Acer Nitro 5 2022 (AN515-58) review

The Acer Nitro 5 is a perennial funds gaming laptop computer favorite, and the 2022 model consists of one among Nvidia’s newest graphics cores and an Intel Twelfth-gen CPU. So on paper, it may simply keep its standing as one of the crucial fashionable inexpensive gaming choices in the marketplace.

The mannequin I’ve reviewed makes use of an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU and Intel Core i5-12500H processor, and that modest {hardware} means a tempting value: this specific Nitro solely prices $899 within the US and £984 within the UK.

This actually isn’t the one gaming laptop computer with a low value, although, so in-depth testing is required to search out out if the newest Acer Nitro 5 can retain its spot on our greatest low-cost gaming laptop computer chart.

Design & Construct

• Up to date design with loads of ports and options
• Stable connectivity, however no biometrics or card reader
• Some rivals are extra svelte

Final yr’s Acer Nitro 5 appeared dated, so I’m happy to report that this yr’s mannequin has a extra mature design. The angled sections and pink accents have gone in favour of cleaner strains, slimmer display screen bezels and no odd angles.

Constructing a sleeker, cleaner laptop computer is actually not distinctive within the gaming market, nevertheless it does imply that the Nitro does a greater job when up alongside rivals just like the Asus TUF Gaming A15 and Dell G15.

There’s a bit give within the Acer’s panels, which is to be anticipated at this value however this laptop computer is well sturdy sufficient to be slung in a bag with out concern.

The suitable-hand aspect of the rig homes two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and on the left edge there’s a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, the audio jack and the Gigabit Ethernet output. On the rear there’s a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-C port that handles DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 4 and 5V/3A system charging, and it can be used to cost the laptop computer. There’s additionally a future-proofed HDMI 2.1 socket.

Internally, The Nitro serves up dual-band 802.11ax wi-fi and Bluetooth 5.2, and the characteristic set completes with a webcam however, sadly, there’s no facial recognition foe Home windows Hey, no fingerprint reader and no card reader.

Nonetheless, that’s sufficient to deal with most conditions, and neither rival presents vital enhancements. The Asus has an additional USB-C port however has one fewer full-size USB port and solely makes use of HDMI 2.0b. The Dell, in the meantime, mirrors the Acer by way of connectivity.

The Nitro does fall behind when measured: its 2.5kg weight and 27mm physique match the Dell, however the Asus is lighter and slimmer.

Keyboard & Trackpad

• A crisp, satisfying gaming keyboard with a quantity pad
• No RGB LEDs, however higher than most alternate options
• Fundamental trackpad

It’d be unrealistic to count on mechanical {hardware} on an inexpensive laptop computer, however Acer does an honest job with this chiclet unit. The keys are tall and push down right into a agency base, and their typing motion is quick, constant and crisp so that you get a responsive and sturdy expertise in video games. It equals the Asus and simply beats the Dell’s shallow buttons.

Mike Jennings / Foundry

The Nitro 5 for 2022 features a quantity pad, a double-height Return button and full-size cursor keys, so its structure is a bit more accommodating than these elsewhere. Negatively, although, the ability button sits on the keyboard and is just too straightforward to press, and there’s no RGB LED lighting – solely a pink backlight.

Nevertheless, photos at some retailers seem to have 4 controllable lighting zones throughout the keyboard.

The trackpad is underwhelming, with reasonable dimension and comfortable buttons, so I’d advocate that anybody who needs to get pleasure from gaming connect a USB mouse as a substitute.

Display screen & Audio system

• A stable specification for 1080p gaming and eSports
• Nice distinction, however a slim color gamut and poor accuracy
• Underwhelming audio

The Nitro 5’s 15.6in display screen makes use of IPS know-how, and it pairs a 1080p decision with a 144Hz refresh fee. You don’t get Nvidia G-Sync or a low response time, however that specification is ok for mainstream single-player and eSports gaming.

The distinction ratio of 1,494:1 is great, and bolstered by a black level that sits down at 0.19 nits. These are nice figures and imply that video games look daring, with a great deal of depth. The color temperature of 6586K is superb, too, and ensures that the display screen doesn’t look oversaturated or chilly.

In different areas, although, the show disappoints. The delta E of 5.49 implies that colors aren’t massively correct, and the Nitro’s panel solely produced 57.6% of the sRGB color gamut – so it received’t render most of the shades wanted by video games or films. The result’s a bit underwhelming and implies that content material appears a bit flat.

Mike Jennings / Foundry

The height brightness degree of 284 nits isn’t excellent, both: acceptable for indoor use however nowhere near the degrees required for outside gaming if that’s what you intend to do.

Don’t count on a lot from the audio system. The pair of downward-firing 2W audio system lack bass, quantity and readability, so that they’re solely appropriate for fundamental media duties. A headset is a sensible funding.

The show’s distinction means you could nonetheless play mainstream video games on this display screen, however the Asus and Dell panels make video games look higher due to improved accuracy and sRGB protection. And if you would like the next decision or refresh fee, you’ll should spend extra money.

Specs & Efficiency

• RTX 3050 Ti is a stable choice for on a regular basis gaming
• Intel processor is nice, however AMD’s rival chips are sooner
• Poor battery life in comparison with different notebooks

The GeForce RTX 3050 Ti is one among Nvidia’s entry-level laptop computer GPUs, which implies a modest specification: it’s bought 2,560 CUDA cores and simply 4GB of reminiscence. Helpfully, although, its peak energy output of 95W is correct on the prime finish of the core’s capabilities.

Intel’s Core i5-12500H is a equally mid-range half, nevertheless it’s nonetheless bought 4 Hyper-Threaded efficiency cores with a peak pace of 4.5GHz. Fortunately, there’s 16GB of reminiscence in a dual-channel association, and the 512GB SSD rattles together with first rate learn and write speeds of 6,454MB/s and three,900MB/s.

Mike Jennings / Foundry

In Far Cry New Daybreak at Extremely settings the Acer averaged 77fps, and in Cyberpunk 2077 on the similar graphics degree the Nitro averaged 67fps – each scores that imply easy gameplay. There’s ample grunt for esports on the 144Hz display screen, too, due to a Rainbow Six Siege common of 189fps. And I didn’t have any thermal points: irrespective of the duty, the Acer remained fairly cool and quiet.

There are nonetheless limitations, although. I attempted to play Cyberpunk with ray tracing and DLSS activated and solely bought a mean of 27fps – don’t count on to get a lot next-gen capacity. You received’t get very far if you wish to output to screens with increased resolutions or refresh charges, both.

And, unsurprisingly, you get an honest bounce in efficiency for those who’re prepared to pay for an RTX 3060 laptop computer, too. That GPU featured within the Asus, and it was ten frames sooner in New Daybreak and had a sizeable lead in 3D Mark Night time Raid.

The Acer can’t sustain with rivals within the processing division, both. Intel’s Core i5-12500H is a fantastic on a regular basis chip, however its Geekbench multi-core results of 8,746 is about 1,000 factors behind the AMD Ryzen 7 6800H processors you’ll discover in equally priced Asus and Dell notebooks.

The Core i5 half actually isn’t a slouch, nevertheless it does imply the Acer has limitations. It’s fantastic for mainstream gaming, operating a great deal of browser tabs, tackling workplace work and doing gentle photo-editing, however AMD’s chips are higher for more durable content material creation and multitasking.

Don’t count on nice battery life, both. Throughout a gaming check the Acer lasted for an hour, and its lifespan prolonged to 3 hours whereas working and simply over 4 whereas enjoying movies. That’s not stunning in a funds gaming laptop computer, however the Asus and Dell notebooks each delivered longer working lifespans, so that they’ve bought extra versatility away from video games.

Value & Availability

The Acer Nitro 5 reviewed prices $899 within the US and £984 within the UK. Within the US it’s obtainable in varied configurations from Acer, Amazon, Finest Purchase and Newegg, and within the UK it’s offered at Acer, Laptops Direct, Amazon, Ebuyer and Currys. It’s affordable pricing, however in some cases the Nitro faces a major problem relating to worth.

Within the US, as an illustration, a Dell G15 with an RTX 3050 Ti and Core i5-12500H additionally prices $899 – and that laptop computer has a greater display screen. Within the UK, the lower-end Dell machines include weaker graphics cores and processors, however you possibly can pay £1,199 for a Dell with an RTX 3060 and Ryzen 7 6800H.

The Asus TUF Gaming A15 is aggressive, too. An Asus with an RTX 3050 Ti and Ryzen 7 6800H will price you $899 or £899. It’s not that the Acer is dangerous worth, however more often than not it presents no higher worth than rivals, both.

Should you’d like an Acer Nitro 5 with a Core i7-12700H and an RTX 3060 then it’ll price $1,302 or £999, with the UK mannequin providing significantly better worth. That’s an enormous efficiency uplift for an additional £100.

Mike Jennings / Foundry

And for those who’d choose the even sooner RTX 3070 Ti, you’ll should pay £1,574 or £1,499. That’s an honest value – Asus and Dell laptops with equal {hardware} are often dearer.

One remaining phrase of warning: many retailers nonetheless promote older fashions of the Nitro 5 with weaker, out of date elements, so take care before you purchase. This 2022 version has the mannequin quantity AN515-58.

Take a look at our chart of the very best low-cost gaming laptops to see all the highest choices.

Verdict

The Acer Nitro 5 serves up stable mainstream gaming energy, a satisfying keyboard and an honest collection of ports and options inside an up to date enclosure – and, on this specification, it’s no dearer than its rivals.

Sadly, although, the underwhelming show, poor battery life and the looks of AMD processors elsewhere work in opposition to the Nitro. The Acer stays a stable funds gaming alternative and retains its place on our funds gaming chart, nevertheless it doesn’t do sufficient to overtake the highest choices.

Specs

• Mannequin examined
• OS: Home windows 11 Dwelling
• Show: 15.6n IPS, 1920 x 1080, 144Hz
• CPU: Intel Core i5-12500H
• Reminiscence: 16GB onboard
• Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti 4GB
• Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
• Webcam: 720p
• Connectivity: 1 x USB Sort-C/DisplayPort/Thunderbolt 4, 3 x USB Sort-A, HDMI 2.1, combo audio jack
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, Gigabit Ethernet
• Battery capability: 58Wh
• Dimensions: 14.17 x 10.66 x 1.06 inches
• Measured weight: 2.5kg