• Updated Jan 5 2017 at 12:25 PM

At CES 2017, Acer debuts its $12,300 gaming laptop the Predator 21 X

Acer's Predator 21 X laptop. Basically, it's the laptop equivalent of owning a Ferrari.
Acer's Predator 21 X laptop. Basically, it's the laptop equivalent of owning a Ferrari. Acer
by Brett Molina

Think Apple's new MacBook is expensive? It's got nothing on the latest laptop from Acer.

At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the computer maker unveiled the Predator 21 X, which its makers say is the first notebook computer with a curved screen.

But forget about the features: the real jaw dropper here is its price: $US8999 ($12,340).

What does $US9000 get you? That curved screen is a 21-inch display with a 2560 x 1080 resolution, top-of-the-line Intel Core processors and a Nvidia GeForce GTX graphics processing unit.

It also boasts five system fans to prevent overheating, 64 GB of DDR4-2400 memory and up to four 512 GB solid state drives.
It also boasts five system fans to prevent overheating, 64 GB of DDR4-2400 memory and up to four 512 GB solid state drives. Acer

It also boasts five system fans to prevent overheating, 64 GB of DDR4-2400 memory and up to four 512 GB solid state drives. Basically, it's the laptop equivalent of owning a Ferrari.

Perhaps the most interesting feature on the Predator is eye-tracking technology through a partnership with company Tobii.

Players can use the tech in games, identifying enemies or aiming by just looking at a spot on the screen. Acer says 45 games will support eye tracking.

It will also include an ultra-durable hard-shell carrying case, because breaking a $US9000 laptop would really be the worst.

The Predator 21 X launches in North America next month.

Perhaps the most interesting feature on the Predator is eye-tracking technology through a partnership with company Tobii.
Perhaps the most interesting feature on the Predator is eye-tracking technology through a partnership with company Tobii. Acer

Acer's approach to the PC gaming market differs from other companies introducing devices aimed at gamers, particularly those on a budget.

This week, Dell introduced an Inspiron laptop starting at a much more modest $US799. Meanwhile, Lenovo unveiled its Legion gaming laptops starting at $US900.

But it's in step with an established trend in the PC market. Although overall PC sales have fallen, the PC gaming market thrives.

SuperData Research found PC gaming drew nearly $US36 billion in revenue last year, driven by interest in free-to-play online games as well as growing interest in both virtual reality and competitive video gaming, or eSports.

The laptop at CES. What does $US9000 get you? That curved screen is a 21-inch display with a 2560 x 1080 resolution, ...
The laptop at CES. What does $US9000 get you? That curved screen is a 21-inch display with a 2560 x 1080 resolution, top-of-the-line Intel Core processors and a Nvidia GeForce GTX graphics processing unit. Krisztian Bocsi

Companies including Dell and Acer seeing fresh opportunities through the gaming market to increase sales of laptops and desktops at both the premium and budget categories.

The Taiwanese computer maker is best known for selling computer products to price-conscious consumers, which makes the introduction of a $US9000 laptop intriguing.

The majority of its laptops sell under $US1000.

MCT