At IFA 2025 in Berlin, held from September 5 to 9, Acer unveiled its latest and arguably boldest gaming machine – the Acer Predator Helios 18P AI. The unveiling alone has already sparked huge interest among gaming fans and tech enthusiasts alike. No wonder: we’re talking about a device that could become the benchmark for the entire gaming laptop segment. With a price of around $5,307 to $5,897 USD it’s clear that Acer is aiming for the absolute top. This laptop is not for everyone – it’s a product for gamers and professionals who want the best of the best and are willing to pay a premium for it.
Acer Predator Helios 18P AI design and performance
At first glance, the Acer Predator Helios 18P AI looks majestic. The design is solid, yet maintains modern and clean lines. The manufacturer has bet on an 18-inch display with Mini-LED technology in 4K resolution, which delivers a refresh rate of 120 Hz and stunning contrast. Gamers and content creators alike will appreciate not only the smoothness of the image, but also the colour accuracy that is key in graphics or video production.
The design is accentuated by a backlit keyboard with a mechanical press feel, ample ports for professional use, and an advanced cooling system designed to ensure stable performance even during long gaming marathons. The whole laptop feels like a compromise between the aggressive gaming style of the Predator series and a sleek premium device that you can put on your desk without shame.
Check out the footage straight from the press conference at IFA 2025, where the Acer Predator Helios 18P AI was officially unveiled (source: TouchIT).
Peak performance with RTX 5090 graphics card
At the heart of the Acer Predator Helios 18P AI is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090, currently the most powerful graphics card available in a notebook. Combined with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX processor and ECC memory support, the result is a platform that can compete with even high-end desktops. Acer offers configurations with up to 192GB of RAM and fast PCIe Gen5 SSDs, so even the most demanding users don’t have to worry about a lack of performance.
For gamers, this means the ability to take on the latest AAA titles in 4K resolution, with ray tracing and maximum detail. Creative pros will appreciate the brute force when rendering, editing video or working with 3D models. The Acer Predator Helios 18P AI simply pushes the boundaries of what’s been possible in the gaming laptop segment until now.
To see where Acer has moved in just one year, check out the comparison with last year’s Predator Helios 18 (2024):
| Specs | Acer Predator Helios 18P AI (2025) | Acer Predator Helios 18 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 (notebook) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 (notebook) |
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX (vPro) | Intel Core i9-13900HX |
| RAM | up to 192 GB ECC DDR5 | up to 32 GB DDR5 |
| Storage | PCIe Gen5 SSD | PCIe Gen4 SSD |
| Display | 18″ Mini-LED, 4K (WQUXGA), 120 Hz | 18″ Mini-LED, QHD , 165 Hz |
| Price (EUR) | from $5,303 USD (expected) | from $3,534 USD (on release) |
From the table, it’s clear to see that the Acer Predator Helios 18P AI represents a generational leap – not only in graphics and processor, but also in memory capacity, storage speed and display quality.
As the Acer Predator Helios 18P AI is freshly unveiled at IFA 2025, there are no official performance tests in specific games yet. However, the first available benchmarks from Geekbench 6 show that this is performance on par with high-end desktops – 2,706 points in single-core and 17,131 points in multi-core. This suggests that the laptop can easily handle demanding AAA titles in 4K resolution with ray tracing and maximum detail, with real-world gaming results to be confirmed after its launch.
Intelligent AI features
What really makes this laptop stand out, however, are its AI features. Acer has integrated intelligent algorithms that optimize performance in real-time according to the current workload. The notebook can dynamically regulate power consumption, fan speed or power distribution between CPU and GPU.
For the user, this means not only greater efficiency, but also quieter operation and longer component life. In addition, AI has also intervened in multimedia functions – it helps with image processing, improves streaming quality and can adjust visual effects according to what you’re doing. So the Acer Predator Helios 18P AI isn’t just about brute force, it’s also about intelligence, making it a versatile tool for both work and play.
For a better idea of how the AI features and advanced technologies of the Acer Predator Helios 18P AI laptop work, you can check out the review from YouTube channel Gadget Views and Review. The video demonstrates dynamic performance optimization, fan control, and real-time image processing.
Price and availability
Premium technology comes at a price, and in this case, it’s a serious investment. In the US, the Acer Predator Helios 18P AI is set to start at around $2,999, with higher-end configurations expected to go well beyond that. Acer hasn’t confirmed the exact release date yet, but it’s expected to be later in 2025.
While the price may seem extreme, it needs to be seen in context – this is a device that combines the power of a desktop, the portability of a laptop, and smart features that the competition doesn’t yet have.
Acer Predator Helios 18P AI Summary
The Acer Predator Helios 18P AI is a game-changing laptop. It offers uncompromising performance, a cutting-edge display, a modern design and intelligent AI features that make it not only a gaming machine, but also a versatile workstation. It’s a device for gamers who want absolute confidence that their tech can handle it all, and for professionals who need to combine performance and mobility in one.