Predator triton 300se: Predator Triton 300 SE | Thin Gaming Laptop | Predator Gaming | Predator
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE review: more prey than Predator
Acer’s Predator Triton 300 SE is chasing after the hype that Asus built with last year’s excellent Zephyrus G14. It’s similar in a few key ways: it’s a sophisticated-looking gaming laptop bordering on ultrabook territory in terms of its sleek and relatively thin design. It has a 14-inch 1080p display with a fast refresh rate and respectable graphics capabilities to top it off. Even its price hits a similar spot at $1,399.
Asus’ latest G14 hasn’t made its way to us for review yet, so we don’t know exactly how it’ll compare to this one in all of the ways that matter. But in the meantime, Acer’s new model already has some clear advantages, like a built-in webcam and the Thunderbolt 4 port. It also achieves commendable gaming performance with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, but don’t let the similarities (or even the few perks) trick you. Calling the new Triton 300 SE a Predator is a little bit of a misnomer.
6.5Verge Score
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
$1399.99
The Good
- Elegant design
- Good gaming performance in a small laptop
- Efficient cooling
The Bad
- Battery life isn’t as good as Acer claims
- Build quality issues
- 144Hz display has ghosting issues
- There’s so much bloatware
$1400 at Best Buy
How we rate and review products
Last year’s G14 defied my colleague Monica Chin’s expectations for what a gaming laptop could achieve when it comes to battery life. Comparatively, Acer’s new laptop isn’t nearly as long-lasting, but it’s not terrible. The Triton 300 SE has a 60Wh four-cell battery that lasts around six hours on average with relatively light usage. More on this later, but safe to say it’s considerably less than the 10-hour battery life Acer claims. You can feel confident taking the Triton 300 SE out to a cafe to do some work for a few hours. But if you intend to be out all day, or use it to do any gaming, you’ll need to bring the charger.
An all-metal chassis meets a rather flimsy plastic lid.
The Triton 300 SE looks very sharp for a gaming laptop.
Whether limited battery life bothers you or not, there are some other issues that I couldn’t help but notice. The interplay of all-plastic on the lid and an all-metal chassis looks fine, but the lid feels flimsy in a way that makes me concerned for its longevity. Applying just a few pounds of pressure to the Predator logo beneath the display makes it bow more than it should. On the unit that Acer sent us, the softer plastic built into the screen’s bezel that cushions the lid when it closes has tiny gaps where it’s not seamlessly adhered. And near the keyboard, the “Turbo” key that amps up the fans has a slight imperfection on it. Lastly, Acer stuffed far too much annoying bloatware into the Triton. About every hour, there’s a pop-up asking me to install or subscribe to something.
All of this makes for a laptop that doesn’t feel as high-end as its cost indicates it should.
There’s just one configuration of this model right now, containing a four-core Intel Core i7-11375H processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, 512GB of NVMe SSD storage, as well as the aforementioned RTX 3060 graphics card. The performance of that GPU depends a lot on how much power each manufacturer wants to allow it to draw. And in this case, it has a 75W maximum power draw and can be boosted up to 1,382MHz. After spending time with several RTX 3070-equipped gaming laptops with more headroom than that, I wasn’t expecting much here. However, I was pleased to see gaming performance in multiple titles getting around 60 frames per second without requiring compromises in the settings.
This photo highlights the color-shifting hinge as well as the display’s poor viewing angles.
Viewed straight-on, the 14-inch 1080p 144Hz display looks fantastic.
Horizon Zero Dawn, a system-intensive, open-world game, ran at an average of 60fps with ultra settings turned on. Testing Triton 300 SE’s RTX-enabled ray-tracing chops, Shadow of the Tomb Raider on ultra settings with the ray-tracing shadows set to medium got 61 frames per second. Turning the ray-tracing setting up to ultra knocked it down to 48fps. Running that game with ray tracing set to ultra and Nvidia’s deep learning super sampling (DLSS) technique turned on that lowers the render resolution, then uses AI to upscale textures, Acer’s laptop achieved 55 frames per second, splitting the difference. Red Dead Redemption 2, another demanding open-world game, ran at 53 frames per second on ultra settings.
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE specs (as reviewed)
- Model number: PT314-51s-71UU
- 14-inch FHD 144Hz non-touchscreen IPS panel
- Quad-core Intel Core i7-11357H with 3.3GHz base clock and 5GHz boost clock
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 (75W, boost clock of up to 1,382MHz)
- 16GB RAM (soldered), supports up to 24GB with one extra SO-DIMM slot
- 512GB NVMe storage
- 720p webcam
- Wi-FI 6 (802. 11ax)
- Bluetooth 5.1
- Ports: Thunderbolt 4 port, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, HDMI 2.1 port, 3.5mm jack, charging plug
- 60Wh four-cell battery
- Dimensions: 12.7 x 8.97 x 0.7 inches
- 3.75 pounds
- 180W adapter
It’s not surprising that, with its newer components, Acer’s laptop puts up more favorable numbers than the 2020 G14 that had an RTX 2060. Performance in some of Asus’ 2021 models could fare slightly better in terms of 1080p performance, even though it similarly uses the RTX 3060. That’s because its graphics chip has a slightly higher 80W power ceiling compared to 75W in the Triton 300 SE, not to mention that its AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS processor has eight cores compared to the four cores with this 11th Gen Intel processor.
The Triton 300 SE’s metal chassis effectively turns into a heatsink to dissipate heat under heavy use, and I noticed it getting warm during gameplay. Unlike most laptops, the heat extended all the way down to the wrist rest, but it wasn’t bothersome. I appreciate the thought that went into the cooling system, which takes air in through the back, then pushes it out the sides of the laptop. Some laptops do the inverse of this, and it can make actually using laptops on your lap a little too toasty, even for non-gaming-related tasks.
There’s a “Turbo” button located above the main batch of keys that overclocks the CPU and GPU, sending the fans loudly into overdrive. I didn’t need to use this mode to achieve the frame rates I cited earlier, and turning it on didn’t seem to make a huge difference during my testing. I also didn’t notice an appreciable difference using it with Adobe Premiere Pro to export a 5-minute, 33-second 4K video. It took 5 minutes and 40 seconds to run through the test. Considering the price and size of this machine, these results rank highly among other laptops we’ve tested recently.
Acer uses a 14-inch 1080p IPS 16:9 aspect ratio panel with a 144Hz refresh rate with up to 300 nits of brightness. During general use and gameplay, I have no complaints about the color accuracy or brightness, though there’s some noticeable ghosting, likely attributed to a higher response time that adds latency. As a result, the mouse pointer doesn’t glide across the screen as smoothly as I’ve seen on other high refresh rate screens, and it extends to gameplay looking a little blurry at times, trivializing the technical achievement of hitting 60 frames per second in games, as well as having a 144Hz refresh rate in the first place. Despite multiple requests for a comment on the response time, Acer didn’t provide the spec.
I felt right at home on Acer’s keyboard layout.
This fingerprint sensor worked about half the time for me.
Additionally, this screen’s viewing angles are far more limited than I expect from an IPS panel. It’s easily viewable straight-on, but less so from other angles unless the brightness is amped up. Next to the less-than-stellar battery life, this is a big miss for Acer that might be less forgivable for gamers.
I was right at home with Acer’s keyboard, though, both in terms of the layout and feel of the keys here. This keyboard has three-zone backlit keys (you can customize each zone to be a different color in its Predator software), and though many features require holding the “Fn” key to use, the layout is intuitive and doesn’t feel overly cramped.
The glass trackpad supports all of the gestures I expect with Windows Precision drivers, but it isn’t as responsive to my touch as it should be. I think it’s more an issue with the screen’s response time than it is an issue with the trackpad. A fingerprint scanner you can use as an alternative to a PIN is embedded in the top-left corner of the trackpad, but I’ve found that it only works half the time. With that failure rate, I’d rather just have more trackpad real estate.
Agree to Continue: Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it — contracts that no one actually reads. It’s impossible for us to read and analyze every single one of these agreements. But we started counting exactly how many times you have to hit “agree” to use devices when we review them since these are agreements most people don’t read and definitely can’t negotiate.
As with other Windows 10 computers, the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE presents you with multiple things to agree to or decline upon setup.
The mandatory policies, for which an agreement is required, are:
- A request for your region and keyboard layout
- Windows 10 License Agreement
- A Microsoft account for sign-in
- A PIN
In addition, there are several optional things to agree to:
- Connect to Wi-Fi network
- Set up fingerprint sensor authentication
- Device privacy settings: online speech recognition, Find My Device, Inking and Typing, Advertising ID, Location, Diagnostic data, Tailored experiences
- Send Microsoft your activity history to sync your activity across Windows devices
- Connect your Android phone for My Phone services
- Opt to save files via OneDrive
- Sign up for Microsoft 365
- Allow Microsoft to access your location, location history, contacts, voice input, speech and handwriting patterns, typing history, search history, calendar details, messages, apps, and Edge browsing history to help Cortana provide personalized experiences and relevant suggestions
- Provide your name, region, and email address for Acer support and protection
That’s five mandatory agreements and 15 optional ones.
Acer included the essentials in terms of ports. There are two USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports — one on each side, with the right-facing port being able to charge some devices. The star of the show is the Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port, which can be used to transfer data or connect a display. Additionally, I’m happy to see an HDMI 2.1 port, offering up to 4K resolution at 120 frames per second. There’s also a headphone combo jack and a DC-in port for its relatively compact 180W power brick. I wish Acer allowed this laptop to be recharged via USB-C, but it’s all handled through the proprietary DC charging port.
The left side features a fan exhaust, charging port, USB Type-A port, and a Thunderbolt 4 port.
On the right, there’s another fan exhaust, HDMI 2.1 port, USB Type-A, and a headphone jack.
Coming back to battery life, it’s not the biggest flaw that this laptop can only get between five and six hours of battery life per charge while using apps like Microsoft Edge, Spotify, and Slack. The issue here is that Acer claims it will last up to 10 hours, but it doesn’t outwardly mention that you’ll only get that kind of longevity if you’re doing something very simple, like watching HD video with no other apps running. That’s fine if you’re on an airplane for hours on end, but most people rely on a laptop for more than that, so it’s far from the best method for judging battery performance. Based on my testing, the best results you should expect with light usage is about six hours at most. It’s not bad for a gaming laptop, but it keeps the Triton 300 SE from hanging with the battery performance you can get from other ultrabooks or even the Zephyrus G14.
It was daring of Acer to jump into the ring against Asus’ Zephyrus G14, a gaming laptop that ticks a lot of boxes (aside from the missing webcam) for the price. This is a more elegant-looking machine than the G14, and compared directly, it’s hard to not appreciate its Thunderbolt 4 port and a webcam. It’s also a capable performer with games. But Asus proved that a gaming laptop can be more than just a powerful machine. It can also have good battery life for portable use and competent build quality without a bunch of bloatware. The competition is fierce, but the Triton 300 SE is more like prey than a bonafide Predator.
Photography by Cameron Faulkner / The Verge
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE Review: Cinematic Quality Screen
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A small gaming laptop that punches above its weight.
(Image: © Tom’s Hardware)
Tom’s Hardware Verdict
The Acer Predator Triton 300 SE delivers impressive gaming performance, a vivid OLED and excellent portability, but the memory is soldered down and the keyboard could use more travel.
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Most of the best gaming laptops have 15 to 17-inch screens, but Acer’s 14-inch Predator Triton 300 SE ($1,949 as tested, starts at $1,599) is a convincing argument that they can be made smaller. The Core i9-12900H processor and 6GB Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card in our review unit let it punch well above its weight — no low-wattage CPU or RTX 3050 here. It’s all wrapped in an attractive aluminum build, and our model goes above and beyond with a gorgeous OLED screen. It’s not cheap, but few gaming laptops blend portability and performance so well.
Acer sells both 14- and 16-inch versions of the Predator Triton 300 SE. The 14-inch version under review here is distinguishable by its dark gray hue as opposed to bright silver color on the larger version. The aluminum chassis – plastic would be out of place on a laptop this expensive – resists flex nicely even though the metal isn’t thick.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
- Acer Predator Triton 300 SE at Best Buy for $899.99
At 12.34 x 8.9 x 0.79 inches (313.4 x 226.1 x 19.9 mm, WDH), the Predator Triton 300 SE isn’t as trim as a non-gaming 14-inch ultraportable, such as the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, but mostly sticks to the size of its 14-inch, 16:10 aspect ratio screen. To nitpick, I’d like to see slightly thinner display bezels. The laptop weighs 3.75 pounds (1.7kg).
By comparison, the Asus TUF Gaming F15, which has a 15.6-inch screen, is 13.94 x 9.88 x 0.78 inches (354 x 250 x 19.81 mm) and 4.41 pounds (2 kg). The 16-inch Lenovo Legion 5i Pro is still larger and heavier at 14.17 x 10.4 x 1.05 inches (359.9 x 264.4 x 26.6 mm) and 5.49 pounds (2.49 kg). That’s also true of the Acer Predator Helios 300, which is 14.15 x 10.88 x 0.9 inches (359.4 x 276.4 by 22.9 mm) and 5.73 pounds (2.6 kg).
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The Predator sticks to traditional straight lines instead of trying anything exotic. Minus the excessive stickers on the palm rest, it almost looks professional. Acer toned down the Predator branding to tiny badges on the lid and palm rest. There is no external lighting besides the keyboard backlighting.
The amount of physical connectivity satisfies; The left edge has a USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port and Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C). There’s also a Kensington-style lock slot, which is always important on a laptop likely to see public travel or college use.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Meanwhile, the right edge is where you can find a universal audio jack (headphone/microphone), another Type-A port and an HDMI 2.1 video output. There’s no media card reader here like there is on the 16-inch Predator Triton 300 SE.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Nothing is on the front edge and only cooling vents adorn the rear.
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The Predator Triton 300 SE has Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 courtesy of a Killer AX1675i networking card. It lacks Ethernet, but Thunderbolt 4 opens tons of possibilities, including docking stations. But this laptop requires more power than Thunderbolt 4 can provide; its 180-watt power connector connects along the left edge.
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE Specs
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CPU | Intel Core i9-12900H (6 Performance-cores, 8-Efficient cores, up to 5GHz turbo, 45-watt base power) |
Graphics | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6 (95-watt maximum graphics power, 1,282 MHz boost clock) |
Memory | 32GB LPDDR5-5200 (soldered) |
Storage | 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD |
Display | 14-inch OLED2880 x 1800 pixels 90Hz |
Networking | Killer Wi-Fi 6E 1675i, Bluetooth 5.2 |
Ports | Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 2x USB-A 3. 2 Gen 2 (one with power-off charging), 3.5mm audio jack, HDMI 2.1 video output |
Camera | 1080p |
Battery | 76 WHr |
Power Adapter | 180-watt (barrel connector) |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
Dimensions (WxDxH) | 12.34 x 8.9 x 0.79 inches (313.4 x 226.1 x 19.9 millimeters) |
Weight | 3.75 lbs (1.70 kg) |
Price (as configured) | $1,949 |
Gaming and Graphics on the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
Our Acer Predator Triton 300 SE review unit is model TP314-52S-95GB, sporting an Intel Core i9-12900H processor, 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060. The latter is rated for a middling 95 watts; Nvidia’s specifications indicate laptop makers can set it for as few as 60 watts. Its 1,282MHz boost clock is the minimum, though.
I had no trouble playing through Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 2,880 x1,800 at the highest detail preset and Nvidia RTX DLSS set to balanced, with a frame rate between 67 and 90 frames per second. Every scene looked brilliant on the OLED screen, especially the night missions.
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On Grand Theft Auto V (very high settings), the Predator Triton 300 SE trailed the field, averaging just 74 fps at 1080p. The Asus TUF Gaming F15 managed 90 fps, suggesting how much more performance the GeForce RTX 3060 can muster when tuned to 140 watts. The Acer Predator Helios 300 and the Lenovo Legion 5i Pro are even more powerful, with their 150-watt GeForce RTX 3070 Ti graphics cards. The Predator Triton 300 SE’s 34 fps average at native screen resolution is also low, albeit still technically playable.
The Shadow of the Tomb Raider (highest settings) benchmark tells a similar story; the Predator Triton 300 SE averaged 68 fps at 1080p but half that (34 fps) at native screen resolution. The 1440p/1600p numbers from the Predator Helios 300 and the Legion 5i Pro are much better, just over the magic 60 fps mark. Enabling RTX DLSS (which we don’t do for testing) would help frame rates a lot as my casual playthrough suggested.
The Predator Triton 300 SE looked slightly better in Far Cry 6 (ultra settings), where it averaged a smooth 63 fps at 1080p and a low but playable 39 fps at native. Naturally, the others continued performing better, but remember that the Predator Triton 300 SE is a small 14-inch laptop in a field of 15- to 16-inchers.
The Borderlands 3 (badass settings) benchmark also shows the Predator Triton 300 SE just keeping its head above water at native screen resolution, averaging 34fps. Its 60fps average at 1080p is better, but the other laptops achieved at least that at 1440p/1600p.
Lastly, the Predator Triton 300 SE made its worst showing in Red Dead Redemption 2 (medium settings), producing 50 fps at 1080p and diving to an unplayable 27 fps at native screen resolution. This game is notoriously difficult to run, however, and it’s important to remember the Predator Triton 300 SE is a small laptop for portable gaming.
The benchmarks take but a few minutes to run, and in real-world gaming, you’d be playing for far longer than that. That’s why we stress-test gaming laptops by looping the Metro Exodus benchmark on RTX settings 15 times, simulating about half an hour of gameplay.
During the test, the Predator’s Core i9-12900H averaged a healthy 4.14 GHz on the performance cores and 3.52 GHz on the efficiency cores. The CPU package temperature averaged 77.43 degrees Celsius. The GeForce RTX 3060’s core clock averaged 1,167MHz, not too far below its 1,282MHz rated maximum boost clock, and had an average temperature of 65.12 degrees Celsius.
Productivity Performance on the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
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Our Predator Triton 300 SE has an Intel Core i9-12900H processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD and Windows 11 Home.
In Geekbench 5, an overall performance test focused on the CPU, the Predator Triton 300 SE earned a top score of 1,879 in the single-core test, ahead of the TUF Gaming F15’s 1,781 and the Legion 5i Pro’s last-place showing of 1,595. Both those laptops use a Core i7-12700H processor which has the same core count and configuration as the Core i9-12900H, but slightly lower clocks. The Predator Triton 300 SE also did well in multi-core, scoring 14,064 and outpacing the next-fastest Legion 5i Pro (13,008) and the underperforming Predator Helios 300 (10,164), which also uses a Core i7-12700H.
In a reversal, the Predator Triton 300 SE’s time of 5 minutes and 3 seconds landed it last place in our Handbrake video transcoding test. The TUF Gaming F15 was the second slowest, at 4 minutes and 49 seconds, and the Legion 5i Pro the fastest at 4 minutes and 29 seconds.
The Predator Triton 300 SE redeemed itself in our final test, a 25GB file copy, where it averaged 1,536 MBps against the next-best Legion 5i Pro’s 925.46 MBps. The TUF Gaming F15 came in last, at 607.64 MBps.
Display on the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
The OLED screen on the Predator Triton 300 SE under review is a real stunner. If you’ve marvelled at high-end OLED TVs in an electronics store, this will give you the same feeling on a smaller scale. Our tools revealed it covers an excellent 193% of the sRGB gamut and 136.4% of DCI-P3.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The display can seem brighter than our 280-nit measurement suggests because of OLED’s infinite contrast ratio. During a night scene in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, I actually squinted when a sudden explosion had me running for cover.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The screen’s 2880 x 1800 screen resolution is called WQXGA+ or, sometimes, 3K. Its 90 Hz refresh rate isn’t high for a gaming laptop (we routinely see 165 Hz or better) but is still higher than the standard 60 Hz. A higher refresh rate isn’t needed, in any case; our gaming benchmarks showed the GeForce RTX 3060 is at the limit of its capabilities at this resolution.
The only real problem with this screen is the excess glare from its mirror-sheen surface. I found myself constantly adjusting the display angle in well-lit rooms and especially outdoors to avoid reflections. The surface also tends to attract excess dust.
Keyboard and Touchpad on the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
Typing on the Predator Triton 300 SE is a forgettable experience. The keyboard is perfectly functional, with mostly full-size keys (including the arrow cluster, though it isn’t separated out), but minimal key travel means minimal feedback. That said, I sailed through the MonkeyType typing test at 102 words per minute with 99% accuracy and got a similar 102 wpm in 10FastFingers.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The keyboard has a shortcut column down its right side. The top key is the power button, followed by keys to launch the PredatorSense app, mute the microphone, and toggle volume up and down. Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down are only available as Fn-key combos.
The keyboard backlight is split into three vertical zones, not per-key as on higher-end gaming laptops. Each zone can be any color (RGB) and can be individually turned off. There are three brightness levels. Lighting patterns like breathing can also be set, though they apply to the entire keyboard and not by zone. The Acer PredatorSense app (more on it later) allows all this configuration but you can still toggle the brightness or turn the lighting off using Fn + F4.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The Predator’s touchpad is slightly small for its 14-inch screen but it’s usable; my fingers easily glided across its surface. It has no dedicated mouse buttons; simply press or tap the surface to click. The little square at top left is the fingerprint reader, which looks like it could get in the way but didn’t in my experience, as they are in an area my fingers rarely went. The fingerprint reader is a notable inclusion; gaming laptops often leave it out.
Audio on the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
Laptops typically have unremarkable speakers, and the Predator Triton 300 SE follows that rule. Its twin speakers face downward from behind the vertical grilles along the bottom corners.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The sound is just loud enough to entertain one person in a quiet room. Drum hits in Phil Collins’ Don’t Lose My Number sounded sharp but had no bass to back them up. Tuning audio settings in the DTS:X app helps; there are presets for gaming, music, movies and an automatic mode, and it also has a graphic equalizer.
The speakers are better suited to games. Shadow of the Tomb Raider was surprisingly immersive with DTS:X set to gaming, though none of the explosions I set off registered on the bass scale. (Gamers looking for the best audio experience should use one of the best gaming headsets.)
Upgradeability of the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
The only easily serviceable components in the Predator Triton 300 SE are its storage drive, wireless card and battery. You’ll need a tiny Torx screwdriver to remove the nine screws securing its bottom access panel. (Philips-head screwdrivers will not work.) At least all the screws are the same, so you don’t have to remember their original locations.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Removing the screws is the simple part; prying the panel free is a pain. I started on the left edge with a plastic trim tool and slowly made my way around to the front and right edges. The force I had to use made me wonder if I had forgotten to remove a screw or two. Popping the rear edge free was the hardest part, and it felt like I had snapped something. (Fortunately, nothing broke.) Be sure to use a tool (a credit card isn’t strong enough) and go slow.
The storage drive is an M.2 Type-2280 format using the PCI Express 4.0 bus. The 1TB drive in our unit wasn’t covered by a heatsink. Next to it is the M.2 Type-2230 wireless card, with two antenna leads.
What about the RAM? It’s unfortunately soldered and impossible to upgrade, so buy a laptop with the amount of RAM you’ll want in the long run.
Battery Life on the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
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Our battery test involves web surfing, video streaming and OpenGL testing at 150 nits of brightness. The Predator Triton 300 SE lasted an adequate if not impressive 5 hours and 43 minutes; traditional 14-inch laptops usually last a lot longer, but they don’t have the Predator’s gaming-grade hardware. Only the Predator Helios 300 had a shorter runtime (5:02). The TUF Gaming F15 took the top spot (7:35).
Heat on the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
During our Metro Exodus stress test, the Predator Triton 300 SE had a maximum keyboard temperature of 114. 98 degrees Fahrenheit (46.1 degrees Celsius) between the G and H keys, which is bearable. The other surfaces were cooler, the touchpad registering only 85.8 F (29.9 C).
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The hotspot on the bottom of the laptop was 127.22 F (52.9 C).
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Webcam on the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE (TP314-52S-95GB)
Though Acer equipped the Predator Triton 300 SE with a 1080p webcam instead of the usual 720p fare, the picture is still on the blurry side and doesn’t handle highlights or low light well. The cam also lacks a privacy shutter. You’ll need an external webcam to look your best.
Software and Warranty on the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE (TP314-52S-95GB)
There’s a fair amount of preloaded software on the Predator Triton 300 SE.
The most important app is PredatorSense. It handles keyboard settings as I noted earlier, but more importantly lets you access performance-related settings and monitoring tools.
Enabling Turbo mode is the most exciting; it allows the graphics card to boost higher and gives the CPU extra cooling by forcing the fans to maximum speed. It’s effective; in the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark (highest settings, 2,880×1,800, RTX DLSS set to balanced), I saw 73 fps at default but 81 fps with Turbo enabled, an impressive jump for pressing a button. The fan noise is prohibitive, though, so I can’t see using this feature unless a game really needs a 10-20% performance boost and you had closed or noise-cancelling headphones.
PredatorSense also integrates with games, and can automatically set keyboard backlighting, performance boost, and sound settings depending on the game you’re playing. The only challenging part is navigating to the game’s executable file.
The Acer Care Center app has basic system information and utilities, such as a drive cleaner. It also automatically checks for system driver and firmware updates. It notifies you of critical updates, but you can turn that off.
As for warranty, Acer backs the Predator Triton 300 SE with just one year of coverage; Predator laptops used to have two-year warranties. I prefer one year of coverage for every $1,000 spent, but one year is the industry standard.
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE Configurations
The $1,949 Predator Triton 300 SE we reviewed is model TP314-52S-95GB. It has a 14-inch OLED screen with a 2880 x 1800 resolution, an Intel Core i9-12900H processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics, a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, and 32GB of LPDDR5 memory.
The only other model I found for sale in the US was the $1,599 Best Buy model PT314-52S-747P, which steps down to a slightly lower-clocked Core i7-12700H processor, half the storage (512GB) and memory (16GB), and switches out the OLED screen for a 165Hz 1920 x 1200 IPS screen. Its lower screen resolution makes a better option for most gamers, but you’re stuck with 16GB of non-upgradeable RAM.
The 16-inch model, starting at $1,699, can be found from B&H and Acer directly.
The 14-inch Acer Predator Triton 300 SE expertly blends portability and performance. It can play any of today’s games, and its productivity is on par with that of larger machines, thanks to its full-wattage Intel Core H-class processor. It even offers built-in overclocking in the PredatorSense app.
The OLED screen on our review model is gorgeous but not the best choice for gaming. Its 2880 x 1800 resolution proved too high for the GeForce RTX 3060, at least at the visual-quality settings we use for benchmarks. Most gamers will be better off with the Best Buy model PT314-52S-747P, which has a more manageable 1920 x 1200 resolution and a higher, 165 Hz refresh rate. Nonetheless, the OLED screen is unbeatable for cinematic gaming provided you’re willing to accept less than top visual-quality settings playing at native resolution (In some games, not all) or are using the Triton as a creative tool.
For more performance, Lenovo’s Legion 5i Pro offers a GeForce RTX 3070 Ti and a 16-inch 2560 x 1600 screen in the $1,999 model we reviewed, though it’s a larger machine, nearly two pounds heavier than the Predator Triton 300 SE. The 15.6-inch Asus TUF Gaming F15 is another larger but better performer, utilizing a higher-wattage GeForce RTX 3060 than the Predator, and it’s less expensive ($1,499 as we reviewed it, albeit with 16GB of RAM.)
Other highlights for the Predator Triton 300 SE are its snazzy aluminum build, three-zone RGB keyboard backlighting, ample connectivity (including Thunderbolt 4), and good cooling. On the downside, its keyboard doesn’t feel engaging, its 1080p webcam isn’t special, and its memory can’t be upgraded, but those are nitpicks in the larger picture. All told, the 14-inch Predator Triton 300 SE does a commendable job delivering usable gaming performance in a small form factor.
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE: Price Comparison
$1,148.90
$1,037.49
View
$1,599
$1,077
View
$1,807.99
View
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Charles Jefferies is a freelance reviewer for Tom’s Hardware US. He covers laptop PCs, especially gaming models.
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE PT314-52s Review: When the Minimalistic Approach
>2023
> Acer Predator Triton 300 SE PT314-52s
15-03-2023
Some time ago we tested the updated version of the Acer Predator Triton 500 SE PT516-52s, which is the highest performing solution in the Predator Triton series and were very pleased with the results. The only thing that that model could hardly be called accessible to everyone because of its high cost. Today we had the opportunity to test a slightly simplified and more affordable version of the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE line.
We will test Acer Predator Triton 300 SE PT314-52s (N9.QFPWW.001) . This time we again have a version not for sale. A similar test configuration has Windows 11 Home, a recommended price of $1700 and is called NH.QFPAA.001 , but is not yet available for sale in Ukraine. Therefore, we suggest that you, as an option, pay attention to model NH.QHMAA.001 . Of course, it has a lower resolution and a slightly smaller storage capacity, but an even more attractive price. Let’s see what the test sample has to offer us.
Specification
Manufacturer and model |
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE PT31 4 -52s ( N9. QFPWW.001) |
Display |
WQXGA BOE0AD6 NE140QDM-NY1 14″, IPS, 2560 x 1600 (QHD), 165Hz, 3ms |
Processor |
Intel Core i7-12700H (6 x 2.3 – 4.7 GHz + 8 x 1.7 – 3.5 GHz; 24 MB L3, TDP 45 W) |
Integrated video core |
Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96 @ 300 – 1400 MHz) |
Discrete video card |
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Max-Q Mobile (6GB GDDR6, TGP 95W, TDP 115W) |
RAM |
16 GB LPDDR5-5200 MHz |
Accumulator |
Micron 3400 1TB SSD (M.2 2280, PCIe 4.0, NVMe, 3D NAND TLC) |
Card reader |
No |
Interfaces |
1 x power connector 2 x USB 3. 2 Gen 2 Type-A (one of which supports device charging when disconnected) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (Thunderbolt 4/DisplayPort) 1 x HDMI 2.1 1 x 3.5mm combo audio jack |
Acoustics |
Stereo speakers |
Microphone |
Yes |
Webcam |
2.1 MP (1080p) |
Networking |
802.11ax Wi-Fi (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.2 (Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675s) |
Security |
Kensington lock, fingerprint reader |
Accumulator |
Lithium polymer, fixed: 15.48 V, 4830 mAh, 74 Wh |
Charger |
Input: 100~240V AC e.g. at 50/60 Hz Output: 19.5 VDC e.g. 9.23 A, 180.0 W |
Dimensions |
313 x 231 x 27 mm |
Weight |
1. 7 kg |
Color |
Silver |
Operating system |
Windows 11 Pro |
Line page |
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE |
Manufacturer website |
Acer |
Packing and contents
The laptop comes in a relatively small black cardboard box. There is a handle for transportation. In addition to the line logo, it has a small sticker on one side with all the characteristics of this Acer Predator Triton 300 SE PT314-52s (N9.QFPWW.001).
The package includes a power supply with a separate cable and documentation.
Appearance, arrangement of components
The case is made of aluminum and has a smooth matte surface. The cover of the display unit, also made of aluminum, and the frame along the contour of the screen – made of plastic, bend only when pressed hard. We have a fairly strong structure.
The laptop boasts a light weight of only 1.7 kg and can be easily opened with one hand. The manufacturer has again implemented a maximum opening angle of 180°.
Let’s see what elements are located around the perimeter of the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE PT314-52s. On the back side around the entire perimeter there are massive cutouts of the cooling system to remove hot air.
The interfaces are also adjacent to the CO outlets for hot air exhaust. Available: power jack, combo audio jack, one HDMI 2.1 and Kensington lock hole, and three universal connectors: one USB Type-C (Thunderbolt 4) and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, one of which supports device charging in off state.
Closer to the edges of the bottom cover, there are three legs that ensure good grip of the device with the surface. A significant area is reserved for holes for capturing cold air. By the way, perforation for these purposes is located on the panel above the keyboard. And cutouts on both sides of the device hide stereo speakers behind them.
Power and battery status indicators located above the keyboard unit.
In general, we copy many good technical solutions from the older model of the series and this is very good, especially in view of the large difference in price and a small number of simplifications.
Get to the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE PT314-52s hardware platform with only 9 screws. A shiny sticker says that the device is running Windows 11 Pro.
Now let’s see what’s under the lid.
Here everything turned out to be quite simple and without surprises. We have easy access to the drive and Wi-Fi adapter. Upgrade options, like the older model of the line, are limited to replacing the installed drive and adapter with others, since the motherboard has only one M.2 slot for SSD. There is also no possibility of installing RAM modules and an additional 2.5 “drive. That is, when choosing a modification, you should definitely take into account your “appetites” regarding the wishes regarding the final amount of RAM. By the way, a volume of 16 GB does not threaten to be the “required minimum” for several more years. “, so from a practical point of view, there are no restrictions as such.
Input Devices
The Acer Predator Triton 300 SE PT314-52s has a full-size (293x99mm) chiclet-style keyboard without an additional number pad. There are the usual number of useful functional actions that are activated in combination with the [Fn] button.
All pushbuttons with caps of flat shape and rather usual sizes: main and hands – 15 x 14 mm, and functional – 10 x 13 mm. As a result, there are no problems with hitting exactly the right keys. They are easy to press, have a short stroke and colorful RGB backlighting, which can be controlled using the Fn and F4 keyboard shortcuts, or using the PredatorSense utility. It is possible to choose the color and brightness level of the backlight, control effects, and also divide the keyboard into three sectors of different colors.
The touchpad is easy to use and has small dimensions – 105×65 mm. Finger on the site slides well. Note the high accuracy of the touch panel.
Fingerprint scanner built into the touchpad works well and responds quickly when touched.
Display, webcam, sound
Screen Acer Predator Triton 300 SE PT314-52s is a 14″ IPS panel with a QHD resolution of 2560×1600, a high refresh rate of 165Hz and a very fast response of 3 ms. The display has large viewing angles, good contrast and brightness. The color reproduction is also very good, the colors are bright and saturated, the picture looks very nice. For convenient use, brightness at 50% is sufficient. The thickness of the case frames is as follows: 5 mm – on the side, 9mm – top, 13 mm – bottom. The relief frame around the perimeter of the display should prevent its contact with the keyboard.
Key screen parameters summarized in the table:
Parameters |
Values |
sRGB space coverage, % |
136. 2 |
Adobe RGB coverage, % |
93.9 |
DCI P3 space coverage, % |
96.5 |
Mean deviation dE*94 |
2.33 |
White point color temperature, K |
6624 |
Maximum/minimum brightness, cd/m² |
564/18 |
Black field brightness, cd/m² |
0.2057 |
Contrast |
487.3:1 |
Medium gamma |
1.95 |
Extended sRGB color spaces and good contrast make color grading easy.
The camera and microphone are located above the display. Camera quality 2.1 MP (1080p), good for video calls. The sound quality of the microphone is good.
The speakers are located on the bottom sides. The quality of the speakers is good, but there is a noticeable lack of low frequencies, the detail is good, the sound is pleasant to the ear, at 50-60% it was quite loud. The sound in the headphones is very good, with good detail and no blockages in frequencies, it was loud at 50%, listening to music is pleasant.
Hardware platform and performance
H. The base frequency of six high-performance cores is 2.3 GHz, the dynamic reaches 4.7 GHz. There are also eight power-efficient cores, clocked at 1.7GHz and 3.5GHz, respectively. The TDP of this CPU is 45W, and when running at the highest frequencies, it can consume the entire 115W.
In addition, the processor has an integrated Intel Iris Xe video core. It contains 96 stream processors operating at 1400 MHz. Memory for the needs of the GPU is allocated from the RAM, and if desired, it can be disabled.
Now let’s give some information about the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Max-Q discrete mobile graphics card. It is based on an 8nm NVIDIA GA106 GPU with support for 3840 CUDA cores. The nominal core frequency is 817 MHz, while the dynamic one reaches 1282 MHz.
Built-in 6 GB GDDR6 memory is assembled from Micron chips and operates at an effective frequency of 11744 MHz. Data exchange between it and the graphics core is carried out through a 192-bit bus capable of passing 281.9 GB of information per second.
The RAM subsystem is represented by 16 GB DDR5-5200 soldered on the motherboard, operating in dual-channel mode. Of course, memory latency is not very good, but in this case, good bandwidth performance plays a big role.
As for data storage, the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE PT314-52 disk subsystem is represented by a high-speed Micron 3400 M.2 2280 SSD with a capacity of 1 TB. It is connected via a high-speed PCIe 4.0×4 bus. There are fairly good read and write speeds in CrystalDiskMark. We got 6502 MB/s read and 4824 MB/s write. These are indicators of rather expensive solutions among solid state drives and this is a good point, indicating that the manufacturer decided not to save money and provided the consumer with one of the best options on the market.
Wireless connectivity is provided by an Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675s combo network controller capable of Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax, 2×2) and Bluetooth 5.2.
As mentioned, the model tested comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro. In her environment, we carried out all the necessary tests. During testing, all games were installed on an external SSD Transcend ESD350C with the NTFS file system and a USB Type-A connection.
Testing was carried out in the “Max” cooling system fan rotation mode and the “Turbo” system operation mode.
Test results in synthetic benchmarks are presented in the table:
Benchmark |
Result s |
3DMark |
|
Night Raid, points |
45 838 |
Fire Strike, points |
18 286 |
Time Spy, points |
8 574 |
Wild Life, points |
41 564 |
Port Royal, points |
4852 |
PCMark 10 Basic |
|
Total result, points |
6489 |
Essentials, points |
8 975 |
Productivity, points |
8 167 |
Digital Content Creation, points |
10 117 |
Realbench 2. 43 |
|
Image Editing, points (s) |
43 133 |
Encoding, points (s) |
392 548 |
OpenCL |
142 685 |
Heavy Multitasking, points (s) |
235 322 |
System Score |
174 885 |
Unigine Superposition 1.1 |
|
1080p Extreme, scores |
5 120 |
Average FPS |
38.3 |
Unigine Superposition 1.1 |
|
8K Optimized, points |
6 769 |
Average FPS |
50.6 |
Cinebench R15 |
|
CPU, points |
2541 |
OpenGL, points |
192. 6 |
Cinebench R23 |
|
CPU (Milti Core), points |
14 837 |
CPU (Single Core), points |
1728 |
V-Ray Benchmark 4.10.03 |
|
V-Ray, ksamples |
15 549/15 399 |
V-Ray GPU int/dis, mpath |
339/82 |
7-ZIP |
|
Total Rating, MIPS |
93 627 |
WinRAR |
|
Total Speed, KB/s |
32 410 |
Corona 1.3 Benchmark |
|
Render time, from |
90 |
x265 HD Benchmark |
|
Encoding time, s (FPS) |
11. 35 (84.2) |
Despite not top-end hardware, the performance of the laptop is at a high level. It is suitable for difficult computational tasks, including digital content creation.
Game test results:
Graphic settings |
1920×1200, DX12 – if possible, fps |
2560×1600, DX12 – if possible, fps |
||
Maximum |
Maximum, RTX(ultra), DLSS* |
Maximum |
Maximum, RTX(ultra), DLSS* |
|
Cyberpunk 2077 |
47 |
51 |
34 |
24 |
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt |
78 |
30 |
56 |
21 |
Shadow of the Tomb Raider |
99 |
71 |
66 |
45 |
Metro Exodus |
63 |
59 |
46 |
41 |
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla |
105 |
– |
83 |
– |
Far Cry 5 |
107 |
– |
75 |
– |
Total War: Three Kingdoms |
61 |
– |
38 |
– |
World of Tanks, (improved graphics) |
154 |
– |
95 |
– |
WoT Encore |
33 100 |
20 801 |
19 629 |
13 409 |
*DLSS was set to “Quality” |
We haven’t forgotten about tests in games either. Please note that in some projects, in order to fully experience the benefits of using a screen with a frequency of 165 Hz, you will have to lower the graphics settings a little.
Cooling system, noise level and temperature
ultra-thin blades (0.08 mm ) and a 5th generation AeroBladeTM 3D Fan guiding design that generates 10% more airflow than a 4th generation AeroBladeTM 3D Fan and is 55% more efficient than a plastic fan. The radiator has three copper heat pipes, two wide and one narrower. Again, more attention is paid to the cooling of the video core, because it has a higher TDP level than the processor. In addition, the plate contacts the video memory chips through a thermal pad.
This laptop also features TIM (thermal interface material) liquid metal thermal interface technology between the processor and the thermal module for better heat transfer and overall system cooling. This is a special alloy that mixes gallium, indium, tin and other materials that provide higher thermal conductivity than other similar thermoplastic lubricants on the market.
Let’s find out what awaits us in terms of temperature indicators.
At idle, the temperature inside the laptop case reaches a peak of 49 ° C for the processor and 51 ° C for the video card.
The efficiency of the cooling system during loading was tested using the AIDA64 stress test. During its passage, the processor has already warmed up to 99 ° C, because of which the mechanism of skipping cycles (throttling) was activated. At the same time, the processor worked at a still fairly high frequency of 3.4 GHz. In this mode, CPU trolling reached a maximum of 10%.
Now about heating and cooling in games. This time we used Cyberpunk 2077 for testing. This game warmed up the processor to a maximum of 99°C, and the graphics core (hotspot) to 91°C. Regarding the first one, the AIDA64 program again recorded 18% throttling.
At maximum fan speed under load, the noise level of the cooling system is high, uncomfortable. But at the same time, the heating of the body is not high, the temperature reached a maximum of 50 ° C.
PredatorSense proprietary software will help you monitor the speed of the cooling system. Here you can select the cooling scenario or even set the speed manually. You can also select a sound profile and adjust the backlight.
Power supply, battery and battery life
LiteOn PA-1181-16 180W power supply supplied. The input signal parameters are 100 – 240 at a current strength of 2.5 A and a frequency of 50 – 60 Hz. The output is 19.5V at 9.23A.
Notebook power consumption under different load types:
Load |
Power, W |
AIDA64 Stress FPU |
125 |
AIDA64 Stress GPU |
144 |
AIDA64 Stress FPU+Stress GPU |
167 |
Idle* |
16 |
*with minimum screen brightness in Quiet mode Measurements under loading were made in “Turbo” mode. |
The notebook is equipped with a non-removable 4-cell AP21B7Q lithium polymer battery with a capacity of 4830 mAh (74 Wh). The results of its testing are summarized in the table (in all cases, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are activated):
Load type |
Autonomy time, h |
Maximum load (Battery Eater, brightness 100%), h |
2:15 |
Full HD video viewing, 100% brightness, h |
7:35 |
Minimum load, brightness 50%, h |
12:25 |
Charge recovery, h |
2:10 |
Testing was carried out in the Default mode.
Maximum load times are typical here. But in more modest scenarios, the load can definitely be counted on for a full working day of battery life.
Totals
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE PT314-52s (N9.QFPWW.001) is a powerful, elegant, beautiful laptop with a luxurious 100% sRGB 165Hz screen. The first impression of him can only seem positive.
The 14-core, 20-thread Intel Core i7-12700H is a powerful processor for professionals, not just gamers. The laptop shows performance at the level of modern mid-range desktop solutions. Excellent image quality and high resolution make it relevant and interesting for photo editors and content makers.
Of course, since this is a fairly powerful laptop model, we have a characteristic loud cooling system and periodic throttling in benchmarks. In games, frame rate drops almost never occur. You also need to take into account the weak opportunities for further upgrades, but also take into account good autonomy and a fairly attractive cost.
As it turned out from our testing, the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE PT314-52s can really offer you a balanced filling for adequate money, even in a small package. Those who consciously decide to buy it are unlikely to regret their choice.
Advantages:
- exquisite design;
- high-quality ISP screen with high contrast and 165Hz refresh rate;
- good build quality and almost universal use of aluminum in the structure of the case;
- Comfortable full-size RGB backlit keyboard;
- almost top processor Intel Core i7-12700H;
- sufficient set of I / O ports;
- good battery life;
- modern platform;
- fingerprint scanner;
- HDMI 2.1;
- excellent performance and cooling system;
- good sound.
Features:
- limited upgrade options;
- noisy cooling system.
Author Ivan Morgun
We express our gratitude to the Ukrainian representative office of the company Acer for the laptop provided for testing.
We also suggest reading:
Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel CC715-72P laptop review: everything at once
Acer TravelMate P4 TMP414-51G laptop review: guarding accessibility
Acer Predator Helios 300 laptop review: a predator on the loose
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE review: photo, price, specifications
The Acer Predator Triton 300 SE is trying to jump on the train that Asus launched last year with its awesome ROG Zephyrus G14. These laptops are similar in some key ways: both are gaming, have an ultra-bookish form factor, and a 14-inch FHD screen with a high refresh rate. But the most important thing that unites them is the price of $1,400.
Asus’ new G14 hasn’t been released yet, so we can’t compare it to this Predator yet. Compared to last year’s model, Acer’s laptop already has some advantages, such as a webcam and Thunderbolt 4 connector. In addition, it provides good gaming performance thanks to the latest Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card. But don’t let these advantages fool you, because calling the new Triton 300 SE “Predator” is a bit of a misnomer. In many ways, he is still more prey than predator.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Elegant design
- Small notebook with high performance
- Good cooling system
- Battery life is not as good as Acer claims
- There are build quality issues
- The picture on the screen twitches at times
- Loaded with junk software
Last year’s G14 was a great gaming laptop, best in terms of performance, price and versatility. It also provided excellent autonomy, which cannot be said about the new laptop from Acer. Its battery life isn’t that great, but it’s also quite bad. The Triton 300 SE is powered by a 60 Wh 4-cell battery that lasts for approximately six hours of moderate use. We’ll talk about this in more detail below, but already now we can say that this is far from the 10 hours that Acer claims. You can still take the Triton 300 SE with you to a cafe for a couple of hours of work over a cup of coffee. But, if you are going to leave the house for the whole day or play on it without plugging into an outlet, you will not succeed.
Even if such a short battery life doesn’t scare you, there are other problems with this laptop that are hard to ignore. The combination of plastic on the lid with an all-metal body looks nice, but because of this, the lid itself feels very fragile to the touch. Makes you wonder how long it will live before it starts to crumble. If you grab the corner with the Predator logo a little harder, it will go deeper than you might expect.
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
In addition, the plastic with which the screen borders are trimmed for softer closing of the lid has small gaps. Therefore, in some places the cover does not fit snugly. Perhaps this is the problem of one particular laptop that was on the review, but this does not mean that this cannot happen again. The Turbo button, located above the keyboard and allowing you to boost the fans, also has its drawbacks when pressed. And as a cherry on the cake – a bunch of junk software. Every hour, a pop-up window appears on the screen, urging you to install the next “necessary” application or buy some kind of subscription. It’s not great. Set the emphasis yourself.
All of these joints fall short of the $1,400 Acer is asking for the Triton 300 SE. However, for this price, the company gives you quite good performance. The model in this review is equipped with a quad-core Intel Core i7-11375H processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB of internal NVMe SSD storage and an RTX 3060 graphics card. As you probably already know, the power of RTX 30-series cards depends on how much power the laptop manufacturer allows them to consume. In this case, it has a maximum power of 75W and can be clocked at 1382MHz. You can’t expect much from the weakest graphics card in the series, but it was nice to see a solid 60fps in some games without lowering the graphics settings.
Designed by the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
Horizon Zero Dawn, a fairly intense open world game, ran a solid 60 FPS on ultra settings. With ray tracing on the same ultra-graphics, the Triton 300 SE does just as well. Shadow or the Tomb Raider ran at an average of 61 FPS under these conditions. However, if tracing is also turned on ultra, then the frame rate drops to 48 frames. But this can be fixed by enabling DLSS, which will reduce the rendering resolution and, with the help of some AI magic, improve the quality of the textures. Then an Acer laptop with ultra-tracing and the same graphics will give 55 FPS in Tomb Raider. But DLSS is not available in all games. Red Dead Redemption 2, for example, does not have this feature, but it does run at 53 FPS on ultra.
It’s no surprise that the Triton delivers better gaming framerates than last year’s G14 with its RTX 2060. Perhaps this year the same laptop (which will already run at 3060) will deliver better gaming performance at 1080p, than Acer. Some Asus models released this year are already showing better results with the same graphics card. That’s because Asus’ RTX 3060 maxes out at 80W instead of 75W, not to mention that their laptops are equipped with AMD Ryzen 9 processors.5900HS with eight cores instead of four like this 11th Gen Core i7.
The Triton 300 SE has a metal casing that turns into one large heatsink in difficult situations. And it really heats up in games. Most laptops try to keep heat away from the palm rests, but the all-metal chassis heats evenly, so your hands will also be warm. But it does not cause irritation, so you can be calm. By itself, the cooling system works quite efficiently. It takes air in through the back of the laptop and pushes it out the sides. Some other devices do the opposite, and now it’s annoying, because it does not allow you to use the device normally. We can only hope that other manufacturers will peep this system from Acer.
Case Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
As mentioned earlier, the Triton 300 SE is equipped with a Turbo button that accelerates the fans to the sound of helicopter blades, as well as speeding up the processor and video card. The frame rates described above, which the laptop showed during testing, were achieved without using the Turbo mode. But even with him, the difference is not very noticeable.
Also see no difference in Adobe Premiere Pro video export between this laptop and others tested this year. The five-minute 4K video test took 5 minutes and 40 seconds, which is about the same as many others. But given the size and price tag of this device, such results are even encouraging.
Acer equips the Triton 300 SE with a 14-inch 1080p IPS display with 16:9 aspect ratio, 144Hz refresh rate and 300nits maximum brightness. During the launch of games, the display reproduces colors well and shows normal brightness. Although at times the picture starts to twitch a little. Perhaps it’s the high response time, which increases the delay. As a result, the cursor does not move across the screen as smoothly as on other laptops with the same high refresh rate. This also affects the gameplay, games sometimes seem too blurry. Acer has not yet commented on this situation.
In addition, the viewing angle of the display is not as wide as one would expect from an IPS panel. It looks normal at right angles. But, if you look at it from the side, the picture darkens significantly, and you have to increase the brightness. And extra brightness for such an ordinary battery life can be fatal. This mistake could cost Acer many buyers.
The keyboard of the Triton 300 SE pleased with both the layout and the arrangement of the keys. The keyboard has three-zone backlighting, each of which can be customized to a different color using the built-in Predator software. The layout is intuitive and easy to use, even though many features require holding Fn to enable. The main thing is that the keyboard does not feel cramped, and it is comfortable to type on it.
Triton 300 SE keyboard
The glass touchpad works well with all gestures, but overall it’s not as responsive as I’d like. Most likely, the point is not even in it, but in the large response time of the screen. The fingerprint scanner, located in the upper left corner of the touchpad, works every other time. In this case, it would be better if there was more space on the panel, because entering a pin code is sometimes faster than using this sensor.
The number of ports here is also pleasing. Acer has placed two USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports in the Triton 300 SE (one on each side), with the right one specifically designed for charging some portable gadgets. The highlight of the program is Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, which can be used to transfer files and connect an external display. Also pleased with the presence of HDMI 2.1, which allows you to display a picture on the second screen in 4K resolution at 120 FPS. The combo audio jack and charging port are also in place. Lacks USB-C charging capability. Therefore, you will always have to connect the laptop to a power outlet through a proprietary 180W power adapter. By itself, it is not very big, and thanks for that.
Left side of the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
It’s worth talking a little more about battery life to clarify something. 5-6 hours of battery life when using the browser and office applications is not bad. The bad news is that Acer claims ten hours of battery life. You can really try to stretch that much, but in that case you will have to do something as simple as possible. For example, start the video in HD, and turn off all other services and applications completely. This may be suitable for those who often fly planes or ride trains, but most people buy a laptop not for this, especially for gaming. Therefore, to say about 10 hours of battery life in this case, to put it mildly, is incorrect. The most you’ll get out of the Triton 300 SE, if you don’t push it too hard, is six hours. For a gaming laptop, it’s really not bad, but it’s far from a 10.
Right side of Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
Acer wanted to compete with Asus in the mid-range 14-inch gaming laptop segment. Go against a laptop whose only major downside is the lack of a webcam. A very bold and ambitious move. At first, the company even got something. She equipped her laptop with a webcam, added a Thunderbolt 4 connector and made an even more attractive design than the G14. The Triton 300 SE also handles games better because it’s equipped with the latest hardware rather than last year’s. But something tells him that even this leadership will only be until the new G14 enters the market.
But entering this ring, Acer did not understand what Asus was striving for when developing their laptop. She wanted to show that a gaming laptop is more than just a very powerful device. It’s something that can have decent battery life, portability, versatility, good build quality and still not be loaded with junk software. Without realizing all this and without drawing the appropriate conclusions, the new Predator proved to be not a predator, but a prey.
Design
7
Screen
6
Processor
7
Video card
7
Assembly
9000 2 5
Keyboard
9
Autonomy
6
Total
6.