Acer Predator 17 G9-793: Power-Packed Gaming Beast with GTX 1070 and G-Sync Display
Reviewing the Acer Predator 17 G9-793 should help you decide if it’s the right GTX 1070 game laptop for you. It talks about value, efficiency, heat, design, and battery life.
The Acer Predator 17 G9-793 is a good mid-range option for 17-inch players who want reliable performance. It has the same rumbling chassis and fierce gamer look as the first Predator, but the graphics have been upgraded to Nvidia GTX 1070, G-Sync support has been added, and Thunderbolt 3 has been added. There may be other 17-inch laptops on the market that are quieter or more stylish, but this one has fast frame rates, great thermals, and a bright screen.
When choosing whether the G9-793 is better than competitors from MSI, Asus, and Alienware, completeness is more important than price.
Key specifications of Acer Predator 17 G9-793
| Display | G-Sync |
| CPU | i7-6700HQ |
| GPU | GTX1070 |
| Memory | 64GB |
| Storage | Hybrid |
| Ports | Thunderbolt |
| Connectivity | Killer |
| Battery | 90Wh |
| Weight | 4.25kg |
Design and build
The G9-793 looks like a normal gaming laptop at first glance. The smooth black front and sharp angles stand out against the red lights and accents. Different from more recent 17-inch models, its frame is thick and heavy, but it is strong and well-made. You can’t turn off just the lid logo or the accent LEDs. Such features could be a problem in low-light areas and a bother at work. Now that Thunderbolt 3 is available, the laptop can do even more. It can handle fast storage, multiple displays, and even external graphics processing units. Plus, the ports are top-notch.
Display quality
Full HD and ultra-high definition IPS screens from Acer come with G-Sync and matte finishes. It’s great for content work to use UHD because it has realistic colors after calibration and a wide color range. There’s a lot of brightness, good contrast, and a lot of viewing angles. These screens can only refresh at 60 Hz because of G-Sync, so serious players who want 120 Hz or 144 Hz will have to look for other options. Not all of them have it, but some of them have backlight bleed around the edges. Check your panel for any signs of blood before you get here.
Keyboard and trackpad of Acer Predator 17 G9-793
There are four zones of RGB lighting, a number keypad, and macro keys on the full-size keyboard. It’s not heavy to press the keys, and the feedback isn’t as harsh as it is on some other game boards, even though the keys go deep. For people who type quickly, there may be some getting used to the time. The backlight only has one choice for brightness, and it’s not very bright. On the big precision trackpad, there are real buttons for pressing, and it works. The red light frame around the pad can’t be turned off by itself, which is a strange design choice. Most players will still connect a mouse, though.
Performance and thermals
The Predator 17’s i7-6700HQ and GTX 1070 power impressive 1080p frame rates. With lower settings, they can also handle 4K games. The cooling device is the most important part. The GPU stays at good clock speeds even when it’s under a lot of stress, and the body stays nice and cool. In some games, the CPU may run below its boost speed to protect itself from heat, but the setting doesn’t really change anything in real life. The machine’s NVMe SSD and 2.5-inch bay give it fast system speed and a lot of storage slots. Two RAM slots under a service door are easy to get to, and there are two more under the motherboard that can hold up to 64 GB of RAM.
When the device is not in use or only partially used, the noise level remains manageable even with the fans on. Using headphones is probably the best option because the fan will be running while you play games. With Acer’s DustDefender program, the fan is always facing a different direction to keep dust away. This method works even though the abrupt pitch change is audible.
Connectivity and speakers
Hardwired connections work well, and Killer DoubleShot Pro lets you prioritize data based on applications. The 802.11ac card works fine when it’s close to the router, but in some settings, the signal and speed drop as you move farther away. This suggests that the antenna placement is the problem, not the controller. The 4.2-speaker system gets a loud and clear sound, even though the two woofers don’t produce a lot of bass. For serious media or professional games, headphones made just for that are still the best choice.
Battery life
The explanation is that the Nvidia GPU works even when the computer is not being used. This helps the battery last longer. G-Sync turns off the built-in visuals from Intel. Because of this, the big battery only lasts a short time when it’s not attached. You should be able to get about two to three hours of mixed use. Streaming and games will use less. If you want your laptop to last a long time on a charge, get one that doesn’t use G-Sync and has Optimus switching. The 230 W power brick should allow you to carry an additional kilogram or two.
Price and value of Acer Predator 17 G9-793
The G9-793’s worth is based on how much it costs on the street. Compared to similar goods, it has many great features, such as a G-Sync screen with many colors, Thunderbolt 3, and GTX 1070 performance. The Predator looks old when compared to newer, thinner computers with features like keyboards that are stronger, fans that are quieter, and screens that update faster. Keep an eye out for sales and look at full systems, not just the most popular GPU.
Who should buy the Predator 17 G9-793
The G9-793 is a great choice if you want a sturdy 17-inch platform that can handle 1080p gaming, rare creative work that benefits from wide-gamut color, and long sessions with good cooling. You might want to pass if you care about portability, battery life, low-light needs, or response rates at e-sports levels. The Alienware 17, the Asus ROG G752 series, and the MSI GT72 series are all competitors. Each of them has something special to offer, like a more polished keyboard, a quieter frame, or faster screens.
FAQs
1) Does the Acer Predator 17 G9-793 support high-refresh displays?
Its built-in FHD and UHD screens use G-Sync 60 Hz. To get faster frame rates, you can use DisplayPort or Thunderbolt 3 with an external monitor that is compatible.
2) Can I upgrade RAM and storage easily?
Yes. Under a service panel is the 2.5-inch bay, two M.2 ports, and two RAM slots. To access the two extra RAM spots on the back of the motherboard, more disassembly is needed.
3) How long does the battery last in everyday use?
A single charge should last for about two or three hours of light use, thanks to G-Sync, which keeps the Nvidia GPU active. Gamers should use the 230 W adapter that comes with it.
