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Acer Aspire Predator

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Acer Aspire Predator
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Verdict:
It's not for everyone, but this new gaming machine is certainly striking...
 
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By David Hollingworth, Justin Robinson
Sep 19, 2008 | 18 Comments
Tags: Acer | Aspire | Predator | gaming | pc | desktop

Acer enters the desktop gaming arena - should Alienware be afraid?

We got an early look at the Acer Aspire Predator at a launch event last month, and we were all very pleasantly surprised by the system. Truth be told, after seeing photos alone of the Predator, and its garish orange case, we were kind of predisposed to dislike it. We were so wrong.

In the flesh this a unique case, to be sure, but it's a very well-built and functional one. And now we have one of our own (for now, at least) in the Atomic labs.

Our initial impression is still pretty positive - this beast commands respect. Even our Creative Director, an avowed Mac man, simply exclaimed "That's fucking hot!". And why wouldn't he.

Hot-swappable hard drives, more USB ports than God, card readers, piano-gloss orange finish, silky smooth hinged front panel, dual 9800 GTXs running in SLI, matching Acer LCD and a water-cooled QX9650 running at a stock 3.0GHz - though it's begging for some overclocking love.

Of course, it'll cost you. We're awaiting RRP on the Predator, but we're expecting $6,000 at least, and likely more.

Check out our gallery for a mess of pics of this awesomely cool machine, and our next issue for full testing and review.

And hey! If you want to one of these, we're giving one away to anyone who subscribes to our magazine. Just go here!

Good luck!

 
Product Info
Supplier:
price check*
$1999.00 Acer Aspire Predator Acer Aspire Predator Gaming Machine Intel Quad Core 2....
Online Computer (NSW)
$4944.77 Aspire Predator G7700 $6900 Extreme Gaming + Acer G24 24 inch LCD Mon(Org)
Digitan Technology (NSW)
$6448.99 Aspire Predator G7700 $8999 Extreme Gaming + Acer G24 24 inch LCD Mon(Org)
Digitan Technology (NSW)
$9315.53 Aspire Predator G7700 $12999 Extreme Gaming+Acer G24 24 inch LCD Mon(Org)
Digitan Technology (NSW)
*Products and prices sourced from staticICE and are in no way associated with Atomic MPC Powered by
 
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18 Comments
Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.
emccat
Sep 19, 2008 3:21 PM
 wow im impressed. acer always had boring and drab computers which are in plain color's (like black or grey) and usually aren't very good specs (or prices althogh $6,000 is alot for that setup to). but for acer this looks like a genuinely cool computer. (remembering that this is from acer not dell,alienware or HP/VOODOO)
superfireydave
Sep 20, 2008 5:56 PM
 I've seen a few reviews on the case (given this has been around for some time) and while it looks nice, it appears to be not nearly as well built as any Lian Li case, and even most Antec or CoolerMaster cases.
From what I understand, the majority of the detailing on the chassis is cheaper plastic and most of the internal components (of the case) are also rather cheaply designed.

Having said, the glossy finish on the outside of the case does -look- nice. But whether that's worth the price of the machine I don't know.

With respect to the hardware, obviously it's overpriced and will be redundant within a year, but that's what most people with any sense expect with these sort of setups.
strifus
Sep 20, 2008 7:04 PM
 I just want that monitor...looks sweet :)
SGG
Sep 22, 2008 9:08 PM
 Isnt Acer leading with their jaw when they submit such a system to Atomic....they must be asking for it if they think they are going to get anything but a pasting. Or is Atomic just after the advertising dollar ??
scr
Sep 22, 2008 10:16 PM
 wow liquid cooled that thing looks the goods! cant wait to see it in the flesh! definetly stands out from other desktops. hot swappable drives too i didnt think they would have went for that! VERY NICE!!!
Lun@ix
Sep 23, 2008 10:06 AM
 I found one already in Sydney ... on display and working!! Very, Very, VERY quiet ... the case is GROOVY and the monitor ... WOW - even better. Ya gotta see it to believe it. I WANT ONE!!
clint.langdon
Sep 23, 2008 10:41 AM
 If anyone in Victoria wants to look at one. Infinity Computer have them on demo in each of our stores.
Ballarat, Brunswick, Burwood, Dandenong, Frankston, Geelong, South Melbourne, Sunshine, Traralgon.
Hawkeye
Sep 23, 2008 11:37 AM
 SGG, if the machine's crap, we'll tell you. But we honestly like it. We've gamed on it, and it performs quite nicely in COD4 at least. Plus, with a machine like this, performance is almost a secondary consideration to the looks and style.

But rest assured, advertising has nothing to do with our opinion.
Lun@ix
Sep 23, 2008 1:07 PM
 The Sydney display was at Ecom Computers in the Basement 88 Pitt Street right in the CBD
Yawnie
Sep 23, 2008 4:33 PM
 looks pretty sweet so far, i'll be interested to see the benchmarking results
SGG
Sep 24, 2008 10:42 AM
 Sorry Hawkeye but I would have thought that at $6000 style would be a distant second to substance. Also COD4 runs beautifully on my Dell Vostro 400 which has a 8800GT card (benching 12000 3dmark 2006)and which cost me $1250 :)....but then my wife says that I am getting cynical in my old age
Hawkeye
Sep 24, 2008 5:32 PM
 There's a reason we have broken out our scoring into distinct segments, my man.
SGG
Sep 24, 2008 6:55 PM
 You can break it up into as many segments as you like "my man" .... but as long as that Acer ad flashes above this post Atomics review will be compromised. How much so, like beauty, will be in the eye of the beholder.
Homer.Jay
Sep 25, 2008 10:28 AM
 Ugly as sin
Hawkeye
Sep 25, 2008 11:32 AM
 Got to disagree with you there "SGG". Advertising has absolutely ZERO pull when it comes to our scores, I can guarantee that.

It's not so much an issue of compromise, but rather faith in independent journalism.
SGG
Sep 25, 2008 12:48 PM
 There are some PC mag reviews of major advertiser hardware that make me want to gag. HoweverI have read enough Atomic reviews (it is now the only PC Mag I subscribe to) to agree with you ... up to a point. Independent no longer means what it used to (“back in my day” :)) it has become a relative term (as distinct from an absolute one) so that now people have to ask 10 questions to ascertain just “how independent” someone or something is. The minute an advertiser places an ad they are paying your wages and contributing to the profit (I assume it makes a profit) of Atomic. Then people reach for the proverbial salt shaker and the only thing they have to decide is how many grains of salt they will want on each review they read .... sorry for the philosophical rant :)
Hawkeye
Sep 25, 2008 3:37 PM
 Ah, yes, you are right there, it does pay the wages - I won't argue that :)

But perhaps we should take this to PM - drop me a line if you want to chew the fat about this, as it's something that, unsurprisingly, I'm kind of passionate about.
triggerman
Sep 28, 2008 1:15 PM
 seen this one in demo. the monitor looked mad for photo and video editing. wouldn't mind paying top dollar for a premium monitor and case.
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Atomic Magazine

Issue: 106 | November, 2009

Atomic is a magazine aimed squarely at computer enthusiasts, gamers, and serious PC upgraders.

Every month we bring you the latest reviews of new technology and PC components, in depth features on everything from overclocking to console hacking, and gaming previews and interviews.
 
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