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Acer Nitro V 15 Intel: Two-minute review
The Acer Nitro V 15 Intel is one more gaming laptop computer from the esteemed model that guarantees high-end efficiency for a comparatively modest outlay.
It has a reasonably muted design for probably the most half, though the variegated strains and Nitro image on the lid trace at its potential. It’s fairly cumbersome and fairly heavy, however nonetheless manages to be extra moveable than a few of its rivals. That is additionally helped by the omission of a rear air flow bulge frequent on many gaming laptops.
It’s not as well built as the best gaming laptops, although. It employs less-than premium supplies in locations, and the flex of the chassis doesn’t precisely encourage confidence. In the principle, although, it’s completely acceptable, and the vital elements, such because the keys and the lid hinge, are of a better commonplace.
A lot of the typical ports are current and proper on the Nitro V 15 Intel, though they’re loaded on the left-hand aspect; all you get on the fitting is the headset jack and one USB-A port. I might’ve favored to have seen just a few extra right here for versatility’s sake, however it is a minor gripe.
The efficiency of the Nitro V 15 Intel isn’t precisely off the charts, however it’s greater than enough for strong 1080p gaming. You’ll get round 60fps or above with excessive – if not the best – settings in lots of AAA titles.
The show impressed me with its vibrant shade rendering colours and deep black tones. Reflections can get in the way in which considerably, however its most brightness stage is nearly sufficient to mitigate the worst of them. It’s a small disgrace, nevertheless, that the lid doesn’t open all that extensive.
There’s additionally a good quantity of fan noise, even when gaming with modest settings, though it’s nonetheless inside tolerable bounds for probably the most half. Loads of warmth can be generated, which is usually a little disruptive because it makes its option to the area bar and radiates from the fitting vent. It could actually additionally climb as much as the show, which is lower than very best.
With its comparatively low beginning worth, the Nitro V 15 Intel makes for a tempting proposition. Nonetheless, there are another nice price range picks at this finish of the market, together with its greater sibling, the Nitro 16. And for those who don’t want the newest tech, the MSI Katana 15 (2023) is one other admirable 1080p performer. However the Nitro V 15 Intel can stand proud alongside these as one other moderately priced gaming laptop computer definitely worth the cash.
Acer Nitro V 15 Intel review: Price & Availability
- Starts from $899.99 / £849.99 (about AU$1370)
- Available now
- Budget end of the market
The Nitro V 15 Intel starts from $899.99 / £849.99 (about AU$1370) and is available now. It can be configured with an RTX 5050 or 5060, an Intel Core i5 or i7 of the 13th generation, and 512GB or 1TB of storage.
This is a good value for a gaming laptop with an RTX 5000 series GPU. It does face some stern competition at this price point, however – chiefly from its larger counterpart, the Nitro 16, which we think is the best budget gaming laptop around right now, and has the advantage of having a larger display (albeit only slightly).
If you don’t need the absolute latest components, then the MSI Katana 15 (2023) is another strong alternative with a reasonable price. It does have a few flaws, such as a poor trackpad and middling battery life, but there are worse areas to have made sacrifices.
Acer Nitro V 15 Intel review: Specs
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
Acer Nitro V 15 Intel Base Config |
Acer Nitro V 15 Intel Review Config |
|
Price |
$899.99 / £849.99 (about AU$1370) |
$1,199.99 / £999.99 (about AU$1830) |
|
CPU |
Intel Core i5-13420H (8 cores) 2.10GHz |
Intel Core i7-13620H (10 cores) 2.40GHz |
|
GPU |
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 8GB |
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 8GB |
|
RAM |
16GB DDR4 SDRAM |
16GB DDR4 SDRAM |
|
Storage |
512GB PCI Express NVMe 4.0 M.2 SSD |
1TB PCI Express NVMe 4.0 M.2 SSD |
|
Display |
15.6-inch Active Matrix TFT LCD (1920 x 1080), 16:9, IPS, 165Hz |
15.6-inch Active Matrix TFT LCD (1920 x 1080), 16:9, IPS, 165Hz |
|
Ports and Connectivity |
3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (Thunderbolt 4), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ-45, 1x 3,5mm Audio, WI |
3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (Thunderbolt 4), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ-45, 1x 3,5mm Audio, WI |
|
Battery |
76Wh |
76Wh |
|
Dimensions |
14.3 x 9.4 x 0.9in / 362 x 240 x 24mm |
14.3 x 9.4 x 0.9in / 362 x 240 x 24mm |
|
Weight |
4.65lbs / 2.11kg |
4.65lbs / 2.11kg |
Acer Nitro V 15 Intel review: Design
- Minimal design
- Reasonably thick and heavy
- Well-made keyboard
The Nitro V 15 Intel adopts a fairly minimal aesthetic for a gaming laptop. About the only indication of its leanings is the multicolored linear pattern on the lid, which adds a small amount of interest to its appearance.
It’s a somewhat bulky, blocky unit and it weighs a considerable amount, although there are certainly thicker and heavier examples in this class. It also lacks the rear bulge for cooling purposes common on many gaming laptops, which improves its portability.
The materials employed throughout the unit don’t strike me as being among the most premium, feeling a little cheap compared to those of the competition. There’s also some flex to the enclosure for the keyboard and trackpad, but thankfully not to a disconcerting extent.
Thankfully, the lid hinge seems built to a higher standard, opening with ease and offering sufficient stability. It doesn’t open very wide, though, since the bottom of the lid hits the underlying surface if you take it even slightly past 90 degrees.
The keys are also a highlight in terms of build quality. They’re smooth to the touch and comfortably proportioned, as well as being generously spaced apart. And despite the inclusion of a number pad, the overall layout doesn’t feel cramped.
One strange omission, though, is the lack of an FN lock shortcut. Instead, you have to toggle this setting in the BIOS, which is very inconvenient – especially given there are no dedicated media control keys (they’re bound to the F row).
There are four rubber feet underneath the Nitro V 15 Intel that provide adequate grip and support, and raise the chassis from the surface by a small amount – but perhaps not enough for optimal airflow.
You’ll find most ports on the left-hand side of the Nitro V 15 Intel. The power port is furthest, followed by the ethernet and HDMI ports, and then two USB-A ports and one USB-C.
On the right there’s only a USB-A port and the headset jack. I would’ve preferred a better balance between the two sides – perhaps more USB-A ports on the right for connecting various peripherals, but this is a small gripe.
The power brick that comes with the Nitro V 15 Intel is pleasingly small, while the cable that runs from it to the laptop is relatively long, which makes it better suited to a wider variety of setups.
Acer Nitro V 15 Intel review: Performance
- Runs AAA titles at very high settings
- Maximum settings not attainable
- Vivid and bright display
With the RTX 5060 equipped in my review unit, the Nitro V 15 Intel performed quite well, if not blisteringly so. When I played Cyberpunk 2077 on the Ray Tracing: Low preset (which the game chose by default), I was getting somewhere in the region of 60-70fps. I’m sure many gamers are happy to play at these rates (myself included), but those looking for figures in the hundreds will be disappointed.
The display does a commendable job of rendering colors vibrantly and providing plenty of contrast, with blacks being particularly impressive. It’s also devoid of the washed-out tones that can plague other LCD displays. It can be overly reflective at times, but thankfully there’s enough brightness to combat the worst offenders.
A fair amount of fan noise accompanied most of my playing time with the Nitro V 15 Intel, but this was nothing a good pair of headphones or the best PC gaming headsets couldn’t masks. As anticipated, warmth was additionally generated, which might make its option to the keyboard, even after a short while taking part in. I discovered it notably concentrated across the area bar, which might exceed temperatures I discover completely snug dealing with.
Additionally, since there’s no protrusion behind the lid, vents are positioned in entrance of the show. And because the show housing reaches all the way in which down, stage with the underside of the chassis, the expelled scorching air radiates onto the show, which isn’t precisely the most effective place for it.
As for the keys, their lack of dampening and stunning resistance could make them considerably uncomfortable to sport with, as I might typically expertise fatigue when utilizing the WASD keys for lengthy intervals. Nonetheless, their clicky really feel and quick actuation level makes them snappy and responsive, which in flip makes them very best for typing in addition to gaming (their aforementioned measurement and spacing additionally assist on this regard).
The trackpad, nevertheless, often received in my manner whereas typing, registering swipes by accident even once I made marginal contact with the palm of my thumb.
Acer Nitro V 15 Intel review: Battery Life
- Middling longevity
- Quick to charge
The Nitro V 15 Intel has a reasonable, if not spectacular, battery life. It managed to last six and a half hours during our movie playback test, and one hour and 37 minutes in the PCMark battery test for gaming scenarios, neither of which are class-leading scores.
Having said that, there are certainly gaming laptops with worse batteries, and thankfully the Nitro V 15 Intel is very quick to charge, taking about an hour and twenty minutes to totally replenish.
Should I buy the Acer Nitro V 15 Intel?
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Value |
It’s well-priced for an RTX 5000 series laptop, and it hasn’t skimped on the important aspects of a gaming laptop. |
4 / 5 |
|
Design |
It might not have the most premium construction, but it suffices, and quality is high in the areas that matter most. |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Performance |
You’ll get decent 1080p gaming at high settings, but maximum ones are beyond it. There’s a fair amount of heat generated, too. |
4 / 5 |
|
Battery Life |
Nothing special, but not the worst either. At least it’s quick to charge. |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Total |
The Nitro V 15 Intel does well in the most important areas considering its low price tag, and it can hold its own against other budget offerings in the gaming laptop space. |
4 / 5 |
Buy the Acer Nitro V 15 Intel if…
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Acer Nitro V 15 Intel review: Also Consider
How I tested the Acer Nitro V 15 Intel
- Tested for a few days
- Used for gaming, work, and browsing
- Plentiful gaming experience
I tested the Nitro V 15 Intel for a few days, during which time I used it for gaming, working, and general browsing.
I played AAA titles and ran our series of benchmarks that test gaming and productivity performance, storage speeds, and battery life.
I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and have experienced various machines and components during that time. I’ve also reviewed a number of laptops previously, including other Acer and gaming-oriented models.