THE MOST INSANE LAPTOP EVER BUILD

 THE ACER PREDATOR 21X 

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.  

Price and availability

That major cost we just mentioned? We’re talking about the price tag. At £9,000 (RM 39 000.00) this laptop will be prohibitively expensive for the vast majority of people.

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.  

Design

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. 

It also includes a full-size, backlit mechanical keyboard with Cherry Brown MX switches, which feels brilliant to use, especially when gaming. To the right of the keyboard is a unique module that on one side includes the numpad, but can be detached and flipped to become a trackpad via magnets. It’s a neatly designed feature – and works well – but it would have been lovely if Acer had made it able to function wirelessly, so you could position the numpad or trackpad wherever you like. 

Regardless, you’re likely to be using a proper mouse with the Acer Predator 21 X, especially when gaming.

Along the left-hand side of the keyboard are five programmable keys that can be assigned various macros and functions. Above them is a sixth key, which is used to switch between three pre-set ‘groups’, effectively giving you 15 function keys. 

Bulky box

So, if you do want to carry the Predator 21 X around with you, Acer does have you covered by supplying a robust carrying case built by Pelican. This is a large, solidly built, flight case that comes with four wheels on the bottom and an extendable handle for dragging along with you. Inside, the case is filled with foam to protect the Predator 21 X, while cutouts in the material allow you to store the various extras – such as the power supplies – with ease. The case is also watertight and dust-proof.