Acer - Predator Helios 18 (2025) vs Microsoft - Surface Laptop Studio 3
Between the Predator Helios 18 (2025) and Surface Laptop Studio 3, the Predator Helios 18 (2025) comes out ahead in cpu cores and refresh rate, while the Surface Laptop Studio 3 wins on claimed battery life and weight. Overall, the Predator Helios 18 (2025) scores 87.1 and the Surface Laptop Studio 3 scores 60.7 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Predator Helios 18 (2025) is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 26.4 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the Predator Helios 18 (2025) if the display is what you stare at all day — refresh rate, brightness, or sharpness is where the difference will be most visible. The biggest gaps in its favor are cpu cores, refresh rate, storage, among others.
Pick the Surface Laptop Studio 3 if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. Its strongest claims are claimed battery life, weight.
Both ship with comparable ram, thunderbolt ports, backlit keyboard, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Predator Helios 18 (2025) is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Acer - Predator Helios 18 (2025) wins
- ▲CPU cores — 200.00% more. 24 vs 8.
- ▲Refresh rate — 108.33% more. 250 Hz vs 120 Hz.
- ▲Storage — 100.00% more. 2048 GB vs 1024 GB.
- ▲Battery — 72.38% more. 99.98 Wh vs 58 Wh.
- ▲Screen size — 25.00% more. 18 " vs 14.4 ".
- ▲Panel type: Mini-LED (vs IPS).
Why Microsoft - Surface Laptop Studio 3 wins
- ▲Claimed battery life — 157.14% more. 18 h vs 7 h.
- ▲Weight — 1.29 kg less. 1.98 vs 3.27.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Acer - Predator Helios 18 (2025) | Microsoft - Surface Laptop Studio 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 3.27 kg | 1.98 kglead |
| Thickness | 29 mm | 22 mmlead |
| Build material | aluminum | aluminum |
| Backlit keyboard | true | true |
| Fingerprint reader | false | truelead |
Display
| Spec | Acer - Predator Helios 18 (2025) | Microsoft - Surface Laptop Studio 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 18 "lead | 14.4 " |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 250 Hzlead | 120 Hz |
| Panel typeⓘ | Mini-LEDlead | IPS |
Performance
| Spec | Acer - Predator Helios 18 (2025) | Microsoft - Surface Laptop Studio 3 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX | Intel Core Ultra 7 268V |
| CPU cores | 24lead | 8 |
| GPUⓘ | NVIDIA RTX 5080 Laptop | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop |
| RAMⓘ | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Storageⓘ | 2048 GBlead | 1024 GB |
| Storage typeⓘ | SSD | SSD |
Battery & Ports
| Spec | Acer - Predator Helios 18 (2025) | Microsoft - Surface Laptop Studio 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Batteryⓘ | 99.98 Whlead | 58 Wh |
| Claimed battery life | 7 h | 18 hlead |
| USB-C ports | 1 | 2lead |
| Thunderbolt portsⓘ | 2 | 2 |
| HDMI | truelead | false |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery life, Predator Helios 18 (2025) or Surface Laptop Studio 3?+
Surface Laptop Studio 3 claims up to 18 hours — 7h vs 18h.
Which is lighter, Predator Helios 18 (2025) or Surface Laptop Studio 3?+
Surface Laptop Studio 3 is lighter at 1.98 kg vs 3.27 kg.
Which has an OLED display, Predator Helios 18 (2025) or Surface Laptop Studio 3?+
Neither model has an OLED display.
Spec-level deep dives
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