Acer Nitro V 15 review

Trade in Acer Nitro V 15

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The Acer Nitro V 15 falls short in several aspects, detracting from its overall appeal. Despite offering decent gaming performance typical of budget laptops, it struggles to stand out in a crowded market. While its compact and lightweight design may seem appealing, it’s overshadowed by significant drawbacks.

One notable issue is its excessive noise levels, which can disrupt the gaming experience. Unfortunately, users are unable to customize fan settings due to the limitations of Acer’s NitroSense software. This software also imposes restrictions on gaming, such as requiring the battery to be charged to 40% before playing certain titles, a puzzling limitation.

Additionally, the laptop’s display lacks in color accuracy and its hardware specifications are underwhelming, limiting its suitability for tasks beyond gaming.

Despite its competitive price and portability, the Acer Nitro V 15 falls short in delivering a well-rounded experience. For more insights, refer to my comprehensive review of the Acer Nitro V 15.

ACER NITRO V 15 REVIEW: SPECS

ACER NITRO V 15 REVIEW: PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

• Starts at $699
• High-end model costs $1,099

The Acer Nitro V 15 is currently available for purchase on Acer’s website, with prices ranging from $699 to $1,099, depending on the configuration. The entry-level model features an older Nvidia RTX 2050 GPU and a 13th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU, while the top-tier variant boasts an Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, a 13th-gen Intel i7 CPU, a 165Hz display, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB high-speed storage drive.

Our review unit, priced at $999, comes equipped with an Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU, a 13th-gen i7 CPU, a 144Hz display, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Despite its mid-range specifications, this configuration offers excellent value for the price, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious gamers.

ACER NITRO V 15 REVIEW: DESIGN

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• Practical aesthetics
• Lightweight and compact

The Acer Nitro V 15 may not boast a jaw-dropping design, but it strikes a balance between understated elegance and gaming flair. While it doesn’t feature flashy LED lighting, the abstract grey and blue streaks on the top shell add a touch of artistic sophistication, subtly enhancing its aesthetic appeal without being overly conspicuous. This design choice makes it versatile enough to blend in seamlessly in various settings, whether it’s the office, a coffee shop, or a library.

Unlike some gaming laptops that come in vibrant colors, the Nitro V 15 is available in a sleek black color scheme with the aforementioned streaks, maintaining a more professional look overall. However, what sets it apart is its compact size, making it highly portable and suitable for on-the-go use. Despite its smaller form factor, it still offers a comfortable typing and viewing experience, allowing users to work or play from virtually anywhere.

While the reduced size does impact cooling performance to some extent, I appreciated the convenience of being able to use the laptop comfortably in different settings, such as on the couch or at the kitchen island. Although it may not be the smallest or lightest option available, it comes close at a fraction of the price, offering excellent portability without compromising on performance.

ACER NITRO V 15 REVIEW: PORTS

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• Plenty of ports
• Tight power port

The Nitro V 15 impresses with its array of ports, especially considering its size and price point. It offers three USB-A ports, along with a USB-C port, an Ethernet port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and an HDMI port, catering to various connectivity needs. However, the distribution of ports leans heavily towards the left side of the laptop, leaving only one USB-A port and the audio jack on the right side. While an additional USB-C port on the right side would have been convenient, this imbalance isn’t a major issue.

Among the ports, the power port stands out for its tight fit. Plugging in the power adapter requires more force than usual, occasionally leading to difficulties in ensuring a secure connection for charging. Initially, users may find themselves encountering situations where the laptop fails to charge due to insufficient insertion of the power adapter. However, once accustomed to the required force, this issue becomes less problematic, albeit still prone to occasional oversight, especially when in a hurry.

A notable positive aspect is the indication of charging status when the laptop is plugged in. Users are alerted by a short beep and an orange light, providing clear confirmation of the charging process, which helps prevent any ambiguity or uncertainty regarding the device’s power status.

ACER NITRO V 15 REVIEW: DISPLAY AND AUDIO

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• Fast refresh rate
• Colors are lacking

The Acer Nitro V 15 boasts a commendable 144Hz refresh rate on its 16:9 Full HD display, which significantly enhances the gaming experience by delivering smooth visuals. While there are laptops offering higher refresh rates, such as 165Hz or more, 144Hz is widely regarded as sufficient for ensuring a fluid gaming performance and is considered a standard benchmark in this regard.

However, despite the impressive refresh rate, my hands-on testing revealed some shortcomings in the quality of the IPS display. As illustrated in the provided chart, the Nitro V 15 ranks poorly in terms of brightness, sRGB coverage, and DCI-P3 coverage, positioning it at the bottom compared to other laptops. This indicates that the display lacks sufficient brightness and color reproduction capabilities, potentially impacting the overall visual experience.

On a positive note, the display achieves a low Delta-E score, indicating relatively accurate color representation. Lower Delta-E scores are indicative of better color accuracy, suggesting that despite its limitations in brightness and color coverage, the Nitro V 15’s display maintains a degree of fidelity in color rendering.

In real-world usage, the limitations of the Nitro V 15’s display may become apparent under certain conditions. For example, in brightly lit environments, such as direct sunlight or well-lit rooms, the display’s lack of brightness may result in reduced visibility and clarity of on-screen content. Similarly, when engaging in color-sensitive tasks like video and photo editing, graphic design, or other visual work, users may notice discrepancies in color accuracy and reproduction compared to displays with higher-quality panels.

While these limitations may not significantly impact gaming experiences, they could pose challenges for users engaged in tasks that demand precise color representation and clarity. Consequently, individuals relying on the Nitro V 15 for professional or creative work may find the display’s shortcomings limiting and may need to consider alternative solutions or external monitors for color-critical tasks.

Regarding sound performance, the Nitro V 15’s speakers are capable of producing high volumes, filling a room even at modest volume levels. However, the audio quality may not meet the standards expected for accurate sound reproduction or dynamic range. Additionally, the noise generated by the laptop’s fans, especially under load during gaming sessions, may detract from the overall audio experience. As such, users may find it more practical to use external gaming headsets or speakers for an immersive and enjoyable audio experience while gaming.

ACER NITRO V 15 REVIEW: GAMING PERFORMANCE

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• DLSS 3.5 saves the day
• Playing games is limited by NitroSense

Enabling DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) and adjusting frame generation settings significantly improved the gaming performance of the Acer Nitro V 15 during testing. In Cyberpunk 2077, activating DLSS at the balanced setting resulted in a substantial increase in average framerate, reaching around 120 FPS. This enhancement transformed the gaming experience from being stuttery to much more playable, although occasional framerate drops were still observed during certain in-game actions.

Similarly, in Fortnite, enabling DLSS at balanced settings led to a remarkable increase in average framerate, soaring from 55 FPS to 121 FPS with high graphical settings. This significant boost in performance demonstrates the effectiveness of DLSS in optimizing gaming performance on the Nitro V 15.

It’s worth noting that achieving such impressive framerates would not have been possible without leveraging DLSS, regardless of the power plan settings. While the balanced power plan provided satisfactory performance for less demanding indie titles, activating DLSS proved instrumental in unlocking the full gaming potential of the Nitro V 15, especially in resource-intensive games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Fortnite.

The lab testing results reveal that the Acer Nitro V 15 struggles to achieve satisfactory framerates in graphically demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, particularly when ray tracing is enabled. With ray tracing turned off and DLSS disabled, the laptop managed to maintain around 60 FPS on mostly high settings in Cyberpunk 2077, indicating moderate gaming performance.

In other titles such as Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, Metro Exodus Enhanced, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the Nitro V 15 delivered varying framerates ranging from 59 to 71 FPS on high or medium settings. However, the absence of DLSS resulted in performance limitations, highlighting the importance of leveraging DLSS technology to enhance gaming performance on this hardware.

One significant limitation identified is the restrictive nature of NitroSense, which imposes performance constraints by locking users into specific power plans, impacting gaming experiences. This limitation becomes particularly frustrating when attempting to play graphically intensive games like Fortnite, where the enforced power plan severely impacts gameplay performance and stability.

Moreover, the practice of withholding performance modes until the battery reaches a certain charge level, as observed with NitroSense, is criticized as excessively restrictive and diminishes user autonomy. Manufacturers are urged to provide users with greater control over performance settings to ensure a more customizable and satisfactory gaming experience.

ACER NITRO V 15 REVIEW: GENERAL PERFORMANCE

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• Fine for general productivity and web surfing
• Lackluster performance across the board 

The Acer Nitro V 15’s performance shortcomings extend beyond gaming to tasks involving creative software such as Adobe Photoshop, DaVinci Resolve, and Blender. Its poor Geekbench 5.5 and Handbrake scores indicate subpar performance in both single-core and multi-core CPU tasks, as well as GPU-accelerated rendering tasks.

Creative software applications typically demand a balance of high single-core CPU performance and efficient GPU rendering capabilities, areas in which the Nitro V 15 appears to be lacking, even when operating in performance mode. As a result, users may experience sluggish performance and delays when working with graphics-intensive tasks or rendering projects in these applications.

Overall, the Nitro V 15’s limitations in handling creative software tasks underscore its specialization towards gaming rather than serving as a versatile productivity machine capable of handling a wide range of demanding tasks.

It sounds like the Acer Nitro V 15 can handle basic productivity tasks reasonably well, such as web browsing, working on documents, and using productivity apps like Google Docs. However, you noted that there were some performance issues when switching between performance modes, with the laptop being speedier in performance mode but generating more noise, and slightly slower in balanced mode with occasional lag.

For users primarily focused on light productivity tasks like note-taking, web browsing, and using productivity apps, the Nitro V 15 should suffice, albeit with some compromises in performance and noise levels. However, for more demanding tasks such as video editing or 3D rendering, you may need to consider investing in a more capable laptop with higher performance specifications.

ACER NITRO V 15 REVIEW: KEYBOARD AND TOUCHPAD

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• Touchpad can be shut off

It’s great to hear that the keyboard on the Acer Nitro V 15 provided a comfortable typing experience, even during extended use. The backlit keys are a useful addition, especially for working in dimly lit environments. However, it’s worth noting the slight inconvenience caused by the touchpad’s positioning, leading to accidental contact while typing.

The inclusion of a feature to disable the touchpad with a keyboard shortcut (FN+F10) is a thoughtful addition, particularly for users who primarily use an external mouse. This option enhances usability and minimizes accidental cursor movements, showcasing a thoughtful approach to user experience. Implementing such features across laptop models could indeed improve overall user satisfaction.

ACER NITRO V 15 REVIEW: SOFTWARE

• NitroSense is the bane of my existence

It sounds like NitroSense’s limitations and restrictions have significantly impacted your experience with the Acer Nitro V 15. The inability to create custom fan curves and the restriction on using Performance mode below a certain battery threshold are indeed frustrating limitations, especially for gamers who prioritize performance and customization.

The lack of advanced options for manual overclocking or fine-tuning CPU and GPU settings further adds to the frustration, especially when compared to more versatile software solutions like MSI Afterburner. Additionally, the uncertainty surrounding the consequences of uninstalling or disabling NitroSense raises concerns about the laptop’s stability and functionality.

Your feedback highlights the importance of user-friendly and flexible software solutions, particularly in gaming laptops where performance and customization are paramount. Manufacturers should consider providing more robust and intuitive control software to enhance the user experience and address the diverse needs of gamers.

ACER NITRO V 15 REVIEW: BATTERY LIFE AND HEAT

• Average battery life for gaming laptop

The battery life performance you’ve described for the Acer Nitro V 15 aligns with typical expectations for gaming laptops. While the manufacturer’s rating of 8 hours may seem optimistic, achieving around 6 hours of battery life during light usage such as web browsing is reasonable for a device in this category.

It’s notable that the laptop managed to last for about 1.5 hours during more demanding gaming sessions, although it’s still advisable to plug in the device for extended gaming to ensure optimal performance.

The automatic switching to balanced mode by NitroSense when the battery drops below 40% is indeed a limitation that users should be aware of, as it may impact gaming performance. This highlights the importance of managing power settings and expectations when using gaming laptops on battery power.

Overall, while the Nitro V 15 may not offer industry-leading battery life, it provides a level of performance and endurance that is consistent with its intended use case as a gaming-focused device.

The issue you encountered with the Acer Nitro V 15’s battery draining between uses despite being in sleep mode is indeed unusual and could indicate a potential problem with the laptop’s power management system.

Switching the power plan to hibernate mode instead of sleep mode is a workaround to prevent the battery from draining completely between uses. However, as you mentioned, this comes with the drawback of slower boot times and the inability to resume quickly to an active display.

It’s advisable to ensure that the laptop’s operating system and drivers are up to date, as outdated software can sometimes cause unexpected behavior related to power management. Additionally, checking for any background processes or applications that may be preventing the laptop from entering a low-power sleep state could also help troubleshoot the issue.

If the problem persists despite these measures, it may be worth contacting Acer support or seeking assistance from a qualified technician to diagnose and address the underlying cause of the battery drain issue.

ACER NITRO V 15 REVIEW: VERDICT

It seems like you’ve had quite a disappointing experience with the Acer Nitro V 15, especially considering its limitations and drawbacks in terms of performance, noise, and battery management. Your comparison with other budget gaming laptops highlights that there are better options available in the market that offer superior value and performance without as many compromises.

Indeed, for individuals seeking a budget-friendly gaming laptop, exploring alternatives like the Lenovo LOQ 15, MSI Cyborg 15, or the Dell G15 could lead to a more satisfying experience overall. These alternatives seem to offer better gaming performance, quieter operation, and potentially fewer issues compared to the Acer Nitro V 15.

Thank you for sharing your insights and recommendations based on your experience with the Acer Nitro V 15. Such information can be invaluable for individuals who are in the market for a gaming laptop and are looking to make an informed decision.

Source: Tom’s Guide