Acer has taken the wraps off two new gaming laptops at CES 2026, bringing Intel’s Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake) chips and Nvidia’s RTX 50 Series GPUs to its refreshed Predator Helios Neo and Nitro V lines.
The company’s latest systems promise Ai-enhanced productivity and graphics performance, with Copilot+ PC features and Acer’s own Intelligence Space tools onboard. The Predator Helios Neo 16S Ai leads the charge, while the Nitro V 16 Ai focuses on casual gamers and value-conscious buyers.
Predator Helios Neo 16S Ai Targets Power Users
The new Predator Helios Neo 16S Ai (PHN16S-I51) combines an Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processor with a GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU. The system is housed in a 18.9 mm-thick metal chassis and features a 16-inch WQXGA OLED display with HDR support.
Acer says the device is engineered for gamers and content creators who need both portability and high-performance. Ai features are accelerated through the system’s hardware NPU and are supported by up to 64 GB of DDR5 RAM and up to 2 TB of PCIe storage.
The cooling system includes a fifth-generation AeroBlade 3D fan and liquid metal thermal grease. Audio and video experiences are handled by DTS:X Ultra speakers and an FHD IR webcam.
“This is more than just a gaming laptop. It’s designed for the way people work, create, and play,” said an Acer spokesperson. “With on-device Ai, premium connectivity and efficient thermal management, it’s a strong choice for power users.”
Connectivity includes Thunderbolt 4, Intel Killer DoubleShot Pro Wi-Fi 6E, and a full suite of high-speed I/O ports. Ai features supported include Live Captions and model management tools integrated into the Windows 11 Copilot+ environment and Acer Intelligence Space.
Nitro V 16 Ai Offers Balanced Specs For Budget Gamers
The new Nitro V 16 Ai (ANV16-I51) sits below the Predator series and is aimed at casual users. It’s powered by up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 355 processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU.
It supports up to 32 GB DDR5 RAM and 2 TB of SSD storage. Visuals are supported with DTS:X Ultra audio and a built-in FHD IR webcam with a privacy shutter.
According to Acer, the Nitro series is for users who want capable hardware with some Ai integration, but without the price tag or weight of higher-end models.
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“Gamers who are starting out or don’t need the most cutting-edge specs still want Ai-driven tools and solid performance,” the company stated. “This laptop delivers that.”
Ai Integration Across The Range
Both the Predator and Nitro models feature support for Windows 11 Copilot+ experiences. These include on-device features such as Live Captions for real-time translation and Image Creator for content generation.
Acer’s Intelligence Space software offers a bundled suite of tools for Ai-powered creativity and productivity, including support for large language models and image generation.
Each system includes a hardware NPU capable of performing over 45 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second), aimed at enabling local Ai workloads with minimal latency.
Australian Pricing And Availability
The Predator Helios Neo 16S Ai (PHN16S-I51) will launch in Australia in Q2 2026 starting at AUD 3,599.
Availability and pricing for the Acer Nitro V 16 Ai (ANV16-I51) in Australia and New Zealand have not yet been confirmed.
For further details, local customers can check with Acer via www.acer.com/au-en.
New Swift Ai Copilot+ PCs
Acer also unveiled a new generation of Swift Ai Copilot+ PCs, including the Swift 16 Ai, Swift Edge 14 Ai, Swift Edge 16 Ai, and the Swift Go 14 Ai and Swift Go 16 Ai.
The lineup is powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors and features OLED display options, refined thin-and-light designs and a suite of Acer Ai tools for creators, professionals and everyday users.
New Aspire Ai Copilot+ PCs
Also on show were the Aspire 14 Ai and Aspire 16 Ai, Copilot+ PCs powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors. Designed for everyday use, the range features thin-and-light designs, flexible 180-degree hinge design and integrated Acer Ai tools for productivity, learning and creative tasks.
New Veriton Ai Desktops For Modern Business
In addition to laptops, Acer announced a comprehensive new range of Veriton desktop computers for businesses including the Veriton RA100 Ai Mini Workstation, a Windows 11 Copilot+ PC powered by the AMD Ryzen Ai Max+ 395 processors, designed for prosumers, creators and gamers and built for Ai workloads.
The range also includes the Veriton Vero 4000 and 6000 All-in-One desktops, powered by Intel Core Ultra 9 Series 2 processors blending Ai-powered performance, enhanced security features and eco-conscious designs using recycled materials, alongside the Veriton 2000 All-in-One for SMBs and office environments.
Last Updated on 6 January 2026 by Nick Ross




