The Acer Nitro 14 shines as a budget-friendly gaming laptop that delivers impressive performance without breaking the bank. While compromises are made to achieve its affordable price point, they are reasonable trade-offs for the gaming power it provides. This review dives into the Nitro 14’s performance, design, and features to determine if it’s the right fit for budget-conscious gamers.
Acer Nitro 14 closed
The Acer Nitro 14 is a testament to the fact that you don’t need to shell out a fortune for a great gaming experience. It prioritizes value, offering a solid performance for a competitive price. Let’s delve into the specifics.
Acer Nitro 14: Specifications at a Glance
This laptop packs a punch with its AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 512GB SSD. While the storage might be a bit limiting for modern game sizes, the overall package is well-balanced for budget gaming. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS
- Memory: 16GB LPDDR5X
- Graphics/GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
- Display: 14.5-inch 1920×1200 IPS, 120Hz refresh rate
- Storage: 512GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD
- Webcam: 720p
- Connectivity: 2x USB-C (1x USB4, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2), 2x USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 2), HDMI 2.1, Combo Audio Jack, microSD card slot
- Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
- Biometrics: None
- Battery: 76 Wh
- Dimensions: 12.77 x 10.16 x 1.03 inches
- Weight: 4.4 lbs
- MSRP: $1,299
Design and Build: Practical and Sturdy
Acer Nitro 14 closed
The Nitro 14 features an all-plastic chassis, a cost-cutting measure that doesn’t compromise build quality. The laptop feels sturdy, with a robust hinge and effective cooling system. While the plastic build may not feel as premium as metal, the overall construction is solid and reliable.
Keyboard and Trackpad: Functional, Not Flashy
Acer Nitro 14 keyboard
The keyboard, while a tad mushy, is responsive and functional. The full-sized arrow keys and dedicated NitroSense key are welcome additions. The trackpad, while plastic, is adequately sized and features decent palm rejection.
Display and Speakers: Serviceable for the Price
Acer Nitro 14 display
The 14.5-inch, 1920×1200 display with a 120Hz refresh rate delivers smooth visuals. However, its 300-nit brightness falls short, particularly in brighter environments. The speakers, while functional, lack bass and overall clarity.
Webcam, Microphone, and Biometrics: Basic Functionality
The 720p webcam and microphone array are adequate for basic video conferencing, but fall short of modern standards. The lack of biometric login options is also a noticeable omission.
Connectivity: A Comprehensive Selection
Acer Nitro 14 left side ports
The Nitro 14 offers a good selection of ports, including two USB-C, two USB-A, HDMI 2.1, and a microSD card slot. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 provide solid wireless connectivity.
Acer Nitro 14 right side ports
Performance: Punching Above its Weight Class
The Nitro 14’s performance is its strongest suit. The combination of the Ryzen 7 8845HS and RTX 4060 delivers impressive gaming performance for the price, consistently outperforming similarly configured laptops in benchmarks.
Acer Nitro 14 PCMark results
Acer Nitro 14 Cinebench results
Acer Nitro 14 Handbrake results
Acer Nitro 14 3DMark results
Acer Nitro 14 Shadow of the Tomb Raider resultsShadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark results demonstrate in-game performance.
Acer Nitro 14 Metro Exodus resultsMetro Exodus benchmark results further showcase the laptop’s gaming prowess.
Battery Life: Respectable for a Gaming Laptop
Acer Nitro 14 battery life results
The 76 Wh battery provides close to nine hours of video playback in ideal conditions. While real-world usage will likely yield less, it’s still a respectable figure for a gaming laptop.
Conclusion: A Budget Gaming Champion
The Acer Nitro 14 is a compelling choice for gamers seeking performance on a budget. While it makes compromises in areas like display brightness and webcam quality, it excels in performance, offering a smooth gaming experience at a competitive price. It’s a testament to the fact that affordable gaming laptops can still deliver exceptional value.
