Pixel Fun #5: Gaming PCs sure got smaller

When I first had the idea to start writing a weekly(ish) newsletter, I didn’t want to limit myself in terms of content. I didn’t want to write about Macs and iPhones to the exclusion of all the other cool things you can do with pixels. That already came to fruition with the first 5-minute reviews that arrived in your inbox last week.

Today, I’m continuing that approach with something that even I didn’t expect when I started writing this newsletter. I’m going to tell you about a gaming laptop from Acer.

It’s the Acer Predator Helios 14 AI, to give it its Sunday name. And ignoring the “AI'“ in that name entirely, it’s a powerhouse of a machine. It comes with specs that my 16-inch MacBook Pro can’t match, at least in some key ways. And it’s designed to do one thing that try as it might, Apple still hasn’t quite managed to get to grips with.

Spoiler: Gaming. I’m taking about gaming.

• 📰 A few days with a Predator in our midst

• 🎮️ What I’ve been playing

• 🗞️ What I’ve been reading

• ✍️ What I’ve been writing

• 🖥️ What I’ve been using

📰 A few days with a Predator in our midst

It’s important to start with a pretty hefty caveat. At the time of writing, I’ve only been using the Predator Helios 14 AI (dubbed “the Helios” for brevity from here on out) for a few days. And one of those days was spent restoring it so I could move into it afresh. I’ll have the laptop for another few days before it will be whisked back to Acer, presumably to grace the desk of someone else lucky enough to claim that what we do is an actual job.

I’ll revisit my time with the Helios next weekend. And rest assured that it will be put through its paces on some more 5-minute reviews in the interim. But I wanted to share some early thoughts as someone who was last a Windows PC gamer a couple of decades ago. And someone who last used Windows for any real length of time over eight years ago.

Let’s dive in.

• This is one speedy machine. My M4 Pro MacBook Pro doesn’t hang around, but the Intel Ultra 9 285H chip is certainly no slouch. I haven’t benchmarked anything, but it makes Windows feel fleet of foot in a way I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced.

• That CPU is just the beginning. Its stellar performance is backed up by 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 GPU. It’s an 8GB VRAM card, so I know some people will already be looking down their noses. But I’ve yet to see it struggle. More testing might change that, though. I’ve only had it a few days, remember.

• But wait, there’s more. Other specs of note include a whole 2TB of storage, which is four times that of the MacBook Pro I’m writing this on. And it seems like a lot until you go on a frenzy, installing half of the PC Game Pass library just because you can. Ask me how I know.

• Apple doesn’t have a monopoly on great displays. Apple continues to be rumored to have designs on bringing OLED to the MacBook Pro, but the Helios has it right here, right now. I’m looking at it, and I can vouch for all the OLED loveliness we’ve come to expect from such displays. It’s a 14.5-inch 16:10 panel with a 2880×1800 resolution and a maximum 120Hz refresh date. That doesn’t appear to be variable, though again, it’s early days. What it definitely is, is glossy. As proven by the reflection of my kitchen window in the hero image above.

• It’s heavy. Really heavy, thanks to its part-metal construction. Like anyone who carries a 16-inch MacBook Pro around, I’m used to heft. But this thing is noticably smaller (check that hero image to get an idea) so it automatically feels even heavier. I haven’t checked the stats yet, so hold that thought for now.

• The Helios 14 comes with Windows 11 Home preinstalled. It’s certainly an improvement over the circa Windows 7 experience that I remember. The centered Start Menu instantly makes this Mac user feel at home, too. But it’s still Windows, and it still does Windowsy things. Look for more on my experience of adding and removing webcam drivers to try and make Windows Hello work next week. Who knows whether I’ll have been successful by then.

• It’s strange having a Windows PC again. Being able to just buy a game in the Steam sales and know it’ll run is something I miss. I won’t be jumping ship anytime soon — it’s still the Mac for me — but I absoluely expect to miss the Helios when it goes back.

I’ll expand on all this, and more, when I put together some more structured thoughts for next week’s Pixel Fun. Any questions? Let me know and I’ll weave the answers into next week’s issue like the true wordsmith that I am.

🎮️ What I’ve been playing

It’ll be no surprise that I expect to spend most of my gaming time on the Helios over the next few days. I’ve already spent some time gaming on it, but nothing to really let it stretch its legs. That’ll come.

That said, my main gaming time this last week was spent with “Metroid Prime 4: Beyond” on the Nintendo Switch 2. I’m relatively new to the franchise, having briefly dabbled with the first “Metroid Prime” game on the Nintendo Game Cube. Yes, I’m that old. But I was put off by the lack of dual-stick controls, something that was rectified when “Metroid Prime Remastered” was released on the Switch a couple of years ago.

As for “Metroid Prime 4”, it’s had a rocky launch. Reviewers have generally agreed that it isn’t a classic of the genre. But most also agree that it’s a fun game while failing to reach the heights many had hoped for after an 18-year wait. I’d argue nothing ever would, but that’s something for another time.

For my part, I’m about four hours into “Metroid Prime 4”, a game that I gather lasts for around 16 hours depending on who you are and how much of a completionist you happen to be. I’m middling in both categories, so we’ll see how things pan out.

So far, I’m enjoying my time with the game, and the modern dual-stick controls make a huge difference compared to the last time I played one of these games. I’m considering picking up the remastered original as a result.

Perhaps the biggest thing you’ll notice if you pick up “Metroid Prime 4” is the way it looks. I don’t think it’s controversial to say this is the best looking Nintendo game to date. It’s gorgeous whether played on a TV or handheld.

Both methods offer quality and performance modes, with the latter unlocking a 120Hz refresh rate. The game seems to sit quite happily at 120fps as a result, and it’s a game that the term “buttery smooth” was coined for. YouTube videos don’t do it justice, you need to see it, and feel it, for yourself.

My four hours or so have so far seen my fight a couple of main bosses, and I just unlocked an ability that has the potential to really open up the exploration aspect of the game. So far, “Metroid Prime 4” hasn’t really performed in that regard. Exploration is normally a “Metroid Prime” strong suit, so I do expect big things.

Like the Helios, I’ll have more to share about my time with “Metroid Prime 4” after I’ve spent some more time with it. But, so far at least, I’m glad I bought it.

🗞️ What I’ve been reading

Aftermath is fast becoming one of my most-read sites, so it’s no surprise to see it represented here. If you’re into gaming and tech, this independent webside is well worth your time — and your money.

• Ditching Spotify Has Been A Bleak Experience To Say The Least — Aftermath: The world of streaming music has always been a problematic one. Even if you ignore the low fees paid to artists, the streaming apps themselves are usually pretty terrible. I’d suggest that Apple Music is the least bad, and that’s basically what Aftermath’s Luke Plunkett decided, too.

• Horses Is Tame — Aftermath: You’ve probably already heard all about Horses, a game that both Valve (Steam) and Epic Games refused to put in their digital stores. The reasons were unclear, to say the least, but it’s generally accepted that they didn’t like the content. That led to the game taking on almost cult classic status, but was it deserved? After my couple of hours with the game, I’d say not. I’m not alone, it seems. Is it weird? Absolutely. Is it worse than anything else found in the not-so-distant corners of Steam? Absolutely not.

✍️ What I’ve been writing

Most of my week was spent writing for CNET, which is to say, covering deals. But I did want to point you to my first 5-minute review issue of the newsletter.

The first reviews covered two similar, although not really, games. “Slots & Daggers” and “Skopje ‘83” are both PC games with roguelike elements. Unfortunately, one fared much better than the other. You can read the reviews to see which was which.

🖥️ What I’ve been using

The Helios has taken plenty of my attention since it arrived mid-week, and that’s not going to change anytime soon.

Beyond the Helios, my most-used device this week has probably been the Switch 2. And not just because “Metroid Prime 4” arrived, either.

While the Steam Deck is generally my go-to for portable gaming, the Switch 2 has started to make a comeback. It’s the place to be for Nintendo games, and most of the indie games I want to play are there, too. Not all, but most. And the battery lasts longer, so that’s a bonus.

And with that, Pixel Fun #5 draws to a close. Keep an eye on your inbox for more Helios thoughts next week and, all being well, I hope to get another couple of 5-minute reviews wrapped up, too.

Until next time 👋🏻.