Finding an affordable gaming laptop is increasingly difficult as manufacturers focus on higher-end models. Acer’s Nitro V 15 AMD stands out as a budget-friendly option, offering solid specifications but lacking in design and display quality. Despite a robust build, its webcam and audio are disappointing. Featuring an AMD Ryzen 5 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, it delivers decent performance for 1080p gaming. However, the software experience is outdated, and the SSD underperforms compared to newer standards.
Finding an affordable gaming laptop has become a challenging task in today’s market. As manufacturers shift their focus to cater to consumers with higher budgets, what used to be classified as budget-friendly options have now transitioned into the mid-range category. A prime example of this trend can be seen with the price changes in the Asus TUF series over recent years.
Acer has chosen to stay true to its roots, providing an accessible option for gamers who may not be ready to invest in the Predator lineup. The Nitro series continues to be available for those on a budget. Though these laptops often see significant price drops shortly after release, not every configuration holds the same value. The 2024 Nitro V 15 stands out as a commendable choice, even if it doesn’t overly impress.
Acer Nitro V 15 AMD Specifications
For this review, we received the Nitro V 15 from Acer.
Design of the Acer Nitro V 15 AMD
So, has the design evolved from previous iterations? Not particularly. However, Acer has made noticeable improvements in the construction of the Nitro V 15, moving away from the cheap plastic feel of earlier models. The current chassis boasts a sturdy build, with hinges that feel robust and reliable.
It’s essential to recognize that this laptop is firmly positioned in the entry-level gaming category, meaning that sleekness and portability are not its standout features. The Nitro V 15 sports a 16-inch display with a 16:9 aspect ratio, yet its thickness of 2.35 centimeters and weight of 2.1 kilograms are not aligned with modern expectations. Cost-saving measures have led to these trade-offs.
Keyboard and Touchpad Experience
The keyboard layout is fairly standard, featuring chiclet-style keys with a somewhat longer activation distance compared to ultrabooks. While the key quality is decent, the feedback may feel a bit too soft for some users. It might not be the pinnacle of gaming keyboards, but it remains comfortable enough for regular use.
The touchpad also delivers a satisfactory experience. Although constructed from plastic, it glides smoothly and is well-placed for ease of use. Notably, the touchpad’s large diagonal size is a pleasant surprise in a budget-friendly device.
Connectivity Options
On the left side, you’ll find an RJ45 port, an HDMI 2.1 port, two USB A 3.1 Gen 2 ports, and a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port that supports DisplayPort connectivity. The right side includes a USB A 3.0 port and a combo audio jack.
While there’s always room for more connectivity options, the available ports are more than sufficient for an entry-level gaming laptop. Gamers will find everything they need for gaming or streaming, and the presence of an Ethernet port is particularly advantageous.
Webcam and Audio Quality
This is where the Nitro V 15 falls short. The 720p webcam is disappointingly low quality, a significant drawback given the advancements in this area across similar devices. Even for basic video calls, the performance is lacking.
Audio quality is equally underwhelming. The speakers, located at the bottom of the device, produce subpar sound quality. Fortunately, the availability of a combo jack and Bluetooth connectivity allows users to connect higher-quality headphones or external speakers.
Display Quality of Acer Nitro V 15 AMD
The 2024 Acer Nitro V 15 features a 15.6-inch IPS LCD display with a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and a refresh rate of 144 Hz, complemented by FreeSync technology.
Testing with DisplayCal reveals that it covers merely 59.3% of the sRGB color space and 42% of the DCI-P3 space. With a maximum brightness of 240 cd/m², the display falls short of expectations. However, the contrast ratio is a respectable 1202:1 for an IPS panel.
The average color temperature measures at 5923K, slightly warmer than ideal, while the average delta E00 is 5, with blue tones showing a maximum deviation of 21.9. Overall, aside from its gaming specifications, the display leaves much to be desired and is rather lackluster.
Software Experience
The software experience on the Acer Nitro V 15 does not reflect modern standards. While Acer has made improvements in its ultrabook lineup, these enhancements are absent in the Nitro V 15. The NitroSense interface appears to be a generic solution that lacks innovation, and the shortcut bars feel more like nuisances than useful tools.
Moreover, the inclusion of pre-installed adware, such as McAfee, is a common yet frustrating aspect of budget gaming laptops. While it’s not a major issue, be sure to uninstall unnecessary software before diving into your new device.
Performance of Acer Nitro V 15 AMD
The tested configuration of the Nitro V 15 is powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 7735HS, a 6-core processor capable of boosting up to 4.55 GHz. It comes with 16 GB of DDR5 RAM and an additional slot for future upgrades.
For storage, the laptop houses a 512 GB NVMe SSD. On the graphics front, it features the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, albeit with a reduced TGP of 75W compared to its maximum potential of 115W.
Benchmark Performance
The Ryzen 5 7735HS shows some signs of age but remains a robust option. Scoring 732 points in multi-core and 91 points in single-core tests, it proves to be a reliable companion for the RTX 4060 targeting 1080p gaming. While it may not be the ultimate pairing, it strikes a balanced performance.
On the graphics side, the RTX 4060 scored 2110 points on Steel Nomad and 2366 points on Speed Way. Despite the lower TGP of 75W, it maintains solid rasterized performance, although ray tracing performance benefits from higher power levels.
As always, NVIDIA GPUs excel in AI processing, with the RTX 4060 achieving 1957 points even at 75W, surpassing many recent NPUs. However, it’s important to note that newer offerings from Intel, Qualcomm, and AMD are rapidly closing the performance gap.
Regarding storage performance, the capabilities of the SSD lean more towards PCIe 3.0 standards rather than the more current PCIe 4.0, which is now widely adopted. While gaming performance remains acceptable, it doesn’t stand out.
Gaming Experience
The gaming performance aligns well with the product’s promise of delivering smooth 1080p gameplay. Without utilizing NVIDIA’s advanced technologies, users can expect average frame rates around 60 FPS for many recent titles.