We’re here at COMPUTEX 2025, and one of the key laptops that Acer unveiled is the Predator Helios 18 AI, which will be their flagship gaming laptop. This model is an updated version of what was unveiled at CES 2025 earlier this year to have a more powerful GPU option. We spotted the RTX 5090 version of the Helios 18 AI, and here are our thoughts on it:
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI Hands-on: Design
Aside from the revamped layout of the Predator shield on the lid, the Helios 18 AI has abundant RGB lighting. Aside from the per-key RGB lighting on the keyboard, you also get this L-shaped RGB light bar at the left side of the laptop. We don’t know why Acer went for an asymmetrical approach to the RGB light bar, but it sure gives a unique look to the laptop.
With its size, port selection is not an issue. You get two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, a USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port, HDMI port, Ethernet port, and an SD card reader.
What intrigued us is that the Helios 18 AI comes with replacable arrow and WASD keycaps–complete with a dedicated keycap tool. Its nice to have a laptop that has a keyboard that you can customize to your preferences. The difference we saw with Acer’s approach is that only the keycaps are replaceable–Lenovo took a step further by including replacement scissor switches in case you break them.
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI Hands-on: Display
Being Acer’s flagship gaming laptop, the Helios 18 AI now sports a dual-mode Mini LED display that can switch between 4K resolution at 120hz refresh rate or Full HD resolution at 240hz refresh rate. It’s a unique feature on a gaming laptop, allowing you to switch at the most optimal resolution depending on what you’re doing with the laptop. If that’s not enough, the display has a peak brightness of 1000nits, along with support for NVIDIA G-Sync for smoother gaming performance.
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI Hands-on: Internals
The one showcased at COMPUTEX 2025 is an insanely decked out version that has a Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, an RTX 5090 laptop GPU, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB PCIe NVME 5.0 SSD. The RAM and SSD can be configured at up to 192GB and 6TB if you have deep pockets and a need for more power. Frankly speaking, we don’t know if you’ll need 192GB of RAM on a laptop, but at least the Helios 18 AI gives you that option.
Its imposing design means the Helios 18 AI is a beast. There’s a more affordable version with an RTX 5080 GPU, but regardless of what variant you plan to get, the Helios 18 AI can handle any AAA games you throw at it. You get a 99.9wHr battety inside, which charges via a huge 400w charging brick.
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI Hands-on: Wrap-up and Conclusions
If you crave for a laptop that’s insanely powerful, Acer has you covered with the Helios 18 AI. Aside from offering an RTX 5090 GPU as an option and a display that can switch from two different resolutions, the Helios 18 AI is absurd for being a rare laptop that you can configure with 192GB of RAM, surpassing the maximum RAM of some desktops.
Acer has yet to reveal the price of the RTX 5090 version of the Helios 18 AI, but the RTX 5080 version is priced at $2999 in the US, or around Php 167k when converted.
