Acer Nitro 5 (relabelled to Nitro V 15) evaluation: Could it be 2023’s finest low-cost video gaming laptop computer?

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UPDATE: Nov. 13, 2023, 2:27 p.m. EST After an Acer associate’s demand, this evaluation was upgraded to show Acer Nitro 5’s rebrand to “Nitro V 15.”

Whoa! The Acer Nitro 5, now relabelled to Nitro V 15, loaded with scrumptious internals that can manage triple-A video gaming, blew my mind. This is a sub-$1,000 video gaming laptop computer, so naturally, I didn’t wish to get my hopes up.

The Nitro V 15 is probably one of the finest low-cost video gaming laptop computers on the market. It’s even much better than the MSI Cyborg 15– another inexpensive video gaming laptop computer I just recently examined.

Asus Acer Nitro V 15 on a bench

The Acer Nitro V 15 beats likewise priced competitors.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/ Mashable

Of course, the Nitro V 15 is an affordable laptop computer, which indicates Acer had no option however to make some compromises that might turn you off. That being stated, let’s dive into what I enjoy and dislike about the Acer Nitro V 15.

Asus Acer Nitro V 15 rate and specifications

The Acer Nitro V 15 in this evaluation is just $999. You can discover it at Newegg and it features the following specifications:

  • Intel Core i7-13620H CPU

  • Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU

  • 16GB of RAM

  • 1TB of SSD storage

  • 15.6-inch, 1080p screen with a 144Hz revitalize rate

Asus What I enjoy about the Acer Nitro V 15

I’m a sucker for video gaming laptop computers that look great in both environments: a flashy home entertainment space and inside a stuffy business workplace. The Acer Nitro V 15 fits that costs.

The style is fire

Call me a snoozefest all you desire, however I can’t stand video gaming laptop computers that appear like “video gaming laptop computers.” You understand, the eyesores that just have excessive going on the chassis, cover, and keyboard. I wish to video game — not toss a darn 80’s celebration on the keyboard. The last thing I desire is sidetracking functions (I’m lookin’ at you RGB lighting) interrupting my focus throughout gameplay.

Asus Acer Nitro V 15

Acer Nitro V 15has an appealing style.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/ Mashable

The Nitro V 15 has the ideal balance of enjoyable and major. It has a cool cover that appears like Wall-E rolled over it, leaving futuristic tracks on the cover. On the leading center, you’ll discover a rainbowlike “N” that provides the Nitro V 15 its edge. It’s not pestered with per-key RGB lighting you might discover on costlier video gaming laptop computers, which I’m not grumbling about. The Nitro V keeps it easy with white backlighting.

Easy access to Nitro Sense app by means of keyboard

With the basic tap of the “N” secret, you can access the NitroSense app.

Asus Acer Nitro V 15 on a bench

The NitroSense app opened on the Acer Nitro V 15.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/ Mashable

This awesome software application will likely be your most-visited app; it lets you modify the system to your preference before releasing video games. You can change the fans according to your workflow and jobs. Before delving into light-weight work (e.g., web surfing), you can utilize the NitroSense app to turn among the 2 following modes:

  • Peaceful– Restricts fan speeds to lower sound levels

  • Well balanced– Recommended for daily, basic use

While video gaming (or diving into any other job that worries the CPU and GPU), you can switch on Efficiency mode. Another mode you ought to know is Eco; this lets you eject as much battery life as possible.

Efficiency is damn excellent

I’ll dive more into this in subsequent areas, however I ran the Cyberpunk 2077 criteria on the Acer Nitro V 15 and it surpassed my expectations.

Asus Cyberpunk 2077 on Acer Nitro V 15

Cyberpunk 2077 on Acer Nitro V 15
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/ Mashable

As pointed out at the beginning, I examined the MSI Cyborg 15, which has the very same price as the Nitro V 15– and the Acer laptop computer squashed its rival like an eggshell.

Wide choice of ports

Acer uses a sweet range of I/O alternatives on the Nitro V 15. Left wing, you’ll discover the power port (DC-in), an Ethernet port, HDMI 2.1, 2 USB Type-A ports, and a USB Type-C port (Thunderbolt 4). On the right, you’ll discover another USB Type-A port, a headset jack, and a Kensington lock slot for security functions.

I might utilize an additional USB-C port, however the Acer Nitro V 15 is a sub-$1,000 video gaming laptop computer, so I’ll take what I can get.

Asus What’s ‘eh’ about the Acer Nitro V 15

You can’t be bougie on a beer spending plan, however there’s one specific aspect about the Acer Nitro V 15 that I’m strongly indifferent about.

The display screen will not win any prizes

I value the screen’s 144Hz revitalize rate, which suggests that you’ll get smooth visuals that’ll benefit you while playing busy video games. While gunning down opponents in DeathloopI felt a sense of increased responsiveness and seamlessness.

Asus Acer Nitro V 15 display screen

The Acer Nitro V 15’s screen isn’t vibrant, however this isn’t unexpected.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/ Mashable

The 15.6-inch, 1080p screen isn’t anything to compose home about. While playing Cyberpunk 2077the color richness looked mid, which is foregone conclusion for a sub-$1,000 video gaming laptop computer. Hey, you can’t have your cake and consume it too?

Loud AF, however this isn’t unusual

Some video games will check the limitations of your CPU and GPU, and when that takes place, the Nitro V 15’s dual-fan system will begin to keep its effective internals temperate.

Asus Acer Nitro 5 on a bench

The Acer Nitro V 15 seem like an aircraft removing when pressed to its limitations.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/ Mashable

Yes, they do an exceptional task at keeping the Ntiro 5 cool, however if I didn’t understand any much better, I ‘d error ’em for a leaf blower. It’s worth keeping in mind, however, that this is foregone conclusion for the majority of video gaming laptop computers. If you desire a quieter experience, get the Lenovo Legion 9i, which has a distinct thermal option– if you do not mind dropping an additional $3,000, obviously.

Noise is okay

Inexpensive laptop computers frequently have a bad credibility of providing peaceful, tinny audio. After releasing Dua Lipa’s “Houdini” on Spotify, the stylish tune sounded quelched on the Nitro V 15’s dual-speaker setup– as if somebody put a stereo inside a little, closed box.

I’m not too troubled due to the fact that numerous players reach for headsets to match with their laptop computers anyhow. And on the plus side, the noise gets adequately loud.

Peaceful keyboard, however might be clickier

To evaluate how comfy I am on a brand-new keyboard, I utilize the Live Chat typing test. On my day-to-day chauffeur laptop computer, the M2 Pro MacBook Pro, I type at a speed of 82 words per minute (WPM).

Asus Acer Nitro V 15 keyboard

The Acer Nitro V 15’s keyboard has its ups and downs.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/ Mashable

On the Acer Nitro V 15, I type at 75 WPM. What I like about the Nitro V 15’s keyboard is that it’s peaceful. If a killer was out to get you, and all you had in your hand was the Nitro V 15, you might most likely get away with emailing somebody for aid without signaling the burglar. Plus, there’s a full-sized numpad– a beneficial addition for some players.

The keyboard’s clickiness might be enhanced. The secrets are a bit too soft for my taste, however this isn’t a dealbreaker. It’s likewise worth keeping in mind that the touchpad isn’t the best, however once again, this is a minimal defect.

Asus What I do not like about the Acer Nitro V 15

While I’m blasé about the Nitro V 15’s display screen color richness and precision, I strongly do not like Nitro V 15’s dim, 250-nit display screen.

The screen might be brighter

While playing Cyberpunk 2077I discovered myself wishing to increase the screen to a brighter setting, however I was dissatisfied to discover that I had actually currently struck limit tier.

Battery life is meh

Like the majority of video gaming laptop computers, the Nitro V 15 isn’t really energy effective.

Asus 'Cyberpunk 2077' operating on Acer Nitro V 15

‘Cyberpunk 2077’ working on Acer Nitro V 15.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/ Mashable

I ‘d recommend keeping the Nitro V 15 plugged in. I experienced the laptop computer closing down on me in simply a little over an hour while playing Cyberpunk 2077 — and I didn’t get to conserve my development. (Scroll down to see our taped runtime for the Acer Nitro V 15.)

Chassis draws in finger prints

My Nitro V 15 is a criminal detective’s dream.

Asus Acer Nitro V 15 on a bench

The Acer Nitro V 15 has a fingerprint-attracting chassis.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/ Mashable

Asus Acer Nitro V 15 Geekbench and 3DMark ratings

Acer Nitro V 15 provided a multi-score rating of 12,797 (Performance Mode) on the Geekbench 6 test, which evaluates for CPU expertise. Compare this to the similarly priced MSI Cyborg 15, which notched a rating of 12,075.

The Acer Nitro V 15 likewise squashed the MSI on 3DMark’s Time Spy criteria, which evaluated the Nitro V’s 4050 GPU. It provided a rating of 8,670beating the MSI’s 6,907 figure.

Asus How well does ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ operated on Acer Nitro V 15?

I like to see a minimum of 60 frames per second for my video games, and the Acer Nitro V 15 struck an outstanding average of 92 frames per 2nd on the Cyberpunk 2077 standard (High pre-programmed). After triggering DLSS, a function developed to double the frame rates with AI upscaling, it leapt to a 122 frames per 2nd

On the other hand, the MSI Cyborg 15 might just summon 54 frames per 2nd on Cyberpunk 2077With DLSS on, it reached 113 frames per second.

Asus Acer Nitro V 15 battery life

As pointed out previously, the Nitro V 15’s battery life isn’t excellent. Yes, the battery life of many video gaming laptop computers is brief, however that does not make it any less frustrating. We ran the PCMark 10 battery criteria (video gaming variation) on the Nitro V 15, and it lasted simply 1 hour and 29 minutes.

Asus Acer Nitro V 15

The battery life on the Acer Nitro V 15 is rather brief.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/ Mashable

This is much better than its competitor, the MSI Cyborg 15, which just made it through for 1 hour and 1 minute.

Asus Last ideas

The Acer Nitro V 15 is the very best inexpensive video gaming laptop computer I’ve evaluated up until now. It can deal with Cyberpunk 2077, among the most graphics-intensive video games on the marketplace, like a champ. It even beats the MSI Cyborg 15, which shares comparable specifications.

As one may anticipate, a video gaming laptop computer priced listed below $1,000 will have some compromises. When it comes to the Nitro V 15, that implies losing on an intense display screen, a vibrant screen, per-key RGB lighting, and more.

If you’re simply trying to find a video gaming laptop computer that drops all the bells and whistles for outstanding video gaming efficiency, the Nitro V 15 is the one for you.

Cyberpunk 2077 is among the most graphics-intensive titles on the marketplace, so if you need to know if a video gaming laptop computer is effective, run the Cyberpunk 2077 standard on it to truly test its expertise. On our video gaming laptop computers, we run 2 Cyberpunk 2077 standards: one with DLSS off (to evaluate raw GPU power) and another with DLSS on (to check efficiency with AI upscaling). We utilize the High pre-programmed with ray-tracking off.

We likewise run 3DMark’s TimeSpy, which likewise checks video gaming laptop computers’ visual expertise, especially DirectX 12 efficiency.

To check processor efficiency, we run Geekbench 6, and for battery life, we utilize PCMark 10’s battery life test.

After running these standards, we try out the screen (e.g., browse YouTube and launch Netflix), check out the keyboard (i.e., we utilize LiveChat’s typing speed test to examine its convenience levels), check the style and construct quality, run Spotify to check the speakers, take pictures to figure out web cam quality, and more.

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Kimberly Gedeon is a tech explorer who takes pleasure in doing deep dives into the most popular devices, from the most recent iPhones to the most immersive VR headsets. She’s drawn to odd, progressive, strange tech, whether it’s a 3D laptop computer, a video gaming rig that can change into a brief-case, or clever glasses that can record video. Her journalism profession started about a years back at MadameNoire where she covered tech and organization before landing as a tech editor at Laptop Mag in 2020.

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