Acer Nitro 17 Gaming Laptop Review

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Take your gaming to the next level with this powerful laptop. Enjoy blazing fast speeds and immersive gaming experiences with the latest processors and graphics card.

Power your way through high-demand games with AMD Ryzen 7000 Series Processors and DLSS 3 technology. Play on a picture-perfect 17.3-inch FHD display with 165Hz refresh rate and G-Sync to reduce screen tearing.

Powerful Performance

Acer crams a lot of performance into this large laptop. Its 17.3-inch IPS display can run at FullHD or QHD resolution, with refresh rates of 144, 165, or 360 Hz. This makes for a fast screen that’s great for gaming, with a lower response time than typical 60Hz laptop screens. It also supports NVIDIA G-SYNC, which further improves performance by eliminating image tearing and screen stuttering.

Inside the Nitro 17 is an 8th-gen AMD Ryzen 7 octa-core processor from the latest Ryzen 7000 series, with Precision Boost technology that enables it to clock up to 5.1GHz. This is paired with an efficient NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 laptop GPU, which is capable of handling demanding games at high settings. In our gaming tests, PUBG, Fortnite, and Rocket League all ran at a stable 60 frames per second (FPS) on high settings, while Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered and Microsoft Flight Simulator both had FPS never dip below 55.

This combination stacks up well against other budget gaming laptops we’ve tested, including the IdeaPad Gaming 3i and Asus Zephyrus G14. The Nitro 17, however, is a bit bulkier than those two models, and its battery life doesn’t quite measure up to the Alienware x14’s impressive 5 hours and 34 minutes.

For a gaming experience that’s truly immersive, the Acer Nitro 17 is a solid option. It also packs in 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD for fast storage and data access, plus next-gen Wi-Fi 6E with 2×2 MU-MIMO support. And if you need to expand its storage capacity, there’s room inside for an additional 2.5-inch drive, which is included in the box. Those who want a laptop that can double as a productivity machine should look elsewhere, though.

Stunning Display

The Acer Nitro 17 Gaming Laptop is a budget-friendly gaming powerhouse with a stunning display and competitive AAA performance. The octa-core Ryzen 7 processor and midrange GeForce RTX 4050 GPU stack up to deliver framerates that rival more expensive systems. The 17.3-inch QHD IPS display is bright and crisp with up to 100% sRGB color coverage. The 165Hz 3ms refresh rate and wide 178° viewing angles help reduce motion blur and ghosting so you can see the action clearly.

The keyboard is also designed with gamers in mind. It’s full size and has a separate numpad section. The WASD and arrow keys have red outlining to stand out against the rest of the keycaps. The special key above the number pad launches Acer’s NitroSense utility to take control of lighting and other features.

Acer’s NitroSense software is easy to use and gives you a lot of control over the laptop’s fans, CPU, and GPU. You can adjust the operating mode, fan speed, and temperature settings to keep the system cool and quiet or to crank things up for maximum gaming performance. You can also tweak the keyboard backlight to set a specific color for each key.

When we ran the Time Spy 1.2 test on 3DMark (which uses cinematic clips to stress the graphics card), the Acer Nitro 17 nailed an excellent score of 9,679, only behind the RTX 3080-based Asus ROG Strix G15 and the RTX 2060-powered Acer Predator Helios 16.

The 256GB SSD in our tested system leaves plenty of room for games and other programs. We didn’t notice any bloatware, which is appreciated when storage space is at a premium.

Stylish Design

The new Acer Nitro 17 laptops have a sleek, slim, and stylish design that looks great in your backpack or carrying case. The keyboard is full-sized with customizable RGB lights and a spacious touchpad. The display is high-quality and bright, while the powerful cooling system keeps it cool even during heavy gaming sessions.

The Nitro 17 packs a lot of power in its compact frame. It comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS octa-core processor paired with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 laptop graphics, which provides superior performance for high-demand games. It also features NVIDIA Advanced Optimus technology, which automatically switches between integrated and discrete graphics, maximizing performance and saving battery life.

Its IPS panel has a WQHD resolution and comfortable viewing angles. Its contrast ratio is above average and it covers 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. Moreover, its 165Hz refresh rate delivers responsive visuals and eliminates screen tearing. Its G-Sync support also helps you battle tearing by smoothing the image onscreen.

Inside, you’ll find 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD. This ample storage will give you fast data access for quick game loading and smooth multitasking. You can also connect it to other devices with the help of Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1.

Its rear edge is adorned with a USB-C port (with Thunderbolt 3 and power-delivery support) and another area that houses vent holes. There are also a pair of USB-A ports on the left and right sides. You can also expand the laptop’s storage space by adding a 2.5-inch drive using its dedicated slot. Acer includes a cable and screws for this purpose. Besides these, the Nitro 17 offers an HDMI, a headphone jack, a lock, and a microSD card reader.

Versatile Connectivity

Whether you’re a casual gamer looking for immersive visuals or an esports enthusiast seeking the competitive edge, this gaming laptop delivers. The AMD Ryzen 7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, and stunning QHD display make it the perfect choice for gamers who prioritize performance.

Acer’s NitroSense software provides a range of customizable settings for the keyboard, including lighting effects and keystroke sensitivity. You can also configure fan speeds and other aspects of the system to optimize its performance.

This laptop isn’t loaded with bloatware, which is appreciated when storage capacity is at a premium. However, the 256GB SSD is unlikely to provide enough room for anything resembling a local game library without an external drive.

The keyboard is comfortable to use for extended gaming sessions. The keys are quiet, with a middling amount of travel and a soft base. This makes them a great option for casual gamers who prefer a lightweight typing experience, but may not be ideal for frantic gaming sessions.

In terms of connectivity, this laptop comes with a USB 3.1 Type-C port, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.1. It’s capable of transferring files at high speed and supporting Gigabit Ethernet, making it an excellent choice for work and entertainment.

Acer’s Nitro 17 takes cooling seriously, with a refined chassis featuring dual fans and quad exhaust ports for efficient heat dissipation. The inclusion of liquid metal thermal grease further enhances heat transfer between the CPU and the heat sink. This results in improved performance and stability.

Efficient Cooling

Acer’s Nitro 17 is a reasonably powerful gaming laptop that doesn’t cost as much as competing laptops with similar hardware. The AN17-41-R6L9 model upgrades from the 15.6-inch screen of most other Nitro 5 units to an expansive 17.3-inch display, but this isn’t a particularly big upgrade. The new chassis is heftier and bulkier, and the display isn’t significantly brighter than the dim display on its smaller sibling.

The CPU-GPU pairing of the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS processor and NVIDIA RTX 4060 8GB graphics gives the Nitro 17 enough oomph to meddle with more expensive gaming laptops. The QHD IPS display delivers stunning visuals with a 165Hz refresh rate, so you can see the action in all its glory.

Thanks to efficient cooling, the Acer Nitro 17 is able to handle demanding games without running too hot. The chassis has dual fans with a quad-exhaust port design, and the NitroSense utility app lets you control fan speeds and lighting. You can also engage CoolBoost, which increases the maximum speed of the fans to help you stay competitive in a tough game.

You’ll have plenty of room to store a large library of games on the laptop’s 1TB M.2 SSD, and you can expand storage with a 2.5-inch drive (sold separately). There’s also plenty of ports to connect all your devices, including two USB-C, an HDMI port, and two USB 3.1 Type-A slots.

The Nitro 17 comes with Windows 11 Home and a Killer E2600 Ethernet port, but it doesn’t include bloatware or other unnecessary apps. Its trackpad is small and positioned too close to the WASD keys, making gameplay a little uncomfortable. The keyboard feels sturdy and responsive, though, and it’s easy to customize with the 4-zone RGB keyboard and NitroSense software.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.