You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here
If you’re a gamer seeking a high-powered laptop ready to deliver super-smooth framerates and cutting-edge visuals, Acer’s Nitro 16 is one to have on your radar. Equipped with a 13th Gen Core i5 processor and RTX 4050 GPU, this laptop pushes 1080p gaming to new heights as it contends with some of the best RTX 4050 gaming laptops on the market. It comes at a great time if you’re after a gaming laptop to play the latest titles, such as the highly anticipated CS2. Now that it’s going for less than $1000 with a substantial discount, it surpasses many of the best gaming laptops under $1000 in terms of its specs.
 
				Acer Nitro 16 Gaming Laptop
Amazon currently has the Acer Nitro 16 marked down 21% to an ultra-affordable $949.99. This limited-time discount slices a sizable $250 off the usual $1,199.99 cost of this gaming machine. With the features and hardware you’re getting, This deal lets you experience the latest generation of GPU power without paying a premium, and according to Amazon, this is the lowest price this deal has seen in the last 30 days.
Read on to learn about the standout features that make it a great value buy.
- 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13500H CPU: This laptop is powered by Intel’s newest 13th generation Core i5 processor. With 14 cores and 20 threads, it delivers elite-level performance for gaming and multitasking. The max turbo boost up to 4.5GHz also provides extra speed when you need it.
- RTX 4050 GPU: The RTX 4050 GPU enables ray tracing for realistic lighting and supports DLSS 3 for sharp image quality and heightened frame rates. This level of graphics power crushes 1080p gaming.
- 16″ QHD Display: Visuals come alive on the vibrant 16″ 2560 x 1600 display. The 165Hz refresh rate and NVIDIA G-SYNC technology enable smooth, tear-free gameplay. This is a top-tier gaming screen.
- 8GB DDR5 RAM, 512GB SSD: With speedy 8GB DDR5 RAM and a 512GB PCIe Gen 4 solid state drive, this laptop removes any performance bottlenecks.
- Advanced Cooling Technology: Acer’s CoolBoost technology with dual fans and quad exhaust ports keeps the Nitro 16 cool during marathon gaming sessions. This allows the CPU and GPU to sustain boost clocks.
- RGB Backlit Keyboard: The 4-zone RGB keyboard immerses you in living colors. It’s also comfortable and responsive thanks to soft-landing key caps and anti-ghosting technology.
- Wi-Fi 6 and Ethernet Connectivity: Connect to the internet via Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for low-latency wireless networking. The RJ-45 ethernet port also provides lag-free wired connectivity for competitive online multiplayer.
What we think about this gaming laptop deal
For budget-conscious gamers seeking a powerful laptop equipped for smooth high-refresh rate gaming, this Acer Nitro 16 deal delivers everything you need. The combo of the 13th Gen Core i5 CPU and RTX 4050 GPU delivers speedy 1080p performance capable of pushing high frame rates on the 16” QHD 165Hz display. Esports titles will shine with consistent 165fps, while more demanding games like Call of Duty or Cyberpunk will stay well above 60fps with settings maxed.
While you could certainly spend more for higher-end parts that add some extra frames, the experience difference is marginal. Excellent optimization and cooling allow the Nitro 16’s hardware to punch above its weight class. Unless you have money to burn, going all out on top-tier specs seems unnecessary. For around $950, the immersive display, RGB keyboard, mature 13th Gen and RTX 40-series tech make the Nitro 16 a smart choice.
 
				MSI Katana GF76 17.3″
 
				ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 Gaming Laptop
 
				MSI Katana 15 15.6” 165Hz QHD Gaming Laptop: Intel Core i7-13620H, NVIDIA Geforce RTX 4070, 16GB DDR5, 1TB NVMe SSD, Cooler Boost 5, Win 11: Black B13VGK-2000US
 
				Alienware X16 R2 Gaming Laptop – 16-inch QHD+ 240Hz 3ms Display, Intel Core Ultra 9-185H, RTX 4080
 
		
	 
				 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                  