The Acer Nitro V, featuring the Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card, has drawn significant attention as a budget-friendly gaming laptop aimed at gamers who want respectable performance without breaking the bank. Positioned just above entry-level gaming laptops, the Nitro V offers strong graphics capabilities, a decent display, and some well-thought-out design choices.
Here’s a deep dive into the strengths and drawbacks of Acer’s latest Nitro addition.
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Design and build quality
The Nitro V maintains the classic Acer Nitro aesthetic with a slightly angular design, matte and glossy finishes, and red accents that hint at its gaming focus. Constructed primarily from durable plastic, it feels solid despite its budget orientation. However, the plastic build does make the laptop a bit bulky and less sleek compared to premium models, with a weight of around 5.5 lbs, which can be cumbersome if you’re frequently on the move. The keyboard is comfortable for extended gaming sessions, featuring RGB backlighting that adds flair, though customisation options are limited.
Display and audio
Equipped with a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) display, the Nitro V has a refresh rate 144Hz, which is a considerable advantage for smoother gameplay, especially in fast-paced games. While the refresh rate enhances gaming fluidity, the screen has average colour accuracy and brightness, making it less ideal for content creation or outdoor use. The colours may appear slightly washed out, but the experience is solid and consistent for casual gaming.
Audio performance is where the Nitro V slightly stumbles. The built-in speakers lack depth, particularly in the bass range, making sound effects feel thin. While sufficient for general use, a good pair of headphones will enhance the gaming experience significantly.
Performance and graphics
The show’s star is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, paired with Intel’s or AMD’s latest CPUs (options may vary by region). This combination brings the Nitro V’s gaming performance into a solid mid-range bracket, enabling smooth gameplay at medium-to-high settings on most AAA titles at 1080p resolution. Games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Call of Duty: Warzone are comfortably playable at around 60-70 FPS, though they might require some settings adjustments for the best balance between visuals and frame rate.
The RTX 4060’s support for DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology also benefits performance, providing a noticeable frame boost on supported games without heavily compromising visual quality. The Nitro V’s processing power is reliable for multitasking and productivity, though the base model’s 8GB of RAM could feel limiting. An upgrade to 16GB is recommended for a smoother experience.
Thermals and battery life
Acer has equipped the Nitro V with an enhanced cooling system featuring dual fans and strategically placed vents, which keeps the laptop from overheating during extended gaming sessions. However, like many budget gaming laptops, it can become quite warm, especially around the keyboard area. The fans ramp up audibly under heavy load, but the noise level remains manageable and not overly distracting.
Battery life is an expected compromise in gaming laptops, and the Nitro V is no exception. Under regular use, the laptop lasts around 4 to 5 hours, while gaming drastically reduces this to under 2 hours. Given the battery’s limitations, it’s best suited as a stationary gaming machine or for use near a power outlet.
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Software and features
The Nitro V is bundled with the Acer NitroSense application, which helps you track temperature, performance profile, and fans. Users should find this helpful in seeking to get the most out of their resource use, especially when playing computer games.
Due to Nvidia’s application optimisation software, there are also rudimentary AI co-optimized features, which are helpful for streamers or creators who can leverage GPU-accelerated applications.
The Acer Nitro V with the RTX 4060 will be a formidable weapon in the sub $1500 segment, offering reasonably beefy performance with a plastic chassis that isn’t trying to mimic the looks of pricier metal offerings. Its main advantages include a smooth game performance at the Full HD resolution, reasonable image quality, and a comfortable keyboard for gaming. Of course, some compromises have been made in pursuit of the overall quality and responsiveness of the Nitro V, which builds quality, colour accuracy, and battery life, respectively.