I didn’t return the Acer Predator Neo 16S because it was a bad laptop. I returned it because, once I upgraded my desktop setup, it no longer made sense for how I actually game. And that’s important, because this laptop is genuinely impressive in a lot of ways.
The Screen Was the Standout Feature
The OLED display on the Predator Neo 16S was honestly the biggest surprise for me. In my opinion, it looked better than every other OLED gaming laptop I saw on display at Best Buy — and it was also the least expensive OLED option there. That combination alone already makes it special.
The blacks were deep, contrast was insane, and colors popped without looking fake or oversaturated. Games, YouTube, and even normal desktop use all looked premium on this panel. What really shocked me was that it looked cleaner and punchier than OLED laptops that cost way more sitting right next to it. If visuals matter to you, this screen alone is a strong reason to consider the Neo 16S.
Gaming Performance Was Exactly What I Wanted
Performance-wise, I had zero complaints. This RTX 5070 Ti laptop thing handled everything I threw at it without any drama. I played Alan Wake 2, Call of Duty, Hogwarts Legacy, and Cyberpunk 2077, and all of them ran smooth at high settings while plugged in.
It felt like a legit desktop replacement when connected to power. No weird crashes, no random stutters, and no moments where it felt underpowered. For a portable RTX 5070 Ti machine, it delivered exactly what I expected.
Build Quality Was Better Than I Expected
I went into this expecting a typical mid-tier gaming laptop feel, but it actually surprised me here too. The chassis felt solid, the Predator design looked clean without being over-the-top, and the keyboard felt good for gaming. The trackpad wasn’t MacBook-level premium, but it was totally fine for normal browsing and light work.
It didn’t feel cheap or flimsy, and it didn’t feel like it was trying to pretend it was something it wasn’t. For the price, the build quality made sense.
The Actual Reason I Returned It
Here’s the real reason I sent it back: I bought a Samsung Odyssey G8 32-inch OLED monitor for my desktop.
Once that happened, the Predator Neo 16S stopped making sense for me. I already own a powerful gaming desktop, and I do all my gaming and PC time in my home office. When I’m at my desk, I’m going to use a full-size OLED monitor, a mechanical keyboard, and a real mouse — not a 16-inch laptop screen and a built-in keyboard.
I found myself charging a gaming laptop right next to a more powerful gaming desktop connected to a bigger, better OLED display. At that point, it just felt redundant. The laptop wasn’t bad — it was just unnecessary for my setup.
The Battery Reality Check
Another factor that pushed me toward returning it was how limited it felt off the charger. You technically can game unplugged, but you’re not getting full RTX 5070 Ti performance, and the battery drains fast under load. Max-settings gaming without being plugged in just isn’t realistic.
That’s not an Acer-specific problem — that’s just how powerful gaming laptops work. But for me, it killed the whole “portable gaming” idea. If I still have to be at a desk and near a wall outlet to get the performance I want, then I might as well just use my desktop instead of counting on the Acer Predator Neo 16S battery life
Why It Didn’t Fit My Lifestyle
This is really what it comes down to: my gaming life is centered around my home office.
I don’t game on planes. I don’t game in cafés. I don’t move from room to room to play. I already had a powerful desktop, and I had just upgraded to a 32-inch OLED monitor. Buying a high-end gaming laptop on top of that just didn’t make sense anymore.
So instead of owning two overlapping systems, I chose the one that matched how I actually use my time.
Would I Still Recommend It?
Yes — absolutely. Just not for someone like me.
I’d recommend the Acer Predator Neo 16S to gamers who travel, people who want to game in different rooms, students who want one powerful machine for both school and gaming, or anyone who doesn’t already own a gaming desktop. If you want OLED visuals, strong GPU performance, and solid value for the price, this laptop is a great option.
Final Verdict
I returned the Acer Predator Neo 16S (RTX 5070 Ti) not because it failed, but because it didn’t fit my setup anymore.
The OLED screen is one of the best I’ve seen on a gaming laptop. Performance while plugged in is excellent. Build quality is solid, and it handled modern AAA games like Alan Wake 2, Cyberpunk 2077, and Hogwarts Legacy without issues.
But once I upgraded my desktop with a 32-inch OLED monitor and realized I’d still need to stay plugged in for full laptop performance, keeping the Neo 16S just didn’t make sense for my lifestyle.
For the right person, this laptop is a killer buy. Especially if they are looking for a gaming laptop for travel.
For me, it was simply the wrong tool for how I game.
Check out the beutiful screen on Youtube. Acer Neo 16s Unboxing