Review: The Acer Nitro V 16” (RTX 4060) Delivers Budget Gaming Muscle, with Predictable Compromises

December 6, 2025

Stepping up from a system unable to handle an Elder Scrolls: Oblivion remake speaks volumes about the previous hardware's limitations. In the current volatile market for GPUs and RAM, finding a capable machine without breaking the bank is a win. I’ve spent the last six months putting the Acer Nitro V 16” through its paces, and while it firmly occupies the "budget gaming laptop" tier, it punches well above its weight class in raw performance.

Core Specifications at a Glance:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS Octa-Core (3.8 GHz, up to 5.1 GHz Max Boost)
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile 8GB VRAM
• Display: 16” WUXGA (1920x1200) 165Hz IPS panel
• RAM: 16GB DDR5 SDRAM @ 5600 MHz
• Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
• Ports: 1 x USB Type-C (USB4 support), 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1x HDMI 2.1

Performance & The GPU Upgrade Path

The immediate impression is one of significant capability. The combination of the AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS and the RTX 4060 mobile GPU handles modern titles with aplomb. Games like Kingdom Come Deliverance II and the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remake run smoothly, a stark contrast to the performance ceiling hit by the previous generation’s GTX 1650 or an aging desktop Radeon RX 580.

The machine is clearly optimized for its native 1920x1200 resolution. While it capably drives an external 32” 2K monitor, pushing demanding AAA titles at that higher resolution will show the physical limits of a budget-oriented mobile GPU. It can do 2K in a pinch, but it thrives at its intended WUXGA setting.

Design, Ergonomics, and The Budget Reality Check

Acer makes strategic cuts to hit the just-over-$1,000 price point. The chassis build quality, predominantly plastic, is adequate but unremarkable, consistent with the previous generation Nitro line. The keyboard feels marginally better than its predecessor, and the larger trackpad is a welcome improvement.

Ergonomically, the I/O port placement has improved. Shifting several ports to the rear panel is a thoughtful design choice for users utilizing docks and cooling pads, resulting in cleaner desk cable management. The inclusion of a USB Type-C port with full USB4 capabilities and DisplayPort functionality means the dedicated HDMI port is often redundant when connecting to an external monitor.

The build quality is solid black plastic with a texturized back panel for better grip. The physical power button placement is a point of contention; situated on the top-right rear of the device, it's prone to accidental activation when the device is placed in a tight pocket. A case seems essential to mitigate this minor ergonomic oversight.

Storage and Software

The 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD is fast, but in an era where single game installations can eclipse 100GB, it feels restrictive. An immediate upgrade to 2TB is highly recommended for serious gamers—luckily, the swap process on these chassis is usually straightforward.

The Kobo does have a leg up in display customization, offering a ComfortLight PRO system with adjustable color temperature (warm vs. cool light), a feature absent in my specific older Kindle, though standard in newer models.

The laptop ships with Windows 11 Home. While the operating system is a necessary evil for game compatibility, Acer keeps pre-installed utilities mostly relevant, offering standard fan management software that runs unobtrusively in the background.

Verdict

The Acer Nitro V 16” delivers exactly what it promises: a powerful, current-generation gaming experience on a budget. It makes smart use of an excellent CPU/GPU combination to offer strong 1080p-to-1200p performance. While corners are clearly cut on build materials and base storage capacity, the machine’s horsepower is undeniable. For gamers looking ahead to upcoming blockbusters like GTA 6 and The Elder Scrolls VI, this laptop provides a robust entry point that should remain relevant for several years to come.