Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition vs MSI Thin 15 Comparison

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Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition

15.6 inches | May 2023

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MSI Thin 15

15.6 inches | January 2024

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Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition vs MSI Thin 15 Comparison Overview

Acer Predator Helios...

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MSI Thin 15

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MSI Thin 15

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In this review, we will be comparing Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition and Thin 15, two laptops from Acer and MSI. Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition was introduced to market in May 2023 and MSI Thin 15 was launched in January 2024. There is only 8 months difference between Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition and Thin 15 so we are expecting this to be a fair comparison regarding age and technology level.

Click for Available Configurations of the Laptops

Here is a brief look at the main features of Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition and MSI Thin 15 before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition Key Specs

Launched in May 2023
15.6" IPS LCD, 16:9 Aspect Ratio Display
CPU: Intel Core i9 13900HX
GPU: GeForce RTX 4070 Mobile 8GB
16GB Ram
359.4 x 280.8 x 27.9 mm (14.15 x 11.06 x 1.1 inches)
Weight: 2.98 kg (6.57 lbs)

MSI Thin 15 Key Specs

Launched in January 2024
15.6" IPS LCD, 16:9 Aspect Ratio Display
CPU: Intel Core i5 13420H
GPU: GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile 6GB
8GB Ram
359 x 254 x 21.7 mm (14.13 x 10 x 0.85 inches)
Weight: 1.86 kg (4.1 lbs)

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition and Thin 15 compares and decide which one is better for you.

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reasons to choose Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition over MSI Thin 15

Screen PPI	282 ppi vs 141 ppi	More pixels per inch
Screen Resolution	3840 x 2160 pixels vs 1920 x 1080 pixels	Higher pixel count screen
GPU Fabrication Process	4 nm vs 8 nm	Newer Generation GPU
GPU FLOPS	21.3 TFLOPS vs 5.5 TFLOPS	Charges via USB-C type cable
USB Power Delivery	Yes vs No	Faster RAM Type
RAM Type	DDR5 vs DDR4	Faster RAM
RAM BUS	PCI-E Gen 4.0 (4x) vs 1x PCI-E Gen 4.0 (4x), 1x 2.5" SATA HDD	Connect more device at the same time
Number of USB-C Ports	2x USB 4.0 vs 1x USB 3.2	Faster USB-C connection
USB-C Port Type	v4.0 vs v3.2	Support audio, data, power and video all through one single port
Thunderbolt	v4 vs No	Read & Write SD Cards with the built-in reader
SD Card Reader	Yes vs No	Fast way to input numbers
Numeric Pad	Yes vs No

Reasons to choose MSI Thin 15 over Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition

Weight	1.86 kg vs 2.98 kg	1.12 kg lighter
Screen-to-Body Ratio	~73.6% vs ~66.5%	Larger screen area ratio
Side Bezel Thickness	6.8 mm vs 7 mm	0.2 mm thinner bezels
Refresh Rate	144 Hz vs 60 Hz	Smoother media experience
Max Total RAM	64 GB vs 32 GB	Higher RAM potential
Bluetooth	v5.3 vs v5.2	More advanced Bluetooth connectivity
Number of USB-A Ports	3x USB 3.2 vs 1x USB 3.2	Connect more device at the same time

Common Strengths of MSI Thin 15 and Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition

Launch Dates	May 2023 vs January 2024	Both laptops are recent models
Screen Coating	Matte vs Matte	Less reflections on the screen
Fast Charging Support	Yes vs Yes	Charge the battery in a shorter time
Upgradable RAM	Yes vs Yes	Option to increase the RAM size
RAM Type	PCI-E Gen 4.0 (4x) vs 1x PCI-E Gen 4.0 (4x), 1x 2.5" SATA HDD	Fast RAM type
Upgradable Storage	Yes vs Yes	Option to increase the Storage size
SSD Type	NVMe vs NVMe	Faster Data Transfers
Wi-Fi Standard	v6E vs v6E	Fast and Reliable Wi-Fi Connections
HDMI Output	1x HDMI 2.1 vs 1x HDMI 2.1	Connect to External Displays via HDMI cable
VGA Output	No vs No	Connect to External Displays via VGA cable
Ethernet RJ45 Port	Yes vs Yes	Fast connection to Network via ethernet cable
Keyboard Backlight	Yes vs Yes	Easily see the keys under low light

Common Weaknesses of MSI Thin 15 and Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition

Touchscreen Capability	No vs No	No Touchscreen Capability
Fingerprint Sensor	No vs No	No fingerprint login feature

Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition vs MSI Thin 15: Physical Specs Comparison

In this section, we will be comparing the physical specifications and body features of the Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition and the MSI Thin 15.

Physical Specs
Weight	2.98 kg (6.57 lbs)	1.86 kg (4.1 lbs)
Surface Area	1009 cm2 (156.5 inches2)	912 cm2 (141.3 inches2)
Screen to Surface Ratio	~66.5%	~73.6%
Side Bezel Thickness	~7 mm	~6.8 mm
Weight per Inch of Screen	0.19 kg/inch	0.12 kg/inch
	0.418 lbs/inch	0.264 lbs/inch
Colors	Black	Gray

Comparison of the Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition and the MSI Thin 15 External Dimensions

Weight

Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition weighs 2.98 kg (6.57 lbs), whereas the Thin 15 weighs 1.86 kg (4.1 lbs). There is a notable difference in weight between these two laptops. The weight difference between the two laptops is not significant.

Weight Comparison

Displays size 15.0-15.9 inches

Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition 2.98 kg

MSI Thin 15 1.86 kg

Min 0.99 kg

Average 1.95 kg

Max 3.32 kg

Thickness Comparison

Displays size 15.0-15.9 inches

Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition 27.90 mm

MSI Thin 15 21.70 mm

Min 7.70 mm

Average 20.17 mm

Max 29.00 mm

Another value that we use for comparing the weights of the laptops is the Weight per Inch of Screen, which is calculated by dividing the total weight of the model with its usable diagonal screen size. This value for the Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition is 0.19 kg/inch.In comparison, this value for the MSI Thin 15 is 0.12 kg/inch.Here are some of the best performing laptops in this area:

Microsoft Surface Go 4: 0.05 kg/inch
LG Gram SuperSlim 15.6 2023: 0.06 kg/inch
Asus ProArt PZ13 HT5306: 0.06 kg/inch
Asus Zenbook A14 UX3407: 0.06 kg/inch
Dell Latitude 7330: 0.07 kg/inch
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2: 0.07 kg/inch
LG Gram 14 2022: 0.07 kg/inch
LG Gram 14 2-in-1 2022: 0.07 kg/inch

Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition vs MSI Thin 15: Internals (CPU, GPU, RAM, Battery, SSD, etc.) Comparison

CPU Comparison

CPU Model	Intel Core i9 13900HX	Intel Core i5 13420H Intel Core i7 13620H
Base Frequency	2.2 GHz	2.1 GHz
Turbo Frequency	5.4 GHz	4.6 GHz
Number of Cores	24	8 (4P + 4E)
Number of Threads	32	12
L3 Cache	36 MB	12 MB
Integrated GPU	Intel UHD Graphics (32EU)	Intel UHD Graphics (48EU)
CPU Fabrication Process	10 nm	10 nm
Geekbench 5 (Single)	2041	1702
Geekbench 5 (Multi)	20880	10952
Cinebench 23 (Single)	2104	1724
Cinebench 23 (Multi)	29042	12820

Above you can see the CPU options and the CineBench and GeekBench test scores for both laptops, which gives an idea about what kind of performance difference you may experience between the Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition and MSI Thin 15.

You may also read reviews of latest laptops with the same CPUs and compare them:

Laptops with: Intel Core i9 13900HX

Laptops with: Intel Core i5 13420H

GPU Comparison

GPU Model	GeForce RTX 4070 Mobile 8GB GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile 12GB	GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile 6GB GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile 6GB
Base Clock Frequency	1395 MHz	1065 MHz
Boost CLock Frequency	1695 MHz	1343 MHz
TGP (Total Graphics Power)	115 W	45 W
Nvidia Optimus	MUX	Yes, Advanced Optimus
Type	Dedicated	Dedicated
FLOPS	15.62 TFLOPS	5.5 TFLOPS
Memory Size	8 GB	6 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bus	128 bit	128 bit
Memory Speed	2000 MHz 16 Gbps effective	12 Gbps
Shading Units Cores	4608	2048
TMUs	144	64
ROPs	48	40

GPU is as critical as the CPU for graphic heavy applications and the table above gives a picture of how the two GPU compares. FLOPS is a measure of a GPU's performance based on the number of floating-point arithmetic calculations that the processor can perform within a second. Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition has a FLOPS value of 21.3 TFLOPS whereas the MSI Thin 15 ' has a FLOPS value of 5.5 TFLOPS. If graphical performance of the laptop is important for your use type, the MSI Thin 15 may be the better choice between these two setups.

RAM Comparison

RAM	16GB 32GB	8GB 16GB 32GB 64GB
Memory Bus	2x8 GB	1x8 GB
RAM Clock	5600 MHz	3200 MHz
RAM Type	DDR5	DDR4
Upgradable	Yes	Yes
Max RAM Size	32 GB	64 GB
Total Slots	2	2
Memory Bus	PCI-E Gen 4.0 (4x)	1x PCI-E Gen 4.0 (4x), 1x 2.5" SATA HDD

With a larger RAM capacity of 16 GB, the Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition offers an advantage for multitasking and resource-intensive applications compared to the Thin 15's RAM capacity of 8 GB.

LOCAL LLM Compatibility Evaluation

This quick guide shows what types of large language models (LLMs) each of these laptops could support, based on their respective hardware specifications. It's meant to help you compare their suitability for running AI models locally.

LLM Category	Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition	MSI Thin 15
Small Models(1-3B):Examples: Phi-2, Qwen-1.8B	✔ Run smoothly.	✔ Run smoothly.
Medium Models(7-8B):Examples: Mistral-7B, Qwen-7B	✔ Good performance.	✖ Not supported.
Large Models(13-30B):Examples: Mixtral, Qwen-14B	✖ Not supported.	✖ Not supported.
Extra-Large Models(65B+):Examples: LLaMA2-70B, Qwen1.5-72B	✖ Not supported on most systems. Requires high-end GPU or advanced setup.	✖ Not supported on most systems. Requires high-end GPU or advanced setup.

Note: Optimized (e.g., 4-bit) models may run on limited hardware. Performance depends on runtime and setup.

📌 MoE Models: Some models like Mixtral 8x7B and Qwen3-30B-A3B use a Mixture of Experts (MoE) design, activating only part of the model during inference. This means they can often run efficiently on laptops with 12–16 GB of VRAM when quantized.

BATTERY

BATTERY	90 Wh	52.4 Wh
Battery Type	Li-Ion	Li-Po
Replaceable	No	No
Fast Charging	Yes	Yes
USB Power Delivery	Yes	No
Charging Port Position	Bottom	Left
Charge Power	330 W	120 W
Full Charging Time	1:15 hr

Moreover, the Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition boasts a larger battery capacity of 90 Wh, offering extended usage time compared to the Thin 15's52 Wh.

Battery Comparison

Displays size 15.0-15.9 inches

Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition 90 Wh

MSI Thin 15 52 Wh

Min 36.00 Wh

Average 62.1 Wh

Max 100.00 Wh

STORAGE
With a larger storage capacity up to 4 TB, the Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition provides more space for storing files and applications compared to the Thin 15's max. storage capacity of 2 TB.

Storage Options	512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB	512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB
Upgradable	Yes	Yes
Total Slots	2	1
Storage type	SSD (M2)	SSD (M2)
NVMe	Yes	Yes

If your budget allows, we recommend opting for the largest possible disk size, considering the potential increase in storage capacity needs in the future. However, please keep in mind the question 'What will the laptop be used for?' when making this decision. Of course, you can later upgrade the hard disk capacity by getting a larger disk. However, if your laptop has only one disk slot, it may not be as straightforward as a RAM upgrade, where you simply add or replace a module, as moving or cloning files to a new disk may be necessary.

Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition vs MSI Thin 15: Display Comparison

The display is an essential aspect to consider when comparing the Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition and MSI Thin 15 since its is the component that you interact the most and significantly impact the experience.

Screen Area and Dimensions

Now let's look at the comparison of the actual display areas of both laptops below, keeping the bezels around the screens out of the equation. Both Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition and Thin 15 screens have the same size of 15.6".The total usable screen area of the Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition is 670cm² / 104inch² whereas the Thin 15's total usable screen area is 670cm² / 104inch².

PPI (Pixels per Inch)
Additionally, the Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition features a higher pixel density with 282 pixels per inch (PPI), ensuring sharper image details.

Screen PPI (Pixels Per Inch) Comparison

Displays size 15.0-15.9 inches

Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition 282 ppi

MSI Thin 15 141 ppi

Min 100 PPI

Average 144 PPI

Max 294.00 PPI

Refresh Rate
The Thin 15 offers a higher refresh rate of 144 Hz, resulting in smoother motion and improved visual experience.

Acer Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition vs MSI Thin 15 Connectivity Comparison

In terms of connectivity,

Wifi
Both laptops offer the same Wi-Fi standard (v6E), ensuring fast and reliable wireless connections.

Below, you'll find a Wi-Fi Versions Table, along with their release dates and speeds, to provide a brief overview of its development.

Wi-Fi Versions and Speeds

Standard	Speed	Release Date	Network	Frequency Bands (GHz)
Wi-Fi 7	up to 40 Gbps (5 GB/s)	2023	802.11be	2.4, 5, 6
Wi-Fi 6E	up to 9.6 Gbps (1.2 GB/s)	2020	802.11ax	2.4, 5, 6
Wi-Fi 6	up to 9.6 Gbps (1.2 GB/s)	2019	802.11ax	2.4, 5
Wi-Fi 5	up to 6.93 Gbps (866.25 MB/s)	2014	802.11ac	2.4, 5
Wi-Fi 4	up to 600 Mbps (75 MB/s)	2009	802.11n	2.4, 5

* Please note that the provided transfer rates are maximum theoretical values, and real-life performance may vary based on environmental factors.

USB
Both Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition and Thin 15 have USB-A ports. Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition has 1x USB 3.2 USB-A ports, while Thin 15 has 3x USB 3.2 USB-A ports.
Both Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition and Thin 15 have USB Type-C ports. Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition has 2x USB 4.0 USB Type-C ports, while Thin 15 has 1x USB 3.2 USB Type-C ports.

Below, you'll find a table of USB ports, along with their release dates and speeds.
To mitigate the confusion caused by generation names, the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) suggests using marketing names like USB 5Gbps, USB 10Gbps, and so forth, based on their respective transfer rates.

USB Type and Speeds

USB Type	Version	Speed	Date	Other Features/Explanations
USB4	Gen 4 (2.0)	80 Gbps	2022	Also known as USB 80Gbps
USB4	Gen 3×2	40 Gbps	2019	Also known as USB 40Gbps
USB 3.2	3.2 Gen 2x2	20 Gbps	2019	Double the data transfer rates of Gen 2
USB 3.2	3.2 Gen 2	10 Gbps	2017	Previously known as USB 3.1
USB 3.2	3.2 Gen 1	5 Gbps	2017	Previously known as USB 3.0
USB 3.1	3.1 Gen 2	10 Gbps	2013	Faster data transfer rates
USB 3.0	3.1 Gen 1	5 Gbps	2010	SuperSpeed USB, improved data transfer rates
USB 2.0	2.0	480 Mbps	2000	High-speed data transfer
USB 1.0	1.0	1.5 Mbps	1996	Original USB standard

Thunderbolt
Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition is equipped with Thunderbolt 4 port. Thin 15 does not have Thunderbolt port.

HDMI
Both Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition and Thin 15 feature an HDMI port (1x HDMI 2.1) for connecting to external monitors.

Below, you'll find a comparison table detailing different HDMI versions, including their bandwidth, color depth, maximum resolution, and release dates. This information can be helpful in understanding the capabilities of each HDMI version and choosing the most suitable one for your needs.

HDMI Comparison Table

HDMI Version	Maximum Resolution	Bandwidth (Gbps)	Color Depth (bits)	Release Date
HDMI 2.1-2.1b	7680 x 4320 *(8K)* @ 60p 3840 x 2160 *(4K)* @ 120p	48.0	48	2017
HDMI 2.0-2.0b	3840 x 2160 *(4K)* @ 60p	18.0	48	2013
HDMI 1.4-1.4b	3840 x 2160 *(4K)* @ 30p	10.2	48	2009
HDMI 1.3-1.3a	2560 x 1440 @ 60p	10.2	48	2006
HDMI 1.0-1.2a	1920 x 1200 @ 60p	4.95	24	2002

* Please note that the provided resolution values represent the maximum supported resolution, and actual display quality may depend on other factors such as source content and connected devices.

SD Card Reader
Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition is equipped with an SD Card Reader for easy access to memory cards. Thin 15 does not have an SD Card Reader.

Audio Jack
Both Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition and Thin 15 are equipped with a 3.5mm Audio Jack, providing seamless connection to headphones and speakers.

To summarize the connectivity and ports details, please refer to the table below to see them listed.

Connectivity and Ports
WiFi Standard (latest: v7)	v6E	v6E
Bluetooth (latest: v5.4)	v5.2	v5.3
USB-A (latest: 3.2)	1x USB 3.2	3x USB 3.2
USB Type-C (latest: USB4 2.0)	2x USB 4.0	1x USB 3.2
Thunderbolt (latest: 4)	Thunderbolt 4	No
HDMI (latest: 2.1)	1x HDMI 2.1	1x HDMI 2.1
Display Port (latest: v2.0)	No	No
VGA	No	No
Fingerprint Sensor	No	No
Optical Drive	No	No
Audio Jack 3.5mm	Yes	Yes
Ethernet RJ45	Yes	Yes
SD CardReader	Yes	No
Proprietary Charging Port	Yes	Yes