predator 21x lcd panel ips tn price

Acer amazed the world last September when it announced a laptop with a 21” curved display, a quad-core Intel Core i7 “Kaby Lake” CPU with an unlocked multiplier, two graphics processors, a mechanical keyboard, and other features of a desktop PC. Then the company surprised once again, when it disclosed pricing of the Predator 21X in early January: at $8999, the machine is one of the most expensive gaming notebooks ever. By now, the PC is available, but this Predator will be a rare beast because only 300 will be made.

The final version of the Predator 21 X notebook got Intel’s quad-core Core i7-7820HK CPU with an unlocked multiplier and overclocking capabilities, two GeForce GTX 1080 GPUs with 16 GB of GDDR5 memor, as well as 64 GB of DDR4 RAM — specifications that even few gaming desktops can match. The storage sub-system of the Predator 21 X also resembles that of an SFF or AIO desktop: the machine can fit in four M.2 SSDs (NVMe or SATA) and one 2.5” hard drive. Acer ships the system with two 512 GB PCIe NVMe SSDs working in RAID 0 as well as one 1 TB 7200 RPM HGST HDD, but the system is upgradeable and owners can install almost whatever they want eventually.

They key selling point of the Predator 21 X is its curved 21” IPS display panel with a 2560×1080 resolution, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and NVIDIA’s G-Sync dynamic refresh rate technology. After trying out the Predator 21 X at Computex, I cannot say that curvature on a monitor of this size is any more immersive to me, but it may work in a very dark room. In addition to curvature, the notebook also has Tobii infrared eye-tracking sensors, which opens up different user experiences in games that support the appropriate tech. Meanwhile the audio sub-system is also worth mentioning as it has four integrated speakers and two built-in subwoofers.

As one would expect from a laptop that is 2.71” – 3.3” (68.8 mm – 83.82 mm) thick and weighs 18.74 lbs (8.5 kilograms), the Predator 21 X has all the connectivity that one might ever need (just like high-end desktops), including 2×2 802.11ac + Bluetooth Wi-Fi module, a Gigabit Ethernet port, one Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) port, four USB 3.0 Type-A connectors, an HDMI 2.0 output, two DisplayPort 1.4 headers, and an SD card reader. For input, the Acer Predator 21 X uses a mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX switches with five programmable buttons. The numeric keypad does not have mechanical switches, but it can be flipped and turned into a touchpad.

From performance point of view, the Predator 21 X has rivals from ASUS and MSI, but when it comes to its curved 21”/120 Hz display panel, it does not really have direct competitors (except desktops, of course). Meanwhile, the panel itself is custom, which adds to the cost of an already expensive machine. After considering performance, dimensions and price, Acer figured out that demand for a laptop that is priced at $8999 will be limited, and instead of trying to reduce the price tag, decided to make an ultra-exclusive product out of its Predator 21 X. The company will only produce 300 of such machines (referring to 300 Spartans?), each of which will have an individual number. The Acer Predator 21 X will ship in a Pelican-style case that can be “repurposed” and actually be used as a luggage.

In the usual race to claim industry firsts, Acer does so with the Predator Z301CT in exemplifying it as the first 21:9 curved display. The Z301CT features a 30” display and utilizes an 8-bit VA panel. The VA panel type doubtless affords the Z301CT the high refresh rate (200Hz) and contrast ratio of 3000:1. The VA panel also contributes to the slower (in comparison with the XB2 series) response time of 4ms.

All of new Predator panels, including the Z301CT, will support nVidia G-Sync. The Predator Z301CT will be available beginning February 2017 with prices starting at $900.

The second additions to the Predator display line up are two different displays, with the only distinct difference being size. The Predator XB252Q is a 24.5” display, while the XB272 is a 27” version. Both displays use a TN panel; not surprising, given the 240Hz refresh rate. Maximum resolution for both displays is 1920x1080 at 240Hz. For color, we have 100% of the sRGB color space covered, and 1.67 million reproducible colors.

Although bereft of the more astonishing features of the abovementioned model, both the XB252Q and XB272 do feature nVidia G-Sync and Ultra Low Motion Blur (ULMB). Both panels tout 1000:1 contrast ratios and 1ms response times.

Perhaps the jewel in Acer’s CES crown, and certain anomaly in the notebook landscape, is the Acer Predator 21 X. Being the world’s first curved, 21:9 screen on a notebook, the Predator 21 X aims to be a portable, no compromise gaming solution whilst doing so in standout fashion.

The Predator 21 X boasts a 21” IPS panel of 2000R curvature with a maximum resolution of 2560x1080 at 120Hz. The display also features nVidia G-Sync as well as the previously mentioned Tobii Eye Tracking technology. The Predator 21 X uses the i7-7820HK overclockable CPU in combination with a GPU array consisting of two GTX 1080s in SLI.

The Predator 21 X can support up to 64GB of DDR4 2400MHz memory, and will offer support for up to four SSDs in RAID 0. Two of the SSDs are NVMe/PCIe capable while the other two are SATA based. Furthermore, there is a fifth storage option in the form of a 1TB HDD.

In similar fashion to that of MSI, Acer has implemented a fully mechanical keyboard on the Predator 21 X, featuring Cherry MX Brown switches with per-key RGB backlighting. The numeric keypad will also invert and serve as a tracking pad.

Onboard audio is a three-way (tweeter, midrange, subwoofer) design consisting of 4 speakers and 2 subwoofers. Also included is a Windows Hello IR camera for facial recognition. In the vicinity of the keyboard will be a maintenance panel adorned with a blue dragon logo. The panel will allow access to the RAM modules and one of the 2.5” SSDs. The first 300 units will feature a unique, limited edition series number about the panel.

Preloaded on the Acer Predator 21 X is the PredatorSense software and the Xsplit Gamecaster software. The former being an application used for control of lighting, overclocking, and fans while the latter is aimed at game streaming and video editing.

The Predator 17 X will see a refresh of sorts. The predator 17X sits near the top of the stack in Acer’s gaming notebooks. It will be updated to offer the i7-7820HK CPU and GTX 1080 video card. The newer Predator 17 X will contain four SODIMM slots with 64GB DDR4 2400MHz capacity. Storage options include one PCIe/NVMe or 3x SATA SSDs with RAID 0 support. Either options will be complimented with optional HDD support.

The Predator 17 X will offer the following interfaces and ports: 1x Thunderbolt 3 (USB 3.1 Type-C), 3x USB 3.0, 1x USB 3.0 w/ power off charging, 1x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI w/ HDCP support, 1x Ethernet port, 1x headphone/speaker/line-out jack, 1x Kensington lock slot.

Display options on the Predator 17 X will come in either 1920 X 1080 or 4K 3840 X 2160, both using a 17.3 “IPS display. The Acer Predator 17 X will be available this month, starting at $2,600.

Gaming laptops are as much a contest of engineering bravado as they are an attempt at portability and practicality. Meet the case in point: Acer’s new Predator 21 X gaming laptop. Its components are excessive, and it is the first ever such machine with a curved display — a 21-inch, 2560 x 1080 resolution IPS display to be exact. We first saw the laptop back at IFA in August, and now we know the whole package will run you an eye-popping $8,999. Acer announced the price at CES 2017 today and says it will be available starting in February.

The Predator 21 X is of course hideous, with rough, protruding black and silver edges and a gaudy blue dragon stock graphic slapped above the keyboard. (The graphic is at least customizable.) It looks not too far off from a military laptop you’d see in the background of an action movie’s oversimplified hacking scene. But then again, you’re not buying the Predator 21 X for its looks. You’re buying the device for its sheer and absurd level of power, illogically stuffed into a package that’s only portable if you’re willing to carry around a 17.6-pound clamshell monstrosity.

The reassuring news: its components are up to the task. The Predator 21 X features two GeForce GTX 1080 X graphics cards linked with Nvidia’s SLI tech, a brand-new seventh-generation Intel Core i7 processor, four DDR4 slots for up to 64GB of RAM, and up to four 512GB solid state drives, in the event you need unearthly data transfer speeds. Two of those drives can also be NVMe PCIe SSDs, which is a complicated way of saying they’re about five times faster than standard SATA drives thanks to updated interface specifications. The standard hard drive configuration on the Predator 21 X will be 2TB.

Acer throws in some other add-ons to make the laptop’s nearly five-figure price tag only slightly less jaw-dropping. There’s Tobii eye-tracking built in, a mechanical keyboard with customizable backlight options, and the numeric keypad flips over to transform it into a touchpad. There are also four speakers and two subwoofers, for outsize sound performance, and five cooling fans.

Still, it’s quite obvious Acer made this to flex its engineering muscles, and not because anyone but the most affluent and hardcore would think this product was a logical and well-spent $8,999. If you’re so inclined, you can be one of the first 300 customers and get a limited edition series number engraved into the graphics panel, preferably next to the giant blue dragon head. For the rest of us, well... we can only dream — or maybe dream of what else we might afford with that money.

On the more moderate side of the spectrum, Acer is trotting out some more affordable and practical options for portable gaming. The companion device to the Predator 21 X is the Predator 17X, which starts at $2,599 and understandably trades out some of the more ludicrous perks of the wildly more expensive version. You still get Intel’s latest Kaby Lake i7 processor, as well as the four DDR4 slots that top out at 64GB of RAM. However, the Predator 17X packs just one GTX 1080 X GPU and limits the type of solid state configurations you can achieve. Acer also trades the massive 21-inch curved display for a 17.3-inch G-Sync screen.

And for those who simply cannot or will not shell out more than $2,000 for a laptop, Acer is announcing a few new additions to its Aspire line. The new V 15 and V 17 Nitro notebooks are being updated with Intel’s Kaby Lake processors. They will cost $1,119 and $1,299, respectively and both will be ready to ship in February. Meanwhile, the Aspire VX 15 gaming laptop, which ships later this month, will start at $799 and pack Intel’s latest processor alongside less powerful Nvidia graphics. All three machines come with 15.6-inch displays.

Update 1:14PM ET, 1/4: An earlier version of this article said the Predator 21 X would be made to order. Acer has since clarified that it decided against that release strategy, so the laptop will only ship in one configuration starting next month.

Or the fact that you have 2x GTX 1080’s driving a single 2560×1080 panel (with no mention of G-Sync or refresh rate, btw), when a single GTX 1080 could literally handle the pixel count of FOUR 2560×1080 panels at 60fps in modern games with details cranked up, without breaking a sweat. Again, because 2x GTX 1080’s looks great to spec-sheet buyers.

This “spec sheet buyer” mentality is also why for nearly 2 decades, we’ve seen laptops that will get upgraded with the latest CPU, GPU, larger HDD, etc. but be stuck with an absolute shit 1366×768 TN panel. It was only in the past few years that you started seeing laptops come out with decent IPS panels. Because the three letters “IPS” did not justify a $200+ USD price increase over TN, to buyers just looking at specs on a spec sheet. The major ODM / OEMs in Taiwan (Acer, Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, Sager/Clevo) were responsible for that worldwide trend, because of their shitty design choices that catered to spec-sheet buyers.

Priced from $8999, the Acer Predator 21 X gaming laptop is the world’s first with a curved 21-inch IPS display at 2,560 x 1,080 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. That’s not all, the display also has integrated Tobii eye-tracking technology for added immersion. Power comes from an overclockable seventh-generation Intel Core i7-7820HK processor, and dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 GPUs with 16GB GDDR5 VRAM running in SLI, 64GB of DDR4-2400Mhz RAM, and up to four 512GB SSDs in RAID 0, including two NVMe PCIe SSDs, for storage. Continue reading for a hands-on video and more information.

The Acer Predator 21 X is the world’s most powerful gaming laptop, and while the price tag is likely to be far too much for most people, there’s still a lot to admire about this machine.

The Acer Predator 21 X is unlike any other device we’ve tested – which makes for a rather challenging – yet also enjoyable – review. This is an incredibly ambitious device that fits some of the most powerful gaming components available today into a (sort of) portable device.

In many ways, it is a proof-of-concept – Acer’s way of seeing just how far it can push laptop technology. Its aim was to make the biggest and most powerful gaming laptop ever – and it has certainly succeeded, filling the Predator 21 X with cutting edge components that give even the most powerful desktop gaming rigs a run for their money.

While the ambition on display with the Acer Predator 21 X is certainly impressive, it comes at a (major) cost. Calling this a premium or high-end laptop would be doing it a disservice.

This is the conundrum when reviewing the Acer Predator 21 X, as we – like many people – would never spend that kind of money on a laptop. However, it is worth reviewing to see just how capable the world’s most powerful gaming laptop really is. Can the undoubtedly powerful components and premium features even remotely justify the price?

As you’d expect from a gaming laptop with this amount of power – and because it’s part of Acer’s Predator line up – the design of the Predator 21 X is certainly striking. It’s loud and brash, featuring bright LEDs, sharp angles and edges, and a plastic body with black and silver paint, making it obvious that this is a laptop for gamers. While some people may love the look, it could also prove to be divisive, and it lacks the premium look – and materials – that we expect of expensive laptops.

The sheer size of the laptop is a necessity due to the powerful hardware crammed into the body – and the need to keep everything cool. So, the body includes a whopping five-fan cooling system. Three of these fans – which are metal Predator AeroBlade fans built by Acer to be ultra-thin and quiet – are dedicated to keeping the processor and graphics cards cool.

There are also nine heat pipes in the body of the Predator 21 X, which further help to dissipate heat from the components, while keeping noise levels down as much as possible.

These function keys (along with back lighting effects and overclocking options), are handled by Acer’s Predator Sense software, a well-designed app that lets you easily configure the laptop to suit your needs.

Due to the size of the Predator 21 X, it’s little surprise that Acer has managed to pack in plenty of ports. These include a gigabit Ethernet network port, HDMI, four USB 3.0 ports, five USB 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort, and microphone and headphone jacks.

As for that screen, well, it’s one of the most impressive aspects of the Predator 21 X, second only to the amazing components inside it. At 21 inches, it would be one of the largest screens available on a laptop anyway, but it also has an ultra-wide aspect ratio of 21:9. This adds extra space onto either side of the display – which makes playing games even more immersive.

Further bolstering the Acer Predator 21 X’s gaming credentials is the fact that the screen utilises Nvidia’s G-Sync technology with a refresh rate of 120Hz. This means that screen tearing and input lag is kept to a minimum (if not eliminated altogether), and frame rates in games remain smooth.

Like pretty much everything to do with the Predator 21 X, the case is large, over-the-top and attention-seeking, but it is very well made, and you wouldn’t have to worry too much about carrying around your ultra-expensive laptop in it.

However, there’s a line on Acer’s official Predator 21 X website(opens in new tab) that is rather telling: “Despite its size, you might occasionally need to travel with the 21 X”. This is a laptop that isn’t really designed to be moved around – which begs the question: “what is the point?”Acer Predator 21 X: Price Comparison

The Acer Predator 21 X is the world’s most powerful gaming laptop, and while the price tag is likely to be far too much for most people, there’s still a lot to admire about this machine.

The Acer Predator 21 X is unlike any other device we’ve tested – which makes for a rather challenging – yet also enjoyable – review. This is an incredibly ambitious device that fits some of the most powerful gaming components available today into a (sort of) portable device.

In many ways, it is a proof-of-concept – Acer’s way of seeing just how far it can push laptop technology. Its aim was to make the biggest and most powerful gaming laptop ever – and it has certainly succeeded, filling the Predator 21 X with cutting edge components that give even the most powerful desktop gaming rigs a run for their money.

While the ambition on display with the Acer Predator 21 X is certainly impressive, it comes at a (major) cost. Calling this a premium or high-end laptop would be doing it a disservice.

This is the conundrum when reviewing the Acer Predator 21 X, as we – like many people – would never spend that kind of money on a laptop. However, it is worth reviewing to see just how capable the world’s most powerful gaming laptop really is. Can the undoubtedly powerful components and premium features even remotely justify the price?

As you’d expect from a gaming laptop with this amount of power – and because it’s part of Acer’s Predator line up – the design of the Predator 21 X is certainly striking. It’s loud and brash, featuring bright LEDs, sharp angles and edges, and a plastic body with black and silver paint, making it obvious that this is a laptop for gamers. While some people may love the look, it could also prove to be divisive, and it lacks the premium look – and materials – that we expect of expensive laptops.

The sheer size of the laptop is a necessity due to the powerful hardware crammed into the body – and the need to keep everything cool. So, the body includes a whopping five-fan cooling system. Three of these fans – which are metal Predator AeroBlade fans built by Acer to be ultra-thin and quiet – are dedicated to keeping the processor and graphics cards cool.

There are also nine heat pipes in the body of the Predator 21 X, which further help to dissipate heat from the components, while keeping noise levels down as much as possible.

These function keys (along with back lighting effects and overclocking options), are handled by Acer’s Predator Sense software, a well-designed app that lets you easily configure the laptop to suit your needs.

Due to the size of the Predator 21 X, it’s little surprise that Acer has managed to pack in plenty of ports. These include a gigabit Ethernet network port, HDMI, four USB 3.0 ports, five USB 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort, and microphone and headphone jacks.

As for that screen, well, it’s one of the most impressive aspects of the Predator 21 X, second only to the amazing components inside it. At 21 inches, it would be one of the largest screens available on a laptop anyway, but it also has an ultra-wide aspect ratio of 21:9. This adds extra space onto either side of the display – which makes playing games even more immersive.

Further bolstering the Acer Predator 21 X’s gaming credentials is the fact that the screen utilises Nvidia’s G-Sync technology with a refresh rate of 120Hz. This means that screen tearing and input lag is kept to a minimum (if not eliminated altogether), and frame rates in games remain smooth.

Like pretty much everything to do with the Predator 21 X, the case is large, over-the-top and attention-seeking, but it is very well made, and you wouldn’t have to worry too much about carrying around your ultra-expensive laptop in it.

However, there’s a line on Acer’s official Predator 21 X website(opens in new tab) that is rather telling: “Despite its size, you might occasionally need to travel with the 21 X”. This is a laptop that isn’t really designed to be moved around – which begs the question: “what is the point?”Acer Predator 21 X: Price Comparison

Predator Gaming is a gamer-focused brand and line of computer hardware owned by Acer. In 2008, Acer introduced itself in the gaming computer market with a line of desktop computers: the Acer Aspire Predator series, later renamed as Acer Predator. The series is characterized by the futuristic computer chassis and high performance. In 2016, a complete range of Predator desktops, gaming laptops, tablets and accessories exists.

Acer"s 9000$ range gaming laptop that run"s as powerful as a desktop with 2 nvidia gtx 1080"s in sli. It comes with 64gb of ram memory and 1tb of ssdAcer Predator 21 XDeveloper

Acer"s Predator XN253Q X is a 24.5-inch TN gaming monitor with some drool-worthy specs for any competitive gamer out there. However, it might be less attractive to the casual user who places color and contrast on a higher pedestal. I"ve been using this monitor for the last few weeks during all gaming sessions to see where it excels and where it falls short.

Bottom line: The Acer Predator XN253Q X is no doubt an enticing monitor for those involved in competitive esports gaming thanks to high-end specs. However, the 240Hz refresh rate and 0.4ms response time are likely overkill for most people, especially since they"re provided by a TN panel that lacks some color and contrast compared to IPS and VA alternatives.

Graphics cards (GPU) and processors (CPU) are more powerful than ever, and many people are upgrading to 1440p, and even 4K monitors for gaming purposes. However, to get the most out of mid-range hardware — especially in the competitive esports category — 1080p is still a great way to raise frames-per-second (FPS) for a smooth experience. And when you combine high-end hardware with a 1080p display, it had better have some high-performance specs to keep up. That"s exactly where the Acer Predator XN253Q X is positioned.

It is sized at 24.5 inches and has a 1920x1080 resolution, with a Twisted Nematic (TN) panel. In the gaming world, there are three main types of display panel to choose from. In-Plane Switching (IPS) panels typically allow for the best color and viewing angle, TN typically offers the best refresh rate and response time at a competitive price, and Vertical Alignment (VA) sits somewhere in between with decent color and performance.

The XN253Q employs the TN panel type, with a lofty 240Hz refresh rate and response time that Acer claims dips down to just 0.4ms. Otherwise, every mention seems to be 1ms. In any case, those are serious specs that will allow just about any hardware to excel. Competitive esports games are usually low impact compared to AAA titles, and this monitor can make the most of low PC requirements. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive was buttery smooth running at 200FPS on my PC, and even playing Call of Duty: Warzone at around 120FPS felt great. NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility plays a big role in eliminating screen tearing, and I was able to take advantage with my NVIDIA RTX GPU. If you"re running an AMD GPU, you"ll no doubt want to check out a FreeSync gaming monitor.

The Predator XN253Q X has some distinct gamer stylings, though it"s not so laden with them that it becomes obnoxious. The plastic back has a brushed metal look with arched venting, there"s a red joystick for the on-screen display (OSD) navigation, and there"s a recessed section along the bottom for ports and power. There are two more USB ports on the side for connecting accessories. The stand is the most stylized part, with a three-pronged metal base, angular cable cutout, and Predator logo on the top and bottom. A headphone holder flips out of the rear stand, though I didn"t really use it because of the positioning.

A lot of TN monitors come from the factory looking washed out, and the Predator XN253Q X was in the same boat (though perhaps less so than others I"ve experienced). I played a few games without touching anything and wasn"t very satisfied, but after adjusting gamma and contrast, it settled into a much more likeable picture. The OSD is easy to navigate with the joystick, and there are a generous amount of tweakable settings within. No issues there.The Acer Predator XN253Q X"s high-end specs make games feel incredibly easy to control.

I eventually used a DataColor SpyderX Pro(opens in new tab) colorimeter to test reproduction and brightness. The monitor reached 95% sRGB, 73% AdobeRGB, and 76% DCI-P3. As for brightness, it hit a maximum of 427 nits and got down to 76 nits. Since you"re no doubt not going to be gaming outdoors, this brightness combined with the matte finish should be more than enough to fend off glare.

Connected with DisplayPort to get the full performance bundle, including 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and G-Sync, the Predator XN253Q showed no evident blur or ghosting while gaming. When pushing high framerates, the monitor makes games feel incredibly easy to control, and it"s clear this is where the appeal for the high refresh rate and low response time comes in. G-Sync helps the monitor stay smooth when performance dips (it"s often hard to keep steady framerates that high in demanding AAA games), and Ultra Low Motion Blur (ULMB) is available as an alternative for reducing blur at lower framerates.

Playing more casual, cinematic games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition just didn"t have the same appeal as some other monitors in my office due to the size, contrast, and color of the XN253Q X. This is an above-average TN panel in the two latter terms. Still, darks just aren"t as deep, and colors just aren"t as vibrant as you"d see from a good VA or IPS monitor. And at 24.5 inches, you might soon be craving a larger picture if you"re more into cinematic experiences than high-paced competitive action.

I"m still not exactly sold on monitors with extremely high refresh rates — I"m more on the casual side of things, especially in terms of my PC"s hardware — but after using the Predator XN253Q X for a couple of weeks, I can see why competitive gamers can"t live without. Games just feel different, and going back down to a lower refresh rate is a noticeable change. This monitor performs exceptionally well, thanks to G-Sync and ULMB. Even though color and contrast are comparatively not as impressive as IPS or VA, it"s not something you"ll really notice once you"re into some frenetic action. For a TN panel, it"s likely above what you might expect.

The $494 price(opens in new tab) might seem high for a 1080p display at 24.5 inches, and compared to some other options out there, it is high. For example, the Alienware AW2521HF has an IPS panel, 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and both FreeSync and G-Sync compatibility. It costs about $366(opens in new tab), making it far more affordable. If you"re on a tight budget, be sure to shop around before making a final decision.

And if you"re more interested in a casual gaming experience or feel like 144Hz is all that"s needed, there are plenty of similarly priced gaming monitors with larger screens and better color and contrast available. If you love the Predator line, check out the XB271HU 27-inch monitor with QHD resolution, IPS panel, 144Hz refresh rate, and G-Sync compatibility for about $500(opens in new tab).