My review of the Acer Predator 17 (G9-791-735A

ChevyCam94

Let me start off by saying, this laptop is a BEAST!  I came from an Alienware 14.  I thought THAT was high powered when I got it.  Its nothing compared to this thing!  This wont be the most in-depth review, but it should give you a pretty good idea what I think of it so far.

 

BUILD QUALITY:

PROS:   The base feels very solid, and well built.  The rubberized coating gives it a nice grip, but attracts oils from the skin easily, and may make keeping it clean a bit harder.  The speakers are well placed.  The fans in the back provide more than enough air flow.  The quick-swap DVD/FrostCore drives are very easy to work with.  Keyboard lighting is even.  The screen is bright, and extremely vivid compared to other laptops I looked at.

CONS:   The outer casing around the screen is a little flimsy.  I feel that when the lid is closed, that if I push on the outside of the screen, I could push the screen into the keyboard, and scratch it.  Not a deal breaker, but could use improvement.  Not being able to change the color of the backlit keyboard kind of stinks, coming from Alienware, but Im not really worried about that.  Those are really my only complaints about this laptop.

 

SCREEN:

PROS:   Its a full 1080p, with a VERY high color contrast.  Every color is sharp, vivid, and bright.  By far the best screen Ive seen on a laptop.  In my case at least, there was very little screen bleeding, even at max brightness.

CONS:   The built-in monitor doesnt support G-Sync.  That sucks.  But, it DOES support external G-Sync compatible monitors.

 

CPU:

PROS:   The 2.6GHz Skylake processor is more than powerful enough to handle anything Im able to throw at it.

CONS:   None really. 

 

GPU:

PROS:   My unit has the NVIDIA 970 with 3GB VRAM.  It handles most every game at between 50 and 60 fps.  Very little lag, and almost no screen tearing with v-sync turned on.

CONS:   In various tests, it scores about 15% less than the 980 chip (with 4GB VRAM).

 

NOISE:

PROS:   Actually, despite some reviewers saying the fans are too loud, they really dont bother me.  I have no trouble talking over them, even on max speed.  I have all SSD components now, so drive activity noise is null.

CONS:   When the fans ramp up a bit, it might be something you dont want to take to your local library, or in a quiet college class.   They arent totally silent, but not serious overkill either.

 

SPEAKERS:

PROS:   I used several songs with a lot of bass to test out the subs, and they really perform!  You can feel each beat, and the sound is crips and clear.  I turned the system to MAX, and didnt hear ANY distortion.  Of course, I wouldnt recommend doing that all the time, but it can certainly hold up.

CONS:   NONE!

 

TEMPERATURES:

PROS:   My system, even under stress, stays around 158 (F) for the CPU, and 105 (F) for the system.  Max fan brings that down to 155 (F) and 101 (F).  Not a HUGE drop, but its not bad.  The system never feels hot to the touch from the outside.  Even at those temps, the keyboard, and palm rest area stay nice and cool.  This system does a great job of routing the hot air out the back, and keeping things cool.

CONS:   Refer to the noise review above.  Its necessary to keep things cool under pressure.

 

FROSTCORE:

PROS:   It does keep the laptop a little cooler.  Its so quiet, you cant hear it at all.  I did a vapor test, and it DOES move air.  On average, my testing showed that the Frostcore reduced internal temps (read from PredatorSense) by around 2 to 3 degrees F.  Again, it might not be an astronomical amount, but something is better than nothing.

CONS:   Maybe the fact that you dont get a DVD drive while your Frostcore is in, but no big deal.

 

WEIGHT:

PROS:   For a gaming laptop, you come to expect it to be heavy.  Its not unbearable, and could easily be heavier.

CONS:   Not light enough that everyone would want to carry it around all day.

 

SOFTWARE:

PROS:   Very little bloatware.  Taking about 3 minutes or so, you can remove anything you dont want with ease.

CONS:   PredatorSense, in my opinion, is lacking in features and sensor readouts.  The macro keys could be expanded quite a bit.  There should be some way to turn off any/all keyboard lit keys (minus the power button maybe).  Still cant have the keyboard turn on its backlighting and have it STAY on (not timeout).

 

 

CONCLUSION:  I would HIGHLY recomment this laptop!  Despite some of the odd quirks here and there, they are by no means a deal breaker for me.  Upgradability is extremely easy, and the motherboard supports some of the latest, and fastest hardware available.  Give it some time, and more parts will be available.

Vinter8

Nice reviwe man. I can relate to your post.
Have you test frostcore?
About PredatorSense, I couldn't agree more. It really lacks more features.
I was also thinking of getting predator with Nvidia 970 3 gb but I have decide to save some more money and bought one with 980 4 gb. It's more future proof.
Glade you like it

ChevyCam94

Thanks for the heads up.  I forgot about that.  I didnt review EVERY little piece of hardware or software, just the major points.  I added the Frostcore section just now.

 

Ive been working on an internal Frostcore mod.  One that optimizes air flow where it SHOULD be going.  So far, Im only getting about a 2 degree improvement over their design.  Not massive, but still needs quite a bit of work.  I'll make it publically available, when/if I get it working like I want it to.

beststevie

I really apreciate reviews like that. Well done!

 

One thing which is always discussed is this G-Sync thing. As I had an Asus without G-sync there was a big thread about it and a petion to give G-Sync to all laptops by software upgragde. They finally did for money. But I really never understood some facts, same today:

 

If you play around 60fps wth vsync ( I do so, too with 980M) what would exactly be the difference if you could switch to G-sync?

 

I had at first the G9-791 with 970M and then the version with 980m. If you look at a good price/performance relation...it's hard to pay aroud 300.- for the bigger card.  The biggest difference in games is for me the RAM.

 

An overclocked 970M can be almost the same fast as the 980M (I tested that not with ACER!!!)