-powered counterparts, all surpassing the 7,000 mark. It’s worth noting that all the systems, including the Nitro 5, exhibited more than sufficient capabilities for general Windows usage. Anecdotal experiences indicated the Nitro 5’s responsiveness during multitasking scenarios with numerous open Chrome tabs.

Moving on to our HandBrake benchmark, designed to assess a laptop’s ability to handle prolonged CPU-intensive tasks, the Nitro 5 performed better than in the PCMark test. It secured a mid-ranking position, outperforming the Dell XPS 17 with its high-powered Core i7-12700H and the same RTX 3060 GPU.

In summary, the performance of the Nitro 5 AN517 was competitive among its peers, showcasing notable capabilities in handling CPU loads during demanding tasks. While it may have lagged slightly in PCMark, real-world scenarios demonstrated its responsiveness and efficiency in various computing applications.

Battery Performance of Acer Nitro 5

The battery life of the Nitro 5 raises some concerns. Acer suggests that battery benchmark tests should yield between five and seven hours of usage, depending on the specific test conducted. However, when subjected to PCMark 10’s battery benchmark, the Nitro 5’s battery lasted only three hours and 24 minutes before the laptop shut down.

A few years ago, a gaming laptop with over three hours of battery life might have been deemed exceptional. Yet, recent tests with other gaming laptops, such as the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, have set a higher standard, lasting over nine hours in similar tests.

While I don’t want to criticize the Nitro 5 excessively for its current battery performance, it’s worth noting that, in the near future, battery life below four hours could be viewed as a significant drawback.

Graphics Performance Evaluation of Acer Nitro 5

Following a comprehensive assessment of the machine’s application and multimedia capabilities, let’s delve into the exciting realm of gaming performance. Before exploring specific games, we conducted 3DMark’s Time Spy and Port Royal tests. The Nitro 5 showcased commendable performance in both assessments, securing the top spot among RTX 3060 systems and trailing only the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro with its RTX 3070 in the Port Royal test.

Transitioning to real-world gaming experiences, we initiated tests with Rise of the Tomb Raider at a resolution of 1920×1080, set to Very High and in DX11 mode. The Nitro 5 delivered a highly playable framerate of 107 fps, leading the RTX 3060 laptops. In the case of the more recent Shadow of the Tomb Raider, also at 1920×1080 resolution, the Nitro 5 achieved an impressive average of 106 fps, once again claiming the top spot among RTX 3060 laptops.

Concluding with the demanding Metro Exodus, set at 1920×1080 with the benchmark’s Extreme preset, the Nitro 5 averaged 31 fps, aligning with the performance of other RTX 3060 laptops and trailing behind the 50 fps of the RTX 3070-based Lenovo Legion 5 Pro.

Software Features of Acer Nitro 5

Despite being an entry-level gaming laptop, Acer has shown restraint in preinstalling software and bloatware on the Nitro 5. The essential applications are present, including NitroSense, which allows users to adjust the laptop’s cooling system, monitor system statistics, and activate a dedicated discrete GPU mode, ensuring constant usage of the RTX 3060. NitroSense is also the tool for customizing the four-zone RGB backlighting for the keyboard.

Beyond NitroSense, Acer includes additional proprietary software for checking warranty information and maintaining the laptop’s drivers and software up to date. Norton Security Ultra is also included, albeit as a form of bloatware.

NitroSense stands out for its user-friendly interface, making it easy to navigate. While the reviewer didn’t extensively use it, except for tweaking the keyboard’s lighting and gaining an overall understanding, the presence of a dedicated key on the keyboard to launch NitroSense suggests its potential for frequent use by owners of the Nitro 5. This distinguishes it from similar applications on competing laptops, which might be easily overlooked without a dedicated shortcut.

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Pros:

Competitive CPU/GPU combination considering the cost.
Spacious 1TB SSD with the option to add a secondary drive.
Respectable battery life.
Quiet operational performance.

Cons:

Bulky and heavy plastic chassis.
Dim display.
Mediocre keyboard and small touchpad.
Poor-quality webcam.