The Acer Predator 17 G9-793 was first released in 2017 and has been out for seven years now, as I write. It’s a mid-range gaming rig that seems to have stood the test of time.
If you are looking forward to buying this gaming rig, then this simple guide will help you assess whether the device is worth the investment in 2024 or not.
Design Build
The first thing you’ll notice upon seeing the machine is its thick and bulky design (4.25 kg), which limits its portability. But the overall design of the device is solid, both physically and aesthetically.
Speaking of aesthetics, its rear end has a rather complex structure that adds to the beast-like aesthetics of a gaming rig. The sharp red color paired with the black theme further perfects this design.
However, the bezels are considerably fat as compared to most recent gaming rigs, leaving an out-dated look. It has a plastic finish that feels smooth and satisfying to touch.
The lid has a visibly large logo on the back, accompanied by two thin light bars on both sides. Both the logo and the light bars glow with the RGB lights of the keyboard. So, the only way to turn them off is by turning off the keyboard lights.
The front edges of the Acer Predator 17 G9-793 are sharp, which may cause irritation on the wrist with prolonged usage.
Acer Predator 17 G9-793 Display
The Acer Predator 17 G9-793 comes in two displays: an Ultra HD display (4K) and a Full HD display (1080p). The display size of both versions amounts to 17.3 inches.
The displays are capped at 60 Hz and are also compatible with Gsync, which means smoother graphics performance while gaming. However, a display of 60 Hz isn’t a big deal for today’s gaming enthusiasts since the competition has long become tough.
Other than that, the display looks pretty immersive, even for multimedia tasks, since the colors are close to accurate.
Keyboard & Trackpad
The keyboard is one of the most aesthetically pleasing aspects of this device due to its unique layout and design. All the keys are black with white symbols except the W, A, S, and D keys, and the arrow keys use red symbols.
These specific keys are further highlighted with thick red outlines, making them stand out from the rest so that they are easier to spot while gaming. It’s a nice small addition to the device that can improve the gaming experience since most games require frequent use of these keys.
Other than that, the keyboard has a 2mm depth, and the keys are very easy to press. In fact, they are a little too easy to press due to their low resistance.
As mentioned earlier, the keyboard has RGB lights with relatively low brightness.
Battery life
The Acer Predator 17 G9-793 features a 90Wh battery with an average battery life of about 2 hours, which may be slightly below average for a mid-end device like it.
For Predator’s optimal gaming performance, it is best to play games while the device stays plugged in. Gaming while on battery causes the device to limit its resources in order to save battery life, which affects gaming performance.
Connectivity
The Acer Predator 17 G9-793 comes with excellent connectivity. Its connectivity ports include a 4.1 Bluetooth, and a Gigabit LAN port. Another notable addition is the Killer Doubleshot Pro and a wireless AC Qualcomm Atheros that further enhances connectivity.
On the other hand, its wireless connectivity is well-done. The only issue that some users brought up was that the wifi slows down if the device is far away from the router. It’s not a big deal for most users, as the distance is still viable for most users, but just keep that in mind for yourself.
Speakers
Predator 17 features four woofers and two subwoofers. Two of the four woofers are present at the front-edge of the laptop, and the other two are at the bottom, near the edge. The quality of these speakers is actually pretty good, and so far I haven’t experienced any problems with them.
The two subwoofers are located at the bottom of the laptop, behind a red casing that reads “Subwoofer.” These subwoofers add value to the overall immersive audio experience of the machine.
Heat / Thermal Management
The Acer Predator 17 G9-793 features 2 cooling fans to combat heating. It also implements the DustBuster system, which is a dust cleaning system for devices, and some people find it annoying.
The fans are silent workers, as they do not make any noise, and even during their speed-ups, you can roughly hear any noise coming. However, they can get loud under load, such as while gaming. Furthermore, the Dust Buster system stops and reverses the spin movement of fans from time to time, pushing the dust out to keep them clean.
The fans stay active all the time, and the machine seems to have a knack for controlling heat. Even during heavy gaming, the temperature doesn’t go much higher than what’s bearable to touch.
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Price and Availability
The Acer Predator 17 G9-793 is a mid-range gaming rig, and the price can be expected to be around $1200–$1500+. The availability might be limited since the device is now older.
The price and availability will also vary depending on your location.
Pros and Cons
Now let’s talk about the pros and cons of Predator 17. Is it worth the investment or not?
Pros
- Sturdy design
- Good performance
- Supports GSync for better fps performance
- Solid heat management
- Not too pricey
Cons
- Heavy and bulky design
- Some LEDs can’t be turned off independently
- Battery timing is below average
So, should you buy the Predator 17? Well, the answer is it depends on your budget. Always. It’s not a bad choice to be honest, especially if it’s not too pricey. However, there are machines that can outperform this one under the same or slightly higher prices.
So, consider looking for its competitors and evaluate their prices w.r.t. to their specs if you want to make the most out of your money.
My take on the device is that it is still a solid option to consider unless you want a more light-weight, sleek and modern looking gaming rig or if you want to buy one with the latest technologies that are now being used in 2024.
Wrap Up
Wrapping things up, I think the Acer Predator 17 G9-793 is a solid gaming rig under its price, even today. Just like every other device, Predator 17 too has its pros and cons that we discussed in this article.
The most notable con of the device is its heavy weight and bulkiness, and the rest of the machine had optimal features when it came out. The gaming rig has some minor issues that an average user may not be bothered about.
Gaming enthusiasts, on the other hand, can read our article to learn about these technicalities and get a review of the device before making a purchase.