Price Analysis And Conclusion
The Predator G1-710-70001 is intended to give consumers a powerful gaming machine that comes with several attractive extras, and to that end, Acer is successful. The G1 demonstrates respectable framerates at the most demanding game settings thanks to its top-tier processor and GPU, and it comes with axiomatic peripherals (a gaming keyboard and mouse) and a hardshell rolling case. Overall, we’re really behind the idea of the Predator-branded SFF gaming PC. However, we feel that Acer falls short on a few key implementations.
We’re torn on the design of the Predator G1. We like the tower’s compact chassis, RGB LED lighting, and industrial aesthetic, but we’re sourly disappointed with the way Acer powers the device. Although the system is small enough to go where larger mid-tower cases can’t, the power supply is obtrusive with its dual 230W laptop adapters, which require two plugs from the wall and two to the PC. We’d have been okay with a few extra inches of computer and an SFX PSU if it meant we only needed to use one wire to power the Predator G1 and reduce the jungle of cables behind the desk or TV stand.
The internal design lets virtually no space go to waste, which is both a blessing and a curse for the Predator G1. On one side of the coin, it allows for a small footprint, but on the other, it’s definitely not repair or upgrade friendly. The components that you would want to possibly update first (specifically, the storage and the GPU) are encased in aluminum cages and shrouds that offer limited access only through serious dismantling. The M.2 slot is inaccessible without removing the optical drive, 3.5" HDD, and both of their drive cages. We tried to remove the GPU, but gave up after fear of damaging the device before testing it. If upgradability is a concern, the Predator G1 wouldn't be among our consideration set.
If performance is also a primary buying factor, the Predator G1’s asking price (currently $2,149 on Acer’s website) could be better spent on virtually any of the custom-shop gaming rigs we’ve recently reviewed. They may not come with peripherals (although the Syber M comes with a gaming mouse) or a travel case, but the similarly-priced competition achieves higher benchmark scores across the gamut of our tests, and we can’t recommend purchasing the Predator G1 if you're eyeing it in a price/performance battle against systems that offer unlocked, overclocked, and water-cooled CPUs. You could say it’s almost unfair to make the comparison between these vastly different configurations to begin with, but Acer invites that assessment with its unsavory price tag (unless the case and peripherals tip the scales for you).
We’ve been told not to judge books by their covers (which is precisely why we removed it), but when you look inside the Acer Predator G1 you realize that the cool, calm exterior is a front for an awkwardly-designed system that portends greatness, but settles for mediocrity.
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